Bacon Apple Fritters with Maple Glaze

(Photo by The Wilderness Collective)

Apple fritters have always been one of my favorite doughnut-shop treats. If I pick up a dozen glazed doughnuts to share at work, I usually ask for one apple fritter in a separate bag so I can keep it for myself. There is something irresistible about that mix of crisp edges, tender dough, warm cinnamon and sweet apple tucked into every bite.

A few years ago, I stopped at a local doughnut shop in Las Vegas and was asked a question I was not prepared for: did I want the regular apple fritter or the bacon apple fritter? The answer was obvious. My favorite doughnut combined with bacon was impossible to pass up.

That first bite was unforgettable. The outside was beautifully crisp, the inside was soft and pillowy, and the salty bacon made the sweet apple flavor even better. From that moment, I knew I wanted to make a homemade version. These bacon apple fritters are rich, indulgent and absolutely not pretending to be healthy. The apples may bring a little fruit to the party, but this recipe is all about comfort, crunch and big flavor.

This homemade bacon apple fritters recipe gives you golden fried fritters filled with diced apples and crispy bacon, then finishes them with a bacon glaze that can be made with or without bourbon. Serve them warm for breakfast, brunch or a special weekend treat.

Bacon Apple Fritter Batter

The batter for these bacon apple fritters starts with simple fritter ingredients: milk, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. The eggs and baking powder help the dough rise as it cooks, creating a tender center that contrasts with the crisp fried edges.

Once the base batter is mixed, diced apples and cooked bacon are folded in. You can use the type of apple you like best. Honeycrisp, Envy and Granny Smith apples all work well because they bring a good balance of sweetness, tartness and texture. Dice the apples small enough so they blend into the batter and cook evenly inside the fritters.

The bacon should be cooked before it is added to the batter. Baking it in the oven is an easy method because it cooks evenly and leaves you with drippings for the glaze. After the bacon is drained and diced, it adds smoky, salty flavor throughout the fritters.

How to Get Flat Apple Fritters

To fry bacon apple fritters at home, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet. Use enough oil to reach about one inch deep in the pan. The ideal frying temperature is between 325F and 350F degrees. If the oil is too cool, the fritters can absorb too much oil. If it is too hot, the outside may brown before the inside cooks through.

For flatter fritters with extra crisp edges, use two large spoons. Scoop a portion of batter with one spoon, then use the second spoon to slide the batter into the hot oil and gently spread it out. A thinner, flatter fritter gives you more surface area, which means more golden, crunchy texture.

If you prefer smaller treats, you can also spoon little portions of batter into the oil to make bite-sized fritters. They cook quickly and are fun to serve as a brunch snack or dessert-style bite.

Fry the fritters for about 3 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown. Cook only 2 to 3 fritters at a time so the skillet is not overcrowded. Once cooked, transfer them to a baking rack set over a sheet pan or to a paper towel-lined plate to drain while you finish the remaining batter.

(GIF by The Wilderness Collective)

Bacon Bourbon Glaze

The finishing touch that makes these bacon apple fritters especially memorable is the bacon glaze. Instead of using a plain sugar glaze, this version uses reserved bacon drippings for a salty, smoky flavor that balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar.

To make the glaze, whisk bacon drippings with powdered sugar and milk until smooth. The glaze should be creamy and pourable, thick enough to coat the fritters but loose enough to spoon over the top. For an optional grown-up version, add a tablespoon of bourbon. The bourbon is not required, but it adds another layer of flavor.

Let the fritters cool just slightly before glazing, then spoon the glaze over one side, flip them and glaze the other side. They are best enjoyed while still warm, when the inside is soft and tender and the outside is crisp, sweet and full of bacon flavor.

These bacon apple fritters are indulgent, comforting and packed with texture. The apples bring sweetness, the cinnamon adds warmth, the bacon brings smoky saltiness and the glaze ties it all together. If you love sweet and savory recipes, this one is worth making when you want a memorable homemade treat.

(Photo by The Wilderness Collective)