Chef John's Apple Fritters

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 large Granny Smith apples - peeled , cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons ground ginger
• 0.13 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 large egg
• 0.25 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 0.5 cups sparkling apple cider
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Melt butter over medium-high heat and cook until it turns golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

3. 3

   Add apples and cook over medium-high heat until apples just begin to soften around the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon sugar and continue cooking another 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain in a strainer; let cool to room temperature.

4. 4

   Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg together in a mixing bowl until well combined.

5. 5

   Whisk egg, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter together in a separate mixing bowl.

6. 6

   Add cooled apple pieces and sparkling apple cider; add the flour mixture. Stir just until flour is incorporated.

7. 7

   Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spoon about 2 tablespoons batter per fritter, into hot oil, slightly flattening them out. Cook in batches. Fry on one side until small bubbles appear on the surface, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip fritters over and fry the other side until richly browned, about 2 more minutes.

8. 8

   Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain grease. Cool slightly before glazing.

9. 9

   Whisk powdered sugar and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Add enough apple cider, 1 teaspoon at a time, to form a smooth glaze that is just runny enough to drizzle over fritters. Enjoy!