Baked Apple Fritters

Baked apple fritters can be a lighter and healthier option compared to the fried version, but no less tasty for that. Here is a variant of the traditional recipe with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 2 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 150 g flour
• 50 g sugar (plus a little for sprinkling)
• 150 ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• Powdered sugar for decorating (optional)
• Butter, as needed for greasing

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and grease a baking tray with a little butter.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs and add the milk; mix well.
4. Combine the liquid ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix until they are well combined into a homogeneous batter.
5. Dip the apple slices in the batter, making sure they are completely coated.
6. Arrange the batter-coated apple slices on the prepared baking tray, leaving a little space between each.
7. Sprinkle the apples with a little additional sugar to give a crispy texture.
8. Bake and cook for about 20 minutes or until the fritters are golden and crispy.
9. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Interesting Facts

Baked apple fritters are a healthier way to enjoy the taste of traditional fritters, reducing the use of fats. The combination of apples and cinnamon is very common in Italian pastry, and this pairing creates an unmistakable fragrance that recalls autumn and winter days.