Apple Fritter Rings made with a pancake batter without yeast come together in just a few minutes and are the perfect sweet treat to end a meal or breakfast for kids who love donuts.
Apple Fritter Rings were our dessert for our Hannukah meal (with Prime Rib, Latkes and Rainbow Vegetables) a few weeks ago but that doesn’t stop them from making the regular breakfast appearance as well! Like a sweet apple version of an onion ring, these Apple Fritter Rings are a breeze to make and your kids will love them. 
There isn’t anything fancy about these Apple Fritter Rings or how you make them. I used a set of round biscuit cutters to punch out the circles but you can just as easily use a couple of glasses in varying widths to punch out the rings. Or, if you have a steady hand, go ahead and cut out the circles with a small paring knife, with the dough frying around it no one is going to notice that your circles aren’t totally perfect.
The batter for this Apple Fritter Rings doesn’t even have to be fried if you would prefer to put it on the griddle to make a healthier breakfast option. A similar recipe was made on The Chew by Carla Hall though she used a pre-made pancake mix. If you want to dip a regular pancake batter with apple rings you can use my Classic Pantry Pancakes recipe or if you want something with a ton more flavor you can use my Cinnamon Roll Pancakes batter.
When you’re frying these rings just make sure you hold up the ring in the oil for a couple of seconds before letting it drop to the bottom of the pan. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the bottom. 
Tools used in the making of these Apple Fritter Rings:
Biscuit Cutter Rings: Easy to pop out the apple rings with these biscuit/cookie cutters. They also have one side scalloped for fancier cutouts too.
Deep Fry Oil Thermometer: Makes it a breeze to know you’re frying at the right temperature.
Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Holds in heat well and is the perfect pot for deep frying, won’t burn or scorch the bottom and no non-stick coating to leech into foods and you can’t beat the price!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 6 apples Fuji or Grannysmith
- Canola oil for frying
Instructions
- Preheat a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat and using a thermometer heat the canola oil to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and salt.
- Add in the the egg and buttermilk and whisk until just combined.
- Using the biscuit cutters, cut out rings of apples in varying sizes and dip them into the batter.
- Carefully lift the rings out the batter and let them drip off any excess batter.
- Slowly place them into the oil and let them cook on both sides until browned. The fritters will be soft and chewy thanks to the pancake batter and moisture in the apples.
- Serve immediately with a dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon if desired.
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe? Create a free account to easily save your favorite recipes
I’m hoping to serve these at a morning event for 50-60 people, and I would need to make them the day before instead of frying them on-site — tips on how to store them overnight and then reheat them the next day and hold them warm? Will that just be AWFUL, or will reheating a skillet or on a cooling rack in the oven perk them back up? Chanukah starts soon, so scouring the interwebs for fun new things to try!
While I would love to tell you it would work out well, I think it would be a bit soggy and disappointing to reheat them. They need to be made at the time of serving. Happy Chanukah! We are already planning our meal too for our yearly Christmakkuh festivities.
Made these today and they were delicious. Question: I have leftover batter (and no more apples). Have any good suggestions on how to use the leftover batter?
I’ve used the batter in a skillet with a fair bit of butter and sliced bananas in it. Sort of like a fritter pancake. Still delicious. Glad you enjoyed it!
Yours is the second fried applering recipe ive read and both forget to mention- peel those apples ! They are pesky on the mouth! And these rings heat up on frypan the next day just great!
Hi Sabrina, at 95 I still enjoy cooking & make most meals for hubby & though we are living in an independent living facility, not too fond of their menus. Maybe I’ve missed something but do you have a cookbook, not the E kind, would love to have one. Love all the recipes tried from your collections and you are much admired. Thank you for making them available.
I’m so glad you love all the recipes so much. Stay tuned for the cookbook. I’m working on it.
Good afternoon Sabrina I have a question about the apple rings. Do you think I could put them in my electric air fryer.? Of course I’d put some parchment or something in the bottom first. Thanks kindly
I haven’t tested it using an air fryer so I’m not really comfortable giving a recommendation. If you decide to try, I’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks!
It looks so yummy Is it possible to see the video?
I don’t have one for this recipe yet. Stay tuned!
Did I miss what you do with the apples?
Slice them and cut them into rings to dip into batter and fry. The recipe card is listed above. Hope this helps clear up any confusion.
What can I use instead of canola oil? I have never used it before nor do I see using it for many recipes in future. Any suggestions?
Any type of cooking oil will do, so anything you have on hand.
These sound delicious! I don’t quite understand how a biscuit cutter would be used on the apples. Wouldn’t it be easiest to just core the apples and slice them into rings?
You definitely could but I was just going for a more traditional “ring” type shape. Definitely less time with coring and more apple to your fritter. Great tip! Thanks!!
Not if you have a apple corer, it even slices them/ Worth every penny
LOVE this idea!!!! My kiddo won’t be able to stay away, he is a huge apple fan!
I love all things fried! I would totally have these for breakfast!
I didn’t see how much buttermilk to make the batter.
My apologies! This recipe widget has been totally glitchy and deleting things randomly out of recipes. I’ve updated the recipe.
My husband loves apple fritters and I’m thinking I’d earn major bonus points if I made these rings!
What a fun and addictive little snack!!
Thank you Cathy!
Apple fritters are my favorite!! I can’t wait to try these! They look delicious!!
Thank you Katerina!
Oh these must taste freakin amazing!!!
They really do!
Totally loving this idea! I would love to get my kids involved with making these – fun weekend activity.
Definitely! I always feel like the kids eat better when they’re involved in the cooking process plus it’s fun!
These look like a must-try!!! Such a fun twist on Apple fritters.