Apple Crab (Apple Fritters) Recipe

These Apple Crab Fritters are a delightful, sweet treat that combines soft dough with a flavorful apple filling. The dough is rolled with a cinnamon-spiced apple mixture, then fried to golden perfection. They’re crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. Perfect for fall or any time of year when you’re craving something comforting!

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 500 g (4 cups) flour
  • 220 ml (¾ cup + 2 tbsp) milk
  • 80 g (⅓ cup) sugar
  • 60 g (4 tbsp) butter
  • 1 cube of fresh yeast (42 g) or 1 packet of dry yeast
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp (5 g) salt
  • Some lemon peel (grated, from 1 lemon)

For the Filling:

  • 400 g (14 oz) apples (preferably sour, like Granny Smith), diced
  • 30 g (2 tbsp) sugar
  • Cinnamon, to taste
  • Some lemon juice (from ½ a lemon)

For Sprinkling:

  • 4 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (5 g)

For Frying:

  • Clarified butter (or regular frying oil)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. Heat the milk and butter: In a small saucepan, gently heat 220 ml of milk and 60 g of butter together until the butter melts and the mixture is warm but not boiling. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly until lukewarm.
  2. Activate the yeast: If you’re using fresh yeast, crumble it into the warm milk-butter mixture and stir until dissolved. If using dry yeast, simply sprinkle it over the warm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 g of flour, 80 g of sugar, 1 tsp of salt, and some grated lemon peel for a fresh, zesty aroma.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the egg. Gradually pour in the warm milk-butter mixture with the yeast. Stir everything together until a dough forms.
  5. Knead the dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment if preferred.
  6. Let the dough rest: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest in a warm spot for about 30-45 minutes or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the Apple Filling

  1. Prepare the apples: While the dough is resting, wash, peel, and core the 400 g of apples. Cut them into small cubes.
  2. Mix the filling: In a bowl, toss the apple cubes with 30 g of sugar, a generous amount of cinnamon (to taste), and a squeeze of lemon juice. This will add a sweet-tart flavor and prevent the apples from browning.

3. Assemble the Fritters

  1. Roll out the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1 cm thick.
  2. Add the filling: Spread the prepared apple filling evenly over the dough.
  3. Roll up the dough: Starting from one of the longer sides, carefully roll the dough up like a jelly roll. Once rolled, cut the dough into slices about 5 cm thick.
  4. Second rest: Place the dough slices on a tray, cover with a towel, and let them rest for an additional 30 minutes.

4. Fry the Fritters

  1. Heat the clarified butter: In a deep skillet, heat enough clarified butter (or frying oil) to deep-fry the fritters over medium heat.
  2. Fry the fritters: Carefully add the dough pieces to the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan—fry in batches if necessary.
  3. Check for doneness: The fritters are perfectly cooked when they have a golden exterior and a white ring in the middle, indicating that the dough has risen properly.
  4. Drain the fritters: Once fried, remove the fritters from the oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

5. Add the Final Touch

  1. Cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, mix 4 tbsp of sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon.
  2. Coat the fritters: While the fritters are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to give them a sweet, spiced coating.
  3. Alternatively: You can dust the fritters with icing sugar for a lighter finish if you prefer.

6. Serve

  1. Cool slightly: Let the fritters cool for a few minutes, then serve warm for the best flavor and texture. These apple fritters pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee and are perfect for any time of day!

Tips for Success

  • Squeeze the lemon: Adding lemon juice to the apple mixture not only prevents browning but also enhances the flavor, balancing the sweetness of the filling.
  • Resting the dough: Make sure to let the dough rest twice—once after kneading and again after shaping the fritters—to ensure a light, airy texture.
  • Frying temperature: Keep the oil at a consistent medium heat. Too hot, and the fritters will brown too quickly without cooking through; too cold, and they’ll absorb too much oil.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Sugars: 18 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg

Conclusion

These Apple Crab Fritters are a delicious, comforting treat that combine soft dough with a tangy apple filling, all fried to golden perfection. The hint of cinnamon and lemon adds just the right amount of flavor, while the fried dough is light and fluffy. Whether you sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar, these fritters are sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them. Enjoy them fresh out of the fryer for the best taste!

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