Air Fryer Fritters: A Healthy, Quick Treat?

Yes, you can make fritters in an air fryer! Fritters are essentially fried patties made from fruits or vegetables. While they are simple, deep-frying them can be a hassle. Air fryers are a convenient alternative as they crisp up foods to perfection, giving them a classic fried texture and taste with little to no oil.

You can make apple, zucchini, and chickpea fritters in an air fryer. They are easy to make, healthier than deep-fried fritters, and can be served as a snack, side dish, or main course.

Air fryer apple fritters

Yes, you can make fritters in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for apple fritters, which can be made in an air fryer in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
• ½ cup confectioners' sugar
• ½ teaspoon caramel extract (such as Watkins)
• Yes, you can make fritters in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for Air Fryer Apple Fritters:

Ingredients:

• Oil (for brushing/spraying)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼-⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1-2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• ¼-½ cup milk of choice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg

Method:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400-410°F. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the batter by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the diced apples.

Line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper cut to fit, and lightly brush or spray with oil. Drop about ¼ cup of batter per fritter onto the lined basket, making sure not to overcrowd the fritters. Lightly dab/spray the tops of the fritters with oil and air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

While the fritters are cooking, make the glaze by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until the butter starts to brown and foam, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. Add the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla to the browned butter, whisking until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or milk as needed.

Drizzle the glaze over the warm fritters and serve immediately.

Tips:

• Use firm apples such as Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, or Pink Lady for the best texture.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute non-dairy butter and milk.
• To make the fritters crispier, ensure the air fryer is preheated and spritz the tops of the fritters with cooking spray before cooking.
• For a simple alternative to the glaze, dust the fritters with cinnamon sugar before serving.

Air fryer zucchini fritters

These zucchini fritters are a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies without any fuss! They are crispy, flavorful, and nutritious, making them an ideal snack or side dish.

Ingredients:

• Zucchini
• Egg
• Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Green onions
• Sour cream and additional green onion (optional)
• Corn kernels (optional)
• Haloumi (optional)
• Self-raising flour (optional)
• Fresh oregano (optional)
• Natural yoghurt (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil (optional)

Method:

• Shred the zucchini using a grater into a strainer placed over a towel.
• Add salt to the zucchini and toss to coat. Let the zucchini sit for about 10 minutes to remove the water.
• Combine the egg, flour, Parmesan cheese, baking powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and sliced green onion in a separate bowl.
• Dry the zucchini with a towel, then add to the bowl with the other ingredients and mix well.
• Lightly spray your air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
• Form the zucchini mixture into small, flat cakes.
• Air fry at 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.

Tips:

• If your fritters are soggy, there may be too much moisture in your zucchini. Be sure to salt it enough and let it sit so the moisture leeches out.
• You can also use a French press, the back of a large spoon, or paper towels to remove excess water.
• Add some extra dry ingredients to the batter.

• To prevent your fritters from falling apart, ensure your air fryer basket is well-oiled before adding the zucchini mixture.
• To store, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.
• To reheat, place in the air fryer at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2-4 minutes or until crispy and heated through.

Enjoy your zucchini fritters as a snack or serve them as a side dish with sour cream and chives!

Air fryer chickpea fritters

Yes, you can make fritters in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for Air Fryer Chickpea Fritters with a sweet and spicy sauce. This recipe makes 2 dozen fritters and 1 cup of sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Oil spray

Steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°.
• In a small bowl, combine the red pepper flakes, chickpeas, cumin, garlic powder, ginger, egg, and baking soda. Refrigerate this mixture until you are ready to serve.
• Transfer the chickpea mixture to a food processor and process until finely ground.
• Add the egg and baking soda to the food processor and pulse until blended.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the cilantro and green onions.
• In batches, drop rounded tablespoonfuls of the chickpea mixture onto a greased tray in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry until lightly browned, which should take 5-6 minutes.
• Serve with the sauce.

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Sauce Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce.
• Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

Enjoy your Air Fryer Chickpea Fritters!

Air fryer apple fritters cooking time

Air fryer apple fritters are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, and they can be made in under 30 minutes. The cooking time for apple fritters in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe, but generally, they cook for around 10 minutes in total. Here is a step-by-step guide to the cooking process:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper, which will help to avoid sticking and make cleanup easier. You can use pre-cut parchment paper rounds or cut your own to fit the basket. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray or brush or spray it lightly with oil to prevent the fritters from sticking.

Step 2: Prepare the Batter

Combine the dry ingredients, such as flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients, including milk, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chopped apples.

Step 3: Cook the Fritters

Scoop the batter into the prepared air fryer basket, forming fritters of about 1/4 cup of batter each. Make sure to leave space between the fritters to allow for even cooking and crisping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fritters in batches.

Set the air fryer temperature between 350-410°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the recipe, but generally, the fritters will take around 5-6 minutes to cook on the first side. Flip the fritters and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on the second side until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Step 4: Make the Glaze (Optional)

While the fritters are cooking, you can prepare a glaze by mixing together ingredients such as confectioner's sugar, milk, cinnamon, caramel extract, or vanilla extract. The glaze can be drizzled or dipped over the warm fritters before serving.

Storage and Reheating

Air fryer apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored and reheated. Store the fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to three months.

To reheat the fritters, preheat your air fryer to 320-325°F and cook the fritters for about 2-3 minutes. If the fritters are refrigerated, add an extra 1-2 minutes to ensure they are fully heated.

Air fryer zucchini fritters cooking time

Air fryer zucchini fritters are a delicious and healthy snack that can be cooked in under 30 minutes. The cooking time for zucchini fritters in an air fryer is generally between 12 and 15 minutes at a temperature of around 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preparation

First, prepare the zucchini by grating it and removing the excess water. This can be done by adding salt to the grated zucchini and letting it sit for 10 minutes, then squeezing out the water with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Next, combine the zucchini with the other ingredients, such as eggs, flour, cheese, and spices, to form a batter.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, which is typically around 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking, and form the zucchini mixture into patties or cakes.

Place the fritters in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch, and lightly spray them with oil. Cook the fritters for 6 minutes, then turn them over and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until they are browned.

Tips for Crispy Fritters

To ensure your zucchini fritters are crispy, it is important to remove as much moisture as possible from the zucchini before mixing it with the other ingredients. This can be done by salting the grated zucchini and letting it sit for at least 10 minutes, then squeezing out the excess water.

Additionally, be sure to oil the air fryer basket well to prevent the fritters from sticking, and don't overcrowd the basket. Cook the fritters in batches if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer zucchini fritters can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. They pair well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as herb dip, sour cream, yogurt, honey mustard sauce, or ranch dressing. They can also be served with a main course, such as juicy pork chops, chicken breasts, or a Tex-Mex-inspired dish.

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