Air Fryer Pumpkin Fritters

These air fryer pumpkin fritters are one of my favorite fall treats. They are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and full of warm pumpkin spice flavor.

The best part is how quick they are to make. No deep frying, no messy oil cleanup. Just scoop the batter into the air fryer and let it do the work.

They come out golden brown in about 10 minutes. Then you drizzle them with a simple maple glaze that takes the whole thing to the next level.

The batter is really straightforward. You just need pumpkin puree, some basic pantry staples, and a few warm spices. Nothing fancy or hard to find.

Whether you make these for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, they are always a hit. Give them a try and see for yourself.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy Outside and Soft Inside – The air fryer gives these fritters a perfectly golden crust while keeping the center pillowy and tender.

That Maple Glaze Is Everything – The sweet maple glaze drizzled over warm pumpkin fritters creates a flavor combo that tastes like fall in every bite.

Way Less Oil Than Deep Frying – You get all the crispy fritter goodness with just a light spray of cooking oil instead of a whole pot of grease.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pumpkin Puree (canned, not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• Pinch of Ground Cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Cooking Spray

For the Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
• 1 to 2 tablespoons Milk

How To Make

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt.

Step 2

Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until a thick, sticky batter forms. Do not overmix. The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape when scooped.

Step 3

Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

Step 4

Using a medium cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of batter into the air fryer basket, leaving about 1 inch of space between each fritter. Lightly spray the tops of the fritters with cooking spray. Cook at 370 degrees F for 6 minutes.

Step 5

Gently flip the fritters over and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the center. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.

Step 6

While the fritters cook, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth and pourable.

Step 7

Transfer the warm fritters to a wire rack. Drizzle the maple glaze generously over the top. Let the glaze set for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Tips

Get the Batter Thickness Right

The batter should be thick and sticky, almost like cookie dough. If it feels too wet or runny, the fritters will spread flat in the air fryer and won’t puff up the way they should.

If your pumpkin puree seems extra watery, spoon it onto a paper towel first and let it absorb some of the excess moisture for a minute or two before adding it to the dry ingredients. This makes a big difference.

You want to be able to scoop the batter and have it hold a rounded shape on the spoon without sliding off. That’s the sweet spot.

Use a Cookie Scoop for Even Fritters

A medium cookie scoop is the best tool here because it gives you perfectly round, same-sized fritters every time. When they’re all the same size, they cook at the same rate and you won’t end up with some that are overdone and others that are still raw in the middle.

If you don’t have a cookie scoop, use a tablespoon and try to keep the portions as close in size as you can. Wet your hands slightly if you need to shape them into rounder balls.

Flip Them Gently

At the 6-minute mark, the fritters will still be soft and delicate. Use a small silicone spatula or a fork to flip them carefully. If you’re too rough, they can break apart or lose their shape.

Don’t worry if the bottoms look a little pale when you flip. The second side will brown up nicely during the remaining 4-5 minutes. Just make sure you spray the tops again lightly after flipping so they get that golden color.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Apple Fritters
• Air Fryer Banana Fritters
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Bread
• Air Fryer Pumpkin Chips
• Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?

Yes, homemade pumpkin puree works great in these fritters. Just make sure you drain it well first, because homemade puree tends to have a lot more moisture than canned. You can press it through a fine mesh strainer or let it sit in a cheesecloth for about 30 minutes to get rid of the extra liquid.

If your puree is too watery, the batter will be thin and the fritters won’t hold their shape in the air fryer. You want a thick, scoopable consistency similar to what you get straight out of the can.