Today is the day to fire up your Air Fryers for National Fritters Day on December 2. Fritters are easy to cook, and they exist in different forms in cuisines all across the world. Fritters can be sweet or savory and Fritters can be an appetizer, dessert, or entrée. The first historical record of the Fritter dates back to 1665, but we guess Fritters have existed much longer than that.
The first recorded mention of the Fritter was back in 1665. Samuel Pepys, a British Member of Parliament during the Restoration period in England, wrote in one of his diary entries that he would be enjoying Fritters before Lent. However, it is believed that Fritters were first consumed by the ancient Romans, who later introduced them to Europe.
Fritters are used in many cuisines. The French Beignets, Italian “Bignè”, and Greek “Loukoumades” are examples of Fritter varieties specific to different countries. The custom of coating food in batter and frying the food was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese and Spanish in the late 16th Century.
From this, Tempura deep-fried Shellfish, Fish, and Vegetables was incorporated into traditional Japanese cuisine. Similarly, the Indian Pakora is a savory deep-fried Cake containing Meat or Vegetables including Cauliflower and Eggplant.
Fritto Misto is an Italian Fritter-like dish of several types of food, including Seafood, dipped in batter and fried in Olive Oil. Another specialty is the Flower Fritter, which is basically deep-fried edible Flowers like Acacia, Elderflower, and Squash Blossoms.
Fritters are easy and cost-effective to make so it comes as no surprise that there is a version in every culture. You can find Fritters at restaurants, County Fairs, and even on the street. The most famous Fritters you can find in the U.S. are Corn Fritters.
In the South, traditional Corn Fritters are made of melted Butter, Milk, Flour, Egg, and Corn Kernels. Corn Fritters can be baked, shallow fried, and deep-fried, and are served with Cream Honey, Fruit, or Jam. You can add virtually any Fruit or Vegetable in these delicious Fritters, making them a versatile dish.
How to Celebrate National Fritters Day
- If you have the means and the opportunity today raid your fridge and get cooking! Making Fritters is super easy, and the possibilities are endless. Enjoy a new recipe or a Southern staple like Corn Fritters or David’s favorite Apple Fritters.
- You never need an excuse to try a new restaurant, but celebrating a National Food Day is always a great reason. Honor the Fritter and try something new.
- Since Fritters exist across various cuisines, why not try a new dish? You can take your taste buds on an exotic journey by having a Bahamian Conch Fritter and Indian Pakora. Pick a place and find a Fritter to try and remember its always nice to share with your friends or family so bring them with you.
Facts About Flour
- The earliest archaeological evidence for Flour dates to 6000 BC when Wheat Seeds were crushed between basic millstones.
- In the 1930s, producers began to add iron, niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin into Flour.
- Flour made from Wheat Grains is the most satisfactory type for baked products that require a spongy structure.
- Did you know there are nine different types of Wheat Flour: including Cake Flour, Pastry Flour, plain or all-purpose Flour, Bread flour, hard Flour, Gluten-Flour, unbleached Flour, and of course self-raising flour. How many of these types of Flour have you heard of and how many have you used and for what?
- Corn Flour has been cardinal in Meso-American cuisine since ancient times and Corn Flour remains a staple in the Americas.
Why People Love National Fritters Day
Everyone knows that anything coated in batter and fried to a brown, crispy goodness makes the most mouth-watering treat and the question is who, who wouldn’t enjoy that?
Did you know Fritter recipes range across cultures, and food is always a great way to connect which is why we celebrate National Fritters Day a celebration of commonality across cultures.
Savory or sweet, deep-fried or pan-fried, big or small, Fritters come in many varieties and Fritters can be a snack, appetizer, entrée, or dessert and there are so many ways to enjoy Fritters and today is the day to try them and celebrate all things Fritter.
Recipe for Apple Fritter
Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 24
Ingredients
Original recipe yields 24 servings
- 1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cups apples – peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 cup cinnamon-sugar
Directions
- Stir flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Pour in milk, eggs, and oil; stir until well blended.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or electric skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Mix in apples until evenly distributed.
- Working in small batches to prevent overcrowding, drop Spoonfuls of batter into the deep fryer and fry in hot oil until golden all over, about 5 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer fritters to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Toss warm fritters with cinnamon sugar in a bowl until well coated.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
