Beer & Cardamom Apple Fritters Recipe

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This Beer & Cardamom Apple Fritters Recipe is a crispy and spiced recipe, which is made with Bramley apples and cardamom. It’s the perfect fall dessert, ready in about 45 minutes.

Beer & Cardamom Apple Fritters Ingredients

For the Fritters:

8 cardamom pods
250g plain flour
30g cornflour
½ heaped teaspoon baking powder
6 heaped tablespoons caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium free-range egg yolks
330ml can of chilled lager
2 large Bramley apples (about 500g)
1.5 litres vegetable oil, for frying

For the Salted Chocolate Sauce:

150g quality dark chocolate (70%)
6 tablespoons whole milk
4 tablespoons double cream
30g salted butter
2 tablespoons light brown muscovado sugar

How To Make Beer & Cardamom Apple Fritters

Prepare the Batter: Crush the cardamom pods to remove the seeds, then finely grind the seeds in a pestle and mortar. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornflour, baking powder, 1 tablespoon of caster sugar, a pinch of salt, half of the ground cardamom, and half of the cinnamon. Add the egg yolks and whisk, slowly pouring in the chilled lager, until you have a smooth, thick batter. Cover and set aside to rest.
Prep the Apples and Spiced Sugar: Peel and core the apples, then cut them into ½-centimetre thick slices. In a separate shallow dish, mix the remaining 5 tablespoons of caster sugar with the rest of the cardamom and cinnamon.
Heat the Oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a wide, deep, heavy-based pan to 190°C/375°F. Use a thermometer, or test by dropping in a small piece of bread; it should turn golden in about 35 seconds.
Fry the Fritters: Working in batches, dunk the apple slices into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off. Carefully place them into the hot oil and fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning regularly, until crisp and a deep golden brown.
Make the Chocolate Sauce: While the fritters are frying, snap the chocolate into a small saucepan. Add the milk, cream, salted butter, muscovado sugar, and a pinch of salt. Melt over a medium-low heat, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and pourable.
Coat and Serve: Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried fritters to a wire rack. Let them cool for a moment, then toss them in the spiced sugar mixture. Serve the warm fritters immediately with the salted chocolate sauce for dipping.

Recipe Tips

How to get the crispiest fritters? The key is using chilled lager for the batter and maintaining the correct oil temperature. The cold batter hitting the hot oil creates a light, super-crispy crust.
What if I don’t have Bramley apples? Bramley apples are great for cooking, but a firm, tart apple like a Granny Smith is an excellent substitute that will hold its shape well.
Can I make the batter ahead of time? Yes, you can make the batter up to an hour in advance. Keep it covered and refrigerated. The resting time actually helps the texture.
How do I know the oil is ready without a thermometer? The bread test is a reliable method. A 1-inch cube of bread should turn golden brown in about 35-40 seconds when the oil is at the right temperature for frying.

What To Serve With Apple Fritters

While the salted chocolate sauce is the perfect pairing, these fritters are also delicious with:

A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
A dollop of crème fraîche or whipped cream
A simple dusting of powdered sugar

How To Store Apple Fritters

Room Temperature: These fritters are best enjoyed fresh and warm. If you have leftovers, store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. They will lose their crispness.
Reheating: The best way to reheat fritters and bring back some of the crispiness is in a 350°F (175°C) oven or an air fryer for a few minutes.

Beer & Cardamom Apple Fritters Nutrition Facts

Calories: 500-600 kcal
Fat: 30g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 6g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Why use beer in the batter?

The carbonation in the beer creates tiny air pockets in the batter as it fries, resulting in a lighter, airier, and crispier texture than a batter made with water or milk.

My batter seems too thick or thin. What should I do?

If the batter is too thick to coat the apples nicely, whisk in another splash of cold lager. If it’s too thin and running off the apples, whisk in another tablespoon of flour.

Can I make these non-alcoholic?

Yes. You can substitute the lager with an equal amount of chilled sparkling water or club soda to achieve a similar light and crispy result from the carbonation.

Try More Recipes:

Jamie Oliver Brussel Sprouts With Apple And Sausage
Jamie Oliver Toffee Apple Pie Recipe
Jamie Oliver Apple Pie Puff Pastry