Sourdough Apple Fritters: A Recipe from the Farm

The fresh apple chunks with the sweet cinnamon and fermented sourdough come together beautifully in these Sourdough Apple Fritters.

This is a perfect fall treat that can be enjoyed all year long but is especially good in the fall with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Have you ever made an Apple Fritter? They are actually way easier than I thought they would be. Deep frying can be intimidating but if you have a thermometer, it really is quite straight forward! These Sourdough Apple Fritters: A Recipe from the Farm are delicious.

The fresh apple chunks with the sweet cinnamon and fermented sourdough come together beautifully. I wanted the longer ferment so that is the main rising component in these apple fritters, the active sourdough starter. They are fried in oil or lard of your choice and then glazed with a sweet glaze. The trickiest part is frying them just right, but I have tips to help you get a beautiful golden exterior with the signature crunch that you expect with a good Apple Fritter. Get ready to get your hands gooey as you dig into this fall treat!

This post may contain Amazon affiliate links or other affiliate links. This is no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

The Ingredients for Sourdough Apple Fritters:

• Sourdough Starter: I use active sourdough starter in this recipe to create a beautiful dough that is both fluffy and fermented. If you don’t have a sourdough starter, be sure to check out these resources: Learning Sourdough with Agnes or Agnes Dehydrated Sourdough Starter.
• All Purpose Flour: All purpose or bread flour should work well in this recipe. Just make sure it is unbleached.
• Milk: I use whole milk in this recipe but 2% should also work well. Cold is fine!
• Eggs: This recipe has 2 eggs in it. They add richness to the dough.
• Butter: Melted and added just for a little for flavor and a softer dough.
• Brown Sugar: I love how the brown sugar adds to the fall flavors of this Apple Fritter.
• Apple: I would use Honey Crisp or Granny Smith Apples for this recipe. You want a firm apple. Choose the Honey Crisp if you want a sweeter apple, Granny Smith if you want a tart apple option. If you like tart flavors the granny smith would cut some of the sweetness of this treat.
• Baking Soda: The baking soda is added to help create a fluffy dough.
• Salt: Salt is added to complement and brings more flavor to this sweet pastry.
• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Cinnamon as you probably already know pairs beautifully with apples and creates the perfect flavor for this fall time treat! Nutmeg is optional and I would only add it if you usually like the nutmeg flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: This recipe uses granulated sugar to create almost a sauce on the apples before they are added to the dough.
• Powdered Sugar: The powdered sugar is used with milk to create a yummy glaze to dip the Apple Fritters in. Yum!

What if I want my Apple Fritters bakery size?

I like the smaller size that the ¼ cup of batter provides. Whenever I go to a bakery and get an apple fritter, I always have to find someone to share it with because they are so big!

However, if you like the size of the bakery apple fritters than I would do ½ cup batter and increase the time to 5-6 minutes on each side.

Tips for Making the Best Apple Fritters:

1. Make sure your oil is hot, and you have at least 1.5 inches on oil in the pan.
2. I find the best technique to get them flat is to scoop the ¼ cup of dough out and then with clean hands stretch and flatten the dough. Believe me you will want to do this as they will puff up a lot!
3. I love having plenty of fresh apple in my apple fritters, so I usually go for the 2 cups of apples.

Other Fall Time Sourdough Recipes on TheFarmChicken:

• Sourdough Brown Sugar Pumpkin Bread
• Sourdough Discard Apple Cider Donuts (Baked)
• Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
• Sourdough Caramel Rolls

The Process of Making Sourdough Apple Fritters in Pictures:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Pin this for Later:

Sourdough Apple Fritters: A Recipe from the Farm

• 1/3 cup (80g) active sourdough starter
• 3/4 cup + 2 T (200g) whole milk
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar, packed
• 2T (30g) butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 2 3\4-3 cups (350g) all purpose or bread flour

Add to the dough after bulk ferment:

• 1 ½- 2 cups chopped apples, in small chunks (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• ½ tsp (3g) baking soda
• 2 tsp (5g) cinnamon
• 1 tsp (6g) sea salt
• Dash of nutmeg
• 2 T (8g) granulated sugar

Ingredients for the Glaze:

• 2 cup (240g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (60g) of milk or enough to make a runny glaze to dip in

Cooking Oil:

• Roughly a quart of your choice of high temp frying oil – I used canola oil

Instructions for Sourdough Apple Fritters:

• In a large mixing bowl measure or weigh out the starter, milk, brown sugar, and butter. Mix until combined then add the eggs and mix well. Next, add the flour to the large bowl and mix well making sure that the mixture is well incorporated.
• Cover the bowl and let ferment in the fridge overnight or 10-12 hours.

The Next Day:

• In a medium sized mixing bowl add the apple, baking soda, cinnamon, sea salt, nutmeg and sugar. Mix until the apples are well coated and then add to the dough mixture.
• Using your hands fold and incorporate the apple mixture into the dough. Let rest for 1 hour.
• About 30 minutes before you are ready to fry the apple fritters take a large pan with a heavy bottom like a Dutch oven or tall sided cast-iron skillet. Add 1.5-2 inches of oil in the bottom and using a thermometer, such as a candy thermometer, heat the oil to 350-375 degrees.
• You want to make sure to keep the oil in this range for the best outcome on the fritters. You will most likely need to turn the heat up when you first put the apple fritters in the pan so that they can maintain the 350–375-degree oil temperature. I usually fluctuate the heat on the stove from a medium heat to a low heat.
• While you are waiting for the oil to preheat take a small bowl and add the powdered sugar and ¼- ½ cup of milk. Add the milk whisking until you get a thin consistency.

Ready to cook:

• After the sourdough apple fritter batter has sat for 1 hour at room temperature take roughly a ¼ cup of batter stretch it out with your hand to get it flat and then carefully set the dough in the hot oil. I usually only do 2 at a time but you may be able to do 3 at a time depending on the size of the pan and if you are able to watch the temperature closely.
• You will want to do roughly 3-4 minutes on each side. You want them to be golden brown and cooked through. Then when both sides are cooked transfer the apple fritters using a slotted spoon or slotted spatula to a plate lined with paper towel. This helps get rid of any excess oil.
• Place more apple fritters in the batter and then transfer the ones you have on the plate to a cooling rack. Dip these in the glaze on each side and then transfer back to the cooling rack to cool and the glaze to set up.
• Repeat with the remaining batter and enjoy!
• Serve warm or same day for best results. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

They do reheat well in the oven following these instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place leftover Apple Fritters on cookie sheet. Place in the oven for 5-7 minutes until warm. Enjoy!

Makes 16-18 apple fritters.

Sourdough Apple Fritters: A Recipe from the Farm

5 from 4 votes

The perfectly fall apple pastry. These sourdough Apple Fritters are simple to make and oh so good!

By: Mariah Nienhuis

Serving Size: 12 apple fritters

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• ⅓ cup (80g) active sourdough starter
• ¾ cup + 2T (200g) whole milk
• ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar packed
• 2 T (30g) butter melted
• 2 eggs
• 2¾-3 cups (350g) all-purpose flour or bread flour

Add to the dough after bulk ferment:

• 1 ½- 2 cups chopped apples in small chunks (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• ½ tsp (3g) baking soda
• 2 tsp (5g) cinnamon
• 1 tsp (6g) sea salt
• Dash of nutmeg
• 2 T (8g) granulated sugar

Ingredients for the Glaze:

• 2 cup (240g) powdered sugar
• ¼-½ cup (60g) milk or enough to make a runny glaze to dip in

Cooking Oil:

• 1 quart Roughly a quart of your choice of high temp frying oil – I used canola oil

Instructions

 

Instructions for Apple Fritters:

• In a large mixing bowl weigh out the starter, milk, brown sugar, and butter. Mix until combined then add the eggs and mix well. Next, add the flour to the large bowl and mix well making sure that the mixture is well incorporated.
• Cover the bowl and let ferment in the fridge overnight or 10-12 hours.
• The next day in a medium sized mixing bowl add the apple, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and sugar. Mix until the apples are well coated and then add to the dough mixture.
• Using your hands fold and incorporate the apple mixture into the dough. Let rest for 1 hour.
• About 30 minutes before you are ready to fry the apple fritters take a large pan with a heavy bottom like a Dutch oven or tall sided cast-iron skillet. Add 1.5 inches of oil in the bottom and using a thermometer, such as a candy thermometer, heat the oil to 350-375 degrees.
• You want to make sure to keep the oil in this range for the best outcome on the fritters. You will most likely need to turn the heat up when you first put the apple fritters in the pan so that they can maintain the 350–375-degree oil temperature. I usually fluctuate the heat on the stove from a medium heat to a low heat.
• While you are waiting for the oil to preheat take a small bowl and add the powdered sugar and ¼- ½ cup of milk. Add the milk whisking until you get a thin consistency.
• Take the sourdough apple fritter batter after it has sat for 1 hour at room temperature and taking roughly a ¼ cup of batter stretch it out with your hand to get it flat and then carefully set the dough in the hot oil. I usually only do 2 at a time but you may be able to do 3 at a time depending on the size of the pan and if you are able to watch the temperature closely.
• You will want to do roughly 3-4 minutes on each side. You want them to be golden brown and cooked through. Then when both sides are cooked transfer the apple fritters using a slotted spoon or slotted spatula to a plate lined with a paper towels. This helps get rid of any excess oil.
• Place more apple fritters in the batter and then transfer the ones you have on the plate to a cooling rack. Dip these in the glaze on each side and then transfer back to the cooling rack to cool and dry.
• Repeat with the remaining batter and enjoy!
• Serve warm or same day for best results. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Notes

They do reheat well in the oven following these instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place leftover Apple Fritters on cookie sheet. Place in the oven for 5-7 minutes until warm. Enjoy!

Such a fun sourdough recipe that would be great to use for a special occasion or holiday or really a just because treat! Grab some fresh apples from an orchard this fall and make this delicious sourdough apple fritter recipe with your family and friends at home. Now you can skip the Donut shop and make them right in your home. Thank you for stopping by TheFarmChicken. Enjoy!

Mariah | TheFarmChicken

Shop this Post:

• Smithey Dutch Oven
• Gram Scale
• Metal Spatula
• Wire Rack

• 

  Sourdough Breakfast Recipes | Sourdough Dessert Recipes | Sourdough Holiday Recipes | Sourdough Recipes

  Sourdough Danish Buns with Cream Cheese and Cherry Compote

  ByTheFarmChicken August 19, 2026August 19, 2026

  Simple but sure to make a statement these Sourdough Danish Buns come together with just a sourdough enriched bread dough, cream filling and a compote. These Sourdough Danish Buns with Cream Cheese and Cherry Compote are soft and fluffy and a delicious treat! Simple but sure to make a statement these Sourdough Danish Buns come…

• 

  Sourdough Breakfast Recipes | Sourdough Dessert Recipes | Sourdough Recipes

  Fluffy Sourdough Glazed Donut Recipe

  ByTheFarmChicken July 22, 2026July 22, 2026

  This fluffy sourdough glazed donut recipe is perfectly dipped with a sweet glaze. The texture of the donuts is super fluffy with a lovely airy crumb. This fluffy sourdough glazed donut recipe is perfectly dipped with a sweet glaze. The texture of the donuts is super fluffy with a lovely airy crumb. This wonderful texture…

• 

  Sourdough Breakfast Recipes | Sourdough Recipes

  Wild Blueberry Sourdough Scones Recipe with Cream Glaze

  ByTheFarmChicken June 24, 2026June 25, 2026

  This Wild Blueberry Sourdough Scones Recipe with Cream Glaze is full of rich blueberry flavor…the secret? Adding a blueberry preserve to the batter as well as whole wild blueberries. Perfect for a summer morning on the porch with coffee or baked to share with friends. Blueberry season is upon us and what better way to…

• 

  Sourdough Dessert Recipes | Sourdough Discard Recipes | Sourdough Recipes

  Apple Pie Recipe with Flaky Sourdough Pie Crust

  ByTheFarmChicken May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

  Grab your favorite baking apple, your sourdough starter and rolling pin and let’s make this apple pie with a sourdough twist! Homemade apple pie is an American classic, it’s perfect for a chilly day dessert, holiday, just because, or served with a scoop of ice cream for a summer treat. This recipe uses sourdough for…

• 

  Sourdough Discard Recipes | Sourdough Recipes

  The Best Sourdough Cornbread Recipe with Honey

  ByTheFarmChicken November 21, 2025March 16, 2026

  I love a cozy night, chili on the stove top and the oven warming the house with the comforting smells of sourdough cornbread that is slightly sweet, moist, with crispy edges. Put a pot of chili on because you are going to want to make The Best Sourdough Cornbread Recipe with Honey! This cornbread is…

• 

  Sourdough Pairings

  Simple Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup Recipe

  ByTheFarmChicken November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

  I love the infamous bread and soup combination and could eat it on repeat through the fall and winter months. This Simple Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup Recipe is the perfect soup to pair with your sourdough bread. What better thing to pair with sourdough bread in the fall than a good bowl of warm…