There’s something magical about the first bite of Fried Apple Rings—crispy on the outside, warm and tender inside, and dusted in a sparkling coat of cinnamon sugar. They taste like fall at the county fair, only without the long lines or overpriced tickets.

If you’re anything like me, you crave easy treats that bring big smiles without requiring half a day in the kitchen. That’s why I adore this recipe—it’s a quick fix when you want a cozy fall dessert but don’t have the time (or patience) to wrestle with pie crust. Perfect for busy moms, sweet-toothed grandparents, or anyone who needs a little pick-me-up at the end of the day.

And let’s be honest—apples are fruit, so we can all agree these count as at least slightly virtuous, right? Think of them as a delicious compromise between a funnel cake and a baked apple. In other words: joy on a plate.

So grab those apples from your fruit basket before they turn sad and wrinkly—we’re about to fry up some happiness!

Why You’ll Love These Fried Apple Rings

Crispy, golden, and dipped in cinnamon sugar apples goodness.
A fun fried fruit recipe that doubles as a snack or dessert.
Quick to make (under 20 minutes start to finish!).
Kid-friendly and adult-approved.

Ingredients You’ll Need

3–4 large apples
Oil for frying (about 5 cm / 2 inches deep in pot)

For the batter:

1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon (1 g) baking powder
¼ teaspoon (1 g) salt
½ teaspoon (1.5 g) cinnamon
2 tablespoons (25 g) white sugar
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
1 large egg

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

½ cup (100 g) white sugar
½ teaspoon (1.5 g) cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heat about 5 cm (2 inches) of oil in a wide, shallow pot over medium heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar.
In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg. Pour into the dry mixture and stir until smooth.
Mix the cinnamon and sugar for coating, then spread onto a plate.
Slice apples into ¼-inch rounds, remove the cores, then cut each slice into two rings.
Dip each apple ring into the batter, letting excess drip off.
Carefully fry a few rings at a time for about 2 minutes total, flipping halfway.
Remove and place on paper towels, then immediately coat in cinnamon sugar.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Cooking Tips

Frying at the right temperature is the secret to success. If your oil is too hot, your apple rings will brown too quickly on the outside while staying raw inside. Too cool? You’ll get soggy rings. Aim for that sweet spot at 375°F.

Not sure if the oil is ready? Drop in a tiny bit of batter—if it sizzles right away and floats, you’re good to go.

Also, don’t overcrowd your pot. Give those apple rings a little elbow room to crisp up evenly. Think of it like a dance floor—everyone needs space to shine.

And here’s my favorite trick: if you want extra crunch, double-dip! Fry once, let them rest for a minute, then dip again in batter and fry a second time. Double the crisp, double the fun.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

These Fried Apple Rings remind me of Saturday afternoons with my grandmother. She used to whip up the most amazing fried treats—apple fritters, hushpuppies, even fried dough sprinkled with sugar. The kitchen would fill with that irresistible aroma, and we’d gather around the counter like kids at a carnival.

One fall, when I had just started experimenting in the kitchen myself, I tried recreating her apple fritters but accidentally sliced the apples too thin. Instead of a fritter, I ended up with rings—and to my surprise, they were a huge hit! My family loved them so much, I stopped making fritters altogether. Now, these rings are a tradition every autumn, and they always bring me back to those cozy days at Grandma’s house.

What to Serve with Fried Apple Rings

Fried Apple Rings are delicious on their own, but if you want to dress them up, try pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For a fall party platter, stack them like donuts and sprinkle with powdered sugar for extra flair.

They also make a fun sidekick to your morning coffee or tea. Imagine cozying up with a warm mug and a plate of cinnamon sugar apples on a chilly morning—it’s pure comfort. And if you’re hosting, serve them with hot cider for the ultimate fall vibe.

Pro tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, sandwich two rings with a smear of cream cheese or Nutella in between. Yes, it’s indulgent—but isn’t that what dessert is for?

How to Store Fried Apple Rings

These are best enjoyed hot and fresh, but if you do have leftovers (unlikely, but it happens), here’s how to keep them tasty:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 3 days, though they may lose some crispiness.
To revive them, pop in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. They’ll crisp back up nicely.

Avoid microwaving—they’ll turn rubbery, and nobody wants sad apple rings. If you really want to freeze them, wrap in parchment and store in a freezer bag for up to a month. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven until hot.

FAQs about Fried Apple Rings

Can I use a different fruit for this fried fruit recipe?

Absolutely! Pineapple rings work beautifully, and even banana slices can be fun.

Do I have to use buttermilk?

Nope—regular milk with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice works perfectly.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

You can, but they won’t get that same carnival-style crunch. Frying is where the magic happens.

What apples work best?

Firm varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji hold their shape best when fried.

Can I make them ahead of time?

They’re tastiest fresh, but you can fry them a few hours in advance and reheat in the oven before serving.

Bringing It All Together

At the end of the day, these Fried Apple Rings are the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen feel like a fairground—minus the sticky fingers and overpriced tickets. They’re quick, cozy, and guaranteed to make you the most popular person at any gathering.

So the next time you’re staring at that fruit bowl, wondering what to do with those apples, skip the pie crust drama and fry up a batch of these beauties instead. Trust me, one bite of that cinnamon sugar crunch and you’ll wonder why you didn’t try them sooner.

Because sometimes, happiness really is just an apple ring away.

Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.

Crispy Fried Apple

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Author: Amanda Thompson
Total Time: 17 minutes
Yield: About 24 rings (120 kcal each) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Fried Apple Rings are a cozy fall treat—crispy, golden on the outside, soft and warm inside, and coated in a cinnamon-sugar sparkle. They’re quick to make, fun to eat, and bring carnival-style joy right to your kitchen. Perfect for family gatherings, weekend snacks, or anytime you need a comforting dessert that doubles as a nostalgic hug.

Ingredients

Scale

Apples & Frying:

3–4 large apples
Oil for frying (about 5 cm / 2 inches deep in pot)

Batter:

1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon (1 g) baking powder
¼ teaspoon (1 g) salt
½ teaspoon (1.5 g) cinnamon
2 tablespoons (25 g) white sugar
1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
1 large egg

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:

½ cup (100 g) white sugar
½ teaspoon (1.5 g) cinnamon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat about 2 inches (5 cm) of oil in a wide, shallow pot to 375°F (190°C).
Mix flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl.
In another bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg. Pour into dry mix and stir until smooth.
Combine sugar and cinnamon for coating and spread onto a plate.
Slice apples into ¼-inch rounds, remove cores, and cut into rings.
Dip each ring into batter, letting excess drip off.
Fry a few rings at a time for about 2 minutes total, flipping halfway.
Drain on paper towels, then immediately coat in cinnamon sugar.
Serve warm.

Notes

Fry in small batches to avoid soggy rings.

Best apples: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji.

For extra crunch, double-dip: fry once, rest, then re-batter and fry again.

Avoid microwaving leftovers; reheat in oven to keep crispiness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Crispy Fried Apple Rings with Cinnamon Sugar Magic