Autumn is pumpkin season in most Amish communities. Long before Starbucks popularized pumpkin with their lattes, the Amish were pumpkin pioneers. Pumpkin is prized on Amish farms because of its versatility. The fleshy insides of a pumpkin make their way into soups, stews, breads, rolls, cookies, and cakes. Pumpkin pancakes are popular, but so are their close cousin: pumpkin fritters.
Pumpkin fritters are a delicious dish in the autumn. Of course in October pumpkin seems to find its way into everything, from gas station cappuccinos to gourmet desserts. Pumpkins are a staple in most Amish gardens. The fruit (yes, pumpkins are considered a fruit) is very versatile (pumpkin bread, anyone?) and they are fun to grow. Kids love to grow pumpkins, which is why most Amish parents find room for at least a few in the garden. So, how do you use the fruit? Breads, rolls, soups, and even pumpkin jelly are common destinations. This is a pumpkin fritter recipe given to me by an Amish woman in Kentucky. And they did turn out delicious. It's really more of a sweet dish than a savory, so we had them one evening for dessert.
🍽️ Sweet or Savory, Dinner or Dessert?
There are various variations of pumpkin fritters, some are savory, and that is when you add onions, garlic, and other savory spices in place of the cinnamon and sugar. If you go the savory route, than sprinkling parmesan cheese over them is a great serving suggestion.
This particularly recipe goes the sweet route, with cinnamon and sugar. You can add nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon sugar, and pumpkin pie spice if you want. A teaspoon of vanilla extract is also a great addition on the sweet side. If you want to dust with powdered sugar, that would be a great taste. You can pack either the savory or sweet versions with lots of your favorite flavors.
📜 Pumpkin Fritters Step-by-Step
The ingredients for pumpkin fritters are also pretty basic: baking powder, pumpkin, and a few other standbys. You'll whip up a very orange, creamy batter for the fritters. You can just stir with a wooden spoon.
Fry them in a cast-iron skillet (stainless steel, etc is fine also) for about 4 minutes on each side. Maybe 5 if you like them slightly more done. But you'll want to see a crispy, golden brown texture and color. Remove with a spatula or slotted spoon and put on a plate lined with paper towels.
If you don't have pumpkin on hand you could use squash, probably butternut, as a great replacement. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and stick in your refrigerator.
🙋 Pumpkin Fritters FAQ
Yes, squash can be used. Sweet potatoes are also a visable substitute, mashed and use in place of pumpkin.
Yes, just leave all the sweet ingredients out and replace with diced onions, garlic powder, scallions, or anything else according to your taste!
🎃 More Amish Pumpkin Recipes
🖨️ Full Recipe
Homemade Pumpkin Fritters
Ingredients
Fritters
- one 15-ounce can pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Maple Whipped Cream
- ½ pint heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
Fritters
- In large bowl, combine pumpkin, flour, egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, baking powder and salt.'
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Drop spoonfuls of mixture into pan and lightly flatten with a spatula.
- Cook until golden, about 4 minutes per side.
- Cook in two batches In small bowl, combine remaining sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over hot fritters before serving.
- Top with fresh maple whipped cream.
Maple Whipped Cream
- combine the maple syrup and heavy cream in a mixing bowl and mix on high until stiff peaks form.
- a hint for making real whipped cream is to put the mixing bowl in the freezer for a few minutes before you start mixing
mconrad
Is this recipe correct?
Kevin
I think so, Margie, what looks incorrect?
mconrad
Most ingredients are listed twice, some with different amounts....
Kevin
Oops that was a formatting issue, I fixed it, Margie, thanks!
Lorraine Leonard
Your pumpkin fritters sound good. My favorite food is pumpkin fritters BUT made with the flowers of the pumpkin plant. My grandmother who was born in Italy made them for us. To make, Remove the stamen and just use the flower bell part. Chop aznd pu t in fritter batter. Lightly fry.
Also, Vincent Dransfield was my husband's uncle! (The 109 man you wrote about)
Lorraine Leonard
Kevin Williams
Interesting, Lorraine, never heard of making them with the flowers. And pretty cool that Vincent Drasfield was your husband's uncle, doy you still keep in touch with him?
Aimee
Looks very good! I'm thinking of trying these in my air fryer to reduce the oil and mess. Thanks for sharing ghe recipe.
Kevin Williams
Good luck with them in the air-fryer, let us know how they turn out!