These fried apple rings take Fall baking to a whole other level. Fresh apples are coated in a buttermilk batter mixed with the perfect balance of Fall spices. They're fried to a golden crisp and covered in cinnamon sugar. I can't stop making them!
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The Best Fried Apples Recipe
Ever since I made this recipe for the first time, I've been obsessed. The fried apple rings taste just like apple fritters but even better since they're so light and crispy.
The apple rings are coated in a tangy buttermilk batter with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, adding a delightful Fall element. Then they're quickly fried until the outside is golden brown and crisp while the inside remains sweet and tender.
I love making these cinnamon apple rings when I'm hosting since they're full of flavors everyone loves but prepared in a totally unique way, kind of like my cream cheese caramel apple dip.
Why I Love These Fried Apple Rings with Cinnamon Sugar
- The combination of soft apple slices and crispy fried coating creates a balance of textures that makes for a really interesting treat.
- Even if you don't make deep fried treats that often, I promise you'll have no trouble making these fried apple rings. All you have to do is prep the apples, mix the batter, and then dunk and fry them one by one. Altogether that's less than 15 minutes of prep time.
- Apple season will be over before you know it, and I can't think of a better send-off than these crunchy fried apple rings. Trust me, you'll want to make them all year round!
Ingredients
Another reason I'm obsessed with this recipe is that it's made with mostly pantry staples I tend to have on hand. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you have most of them too!
Here's everything you'll need to make them:
- 3 large apples
- 1 egg
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Lemon juice
- 2 cups canola oil or frying oil
If you have any leftover apples, you can use them to make my crescent roll apple dumplings. They're another favorite apple dessert recipe of mine, so give them a try next!
How To Make Fried Apple Rings
1. Prepare the apples: Peel and core the fresh apples. Cut out the core and discard them. Slice the apples into thin slices, about a ¼ inch thick.
2. Mix the batter: In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Dump the buttermilk and egg into the flour mixture and stir to combine.
3. Batter apple rings: Fill a large skillet with enough oil to cover the bottom by 2 inches. Set the skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is preheating, dip apple slices into the batter and allow the excess batter to drip off.
4. Fry the apple slices: Once the oil is hot enough, which you can tell if a piece of dough floats on the top, carefully put a few slices of battered apple rings into the preheated oil.
Cook until brown, about 1-2 minutes, then flip each apple slice and cook for another 1-2 minutes until both sides are a golden brown color. Transfer the fried apple rings to a cooling rack.
5. Make the cinnamon sugar coating: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and the remaining cinnamon. Dip the sliced apple rings into the cinnamon sugar mixture and coat them on both sides.
6. Serve: Serve warm with chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
Expert Tips For This Recipe
- Some of my favorite apples to use for apple rings are Honey Crisp and Granny Smith apples, but any large and firm apple will do. I've even made this recipe with pears and they turned out great!
- Serve the apple rings with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect Fall dessert.
- Use store-bought pancake mix if you don't have all of the ingredients for the batter.
- Use a mandolin slicer so the apples are sliced evenly.
- Look for a temperature of 375°F to know when the oil is hot enough to start frying.
- I suggest enjoying apple rings the same day you make them. That way, they're super fresh and piping hot.
- Add ½ teaspoon of baking powder for even fluffier fried apple rings.
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftover fried apple rings in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Allow leftover apple rings to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Transfer leftovers to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until they're fully reheated. Alternatively, you can reheat a couple of apple rings in an air fryer set to 375°F for 3-4 minutes or until they reach your desired temperature. Add more time if reheating frozen apple rings.
Apple Recipes To Make Next
Fried Apple Rings
These fried apple rings take Fall baking to a whole other level. Fresh apples are coated in a buttermilk batter mixed with the perfect balance of Fall spices. They're fried to a golden crisp and covered in cinnamon sugar. I can't stop making them!
Ingredients
- 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced width-wise
- 1 egg
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup white sugar, + 4 Tablespoons sugar for coating
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Lemon juice
- 2 cups canola oil for frying
Instructions
1. Peel and core the fresh apples. Cut out the core and discard them. Slice the apples into thin slices, about a ¼ inch thick.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar.
3. Add the buttermilk and egg into the flour mixture and stir to combine.
4. Fill a large skillet with enough oil to cover the bottom by 2 inches. Set the skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is preheating, dip apple slices into the batter and allow the excess batter to drip off.
5. Once the oil is hot enough, which you can tell if a piece of dough floats on the top, carefully put a few slices of battered apple rings into the preheated oil. Cook until brown, about 1-2 minutes, then flip each apple slice and cook for another 1-2 minutes until both sides are a golden brown color. Transfer the fried apple rings to a cooling rack.
6. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and the remaining cinnamon. Dip the sliced apple rings into the cinnamon sugar mixture and coat them on both sides.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 451Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 131mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 2gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g
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