A fritter is any kind of food coated in batter and deep fried. Although very similar to a doughnut it differs in the fact that it requires some base ingredient beyond the dough it is cooked with. There are couple different variations of fritters. There are different variations of fritters. In British fish and chip shops, the fish and chips can be accompanied by fritters, which means a food item (such as a slice of potato, a pineapple ring or an apple ring fried in patter. Clam cakes and crab cakes are another variant of a fritter.