Apple Fritter Bites

Craving a taste of autumn? Look no further than these delectable Apple Fritter Bites. Bursting with the flavors of fresh apples and warm spices, these bite-sized treats are perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples (about 2 medium)

Apple Cider Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp apple cider or juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and generously grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Then, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and unsweetened applesauce, and whisk until fully incorporated.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the finely diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the batter and drop them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a few inches of space between each fritter.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the fritter bites are lightly golden brown and cooked through.
7. While the fritters are baking, prepare the apple cider glaze. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and apple cider or juice until smooth and pourable.
8. Once the fritters are done baking, remove them from the oven and switch the broiler to high.
9. Brush a generous amount of the apple cider glaze over the warm fritter bites, allowing it to drip down the sides. Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, rotating it frequently, until the glaze begins to caramelize and bubble up.
10. Carefully remove the fritter bites from the oven and brush the remaining glaze evenly over the tops of each fritter.
11. Allow the fritters to cool for at least 15 minutes to allow the glaze to set before serving. Enjoy these irresistible Apple Fritter Bites as a delightful dessert or sweet snack!