This Road Trip Near Toronto Takes You On The Ultimate Apple Fritter Crawl
As home to the Apple Capital of Canada, Durham Region is the apple-solute perfect road trip destination for apple lovers alike; from apple picking through farm fresh orchards, to taste testing craft ciders at local tap rooms, to discovering an assortment of apple treats. And with apple season comes the perfect excuse to indulge in apple fritters. So, "start the car!" and complete your apple adventure with these delicious bakeries and farm markets just outside Toronto.
Algoma Orchards
Located in Newcastle, Ontario, Algoma Orchards holds the title as the largest apple producer in Canada. It goes without saying that their apple fritter is no joke. Freshly baked, moist, and the perfect amount of sweet, this apple fritter is definitely worth the stop! As leaders in apple farming and packing, the orchard is not open for pick-your-own, but the gourmet market is open year-round with a deli and freshly made sandwiches, baked goods like pies and tarts, and—of course—a wide variety of apples. Make it a full day adventure with apple and pumpkin picking at nearby Brown Farms, or head to downtown Newcastle for shopping and dining.
Crave Doughnuts
If you've got a serious love for doughnuts and you're looking for that classic doughnut taste, the Caramel Apple Fritter from Crave Doughnuts is the one for you! With two locations in Oshawa and Whitby, Crave hand-makes flavourful doughnuts from scratch using locally sourced, quality ingredients. The doughnut shop likes to keep things fun with a rotating seasonal menu, but dough-not worry, you'll find Crave staples like the apple fritter or churro cruller on their menu all year long. Once you’ve grabbed your doughnies, head to a nearby trail and enjoy your sweets among the fall colours.
Hank's Pastries
Searching for an apple fritter the size of your head? Look no further than Hank's Pastries in Port Perry! Located in the charming historic downtown, Hank's has been a staple in the community for more than 100 years (yes, you read that right!), and is well-known for its fritters, cinnamon buns, and breads. Explore the shops along Queen Street, soak up views of the waterfront at Palmer Park, stroll the farmers' market on Saturdays until October 10, and feast on your eyes on these ginormous desserts!
Hollywood Donuts
Set your alarm because these fritters sell out quickly and they're well worth the drive! Hollywood Donuts in Ajax is a small diner with an award-winning assortment of doughnuts and delicious apple fritters. Open from 4:30 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends, the bakery has been making fresh meals and treats daily since 1977! Looking for things to do nearby? Add this classic diner-style café to your list, pick up a coffee and an apple fritter (or a dozen), and head to the nearby Pickering Village to explore the shops.
Little Thief Bakery Co.
Do not sleep on the Maple Drunken Apple Fritter from Little Thief Bakery Co. We repeat, DO. NOT. SLEEP. Located in charming downtown Uxbridge, Little Thief has quickly earned a loyal following-and its famous fritters are a big reason why! Crunchy on the outside, soft and dense on the inside, and warm chunks of apple throughout. With lineups out the door and closing hours based off selling out, we recommend grabbing your apple fritter first before exploring the shops and cafés along Brock Street or catching a movie at The Roxy.
Norm’s Delicatessen
Yes, it’s a deli—a locally famous deli, that is. You’ve probably heard of Norm’s for their perogies and schnitzel, but let us introduce you to their latest menu offering—apple fritters. In an unsuspecting spot for fritters, but well-worth the stop. Baked fresh daily in-house, Norm’s apple fritters are subtly sweet with light hints of apple. Comparable to a cinnamon bun consistency—soft, light, and deliciously dense all at the same time. Located along historic downtown Bowmanville, grab your fritter and explore the charming shops and cafés for artisan vendors, clothing, and home décor.
The Sweet Spot Café & Dessert Bar
Just sweet enough to hit "The Sweet Spot"! These fritters are made fresh, in-house and make the perfect pairing for their specialty fall drink menu—think latte flavours like S'mores, Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, or Maple Sugar Cookie. Plus, the café also has a selection of dirty sodas, refreshers, ice cream, and more baked goods like cinnamon buns or pistachio doughnuts. Located along River Street in Sunderland, make a day trip out of it with stops to Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm or grab tickets to an upcoming floral workshop at The Sunflower Farm.
Tindall Farm & Market
Shop local artisans, pick-your-own pumpkins and treat yourself to freshly baked goods like apple fritters and cider doughnuts from Tindall Farm & Market in Uxbridge. Once you’ve tried the desserts by Karyn’s Kitchen, you’ll find yourself planning weekends and day trips around this farm stop. Grab your apple fritter and make a full road trip out of it by exploring the nearby stops along the Leaskdale Loop. Explore this self-guided driving tour with stops at farms, studios and food destinations through Durham’s scenic countryside.
Village Bake Shop
Known for their "world famous fritters", the Village Bake Shop in Whitby is seriously putting fritters on the map. Their light dough and crispy sugar finish have a delicious edge, and the large pieces of apple throughout give it that extra bite. If a golden-brown, crosshatched apple fritter is calling your name, this is the spot. This family-owned bakery has been proudly serving the area since 1979 and is a well-known neighbourhood favourite. While you're there, consider this your one-stop-shop for a wide selection of Dutch, German and British groceries, and deli meats too! Be sure to plan your visit for a Friday or Saturday to make sure you don't miss their fritters.
White Feather Country Store
Every weekend is apple fritter weekend at White Feather Country Store in Oshawa. This roadside farm store is a staple stop for any road trip experience, with its hot food section and endless rows of baked goods, produce and home décor. Their Maple Apple Fritter is another great option for classic doughnut lovers—the large, round doughnut is soft and chewy with chunks of apple throughout and covered in a decadent creamy icing (baseball shaped, because it throws a punch). Their fritters are fresh and individually wrapped, or you can purchase a box of minis to take home for later. Make it a full farm-esque adventure and head to Nature’s Bounty Farm nearby for apple and pumpkin picking, and meet friendliest farm animals like highland cows, goats and llamas.
Willowtree Farm
Come for the fritters, stay for the farm fun! Make a day out of your fritter crawl with a visit to the annual farm festival at Willowtree Farm in Scugog. Start your visit at the farm store to shop freshly baked sweets and drinks, then head out to the farm for pick-your-own pumpkins and fall fun festivities. Willowtree's fritters are crispy on the outside with a light layer of icing, and soft and sweet on the inside—making them the perfect fall treat to add to your farm adventure. The animal playland and market are free to visit, and entry to the Pumpkin Palooza festivities can purchased online or in-store.
Honourable Mention: Apple Cider Doughnuts
If apple fritters aren't your thing, Durham's bakeries and farm markets have you covered with apple cider doughnuts and other a-peel-ing baked goods. Add these stops to your list:
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Watch the famous apple cider doughnuts being baked fresh onsite at Tyrone Mills Limited , grab a wood-fired pizza, and enjoy gorgeous fall views of the mill by the pond.
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Stroll along historic downtown Newcastle and stumble upon baked goods like cider doughnuts, scones, bars, cakes and muffins at Sift Bakery.
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Visit the fall festivities at Maple Grove Orchards in Bowmanville, or the Harvest Festival at Pingle’s Farm Market in Hampton, and don’t leave without a stop in their farm store for freshly baked sweets.
While travelling across the region to taste test these fritters, we'd love to know where you stopped and loved the most! Tag @DurhamTourism on social media so we can follow along on all your apple-solutely delicious adventures.