Fried Battered Apple Rings
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Fried battered apple rings are a simple yet mouth-watering treat! Apple slices dipped in batter, deep-fried & coated in cinnamon sugar!
This is a very easy as well as quick recipe. You only need 2 large apples to get about 10 to 12 sweet apple treats.
However, they are so good so I am guessing you will need more apples to make the entire family happy. I made it for the two of us and they went down pretty fast.
I like making these in the fall because the apples are in season but it’s not a rule! No matter when you make them, they will taste amazing.
The prep for fried apple rings is similar to apple fritters. Though, I would say this is an easier recipe to make.
Also, you don’t need to use as much oil as for the fritters simply because the apple slices are thin.
Now, if you use a deep-fryer to make these, then you will need to add a certain amount of oil. But, if using a skillet or a pot, you can certainly use less.
4 easy steps for the best fried apple rings:
Step 1 – The batter:
Make the batter by mixing the flour, milk, rum, egg and 1 tablespoon sugar. No need to take out your mixer, simply use a fork. The rum is optional, but recommended.
If you don’t want to use it, simply leave it out. You can add a little vanilla extract for flavor. The batter should not be too thin or too thick. You can see the right batter consistency and how quickly the apple rings brown in the video below. This amount is enough to coat all the rings from 2 large apples.
Step 2 – The apple rings:
You should get about 5–6 slices out of each apple. After you have peeled the skin off, slice them a little under ¼ inch (½ cm) thick and using a small round cookie cutter cut out the core. If you have an apple corer go ahead and use it!
Step 3 – Deep-frying:
Dip each ring in the batter, insert your fork inside the hole and let it drip a bit before putting it in hot oil. I use a frying pan/skillet for deep-frying these as they are thin and there is no need for wasting too much oil.
They take about 1 minute per side. My pan fits about 4 apple rings at a time, so I fry them in 3 batches.
Step 4 – Cinnamon sugar coating:
Make sure the apple rings are still warm when coating them with cinnamon flavored sugar. The batter I use is pretty basic and not sweet. That is why it is important to coat them in sugar to make them extra tasty.
Frequently asked questions:
I am afraid you cannot. Air fryers are like mini ovens, so the wet batter would drip off the apple rings instead of setting properly.
I use sunflower or vegetable oil for frying these apple rings. I don’t use olive oil for these because it gives the apples a funny flavor. Also, I recommend using a cheap brand because you will end up throwing it away afterward.
You can use anything you have on hand. Try avoiding apples that are mushy on the inside though. The best options are Granny Smith or Pink Lady.
Useful notes:
Fried apple rings will turn from crispy to soft pretty fast so don’t panic! That’s the way they are!
Use a paper kitchen towel to get rid of the excess oil!
Turn them into a decadent dessert by serving them with a cinnamon honey sauce that I often make when having gingerbread French toast. A drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of ice cream is also delicious.
Adding a little rum to fried batter is an old trick I grew up with. It helps reduce the amount of oil the batter absorbs and it does not give any flavor!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They taste good even chilled.
If you are looking for more apple recipes have a look at my apple pie recipe, apple oatmeal bake or this mixed fruit crisp.
Watch how to make fried apple rings
Fried Battered Apple Rings
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons rum see note 1
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or vanilla-flavored sugar
- 2 large apples
- 1¼ cups oil for frying, see note 2
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the flour, milk, rum, egg + 1 tablespoon of sugar until you have a smooth batter.
- Peel the apples and slice them into rings a little under ¼ inch (½ cm) thick. You should get 5–6 slices out of each apple. Remove the core using a small round cookie cutter, or use an apple corer, if you have one.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan, skillet or deep fryer to 340°F (170°C). Dip each apple ring in the batter, then fry until golden brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side.
- Place each apple ring onto a paper kitchen towel to get rid of the excess oil.
- While still warm, coat the apple rings in cinnamon sugar by mixing sugar and cinnamon together.
Video
Notes
- Rum: Rum is optional, but recommended. It helps prevent the apple rings from absorbing too much oil while frying and keeps the batter light and crisp. If you don’t want to use it, simply leave it out.
- Oil: Sunflower or vegetable oil both work well. I don’t use olive oil because it gives the apples a funny flavor. I also recommend using a cheap brand because you will end up throwing it away afterward.
- Oil temperature: If the oil’s temperature is too high, the batter will brown within seconds. If you see this is happening, reduce the heat to medium.
- Pan and oil amount: I use an 11-inch (28 cm) frying pan, and 1¼ cups (300 ml) of oil is plenty. My pan fits about 4 apple rings at a time, so I fry them in 3 batches. The rings only need to be about halfway submerged because you turn them during frying. If using a deep fryer, add as much oil as needed for your fryer.
- Batter: This amount of batter is enough to coat all the apple rings from 2 large apples.
- Coating: I prefer granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon for coating the rings. Powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon can also be used.
- Texture: Fried apple rings will turn from crispy to soft pretty fast so don’t panic! That’s the way they are!
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They taste good even chilled.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and may vary based on ingredient brands, substitutions, and portion sizes.
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Instead of simply omitting the rum, are there any substitutes that will do the trick?
Hi Morva, I do not know of any other ingredient. Sorry!
This recipe requires little alteration as is, and came out perfectly. I swapped rum for some white lightning apple pie. I served with creme fraische with the cinnamon and turbinado sugar mixed in. Thank you for posting the recipe, it really hit the spot!
Thanks so much for your feedback, Jason T. When you add rum to a batter it soaks less fat during frying. However, it is optional and can be omitted.
Awesome recipe I took it step further and rolled them in panko. My son calls them “crack apples”.
Thank you
What a great idea! :) Thanks for your feedback, Stacy!
Batter and then panko? So that it has a breaded coating?
Also anyone thinking about caramel drizzle? It would pair nicely.
Incredible Recipe! Seen this on Instagram but came looking for a better recipe and so glad I came across this recipe 😋 SOOOO GOOD!
Thanks a lot for your feedback and rating Su Z! I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe :)!
Can you freeze these to use for later date? If so how do you warm them? And when to put sugar?
Hi Charlotte. I have never tried but I would not recommend it. They would turn soggy when thawing.
Great, clear, easy recipe! Put mine on creole cheesecake ice cream and it was wonderful
Thanks so much for your feedback, Katy!
This is a very easy as well as fast recipe.
Love those apple rings, I love it. I have done with peaches also. I am a fan of fried dough and feel redeemed when there is fruit involved,
Mmmm…I haven’t tried using peaches but will do now! Thanks for the idea :) and thanks for the feedback.
I love these apple rings. They’re calling my name today!
Love those apple rings, I love it. I have done with peaches also. I am a fan of fried dough and feel redeemed when there is fruit involved,
That’s good to hear, Erika! :)
This recipe is amazing. Tried to make apple fritters for the first time ever and I’m addicted. :D
Yay! :) I’d say that apple fritter addiction is a good addiction to have :) Thanks so much for your feedback, Pamela!
I recently got a air fryer from a family member. Could I cook the apple rings in it, that way I’m not frying them in oil. I’m on a low carb lifestyle and I’m looking for recipes that can be converted to low carb. It looks like a great recipe and I’m dying to try it. Thanks for sharing. Please get back to you as soon as you can please.
Hi Debi. Unfortunately, this recipe is not suitable for air-fryers.
They look so good, especially with cinnamon sugar. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Keith! The cinnamon sugar gives them a nice flavor!
These look so good! The fact that they’re so quick and easy to make could be dangerous haha!
Haha! Yes – there is always a bit of danger involved when it comes to quick and easy recipes! :) :) :) Thanks for stopping by.
Oooh. Those look good! And simple to make! I love apple fritters and I do have an apple corer. :)
Thank you! Yes, they are easy to make indeed. Haha, I guess I should invest in an apple corer as well! :)