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Easy homemade cherry fritters are light, sweet, and come together in just 30 minutes! Packed with sweet cherry flavor and topped with a vanilla glaze, it's the perfect summer dessert - but also tastes great year round! Feel free to customize these fresh cherry fritters with your favorite glazes and toppings too. It's an easy treat to whip up during peak cherry season!
It's cherry season, so it's time to whip up a batch of sweet cherry fritters! This classic fritter recipe yields golden, crispy pastries bursting with juicy cherry flavor.
A fresh baked cherry fritter is a classic summertime dessert for a reason. The crispy exterior gives way to pockets of juicy cherry goodness. I love using ripe, fresh cherries when they are in season for the best flavor and for a yummy chunk of cherry in each bite, but this recipe also works with frozen cherries so you can enjoy it year round!
Feel free to have fun experimenting with add-ins and different glaze ideas. This is a fun recipe to make with kids too - they will love helping out with mixing the batter and frying.
Preparing these sweet treats at home is simple. This easy recipe only takes 30 minutes from start to finish. The prep time is just 10 minutes, and they fry up in only 20 minutes. Learn how to make perfect cherry fritters using just a few basic ingredients! I've also included tips for frying, storing, and serving these tasty cherry treats!
👩🏽🍳 Why This Recipe Works
Latest Recipe Video!
🥘 Ingredients
To create these glazed cherry fritters, you will need the following simple ingredients:
🍲 Substitutions
🔪 How To Make Cherry Fritters
These cherry pie filling fritters come together in just 20 minutes and will be devoured within minutes of being fried!
Prepare Cherries: Roughly dice the washed and pitted cherries, and set them aside in a bowl for later.
Make Fritter Batter: Place the milk, vanilla, egg, butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into a high-speed blender or food processor.
Blend Until Smooth: Blend until a smooth batter has formed. Scrape down the sides several times to ensure all of the batter ingredients have been combined.
Add Diced Cherries: Transfer the batter to a large bowl and stir through the diced cherries.
Prepare Oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. The pot should have high sides to catch any oil splashes. (If you have a deep fryer, you can use that too). Test the temperature of the oil by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil, and if it starts to bubble immediately, then it is ready. You can also use a candy thermometer to test the heat of the oil.
Add Batter: Drop large spoonfuls of batter into the oil using a metal spoon or ice cream scoop. Add as many as you can fit without overcrowding the pot. The first fritter batch should cook quickly.
Fry Until Golden: Allow the fritters to cook for 1-2 minutes or until lightly golden brown; gently turn and continue to cook until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a kitchen paper towel.
Repeat As Needed: Repeat with the remaining batch of fritters. The batter makes about 12-14 fritters. Allow the cooked fritters to cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.
Make & Drizzle Glaze: Prepare the cherry donut glaze by mixing the powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla together in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the thickness by adding some water if needed. Drizzle the glaze over the fritters and allow the glaze to set before serving and enjoying.
💭 Expert Tips
📖 Flavor Variations
Here are 5 ways you can customize this cherry fritter donut recipe and pack them with flavor!
- Chocolate Cherry Fritters: Fold in chocolate chips along with the cherries for a chocolate-cherry flavor combo.
- Other Fruit: Try adding diced apples into the batter with the cherries to make cherry apple fritters, or replace the cherries with your favorite mixed berries to make berry fritters!
- Chai Spiced Fritters: Add spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg to the batter for a chai twist.
- Lemon Cherry Fritters: Use lemon zest instead of vanilla extract and lemon juice in the glaze for a bright citrus flavor.
- Coconut Cherry Fritters: Fold shredded coconut into the batter and use coconut milk for a tropical twist.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
This cherry fritters recipe is best served warm! While waiting for the fritters to cool slightly, why not make yourself a hot beverage to enjoy with them? Here are some ideas:
🫙 Storage Directions
At Room Temperature: Store completely cooled fritters in an airtight container or wrapped with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Store completely cooled fritters in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days. To refresh stale fritters, place in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy.
In the Freezer: For longer storage, freeze baked fritters in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw before enjoying or reheat frozen fritters in a 300°F oven until warmed through for about 10 minutes.
Reheating: To reheat leftovers, place fritters on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, checking frequently for doneness.
❓Recipe FAQs
What oil is best for frying fritters?
A neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or peanut with a high smoke point works best. Avoid olive oil as it can impart strong flavor.
Do I need to coat the fritters in anything before frying?
No, the batter itself will create a nice crispy exterior when fried. Do not coat in flour or breadcrumbs.
Are fritters junk food?
Typically yes, fritters are considered either a snack or junk food, since they're deep fried treats that are high in calories, sugar, and fat. Enjoy these treats in moderation!
How many calories in a cherry fritter?
A typical cherry fritter has anywhere between 350-500 calories. But our slightly healthier recipe has only 300 calories per fritter!
Why are my fritters not crispy?
There are a few reasons why your fritters may not be crispy:
1) Oil Temperature: This is typically the #1 cause behind soggy fritters. If your oil isn't hot enough, the fritters will absorb too much oil and will become soggy instead of crispy.
2) Batter: Using too much batter or a batter that contains too much water can lead to soggy treats.
3) Overmixing: This can cause too much gluten to develop, resulting in a rubbery and tough texture.
What do I do if the fritters are raw inside when I cut into them?
If undercooked, place back into the hot oil for another 1-2 minutes until the center is cooked through.
