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My love for maple donuts is real! I absolutely adore classic maple bars and pretty much all donuts for that matter. There is something about that buttery, brown sugary, maple frosting that is unmatched. And if you too, adore mixing sweet and salty flavors, these Pecan Maple Bacon Fritter Bites are for you. I firmly believe that bacon belongs in my baked goods (especially when you can pull them together in under 30 minutes). Are ya with me?
What are fritters?
Fritters are a unique donut variation because they are a bit denser than a yeast donut but crunchier than a cake donut. Fritters are a simple egg and milk-based batter that are fried by dropping scoopfuls into hot oil. You will often find fritters in sweet and savory cuisines. Like apple fritters (sweet) or corn fritters (savory).
Look at those pockets of bacon and crunchy pecans:
How to Make Pecan Maple Bacon Fritter Bites:
For the Pecan Bacon Fritter Bites
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Pour vegetable oil into a heavy pot or deep fryer. Place over medium-high heat with a thermometer attached to the side. Heat to 350 degrees, being sure to adjust throughout cooking process to maintain temp.
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In a large bowl or zip-top bag, add the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Whisk together and set aside.
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In a medium bowl add eggs, vanilla, and milk. Whisk together well and pour into the dry mixture. Us a spatula to fold the wet into the dry until almost combined.
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Add in chopped bacon and pecans and incorporate gently. Over-mixing will result in tough batter.
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Start by testing one fritter bite to ensure it cooked through and it’s nice and crispy. Use a small cookie scoop (or a 1/4 cup) to transfer batter into the oil. They should be about the size of a donut hole.
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Once golden brown on the bottom, turn over with thongs and fry until golden brown on the opposite side and transfer to a plate lined with layers of paper towels. Allow access oil to drip off, then immediately onto a cooling rack to ensure crispiness. Repeat until all batter is gone, cooking about 4-6 fritter bites at a time.
For the Glaze
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In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Whisk in milk and heat for about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring often, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.
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Remove from heat and add in corn syrup, vanilla extract, and maple extract. Add in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, whisking until smooth between additions.
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Add 1-2 tsp more milk if necessary. Keep maple glaze warm on the stove (on the lowest simmer setting), whisking occasionally. Taste glaze to ensure it’s to your liking. Add a tad more extract if needed or if too strong add a little more powdered sugar and milk to even out the flavor.
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Once cool enough to handle, dip each fritter bite into the glaze and coat about 75% of the fritter. Return to cooling rack or plate, allow the glaze to settle for a minute or two and then place one pecan half on each fritter bite (and additional bacon crumbles if using).
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Serve warm and store in an airtight container. Reheat in a microwave for about 10 seconds.
Looking for more donut recipes? Check these out!
Entenmann’s Devil’s Food Donuts Recipe
Caramel Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Looking for more quick & easy recipes?
Dairy Queen Peanut Buster Parfait Copycat Recipe
The Travis Scott Burger McDonalds Copycat Recipe
30-Minute Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe
Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
I look forward to your questions and feedback below. Please be sure to tag me @BadBatchBaking using hashtag #badbatchbaking if you made this recipe and I will feature you on my story! Plus, I LOVE to see your baking accomplishments
Easy Pecan Maple Bacon Fritter Bites
Ingredients
For the Pecan Bacon Fritter Bites
- 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2.5 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 5 strips bacon, cooked and chopped small
For the Maple Glaze
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 tsp maple extract (can sub for 1/4 butter extract + 1/4 rum extract)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 14 pecan halves for topping each bite
- cooked bacon, chopped for garnish, optional
Instructions
For the Pecan Bacon Fritter Bites
- Pour vegetable oil into a heavy pot or deep fryer. Place over medium-high heat with a thermometer attached to the side. Heat to 350 degrees, being sure to adjust throughout cooking process to maintain temp.
- In a large bowl or zip-top bag, add the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Whisk together and set aside.
- In a medium bowl add eggs, vanilla, and milk. Whisk together well and pour into the dry mixture. Us a spatula to fold the wet into the dry until almost combined.
- Add in chopped bacon and pecans and incorporate gently. Over-mixing will result in tough batter.
- Start by testing one fritter bite to ensure it cooked through and it's nice and crispy. Use a small cookie scoop (or a 1/4 cup) to transfer batter into the oil. They should be about the size of a donut hole.
- Once golden brown on the bottom, turn over with thongs and fry until golden brown on the opposite side and transfer to a plate lined with layers of paper towels. Allow access oil to drip off, then immediately onto a cooling rack to ensure crispiness. Repeat until all batter is gone, cooking about 4-6 fritter bites at a time.
For the Glaze
- In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Whisk in milk and heat for about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring often, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from heat and add in corn syrup, vanilla extract, and maple extract. Add in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, whisking until smooth between additions.
- Add 1-2 tsp more milk if necessary. Keep maple glaze warm on the stove (on the lowest simmer setting), whisking occasionally. Taste glaze to ensure it's to your liking. Add a tad more extract if needed or if too strong add a little more powdered sugar and milk to even out the flavor.
- Once cool enough to handle, dip each fritter bite into the glaze and coat about 75% of the fritter. Return to cooling rack or plate, allow the glaze to settle for a minute or two and then place one pecan half on each fritter bite (and additional bacon crumbles if using).
- Serve warm and store in an airtight container. Reheat in a microwave for about 10 seconds.
