Given the choice between being home and not being home… I’m the girl that always chooses home.
Brooklyn is amazing. San Francisco is delicious. Baltimore is bonkers. Home is my heart. Home is where I keep my jar of Sharpie markers, my clean white sheets with the familiar smell, and my giant mankitten.
Home is also where I keep my fry thermometer and bowl of apples.
Home will come soon… until then, I still have some new sights to put my eyes on. Until then… please enjoy these fried apple things I made.
Imagine what onion rings would taste like if they were made out of apples instead of onions… and then topped with sugar.
Totally easy to imagine, mostly because it’s done and done right here.
I never seem to have much luck with an apple corer. God made apple all wonky and crooked. The core never goes straight down. I use a small, 1-inch circular biscuit cutter to chop the core out of apples.
See there? I just popped the holes out!
The beginning of apple doughnuts!
This is a double battered creation. The first batter is a milky cinnamon sugar batter. This lays the base for the second batter… crispy panko bread crumbs.
The milk batter adds sugar, spice and flavor, the panko bread crumbs keep the doughnuts crispy. Also… anything double battered is inherently awesome.
They look just like onion rings, but they’re dessert!
Ps. I also consider onion rings to be dessert… but maybe that’s just me.
I love to sprinkle these fried apples with powdered sugar, and serve hot out of the fryer. The batter is spiced and crunchy, the apple inside is tender with just a hint of crunch. They’re cooked but still maintain a bit of crunch.
Crispy Apple Doughnuts
makes about 24 rings
For the Panko:
2 cups panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Milky Batter:
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk (I used 2% milk)
1 large egg
4 Fuji or Granny Smith apples
oil for frying
In a medium bowl, whisk together panko crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon. I like to use my fingers to crush the panko crumbs into a finer breadcrumb. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and egg. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and whisk until no lumps remain. Set aside to rest while you peel and slice the apples.
Peel the apples and slice into about 1/3-inch thick rings. Use a small biscuit cutter to cut out the core. You can also peel the apples and use a apple corer to core the apple before slicing it into rings.
Soak apple slices in milky batter mixture. Set the panko mixture next to the milky batter. Heat a heavy bottom sauce pan with 2-inches of oil to 350 degrees F, measuring heat with a candy/fry thermometer.
When oil has reached 350 degrees F, use pair of tongs to remove a few rings from the milky batter, and coat in panko crumbs. Once throughly coated in crumbs, use tongs to carefully place rings in hot oil. Fry about 4 rings at once. Fry until golden brown, flip over and fry until golden. Remove from oil, place on a paper towel and fry the rest of the apple rings. Bring the oil back up to 350 degrees before adding additional apple slices.
Keep the fried apples warm in a 200 degree oven while the others fry. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar and serve.
Corrie
WOW that looks delicious!! *bookmark*
Laya
The cookie butter !!:D i love u and you need to knoe that ok?
jackie @ marin mama cooks
Wow, these look amazing and so unique. My kids will love these. I am with right there with you, there is no place like San Francisco. It’s home!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
Oh yummmm! …..It’s like an apple ring of deliciousness— onion ring minus the yucky breath! :)
joythebaker
exactly! you understand me.
Emily
1. These look beyond delicious.
2. I totally agree. Maybe they should say “home is where the fry thermometer is”.
3. For me, San Francisco is just that place, and I couldn’t help but notice that you stopped by one of my favorites: Miette.
If I could move into this little shop, I totally would. And then my “home” would be filled with delicious gingersnaps, beautiful cupcakes, and salted caramels.
http://ayearinthanks.blogspot.com/2011/09/day-253-september-9-2011.html
joythebaker
home is TOTALLY where the fry thermometer is!
Megan
yes!
Ami @ parsnipsandpears
this is genius. Now I just have to think of a bunch of dips for them, like onion rings :)
Ruth
Like Peanut butter, caramel and chocolate sauce!
peachkins
hmmmnn.. let me try this instead of Apple Fritters….
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
“God made apple all wonky and crooked. The core never goes straight down.”
I KNOW, RIGHT?!
Also, these look amazing. And I’m all about some home as well. I can’t tell you (but you probably know) what a relief it was to see my own bed on Monday, even though San Francisco was fantastic.
joythebaker
i hear you!
la domestique
These apple doughnuts are so clever! They look absolutely delicious! I’m with you on choosing home. I like home best. Safe travels!
Stoich91
UM, hullo? YUMALICOIUS!
Frances @ The Foodess Files`
Ohmygosh!!!! Crsipety Crunchy apple things are completely unbeatable! I have never used my fry thermometer (gasp) mainly because I think if I master it I may start frying everything within reach…THIS may force me to cross that threshold…..:)
Rachael B
I definitely share that same fear. Frying something healthy like an apple is one thing, but we all know it won’t stop there, especially since Joy’s already brought up onions. Makes me think what other veggies and fruits would taste just as delicious battered and fried. YUM!
Nicole @ The Dirty Oven
Oh…JOY!!!! Thanks :) I have actually dreamed about this post…really I have. The total dork in me right now is listening to your pod cast and reading your blog…too much? I know way too much. But just had a little baby and this is my time while she is asleep. Thank you!!! Whole Foods cashiers can be crazy…no cat, but just saying.
jen @ the baked life
yes! apples coated in delicious breading and fried. Thank you.
Baltimore seems random ? no?
I always choose home. It’s where the cats are.
Eliz. K
Baltimore isn’t random to those of us on this side of the country! Glad to be included :-D
Love love love this idea. I’m thinking to make them with my family, day after Thanksgiving….
Tanvi @ The Hathi Cooks
This is such a fantastic idea! I don’t know why these don’t exist everywhere. Also, totally agree with your sentiments about home. I love visiting new places, but there is nothing quite like snuggling up in my comfy bed at the end of a long day.
Kelsey
What? Apples as onion rings? You make the world a better place Joy! Traveling is always a good way to get perspective on the comforts of home. Have fun!