Prep Your Apples: First things first, let’s get those apples ready. Take your medium apples, wash them gently, then get to peeling and coring. I love using an apple corer for this; it makes the job so quick. Once cored and peeled, finely dice them. We want small pieces so they cook through beautifully and are evenly distributed throughout your Air Fryer Apple Fritters. Place them in a small bowl and set aside. This is where the perfume of apple begins to fill your kitchen, a gentle promise of what’s to come.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt. Give it a good whisk until everything is well combined. This ensures that every bite of your crunchy Air Fryer Apple Fritters has an even distribution of flavor and rise.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, lightly beat your large egg. Then, pour in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients together until they’re smoothly combined. The vanilla adds that layer of warmth, drawing you deeper into the scent of home baking.

Combine Wet and Dry & Add Apples: Now for the fun part! Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. The key word here is "just." A few lumps are perfectly fine; in fact, they often lead to a more tender fritter. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough fritters – and we want soft, tender ones! Once the batter is mostly combined, gently fold in your diced apples. Ensure they are evenly distributed.

Preheat Your Air Fryer: Take a moment to preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for achieving that characteristic crispy exterior. While it’s heating up, lightly spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents sticking and ensures your Air Fryer Apple Fritters release easily.

Shape and Air Fry Apple Fritters: Using two spoons or a small ice cream scoop, drop spoonfuls (about 2-3 tablespoons each) of the apple fritter batter into the preheated and greased air fryer basket. Don't crowd the basket; you'll likely need to work in batches, leaving enough space between each fritter for the hot air to circulate.

Cook to Golden Perfection: Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Cooking times can vary based on your air fryer model and the size of your fritters, so keep an eye on them. You want them puffed up, golden, and smelling absolutely divine.

Prepare the Glaze: While your fritters are air frying, let’s make that luscious glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Add more milk, a tiny bit at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.

Glaze and Serve: Once your fritters are perfectly golden and cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (to catch any drips). While they are still warm, lightly drizzle the glaze over each Air Fryer Apple Fritters. The warmth of the fritters will help the glaze set just slightly, creating a beautiful, sweet finish.