Table of Contents

Baked Maple Glazed Apple Fritter Donut Holes: A Healthier Twist on a Classic Treat

For many of us, the mere mention of a donut conjures up images of pure, unadulterated bliss. That sweet, tender dough, often coated in a delightful glaze, is a comfort food staple. And if there’s one thing that elevates a classic donut, it’s the beloved apple fritter, bursting with fruit and spice. However, the traditional deep-fried nature of fritters can sometimes deter those looking for a lighter option. What if you could capture all that incredible flavor and irresistible texture without the oil bath? Enter these phenomenal Baked Maple Glazed Apple Fritter Donut Holes – a game-changer for anyone who loves a good donut but prefers to skip the deep-frying.

The Quest for the Perfect Baked Fritter: Achieving Classic Texture Without the Fryer

Creating a baked version of a notoriously fried treat is no small feat. It took several attempts – five, to be precise – to truly perfect these apple fritter donut holes. The goal was simple yet ambitious: replicate the exact texture and rich flavor of a classically fried donut fritter, but with significantly less fat. The challenge lay in achieving that ideal balance of fluffy yet dense, moist yet structurally sound, without the benefit of hot oil or the lengthy rising time associated with yeast-based doughs. Each failed attempt brought valuable lessons, refining the ratios of wet to dry ingredients, adjusting baking temperatures, and experimenting with different leavening agents.

The result of this dedicated experimentation is a recipe that yields donut holes which are wonderfully fluffy, yet possess that satisfying density characteristic of a good donut. Best of all, they achieve this delectable texture without any yeast, meaning no waiting around for dough to rise. This makes them incredibly quick and easy to prepare, bringing homemade deliciousness to your kitchen without the mess and hassle of deep-frying. Imagine biting into a warm, tender donut hole that melts in your mouth, offering all the joy of a traditional fritter with a fraction of the effort and fat.

A Symphony of Flavors: Maple, Apple, and Cinnamon Perfection

What makes these baked apple fritter donut holes truly irresistible isn’t just their incredible texture; it’s the harmonious blend of flavors that delights the palate with every bite. The journey begins with the sweet, glossy maple glaze that forms a delicate outer shell, offering a satisfying crispness before yielding to the soft interior. This rich maple flavor is a perfect complement to the star of the show: the apple.

Inside each donut hole, you’ll discover tender, soft chunks of apple pieces, providing bursts of natural fruit sweetness and a lovely textual contrast. These apple pieces are perfectly seasoned with a hit of warm, aromatic cinnamon, which elevates the entire experience, creating that comforting, classic apple fritter profile. To further amplify the pure apple essence and ensure maximum moisture, I incorporated homemade apple cider into the batter. This special touch infuses the donut holes with an authentic depth of apple flavor that store-bought versions often lack. If homemade cider isn’t available, undiluted, cloudy apple juice with natural pulp works just as beautifully, ensuring the perfect amount of moisture and an intense apple taste.

A Delight for Everyone: Perfect for Fall Gatherings and Health-Conscious Indulgences

While I often explore low-carb options, I made a conscious decision to bring you a “normal” recipe that still offers a lighter alternative to traditional fried treats. This particular recipe resonated with many, especially those following Weight Watchers, who were actively seeking point-friendly dessert ideas for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities. These baked apple fritter donut holes fit the bill perfectly, allowing everyone to indulge in delicious holiday flavors without compromising their dietary goals. They offer a delightful balance of taste and mindful eating, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health.

The versatility of this recipe also extends to the baking equipment. You can effortlessly make these delightful treats in either a mini muffin pan or a dedicated Cake Pop pan. Both options yield perfectly spherical, bite-sized donut holes, and I’ve tested this recipe successfully with both types of bakeware. The key is to ensure the batter fills the molds adequately to get that classic round shape. This flexibility means you likely already have the necessary tools in your kitchen, making this recipe even more accessible.

Why Baked is Better: Benefits Beyond Just Fewer Calories

The primary advantage of baking these apple fritter donut holes instead of deep-frying is, of course, the significant reduction in fat and calories, making them a healthier indulgence. However, the benefits extend far beyond just nutritional value. Baking eliminates the need for large quantities of hot oil, which means less mess in your kitchen, easier cleanup, and no lingering fried food smell. It’s a safer cooking method, especially when baking with children, as there’s no risk of splattering hot oil.

Furthermore, baking ensures a consistent, evenly cooked product every time. Without the variables of oil temperature and absorption, you can reliably achieve that perfect fluffy-yet-dense texture. The maple glaze adheres beautifully to the baked surface, creating a delicate crust that perfectly complements the soft interior. This method simplifies the entire process, making homemade donut holes an achievable reality for even novice bakers, ensuring a delightful treat with minimal stress. After perfecting the recipe and ensuring it was truly delicious, these baked donut holes quickly became my favorite – a close second only to the Nutella Churro Donut Holes, but that’s a story for another time!

Embracing Apple Season: A Must-Have for Your Fall Dessert Spread

With autumn arriving, it often feels like pumpkin-flavored everything takes over the dessert scene. But let’s not forget about the humble, yet incredibly versatile, apple! These baked apple fritter donut holes are a powerful reminder that apples deserve their moment in the spotlight during the fall season. They bring a burst of classic autumn flavor that beautifully complements any holiday table or cozy gathering. Prepare to see them vanish almost as quickly as they appear – I often find myself having to guard them to even get one!

To ensure you always have a stash of these delightful treats on hand, I highly recommend freezing them as soon as the maple glaze has set. This is particularly wise if you, like me, possess an undeniable sweet tooth. Freezing them helps preserve their freshness and allows you to enjoy a perfect bite-sized indulgence whenever a craving strikes, without the temptation of devouring the entire batch at once. Be warned, though: I cannot be held responsible for the inevitable “donut massacre” that will undoubtedly occur at your house once these irresistible bites are discovered!

More Donut Delights to Explore

If you’re as crazy about donuts and sweet treats as I am, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes:

Strawberry Jam Donut Crepes: A unique twist combining fluffy crepes with the sweetness of a jam donut.
Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes: Indulge in the creamy, fruity goodness of cheesecake in a delightful donut hole form.
Nutella Churro Donut Holes: The ultimate combination of crispy churros and rich Nutella, perfect for a decadent treat.
Nutella Stuffed Baked Banana Bread Donuts: Enjoy the comforting flavors of banana bread, baked into donuts and stuffed with luscious Nutella.

Featured image: Baked Maple Glazed Apple Fritter Donut Holes with a rich maple glaze

Save
Saved
Pin
Print

No ratings yet

Maple Glazed Apple Fritter Donut Holes

By

Karina

Servings:

24
donut holes

Easy to make baked Apple Fritter Donut Holes with a sweet maple glaze outer shell, soft chunks of apple pieces on the inside, and a perfect hit of cinnamon!

Ingredients

Donuts

▢

1
cup
plain or all purpose flour
▢

1/2
cup
natural sweetener or 1/3 cup granulated white sugar
I use Swerve or Natvia
▢

2
teaspoons
baking powder
▢

1/4
teaspoon
of salt
▢

1
teaspoon
ground cinnamon
▢

2
tablespoons
olive oil
or melted coconut oil
▢

1
large
egg
▢

⅓
cup
sour cream
▢

2
teaspoons
pure vanilla extract
▢

1/4
cup
apple cider
or unfiltered apple juice
▢

1
cup
apples
finely diced

Maple Glaze

▢

1/2
cup
icing / powdered sugar *see notes
▢

4
tablespoons
maple syrup
(I used sugar free, but pure is fine)
▢

1
tablespoon
milk
(more if needed)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 176°C | 350°F. Spray your cake pops baking pan OR mini muffin pan with cooking oil spray; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sweetener (or sugar), baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the oil, egg, sour cream, vanilla and cider (or juice). Whisk the wet ingredients first, and then incorporate them into the dry ingredients, mixing slowly until just combined. Slowly stir the apples through the batter.
Fill each hole with the batter to the top and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and set (insert a toothpick into each donut hole and if it comes out clean, it’s baked through).
In the meantime, pour icing sugar out into a bowl and slowly mix the maple syrup through. Stir the milk through until smooth. Add one extra tablespoon of milk only if needed (if the glaze is too thick).
Dip each donut hole into the glaze and flip with a spoon to evenly coat. Allow excess glaze to drip off and place on a baking tray lined with baking/parchment paper until glaze has set.

Notes

*I used a sweetener brand of icing/powdered sugar to cut calories, but you can use normal sugar
**Nutrition information is calculated using sweeteners, and for 1 of 24 donut holes.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!