Golden Brown Apfelküchle Are Simply Irresistible!
German Apfelküchle, also known as Apfelringe and quite a few other names, are a classic sweet treat that is eaten as both a main and as a tasty dessert.
These German Fried Apple Rings are battered, fried in oil and then coated in a delightful cinnamon-sugar mix for extra sweetness!
Eat these fried apple rings with whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or enjoy them with just their cinnamon-sugar coating!
Different from Apfelpfannkuchen, these fried apple rings originated (and are still popular in) Baden-Württemberg as a traditional dinner option.
These days, they can be found all over parts of Germany and other parts of Europe. They are also eaten in parts of North America.
In fact, unknowingly, Eric’s Hungarian grandma also made something similar which is unsurprising given the crossover of recipes in this region.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this German fried apple rings recipe:
Apple Rings
- Apples – We’ve used many different types of apples, so use whatever you have at home. But it tastes especially delicious with a (slightly) tart apple such as Granny Smith, Pinkl Lady or Cortland.
- All-purpose flour – Use 2/3 cup of flour to make the batter.
- Milk – The liquid component for the batter.
- Egg – Use one large egg.
- Granulated sugar – To add some sweetness. You can add more or less to taste, but keep in mind that the apples will be coated in cinnamon-sugar later.
- Pinch of salt – To bring out the flavors.
- Oil – For frying; we use vegetable or canola oil.
Topping
- Granulated sugar – Approximately 1/4 cup.
- Cinnamon – Mix the cinnamon with the granulated sugar
Recipe Tips
Before you make these Apfelküchle, here are our recipe tips to help ensure you make these sweet apple rings successfully!
- Be sure to cut the apple horizontally across the middle and the core – not top to bottom from stem to bottom. See photos below if you’re unsure of apple orientation.
- Make sure to cut the apple rings no thicker than 1/4 inch – otherwise they might not cook when being fried.
- If you plan on doubling the recipe or making more than two apples, you can squeeze a bit of lemon juice on the cut slices so that they do not get too brown in the fresh air.
- You might need slightly more or less than 1 cup of oil for frying. We use a 11 inches frying pan and 1 cup is perfect. Half of the apple ring should be submerged in oil for frying so that they can brown evenly all around.
- Be careful when flipping the apple rings in the hot pan. We used a spatula and were very careful but you might also use silicone-tipped tongs to grab the rings and flip them gently to avoid hot oil splattering.
- It’s important to coat the apple rings in the cinnamon-sugar mix while they are still warm but not scalding hot. The heat and oil helps the cinnamon-sugar to stick!
How to Make Apfelküchle – Step by Step Instructions
If you want to make this Apfelküchle recipe, you can follow the recipe instructions in this section with process photos for every step of the way.
This ay you can see exactly how our apple rings looked as we made them!
Alternatively, you can find the detailed recipe card with written instructions but no visuals at the bottom of this post!
Start by whisking together the flour, milk, granulated sugar and salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Now, add the egg and whisk again until there are no lumps in the batter. Then set the batter aside.
Next, core the apples with an apple corer or paring knife – it works better with an apple corer, so use that if you have one.
Then peel the apples and cut them into 1/4 inch thick slices. Be sure to cut horizontally across the core (so that there is a whole in the middle) and not vertically up and down the apple.
Also make sure that the apple rings have an even thickness so they cook evenly – and don’t cut them thicker than 1/4 inch. Otherwise they might not cook in the pan and won’t taste as good.
Next, heat up the oil in a frying pan on medium heat.
Now, dip the apple slices in the batter and make sure both sides are coated well.
When the oil is hot (test this by dipping a wooden spoon into the oil – if there are bubbles forming around it, it’s hot), remove the apple slices from the batter with a fork, let excess batter drip off the slices, and then place the slices one at a time into the frying pan.
Don’t overlap the slices when they fry – always fry them in batches to ensure the slices have room in your pan.
Fry the apple rings on medium heat for roughly 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Be careful when flipping the slices over at the halfway mark.
When done frying, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Now mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together. Then, once cooled slightly – but still very warm – coat the fried apple slices with the cinnamon-sugar mixture on all sides.
Enjoy these slices with whipped cream, ice cream, etc.
Storage Tips
These fried apple rings are definitely best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the oil and coated in their sugar.
If you do have any that are left over, they’ll get very soft upon cooling – but they still taste quite good.
We tested out reheating these fried apple rings – and it can be done.
We heated them in the air fryer at 280 degrees Fahrenheit for just a few minutes. They were hot and delicious – just not crispy so be careful as you eat cause they might fall apart a little bit!
FAQ
Here’s an answer to a top question about making Apfelküchle:
To make Apfelküchle, a crisp and slightly tart apple works best. Any baking apple that fits these traits – particularly Cortland, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady are the ones that we used.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe for fried apple slices, here are sone other tasty recipes for things that are deep-fried – both sweet and savory!
- Krapfen – German Jelly-filled Donuts
- Oliebollen – Dutch Doughnuts
- Lángos – Hungarian Fried Bread
Apfelküchle (German Fried Apple Rings)
Ingredients
- 2 apples
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup oil, for frying
Topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, milk, sugar and salt together in a mixing bowl. Add the egg and mix again until there are no lumps in the batter.2/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, pinch of salt, 1 large egg
- Core the apples with an apple corer or paring knife. Then peel the apples and cut them into 1/4 inch thick slices – be sure to cut horizontally across the core (so that there is a hole in the middle of the apple) and not vertically up and down the apple. Don't cut the slices thicker than this as otherwise the apples might not cook when frying.2 apples
- Next, heat up the oil in a frying pan on medium heat.1 cup oil
- Now, dip the apple slices in the batter and make sure both sides are coated well.
- When the oil is hot (test this by dipping a wooden spoon into the oil – if there are bubbles forming around it, it's hot), remove the apple slices from the batter with a fork, let excess batter drip off the slices, and then place the slices one at a time into the frying pan. Don't overlap the slices when they fry – always fry them in batches to ensure the slices have room in your pan.
- Fry the apple rings on medium heat for roughly 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Be careful when flipping the slices over at the halfway mark.
- When done frying, place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together.1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Once cooled slightly – but still very warm – coat the fried apple slices with the cinnamon-sugar mixture on all sides.
- Enjoy these slices with whipped cream, ice cream, or on their own!
Notes
- If you plan on doubling the recipe, toss the apple slices in some lemon juice to keep them from browning.
- You might need slightly more or less than 1 cup of oil for frying. We use a 11-inch frying pan and 1 cup is perfect. Half of the apple ring should be submerged in oil for frying so that they can brown evenly all around.
- Be careful when you flip the slices in the oil since it might splatter.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
How many people have a 28 inch fry pan? That’s more than half the size of our stove top!
Hi Bob – you’re absolutely right… that would be a very big pan! We meant 28 centimeters but forgot to convert back to inches. The pan we used was 11 inches – and the post has been updated. Thanks for catching that. /Eric