Dairy-Free Apple Fritters

Prepare the dough:

Step 1

In a small saucepan, warm the plant-based milk to 110°F-120°F. Add the plant butter and stir to melt. Pour the milk mixture into a bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Add the brown sugar over top and let the mixture sit for five minutes. Attach the paddle to the stand mixer and add the egg and mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients. While mixing on low speed, slowly add 1 ½ cups of the all-purpose flour and mix to combine. Add the remaining flour, salt, and cinnamon. When ingredients are incorporated, switch to a dough hook attachment and mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Using a small amount of the oil, grease a large bowl, and transfer the dough to the greased bowl. Cover with a clean cloth and place in a draft-free area until the dough has doubled in size. This should take approximately one hour.

Prepare the apple filling:

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt plant butter. When the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and cinnamon, and stir to combine. Add diced apples and sauté until softened. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and fresh lemon juice with a spoon or small whisk and mix until smooth. Add slurry to the apple mixture and lower heat to low. Cook the apple filling until sauce thickened and clear. Transfer the filling to a bowl and set aside to cool.

Make the fritters:

Step 3

To form the fritters, start by punching down the dough and turning it out onto a well-floured work surface. Roll the dough to a 14x10 inch rectangle that is ½ inch thick. Spread the apple filling over the dough but leaving a border. Roll the dough into a log by rolling the long end up. Pinch the edges along the long end to seal the roll. Pull 1/3 of each side of the roll toward the center and press down slightly. Roll this log out to make a longer log that is approximately 16 inches long and 2 inches in diameter (this can be rolled by hand). Any cracks in the dough can be fixed by pressing together with fingers to seal. If any of the apple pieces fall out, just press the pieces back into the dough. Using a large knife or bench knife, cut log into 16 pieces. Place fritters on two parchment-lined sheet pans. Lightly cover with a clean cloth and set aside to rise until doubled in size, which should take approximately 30 minutes.

Step 4

While the fritters are rising, prepare the apple glaze. In a large mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar. Using a whisk, break up any clumps of sugar. Add the apple cider 2 tablespoons at a time until the desired consistency is reached. The glaze should be thick enough to drizzle over top of the fried fritters. Set the glaze aside until needed.

Step 5

Use An Air Fryer:
When the fritters are ready to be air-fried, line the bottom pan of air fryer with a piece of parchment paper. Using an oil spray of choice, lightly spray the parchment paper. Melted plant-based butter that is lightly brushed with a pastry brush can also be used. Depending on the size of the air fryer tray, place four or five fritters on tray. Either lightly spray or brush the tops of the fritters. Insert the tray and air fry at 400°F for four minutes, remove tray and flip fritters over. Insert tray and air fry for another 3-4 minutes. Depending on the model of the air fryer, the fritters may take more or less time. Once fried, place fritters on a wire rack to cool. Air fry the remaining fritters in batches.
 
Use A Traditional Fryer:
To fry fritters, first start by setting up a sheet pan and placing paper towels on a pan and placing a wire rack on top. Set sheet pan aside. Fill a large, deep pot halfway with oil. A deep fat thermometer may be placed on the side of the pan, so the temperature is monitored. Heat the oil to 325°F. In multiple batches, carefully place fritters into the hot oil. The heat may need to be adjusted as the fritters are frying to maintain the correct temperature. Fry one side for approximately 2 minutes, flip the fritter with a large, slotted spoon, and fry for another 2 minutes. A fritter may be taken out of the hot oil and cut open to ensure that the fritters are cooked through. Using the slotted spoon, transfer fritters to the wire rack to cool. Fry the remaining fritters.

Top with glaze:

Step 6

When the fritters are slightly cooled, using a whisk or spoon, drizzle desired amount of apple glaze on each fritter. Once the glaze has set, the fritters can be served on a serving plate and leftover fritters may be stored in an air-tight container.

Chef's Tip

If Granny Smith apples are not available, another firm-sweet apple may be used. Any desired plant-based milk and butter may be used. Apple juice may also be used if apple cider is not available.

You may use avocado, canola, peanut, or grapeseed oil as preferred for frying.