Description
Delight in these crispy, golden Fried Cinnamon Apple Rings — a deliciously sweet and crunchy treat perfect for any occasion. Tender apple slices are dipped in a light cinnamon-spiced batter, fried to perfection, and then coated with a fragrant cinnamon-sugar mixture. This easy-to-make recipe serves 8 and takes only 25 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 large apples (Gala or your favorite variety)
Batter
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
Frying
- Vegetable oil for frying
Topping
- â…“ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and â…› teaspoon cinnamon until fully combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, beat the large egg and mix it thoroughly with the buttermilk. Set this aside as well.
- Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: In a third dish, combine â…“ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Stir together and set aside to coat the fried apple rings after cooking.
- Slice the Apples: Using a sharp knife, slice the apples into ¼-inch thick rings. Use a biscuit cutter or apple corer to remove the core from each slice carefully, creating hollow rings.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan to a depth of about 1 to 1.5 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C), suitable for frying.
- Prepare the Batter: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until a smooth, lump-free batter forms, ideal for coating the apple rings evenly.
- Fry the Apple Rings: Dip each apple ring into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated. Carefully place the coated apples in the hot oil in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Once fried, remove the apple rings with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels briefly. While still warm, immediately toss each ring into the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Serve: Place the coated apple rings on a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Gala or Honeycrisp for the best texture; avoid overly soft or mealy varieties.
- Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F for optimal frying; too low will make the rings greasy, too high will burn them.
- You can substitute buttermilk with milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar as a quick alternative.
- Serve immediately for the crispest texture; apple rings tend to lose crunch if left too long.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for frying.
