Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven heats, spray a baking sheet evenly with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Set the prepared baking sheet aside for later use.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon until the mixture is uniform and combined. Set this dry mixture aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with the granulated sugar until smooth. Add the large egg and continue whisking until everything is well incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and applesauce, mixing until combined. Gradually add the dry mixture from Step 2, stirring until just incorporated. Finally, fold in the diced Honeycrisp apples to ensure even distribution throughout the batter. I like to use crisp, sweet Honeycrisp apples for a great balance of flavor and texture.

Scoop 1 tablespoon of the batter per fritter and arrange them in small mounds on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a few inches between each to allow for spreading. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. After baking, remove the fritters from the oven and set aside. Then, turn your broiler on high to prepare for the next step.

While the fritters are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and apple cider (or apple juice) in a small bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and thin, perfect for brushing. For a more pronounced apple flavor, I prefer using apple cider instead of juice in the glaze.

Using a pastry brush, apply a generous amount of the prepared glaze from Step 5 over each baked fritter, allowing the glaze to drip down the sides. Return the fritters to the oven and broil under high heat for 2–4 minutes, rotating the baking sheet every minute for even caramelization. Watch them closely to prevent burning; the glaze should bubble and caramelize just on top.

Remove the caramelized fritters from the oven. Brush them evenly with the remaining glaze and let them sit on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes, allowing the glaze to set and harden before serving. This resting time ensures a perfectly crisp and shiny glaze.