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These Fried Apple Rings are a quick and delicious snack! Made with sliced apple rings dipped in pancake batter, fried to a crisp, and topped with sweet cinnamon-sugar. They are pretty much the definition of irresistible!
Fried Apple Rings
Fried apple rings, also known as apple fritters, are one of my kids’ favorite Sunday breakfasts. They’re made with apple slices dipped in pancake batter and fried until crisp and golden.
The batter for this recipe actually comes from my mom’s famous onion rings. When I told her I was using it for apples, she was… skeptical. “The batter is too thick. It’s not sweet. It won’t work,” she said. Well. It worked. And then some.
She ended up loving these apple rings just as much as my apple crumble and kept reaching for more, which, of course, I did too. They’re best enjoyed hot and fresh, but I won’t lie… sneaking one later that night after everyone went to bed was still very worth it.
Why We Love This Apple Rings Recipe
- Weekend treat vibes. Fried apple rings are like a cross between donuts, pancakes, and baked apples, making them perfect for slow weekends and cozy mornings.
- Simple ingredients, big payoff. A few pantry staples and fresh apples turn into something warm, sweet, and totally satisfying.
- Quick and fun to make. These apple rings come together fast, making them ideal when you want a homemade treat without committing to a big baking project.
- Perfect for sharing. Serve them warm with cinnamon sugar and watch them disappear.
How To Make Fried Apple Rings
- Heat the oil. Add canola oil to a heavy-bottomed skillet and heat it over medium-low heat until hot and ready for frying.
- Prep the apples. In the meantime, slice the apples into ¼-inch thick rounds, then use a paring knife or small cutter to remove the cores from the center of each slice.
- Make the batter. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until combined.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, and vanilla. You can swap in a flavored (even sugar-free) creamer for the milk, or mix a little plain yogurt with the milk for extra richness.
- Combine the ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until incorporated.
- Cook. Dip the apple slices into the batter, letting any excess drip off, then carefully place them into the hot oil. Fry for a couple of minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through.
- Finish. Remove the apple rings from the oil and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while still warm. Serve right away.
Recipe Tips
- Best served fresh. These apple rings are at their absolute best right after frying. They are crisp on the outside, hot, and perfectly sweet. They’ll keep for a day, but fresh is where they really shine.
- Why are my apple rings soggy? Apple rings can turn soggy if the oil isn’t hot enough, if the pan is overcrowded, or if they sit too long after frying. Make sure the oil is fully heated before adding the apples, fry in batches so the temperature stays steady, and transfer the cooked rings to a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep them crisp.
- Shortcut option. If you want to keep things extra easy, a store-bought pancake mix works just fine for the batter. It’s a great time saver and still delivers delicious results.
- Griddle instead of fry. For a lighter option, you can cook the battered apple rings on a lightly greased griddle instead of frying. They won’t be as crisp, but they’re still tasty and satisfying.
Tomorrow morning wake up before the rest of the fam and get on this. You won’t even need to wake them up. The smell of State-Fair fried food will do that for you. Which reminds me, make yourself a spiked apple cider first, then open up the windows while working on this deliciousness – your neighbors will thank you.
More Breakfast Recipes
- Apple French Toast Casserole
- Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Apple Baked Oatmeal
- Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
- Baked French Toast
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Apple Rings
Ingredients
- 4 large apples, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk, (In place of milk, I have used heavy cream and coffee creamer, and it's really good!)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten to break up the yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- canola oil, for frying
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat up the oil. In a large skillet, pour in enough oil to reach about 1 inch deep and heat it to 375˚F over medium-low heat.
- Prepare the apples. Meanwhile, slice the apples into ¼-inch thick round rings, then cut out the center of each slice. I use a small round cookie cutter to pop them out. Set them aside.
- Whisk the dry ingredients. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Whisk the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and egg, then add the vanilla and whisk until well combined.
- Combine. Whisk the milk mixture into the flour mixture until combined; set aside.
- Fry the apple rings. Dip the apple rings in the batter then transfer them to the skillet and cook in batches, 1 to 2 minutes per slice, or until golden, turning once to cook the other side.
- Make the cinnamon-sugar. In a bowl or plate, combine the sugar and cinnamon, and mix well.
- Finish and serve. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the apple rings while still hot. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
They remind me of my childhood in France! Very good! Thank you.
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂