Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (about 200°C) for 5 minutes. This step is important as it ensures the fritters will cook evenly, giving them that perfect golden-brown crispiness. While the air fryer is heating up, you can prep the apples and the batter.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Peel and core your apples, then chop them into small, bite-sized chunks. You want the apples to be small enough to incorporate into the fritter batter without overwhelming each bite. Once chopped, toss the apples in the juice of half a lemon and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. The lemon juice will prevent browning and add a nice bright flavor to the apples, while the butter will help the apples cook down in the batter and create a slightly rich flavor.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin spice. Stir until everything is well combined. These dry ingredients will form the base of your fritter batter, so it’s important to make sure everything is evenly distributed before adding the wet ingredients.

Step 4: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, crack and beat the eggs lightly. Add in the vanilla extract, and then gently fold in the prepared apples. The apples should be coated in the vanilla and egg mixture, making them ready to incorporate into the dry ingredients. The vanilla will add a lovely, warm flavor that enhances the sweetness of the apples and the spice.

Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now, take the dry ingredient mixture and add it to the wet ingredients with the apples. Stir gently to combine, but be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can make the fritters dense. You want the batter to be slightly thick but not overly stiff. If the batter feels too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out just a little. The batter should be scoopable but still able to hold its shape.

Step 6: Spoon the Fritters onto the Air Fryer Basket

Use a spoon to scoop out heaping spoonfuls of the batter and drop them gently onto the preheated air fryer basket. You don’t need to worry about making them perfectly round or symmetrical—just spoon them onto the basket in rough rounds. Spray the tops with coconut oil spray to ensure a crisp texture. This will help the fritters brown and crisp up in the air fryer.

Step 7: Air Fry the Fritters

Place the fritters in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fritters in batches. Air fry for 3-4 minutes on one side, then carefully flip them and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until they are golden brown and crispy. Once they’re done, transfer the fritters to a cooling rack and let them cool for a few minutes before glazing.

Step 8: Make the Glaze (Optional)

While the fritters are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of almond milk with ½ cup powdered sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Once the fritters have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over them for a sweet finishing touch. The glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness and a lovely sheen to the fritters.