Step 1

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a fork, then add milk, melted butter, and vanilla.

Step 3

Gently fold dry and wet ingredients together until just combined (do not over mix.) Fold in the apples. Add enough apples to make a very chunky batter. You want the apples to shine though!

Step 4

Heat a couple of inches of canola oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. When it gets hot (about 350 degrees), drop a little drop of batter into the oil. If it sizzles immediately and rises to the top, the oil is ready; if it burns quickly, turn down the heat.

Step 5

Drop 1 tablespoon of batter into the hot oil, six or eight at a time. Sometimes they'll flip over by themselves; sometimes you have to flip them. Just watch them and make sure they don't get too brown, but cook them long enough to make sure the batter's cooked through, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes total. Repeat with the remaining batter. Remove fritters and drain on a paper towel.

Step 6

For the glaze (if using): In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract and whole milk.

Step 7

Dust the fritters very generously with powdered sugar, or dip fritters in the light doughnut glaze. Serve warm!