Sourdough Discard Apple Fritters!
I’m such a huge fan of homemade apple fritters—they’re surprisingly simple to make and taste even better than the ones from the bakery! One of the best parts about making apple fritters at home is that you can control the ingredients, making them as wholesome (or indulgent) as you like.
These easy apple fritters are made with tender chunks of fresh apple folded into a warm, spiced batter. They’re fried until perfectly golden and crisp on the outside, then coated in a sweet vanilla glaze for that classic finish. Whether you’re making them for a cozy weekend breakfast or a fall dessert, they’re a delightful seasonal treat that always hits the spot.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Apple Fritters
I love fritters in all their forms, they are my favorite treat to get while at a fall festival. But I like homemade even better because I can control the ingredients, including what kind of oil it’s fried in. Where fair fritters will most likely be fried in a vegetable oil, homemade are fried in coconut oil and made with less sugar! But not only that, they can be made start to finish in less than 30 minutes.
🍲 Ingredients
Apples – I like honey crisp apples, but these can be made with any apples you have on hand!
Sourdough Discard – unfed, inactive sourdough starter that’s been stored on the counter or in the fridge.
Flour – I like to use Kirkland’s organic, unbleached, all-purpose flour the best! And while organic isn’t always necessary. I always recommend using unbleached flour first and foremost.
Baking powder – This is what makes the fritters rise and become fluffy like frying.
Eggs – 2, to keep all the ingredients together while it fries.
Cinnamon – For extra fall flavor!
👩🍳 How to Make Discard Apple Fritters
- Start by dicing your apples and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients (melted butter, sugar, sourdough discard, milk, and eggs) until well combined.
- Right into the bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon until there are no more dry bits of flour.
- Fold in your apples.
- In a deep skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C). You can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small spoonful of batter into the oil; it should sizzle and rise to the surface.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to flip them carefully.
- Once golden brown, use the slotted spoon to remove the fritters and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, and milk. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- While the fritters are still warm, drizzle the glaze over them or dip the tops into the glaze. If desired, sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg on top for added flavor.
- Enjoy your apple fritters warm with a glass of apple cider! 🙂 or let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored for a couple of days.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- For extra flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of caramel sauce to the glaze or mixing in some chopped nuts or raisins to the batter.
- You can also add a splash of apple cider to the batter for a more intense apple flavor.
- If your fritters still have some raw batter in the middle after frying (either from too big of a portion going into the hot oil or overcrowding the pan) – pop them into a 350-degree oven for 5 – 10 minutes until the middles are cooked through.
🗒 Variations
Contrary to popular belief, fritters can be made in every season! It’s just a matter of using whatever fruit is currently in season.
🗒 Substitutions
Add Spices: Incorporate cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice into the batter for extra flavor.
Baked Option: For a healthier option, you can try baking fritters instead of frying. Use parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown.
Fruit: using what fruit is in season is a good way to make fritters all year long – Choosing the right apples: Use apples that hold up well during cooking, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. These varieties provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.
🗒 Best served with
- Apple cider
- Fall brunch spread
- Autumn potluck
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Cool Completely: Allow fritters to cool on a wire rack before storing to prevent sogginess.
Airtight Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them—place in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
🤔 Common Questions
Nope! I have an air fried apple fritter recipe linked, or there is a baked option – use parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown.
Sourdough Discard Apple Fritters
Equipment
- large pan
- Slotted spatula
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup flour
- 1 tbs baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 4 tbs melted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sourdough discard
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 – 3 large apples
- 2 – 4 cups melted coconut oil for frying
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 -4 tbs milk
- 1 tbs maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Start by dicing your apples and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients (melted butter, sugar, sourdough discard, milk, and eggs) until well combined.
- Right into the bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon until there are no more dry bits of flour.
- Fold in your apples.
- In a deep skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C). You can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small spoonful of batter into the oil; it should sizzle and rise to the surface.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to flip them carefully.
- Once golden brown, use the slotted spoon to remove the fritters and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, and milk. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- While the fritters are still warm, drizzle the glaze over them or dip the tops into the glaze. If desired, sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg on top for added flavor.
- Enjoy your apple fritters warm with a glass of apple cider! 🙂 or let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored for a couple of days.
