Almond Flour Apple Fritters (Air Fryer, Gluten-Free)
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These almond flour apple fritters are air-fried until crisp on the outside and soft inside, then finished with a maple cream cheese glaze. Made with almond, oat, and tapioca flours, they’re gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and designed to avoid soggy or crumbly results.
What makes this recipe different is that it actually works with almond flour for a soft texture. Almond flour can turn fritters greasy, crumbly, or dense if it’s used on its own, so I tested different combinations until I found one that holds together and cooks evenly in the air fryer. The mix of almond flour for richness, oat flour for structure, and tapioca for light crisping gives you fritters that feel bakery-style, not fragile.
Why These Almond Flour Apple Fritters Work
- Designed for almond flour: I tested different blends until I found one that holds together and doesn’t turn greasy or crumbly.
- Cooked apples first: Softening the apples ahead of time keeps the batter from getting watery or gummy.
- Rested batter: Letting the batter sit for a few minutes makes a big difference in how well the fritters hold their shape.
- Air-fryer friendly: Light oil brushing and space between fritters gives you crisp edges without deep frying.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting air-fryer gluten-free apple fritter recipe:
- Apples: You can use any variety of fresh apples including granny smith apples, fuji, and honey crisp apples.
- Almond Flour: Almond flour is already gluten-free, but if you need a nut-free option, you can replace it with sunflower seed flour or coconut flour. Keep in mind that coconut flour is highly absorbent, so you’ll need less of it, typically about 1/4 cup for every 1 cup of almond flour.
- Oat Flour: Use certified gluten-free oat flour to ensure it’s gluten-free. If you can’t have oats, you can use sorghum flour or brown rice flour as a substitute. I do not recommend using wheat flour.
- Tapioca Flour: Tapioca flour, also known as tapioca starch, is a common gluten-free choice, but you can substitute it with arrowroot flour or potato starch if needed.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Make sure these are labeled as gluten-free. Most commercial brands are, but double-check to be sure.
- Butter: Replace regular butter with dairy-free butter or coconut oil to make it dairy-free. If you need a dairy-free and soy-free alternative, try using ghee (clarified butter).
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: You can omit both spices however they do create the apple cinnamon flavors.
- Cream Cheese: For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free cream cheese made from almond or cashew milk. There are many brands available in stores.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is naturally gluten-free. You can also use agave nectar or honey as a sweetener if preferred.
Easily Adapt This Recipe for Any Diet
This recipe is naturally easy to tweak. Use the swaps below to adjust for different diets while keeping the same texture and flavor I tested.
- Gluten-Free:
This recipe is already gluten-free. Just be sure your oat flour is certified gluten-free, since oats are the most common source of hidden gluten. - Dairy-Free:
Use dairy-free butter or coconut oil in the fritters and swap the cream cheese in the glaze for a dairy-free version made from almond or cashew milk. You can also skip the glaze entirely and serve them plain. - Vegan:
I haven’t fully tested a vegan version. Replacing the egg and cream cheese will change the structure, especially with almond flour, so expect a softer, more cake-like fritter if you experiment.
💡 Pro Tip: If you try a substitution that works well, leave a comment so others can learn from it too.
How to Make My Almond Flour Apple Fritters
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling
Chop two apples into 1/2 inch apple chunks. In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped apples, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the apples are tender and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Fritter Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3 tablespoons melted butter (or dairy-free alternative), 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
Then add the dry ingredients, including 1 cup almond flour, 1 cup oat flour, 1/2 cup tapioca flour, 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon gluten-free baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Mix until well combined. The batter should be thick but sticky. You can add more oat flour or almond milk to adjust if needed.
Gently fold the tender apples into the fritter batter until evenly distributed. Let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes before cooking to allow the flours to hydrate.
Step 3: Air Fry the Fritters
You will want to line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper cut 1/2 inch smaller than the bottom of your basket. Trim off the corners of the parchment paper so they do not blow over the fritters on the corners while baking. The parchment paper also makes for easy cleanup.
Scoop the fritter batter and place inside the air fryer basket. Allow room around each fritter for the air to circulate. You can choose the shape of your fritters. You can leave them as round mounds, or you can use a spoon and reshape them as ovals.
Baste each fritter on the top and four sides with a pastry brush and coconut oil.
Cook at 380°F for 8 minutes or until golden brown.
Oven Baked: You can also bake the fritters in an oven. Scoop the fritter batter onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Baste with coconut oil. Then bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the fritters are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl combine, 2 oz of cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and creamy. You can also mix in a small blender or chopper cup until smooth and creamy.
Baste the glaze on the tops of the fritters with a pastry brush.
Allow about 10 minutes for the glaze to soak into the fritter and set. Then serve the gluten-free apple fritters warm and enjoy!
My Expert Recipe Tips
- Let the batter rest: I always give the batter 5–10 minutes before cooking so the flours hydrate and the fritters hold together instead of spreading.
- Dice apples small: Almond flour batter can’t support big chunks. Smaller pieces cook evenly and keep the fritters intact.
- Cook apples until just tender: This adds flavor and keeps excess moisture from making the fritters soggy.
- Watch color, not the clock: Almond flour browns quickly. Once they’re golden, they’re usually done.
- Give them space: Crowding the air fryer traps steam and softens the edges instead of crisping them.
- Reheat the right way: These crisp back up best in the air fryer or toaster oven. The microwave makes them soft and spongy.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
These almond flour apple fritters work especially well as part of a balanced breakfast or brunch. I like pairing them with protein to make them more satisfying and blood-sugar friendly.
- With eggs: Serve alongside my Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs or Fluffy Cottage Cheese Omelet for an easy protein boost.
- With breakfast sausage: These are great with my Ground Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties when you want something more filling.
- As a brunch spread: Add fresh fruit and one of my savory egg recipes for a cozy weekend or holiday breakfast.
- With yogurt: Serve with plain Greek yogurt and cinnamon for a lighter, protein-balanced breakfast.
- As a lighter dessert: Enjoy warm on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an occasional treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you love apple desserts? Check out more of my easy and nutritious apple dessert recipes:
Almond Flour Apple Fritters (Air Fryer, Gluten-Free)
Gluten-FreeIngredients
Fritter Batter:
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Apple Filling:
- 2 cups chopped apple (2-3 apples)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Glaze:
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 pinches salt
Instructions
Apple Filling:
- Chop two apples into 1/2 inch apple chunks.In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped apples, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the apples are tender and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Fritter Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3 tablespoons melted butter (or dairy-free alternative), 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.Then add the dry ingredients, including 1 cup almond flour, 1 cup oat flour, 1/2 cup tapioca flour, 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon gluten-free baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.Mix until well combined. The batter should be thick but sticky. Gently fold the tender apples into the fritter batter until evenly distributed. Let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes before cooking to allow the flours to hydrate.
- You will want to line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper cut 1/2 inch smaller than the bottom of your basket. Trim off the corners of the parchment paper so they do not blow over the fritters on the corners while baking. The parchment paper also makes for easy cleanup.Scoop the fritter batter and place inside the air fryer basket. Allow room around each fritter for the air to circulate. You can choose the shape of your fritters. You can leave them as round mounds, or you can use a spoon and reshape them as ovals.Baste each fritter on the top and four sides with a pastry brush and coconut oil. Cook at 380°F for 8 minutes or until golden brown.Oven Baked: You can also bake the fritters in an oven. Scoop the fritter batter onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Baste with coconut oil. Then bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Cream Cheese Glaze:
- While the fritters are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl combine, 2 oz of cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and creamy. You can also mix in a small blender or chopper cup until smooth and creamy.Baste the glaze on the tops of the fritters with a pastry brush. Allow about 10 minutes for the glaze to soak into the fritter and set. Then serve the gluten-free apple fritters warm and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Important Disclaimer
This recipe is created by a home cook and not a medical professional. Our ingredient philosophy is reviewed by RDNs, but this specific post is not personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for dietary concerns.
Looking for more desserts made without refined sugar?
Browse all of my naturally sweetened dessert recipes, made with maple syrup, honey, fruit, and other simple sweeteners for treats that feel familiar and satisfying.
These are so delicious! They turned out perfect in the air fryer. We will be making these again for sure!
That is so awesome, Jen! Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I also love how the air fryer gives them a sweet crispy edge.
These gluten free apple fritters were delicious! They have the perfect amount of sweetness, I like that they weren’t overly sweet and didn’t use sugar. I used dairy free butter and dairy free cream cheese and the whole family loved them. My air fryer is small, so I made a few in the air fry and the rest in the oven. The air fryer produced crisper outer edges, while the oven baked ones had a texture more similar to a muffin. Some of my family preferred the air fried ones, and some preferred the oven baked. Both were so good! Thanks for another excellent, easy recipe Nicole!
You are so welcome Celeste!! I love that you cooked them both ways and could compare the results. Those are great substitutions to make them dairy-free!