These velvety, crispy Bacon Apple Fritters are sinfully covered with Bacon Glaze (with or without bourbon). 
5 from 2 votes
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By Christie Vanover | Published November 22, 2020 | Last Updated February 23, 2023

bacon apple fritters stacked on wooden platter

(Photo by The Wilderness Collective)

Apple fritters have long been my favorite doughnuts. Whenever I grab a box of a dozen glazed doughnuts for work, I always ask them to bag a fritter on the side just for me.

A few years back I visited a local doughnut shop in Las Vegas, and the server asked if I wanted the plain apple fritter or the bacon apple fritter. 

I couldn’t believe my ears. My favorite doughnut and bacon! Yes please! It was love at first bite. The fritter had a perfect crispy crust with a soft, pillowy center. I was determined to recreate this recipe at home.

I have to warn you, this recipe is NOT healthy in any way. Well, maybe the apples are healthy, but these are just plain sinful.

bacon apple fritter batter, apples and bacon

Bacon Apple Fritter Batter

This bacon apple fritter recipe starts with traditional fritter batter with milk, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. The baking powder and eggs help they doughnuts rise as the cook.

Then, you stir in the diced apples and cooked bacon. You can use any type of apples. I find that honey crisp, envy and even granny smith are really tasty in this recipe. 

bacon apple fritter batter in metal bowl

How to get flat apple fritters

To cook the bacon apple fritters, you need to heat some oil in a large skillet. I pour in enough oil, so it’s about an inch deep. Get it up to about 350F degrees. 

For flat fritters, I use two large spoons. I scoop up some batter with the first spoon. Then, using the second spoon, I scrape the batter into the oil and spread it out. Thin and flat fritters give you more crunchification.

Or for a fun twist, you can spoon baby fritters in the oil. Everything is cuter when it’s bite-sized.

Fry the fritters for about 3 minutes per side. You’re looking for them to become golden in color. I usually fry 2-3 at once. 

After cooking, drain them on a cookie rack or paper towel-lined pan.

(GIF by The Wilderness Collective)

Bacon Bourbon Glaze

What makes these bacon apple fritters even more dangerous is the bacon drippings glaze. Yep! You heard me right.

After cooking the bacon, combine the drippings with powdered sugar and milk to create a creamy, salty and downright bacony confection.

Want to go even naughtier? Add in a splash of bourbon. Come on. I dare ya.

bacon apple fritters resting on cooking rack

Let the fritters cool just a bit, and then enjoy them while they’re still hot. The inside will be pillowy soft and the outside will be crunchy and sweet with the added power of bacon. 

tender inside of bacon apple fritter
bacon apple fritters stacked on wooden platter

Bacon Apple Fritters

These velvety, crispy Bacon Apple Fritters are sinfully covered with Bacon Glaze (with or without bourbon). 
Recipe by Christie Vanover
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Print Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 8 slices cooked bacon diced
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 apple diced
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Bacon Bourbon Glaze

  • 1/3 cup bacon drippings
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp bourbon optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Bacon

  • Preheat the oven to 400F degrees. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil.
  • Lay the strips of bacon on the pan in a single layer. Bake for 18 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven. Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate and save 1/3 cup of the drippings for the glaze. Dice the bacon.

Apple Fritter Batter

  • Heat the milk in the microwave for 1 minute.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar. Add in the milk.
  • Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
  • Add the diced apples and diced bacon.

Fry the Fritters

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat to 325-350F degrees.
  • Drop a large spoonful of batter into the hot oil. Use another spoon to scrape the batter off of the first spoon and gently flatten the fritter out into the oil. Add 2 to 3 fritters to the pan at a time. Fry for 3 minutes.
  • Flip and fry for 3 more minutes.
  • Place a baking rack over a sheet pan. Remove the fritters from the oil and let drain on the rack while you continue cooking the rest of the batter.

Bacon Bourbon Glaze

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the bacon drippings, milk and powdered sugar. For a grown-up fritter, add a tablespoon of bourbon.
  • Spoon the glaze over the fritters. Flip and glaze the other side. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 649kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 9gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 340mgPotassium: 230mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 142IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg

This estimate was created using an online nutrition calculator

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bacon apple fritters stacked on wooden platter

(Photo by The Wilderness Collective)