‘Tis the season to bake with apples and cinnamon! I love spreading the cozy scent of spicy goodness in the kitchen with wholesome desserts like these Paleo Baked Apple “Fritters”.
NOT FRIED “FRITTERS”
In Rome, where I used to live, they say: even a pair of slippers tastes good when fried.
I’ve always agreed with that age-old statement. French fries and potato chips are my top weaknesses, so… ugh! But as I grow older and wiser, trying to keep my gut as healthy as possible, I keep finding ways to make better food choices. Hence, I love these Paleo Baked Apple Fritters because they have all the delicious flavor of the original recipe, but none of the refined flours, sugars, or deep-fried heaviness.
WHAT KIND OF APPLES CAN YOU USE IN THIS RECIPE?
I used Fuji Apples because that is what I had in the fridge, and they had to be used asap. I hate throwing away good organic produce, so I decided to put them to good use and baked these yummy fritters. However, I also love using Granny Smith apples for baking because they stay firm enough and are a little tart. A perfect example is my super yummy Paleo Apple Crisp (get the recipe right here). But there are also other kinds of apples that are perfect for baking and can provide more sweetness for those who have a sweet tooth (I really don’t). Here is a great article that explores all the types of apples and their purposes in the kitchen: How to Choose the Perfect Apple for Eating Fresh, Salads, Baking and Applesauce. I especially love this practical list they included in their post:
image from Eatingwell.com
THESE APPLE FRITTERS ARE GOOD & GOOD-FOR-YOU
What makes these apple fritters healthier is not just the fact that they are baked. All the ingredients are organic, totally paleo, and gut-friendly:
- Coconut Flour
- Arrowroot Flour
- 100% Pure Maple Syrup
- Coconut Milk (full fat)
- Eggs
- Lemon Zest
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Coconut Oil
And apples, of course!
TIPS FOR PALEO BAKED APPLE FRITTERS
TIP #1: You can use 1 tsp Baking Powder in this recipe, or substitute ¼ teaspoon baking soda mixed with ½ teaspoon cream of tartar. This substitution will keep the recipe starch-free (especially corn-starch-free).
TIP #2: Cube the apples into 1/4 inch pieces or smaller. If you can’t do it by hand, use my lazy trick: cube the apples, add them to the batter, then dump the batter into a food processor and pulse 4-6 times. It will combine the batter thoroughly and make the apple cubes easily smaller. Just make sure to pulse gently and only a few times. Don’t blast it, or you’ll end up with no apple chunks at all.
TIP #3: These fritters are soft and moist on the inside, but, since they are not fried, the outside is not very crispy. One healthy way to enhance the crispness would be to sprinkle some coconut sugar on top and put them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes after they are done baking. Make sure you don’t leave the oven unattended, as the broiler might easily burn them if the timing is not just right.
TIP #4: Serve warm with a drizzle of raw honey and a sprinkle of extra cinnamon. These fritters are nut-free, but I love them with crushed walnuts or toasted almonds on top! So yummy! This is the kind of dessert that is so wholesome, it’s actually great for breakfast or as a healthy sweet snack for the kids. Can’t go wrong!
AND… ACTION!
Talk is cheap. Let me show you how easily you can make these delicious apple fritters in your own kitchen.
And here is the full printable recipe for you! Let me know if you try it!
BAKED APPLE FRITTERS (PALEO)
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ¼ cup arrowroot flour
- 1 tsp baking powder or ¼ teaspoon baking soda mixed with ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- pinch Himalayan salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon ground
- ¼ tsp nutmeg ground
- ¼ tsp lemon zest finely grated
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 5 tbsp coconut milk full fat
- ¼ cup maple syrup pure 100%
- 3 Fuji apples cubed into ¼ inch cubes
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F
- Cube the apples into 1/4 inch pieces
- In a large bowl mix the coconut flour, arrowroot flour, baking powder, lemon zest, vanilla extract, nutmeg and cinnamon
- Add the eggs, maple syrup, and coconut milk. Mix well
- Add the apple cubes and combine thoroughly
- OPTIONAL TIP: Dump the batter into a food processor and pulse 4-6 times. It will combine the batter thoroughly and make the apple cubes easily smaller. Just make sure to pulse gently and only a few times. Don't blast it, or you'll end up with no apple chunks at all.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out one heaping spoonful of batter and shape a thick patty with your hands (see video). Place the patties on the parchment paper leaving 2-3 inches between them
- Brush each fritter with coconut oil and bake for 15 minutes, until golden/brown
- Serve the fritters with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Bonus: if you have nothing against nuts, sprinkle crushed walnuts or toasted almonds on top. Yum!
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
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