Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating up, grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray to ensure that your fritter bites bake evenly and don’t stick.

Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. The cinnamon will infuse the dough with a warm, comforting spice that pairs perfectly with the apples.

Prepare the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. The butter should be melted but not too hot, allowing it to blend easily with the sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Then, add 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce. Continue whisking until everything is fully combined. The applesauce will add moisture to the dough and help bind the ingredients together while giving the fritters a slightly fruity flavor.

Combine the dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the fritters dense. The dough should be thick, but still sticky enough to scoop with a spoon.

Fold in the apples: Carefully fold in 1 1/2 cups of finely diced apples. The apples should be chopped into small pieces to ensure they bake evenly throughout the dough. The apples you choose for this recipe are key to the overall flavor of the fritters. Honeycrisp apples are known for their balance of sweetness and tartness, making them an excellent choice. Gala apples, on the other hand, are sweeter and will provide a more delicate flavor. Either variety works beautifully in these fritter bites.

Scoop the dough onto the baking sheet: Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the dough and drop them onto the prepared baking sheet. Space the scoops a few inches apart to allow room for the fritters to spread slightly as they bake. Each scoop will turn into a soft, golden fritter bite as it bakes. Don’t worry if the dough looks a little uneven—it will bake into perfect little fritters.

Bake the fritters: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the fritter bites are lightly golden around the edges. The outside should be firm and slightly crisp, while the inside remains soft and pillowy. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake.

Prepare the apple cider glaze: While the fritter bites are baking, make the apple cider glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar and 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons of apple cider (or apple juice). The glaze should be thin but still pourable. If it’s too thick, add a little more cider until you reach the desired consistency. This glaze will give the fritter bites a sweet, tangy coating that complements the apples perfectly.

Glaze the fritter bites: Once the fritters are baked, remove them from the oven and turn on the broiler to high. Brush some of the apple cider glaze over the warm fritter bites, allowing it to drip down the sides. The glaze will pool around the fritters, creating a sticky, sweet coating. Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, rotating the pan frequently to ensure the glaze caramelizes evenly. Watch carefully as the glaze starts to bubble and turn golden.

Finish glazing and let set: Once the glaze has caramelized and bubbled up, remove the fritters from the oven. Brush the remaining glaze evenly over the tops of the fritters. Let the fritter bites cool for about 15 minutes, allowing the glaze to set and harden slightly. This will ensure the glaze stays intact when you bite into the fritters, giving them that perfect glossy finish.