Begin by preparing a large mixing bowl. Add the finely diced apples, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Gently stir these dry ingredients together until the apples are evenly coated, ensuring they absorb the flavors.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, large egg, pure vanilla extract, and melted unsalted butter until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Fold the two mixtures together gently until just combined. It’s okay if there are small lumps in the batter; avoid over-mixing to keep the fritters light and fluffy.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) while you prepare the fritter batter.
Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop tablespoons of the fritter batter into the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between each fritter to allow them to expand while cooking.
Air fry the fritters for 10-12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, carefully flip each fritter to ensure they achieve an even golden brown color and crispy texture on both sides.
Once the fritters are cooked through and golden brown, carefully remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes.
Before serving, dust the warm fritters generously with powdered sugar for a delightful finishing touch.
Notes
Arrange the fritters on a decorative platter and sprinkle some additional cinnamon for an inviting look. Serve with caramel or chocolate dipping sauce.