If you’re craving a sweet, crispy treat that's quick and easy to make, these Deep Fried Apples are just what you need.
These delicious fried apple rings are coated in a light batter and then tossed in a delicious cinnamon sugar mixture that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.
Why You’ll Love These Deep Fried Apple Rings
- Perfect Flavor Balance - The tartness of the fresh apples and the sweet cinnamon sugar coating create a taste reminiscent of classic apple pie.
- Easy to Make - With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this tasty treat in no time.
- Irresistible Dessert - Enjoy these deep fried apples on their own, or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgence.
I really enjoy making apple recipes because they're such crowd-pleasing desserts. Try my Apple Roses with Puff Pastry. I'm sure you'll love them.
If you're looking for other treats that are fall-flavored, try my Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies or my Panera Copycat Pumpkin Muffin Recipe.
What Are The Best Apples To Use In This Recipe?
I love visiting the apple orchard in the fall and grabbing some freshly picked apples for this dessert. Deep fried apple rings are the perfect fall dessert, but honestly, they’re great year-round.
No matter the time of year, here is a list of the kind of apples I would recommend for this recipe.
- Granny Smith Apples - Tart and crisp Granny Smith apples are perfect for deep frying because their firm texture holds up well, and their tartness balances the sweetness of the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Fuji Apples - Naturally sweet and crisp, Fuji apples offer a satisfying bite and a flavor that complements the sugary coating, making them ideal for those who prefer a sweeter taste.
- Honeycrisp Apples - Sweet with a slight tartness, Honeycrisp apples provide a balanced flavor and firm texture, ensuring they stay crisp after frying.
- Braeburn Apples - Braeburn apples have a sweet-tart flavor with a hint of spice and a firm texture that holds up well during frying, adding a bit of complexity to the dish.
- Gala Apples - Mildly sweet and slightly tender, Gala apples offer a softer texture after frying, making them a good choice for those who prefer a gentler bite.
- Pink Lady Apples - Tart with a hint of sweetness and have a firm, crisp texture that holds up beautifully when fried, adding a bright, tangy flavor to the dish.
Substitutions
- Milk - If you’re avoiding dairy, almond milk or another plant-based milk can be used instead of regular milk. It won’t change the texture much, so it’s a good option.
- Vegetable Oil - You can substitute vegetable oil with canola oil, peanut oil, or safflower oil—make sure the oil you choose has a high smoke point for best results.
Variations
- Apple Fritters - Instead of making rings, chop the apples into small pieces and mix them directly into the batter to create apple fritters.
- Air Fryer - If you prefer a lower oil method, you can try making these in an air fryer. Just reduce the cooking time and watch them to prevent overcooking.
- German Fried Apple Rings - Add a splash of apple cider to the batter and use a mix of brown sugar and cinnamon for a more German-inspired version.
Ingredients
*For specific ingredient amounts, please scroll down to the printable recipe card.
How to Make Deep Fried Apples
Step 1. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set the bowl aside.
Step 2. Prepare the Batter. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, milk, eggs, and granulated sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Set the batter aside while you prep the apples.
Step 3. Prepare the Apples. Start by peeling the apples. Granny Smith apples are a good choice for this recipe because of their tart flavor, which balances nicely with the sweetness of the sugar coating. Fuji apples are also great options if you prefer a sweeter bite. Cut the apples in half horizontally and use an apple corer or a knife to remove the cores. Then, cut the apple into thin slices. The rings should be about ¼-inch thick. Each apple should give you 4 to 5 rings, depending on how thick you slice them.
Step 4. Heat the Oil. Pour the vegetable oil into a deep skillet or frying pan, making sure you have about an inch of oil in the pan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Using a digital thermometer is a good idea to monitor the oil temperature and ensure it’s hot enough for frying.
Step 5. Fry the Apple Rings. Using a fork, dip each slice of apple into the batter, letting any excess batter drip off before placing the ring into the hot oil. Fry the apple rings in small batches for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the apple rings from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Step 6. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar. While the apple rings are still hot, dip each apple ring into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring they’re fully coated. The combination of the warm apple and the cinnamon sugar creates a flavor that’s reminiscent of apple pie or a real apple donut.
Storage and Freezing
These fried apples are best served right after they're made. If necessary, they can be stored, in an airtight container for a day and reheated in an air fryer.
Freezing is not recommended.
Pro Tip
For the crispiest deep fried apples, make sure your oil is at the right temperature before you start frying. If the oil is too cool, the batter will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, the outside will cook too quickly, leaving the apples inside undercooked. A digital thermometer is your best friend here!
While Granny Smith and Fuji apples are great options, feel free to use whatever type of apple you have on hand. Just remember that tart apples tend to work best in this recipe.
Notes and FAQs
You want to choose an apple that is tart and firm. I make specific suggestions in the blog post for the best apple choices for fried apples.
Deep-fried apples are best enjoyed fresh and warm. However, if you need to make them ahead of time, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. You can reheat them in an air fryer or oven to crisp them back up. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F and heat the apples for 2-3 minutes or until crispy.
You’ll need enough oil to cover the apple rings in the frying pan, usually about 1 to 1.5 inches deep. Using a frying pan with high sides or a deep skillet is ideal to prevent oil splatters.
Freezing isn’t recommended for deep fried apples, as they may lose their crispness and become soggy once thawed.
These are delicious on their own, but they’re also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Although I think most people would consider them a dessert, I also love them served as a side dish for pork chops or smoked sausage.
Deep Fried Apples
Equipment
- Large skillet
- pairing knife or apple corer
- Vegetable Peeler optional
- digital thermometer recommended
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 apples large
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, milk, eggs, and granulated sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Set the batter aside while you prep the apples.
- Peel the apples. Then, use an apple corer or a knife to remove the cores. Then, cut the apple into thin rings. The rings should be about ¼-inch thick. Each apple should give you 4 to 5 rings, depending on how thick you slice them.
- Pour the vegetable oil into a deep skillet or frying pan, making sure you have about an inch of oil in the pan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Using a digital thermometer is a good idea to monitor the oil temperature and ensure it’s hot enough for frying.
- Dip each slice of apple into the batter, letting any excess batter drip off before placing the ring into the hot oil. Fry the apple rings in small batches for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the apple rings from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- While still hot, dip each apple ring into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring they’re fully coated.
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