Thomas Keller’s Apple Fritters

On January 18, 2011 · 6 Comments

This dessert may very well be what ruins me.

A bold statement, I know, but firmly rooted in the truth. It all started a week or so ago when my friend Jaime was coming over to dinner. I knew that I was going to make scallops for the main meal but wasn’t sure what to make for dessert. I didn’t want to make something elaborate due to time constraints but I wanted some fun and delicious.

I was browsing on TasteSpotting and saw a post about apple fritters. This of course brought back memories of my trip to Stratford and the fabulous apple fritter truck. I honestly still dream about those apple fritters. After doing some more searching on TasteSpotting I found a photo of apple fritters using Thomas Keller’s recipe from . Of course I just happen to own this cookbook.

What struck me about this recipe is just how easy it is. You basically just make a simple batter (with stuff you most likely have on hand). Slice some apples, mix them into the batter and then fry them. I didn’t even use a lot of oil. I poured maybe an inch or inch and a half into a pot and went to town.

The results were FANTASTIC. I made these no joke 4 times in one week. The fritters are big on apple flavour (use really apple-y apples), not too doughy and not too sweet. Also, despite being deep fried, the fritters aren’t too greasy. They are just little bundles of apple cinnamon-y goodness.

Make these, but I warn you that they are truly addictive.

Apple Fritters

1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon whole milk
3 large Fuji, Gala or Golden Delicious apples
Canola oil for deep-frying
Powdered sugar for dusting (*optional)

1. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon and salt in a bowl using a whisk. Set aside.

2. Whisk together the eggs and milk in another bowl and whisk the wet into the dry ingredients (batter can then be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 hours).

3. Peel the apples and slice the fruit from the core. Cut the apples into 2″ long x 1/4″ thick matchsticks. Mix the apples into the batter.

4. Heat about 1.5″ of oil to 325 degrees F in a wide deep pot. Using 2 forks, lift up about 5 – 6 of the apple matchsticks from the batter, allowing the extra batter to drip into the bowl. Add to the oil and fry for 5 minutes turning the fritters until crisp and golden brown.

5. Add more fritters, do not to overcrowd the pot.

6. Remove the fritters from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a cooling rack covered with paper towels over a baking sheet.

7. Serve the fritters right away, and dust them with powdered sugar.

(Recipe from Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc at Home)