Sweet, juicy and fragrant with a cinnamon sugar coating, Fried Apple Rings or Apfelkücherl are one of my favourite German Christmas market treats. You don't have to stand around in the snow to enjoy them though, with my simple batter they are super easy to prepare at home.
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 15 minutesmins
Total Time 25 minutesmins
Serves 8Apple Rings
Ingredients
1Tbsplemon juice
1large Granny Smith Apple
1large egg
1Tbspwhite sugar
125mlbeer
pinchof salt
100gplain or all-purpose flour
vegetable oil for frying
to serve:
4Tbspwhite sugar
1tspground cinnamon
Scan the QR Code to view the online recipe with detailed instructions, photos, hints, tips and more at daysofjay.com
Instructions
PREPARE: Line a large plate with a paper towel and mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the topping in a small bowl. Set aside.
SLICE APPLES: Fill a large bowl with cold water and add the lemon juice. Peel and core the apple (note 1) then slice into 8 rings approximately ½ cm (just less than ¼ inch) thick. Place apple slices in the lemon water while you prepare the batter.
MAKE THE BATTER: Separate the egg. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg white until stiff. In a second bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, sugar, beer and salt. Whisk in the flour ensuring there are no lumps, then fold the egg white into the flour mixture, just until you have a smooth batter.
HEAT OIL: Heat 5cm (2 in.) vegetable oil in a heavy-based saucepan or deep-sided frying pan over medium heat until the oil temperature reaches 180°C / 350°F (note 2). Pat the apple rings dry with paper towel, then dip 3-4 rings into the batter and shake off any excess. carefully lower them into the hot oil one by one.
COOK: Cook until golden brown, turning occasionally. When golden brown, use a slotted spoon or spider to lift the apple rings onto the paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil. Cool briefly, then dredge through the cinnamon sugar mixture. Keep warm while you repeat the process with the remaining apple slices.
SERVE: I like to serve fried apples just as is, but you could take them to the next level with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side!
Notes
Note 1: Using an apple corer will make this very easy, but if you don't have one, peel the apple, cut it into slices and then use the end of a piping tip or a small cookie cutter to remove the core of each slice.Note 2: For best results when frying I use and recommend an inexpensive digital thermometer, however, if you don't have one, an old German trick is to dip the handle end of a wooden spoon in the oil. When it fizzes with tiny bubbles, the oil is hot enough to cook with.