Bavarian Apple Fritters

Here is my last Oktoberfest recipe of the year. Even though these Bavarian Apple Fritters or ApfelKrapfen are far less sweet than their American counterparts, they are still delicious.

Oktoberfest is a world-famous beer festival in Munich, Germany

It typically starts in late September and runs into the first weekend of October. It’s a massive celebration of Bavarian culture, with plenty of beer, traditional food, music, and fun that draws millions of visitors from all over the globe.

Here’s a quick breakdown of Oktoberfest:

Origins

Oktoberfest began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities, which included horse races. The event was such a success that it became an annual tradition, evolving into the beer-filled extravaganza we know today.

The Beer

Only beer brewed within Munich’s city limits, conforming to the strict Bavarian Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot), can be served at the festival. The beer is stronger than typical lagers, making it a potent companion for the revelry. The festival’s signature beer is “Märzen,” a slightly malty, full-bodied lager.

The Tents

Oktoberfest is set up with massive beer tents, each run by a different brewery or organization. These tents are like mini-cities, with seating tens of thousands of people! Each tent has its own personality—some focus on rowdy, beer-sloshing antics, while others cater to more relaxed vibes with traditional Bavarian music and cuisine.

So now back to these Bavarian Apple Fritters

These fritters are rolled in cinnamon sugar. These popular German pastries contain chopped candied orange peel, dried currants, and raisins. Check out these golden nuggets at street festivals and holiday markets all year round in Germany.

I used a mix of golden and dark raisin varieties. However, whatever you have on hand will do. If dried currants are too hard to find, double down on those raisins.

These cinnamon-crusted apple fritters are crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Bavarian Apple Fritters have more heft than doughnuts and have just the right amount of density.

The dough itself is not that sugary, but the raisin, currant, and candied orange peel add more than enough flavor.

Don’t let the apple fritter pictures confuse you. I used the green apples in the recipe. The red ones are there as props for the photographs, not for the recipe, because someone forgot to save a green apple for the photos.

Print

Bavarian Apple Fritters (ApfelKrapfen)

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine German

Keyword Apple Fritters

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Rise Time 1 hour

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 18 Fritters

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

• 3+1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 sugar
• 1/2 cup lukewarm milk, divided into 1/4 cups
• 2 packages of active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 2 medium-sized Granny Smith apples
• 1/3 cup raisins (Golden or Dark variety or mixed)
• 1/3 cup dried currants
• 1/3 cup chopped candied orange peel
• Canola or vegetable oil for frying
• 1 /2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a large bowl whisk together the flour and 1/2 cup sugar.
2. Use your fingers or a wooden spoon to make a well in the middle of the mixture.
3. Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the lukewarm milk and pour into the flour/sugar well.
4. Mix everything together into a rough dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and let stand for 15 minutes.
5. Cut the butter into pieces and add it to the remaining 1/4 cup of lukewarm milk. Beat the eggs together slightly.
6. Add the butter, milk, and eggs to the dough. Use your hands or the dough hook of your stand mixer and knead to combine.
7. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and store in a warm place for 30 minutes.
8. Peel and core the apples. Cut the apple fleshes into small pieces.
   
9. Knead the apple pieces, raisins, currants, and orange peel into the dough.
10. Recover the bowl with a kitchen towel and store in a warm place for 15 minutes.
11. Heat the oil. Place a layer of paper towels next to the stove.
12. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a baking rack on top.
13. Whisk together the cup of sugar with the cinnamon and pour into a flat plate.
14. When the oil had reached 375 degrees F, portion off the dough into balls, about 2-3 inches in diameter. Add the dough balls to the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Make sure you turn the fritters to get them evenly browned on all sides. If needed, adjust the heat to keep the oil at a steady 375 degrees F.
    
15. Use a slotted spoon to periodically remove any debris that breaks off of the fritters to prevent them from burning in the oil.
16. Transfer the fried apple fritters to the paper towels and blot off the excess oil.
17. Roll the fritters in the cinnamon sugar and place on the baking rack
    
18. Plate and serve.

So, do you like these Bavarian Apple Fritters? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:

POTATO SAUERKRAUT FRITTERS WITH TURMERIC YOGURT SAUCE

RADISH SCALLION FRITTERS WITH LEMON YOGURT DIP

LEMON MINT LAMB FRITTERS