Apple Season Is Upon Us

But don’t turn on the oven yet. Celebrate with a fritter.

Photo: Michelle Shinners/Moment/Getty Images

It’s that glorious time of summer when apples and peaches overlap at the farmers market. I’m sure some of you are dying to make an apple pie, but I’d argue it’s early yet for that.

Instead, opt for a fritter. The batter here is very similar to that of a cake doughnut, but where a doughnut is characterized by dough, fritters are all about the filling; the batter is just there to hold it all together. These fluffy fritters need no resting time and have a sweet apple flavor that stands on its own, although a dusting of confectioners’ or granulated sugar certainly doesn't hurt.

Apple Fritters

Makes: 6 to 8 servings
Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• Neutral oil (like canola or vegetable) for frying, plus more for the bowl
• 2½ cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract