Gluten Free Apfelringe (Fried Apple Rings)

Gluten Free Fried Apple Rings, which are also known as apfelringe or apfelradln, is a delightful dessert or snack that is perfect for any occasion. Made by coating fresh apple slices in a batter, frying them to a golden brown, and dusting them with cinnamon sugar, these crispy treats are a beloved dish in Austria and Germany. You can enjoy this traditional Austrian dish as it is or add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade vanilla sauce on top of the Apfelradln for extra deliciousness.

Whether you're looking for a quick and easy fall dessert or a fun way to enjoy apples any time of year, fried apple rings are a perfect choice.

Recipe Ingredients Notes

Gluten Free Flour: I have tested this recipe for Fried Apple Rings with my own gluten free multi purpose flour, King Arthur Measure for Measure and Bob's Red Mill 1-1 Flour. All 3 flour blends produced a light and air batter to deep fry the apple rings in. If a gluten free diet is not required, this recipe can be made with 115 grams of "regular" all-purpose flour.

Apples: When it comes to making gluten free fried apple rings, you'll want to choose an apple variety that is firm and not too juicy. When choosing apples make sure they appear to be firm and don't have bruises. Try to avoid mealy apples, like Cortland or McIntosh, since they won't hold their shape in the hot oil and break down quickly. Some for apple varieties for Apfelradln include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Breaeburn. Even Golden Delicious or Jonagold are a good choice for making Gebackene Apfelringe.

Milk: Any percentage of milk or nondairy milk works in this recipe for gluten free apfelringe. You can even replace half of the milk with white wine or gluten free beer if you would like some extra crispy apfelringe. (Not recommended if kids will be eating them too)

Rum: Alcohol can help create a crispy and less greasy batter for frying Apfelringe. This is because alcohol evaporates faster than water or other liquids. It can quickly create a crispy exterior without absorbing as much oil. Bourbon or whiskey also works great here. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, just skip the rum.

Oil for Frying: I use vegetable oil for frying. Canola Oil, Peanut oil, or corn oil would work as well. It must be an oil with a high smoke point.

What are Fried Apple Rings?

Fried Apple Rings, also known as Apfelringe, Apfelradln or Apfelkiachl, are a traditional dessert from the Tyrol region of Austria. "Apfelradln" means "apple wheels" in the local dialect. It originated as a way to use up leftover apples and dough, with sliced apples dipped in a simple batter made of flour, eggs, and milk, and then fried in oil until crispy and golden brown.

Once fried, the Tyrolean Apfelradln are traditionally dusted with powdered sugar and served hot. Some variations may also include a drizzle of honey or a dollop of whipped cream on top. A childhood favorite of mine is gluten-free fried apple rings with a generous scoop of Vanilla Ice Ceram. This typical Austrian dish is popular in autumn when apples are in season, and is often served at local festivals and events throughout the Tyrol region.

How to make the batter for Gluten Free Apfelringe

Apple rings, also known as fried apple rings or apfelringe, are quite easy to make. Make sure to peel the firm apples all the way and slice them into even thick rings. This will ensure they all fry within the same amount of time. I use a 10" cast iron skillet for frying and an electric hand mixer to make my gluten-free apfelringe recipe.

Step 1: Wash and peel the apples. If you have an apple corer, use it to remove the core. Carefully slice the apples into even slices using a sharp knife. I like mine around 1 cm (around ⅓ of an inch) thick. If they are too thick the batter will be fully cooked while the inside of the apple rings is still cold and raw. In case you don't have an apple corer use a sturdy cookie cutter or just a knife and remove the core.

Step 2: Drizzle the sliced apple rings with some lemon juice and set aside. The lemon juice will make sure the apples won't turn brown while you make the batter. Don't go overboard with the lemon juice or you will end up with sour apple rings.

Step 3: Begin by separating the eggs, placing the two egg whites in the bowl of your stand mixer or mixing bowl. Set aside the egg yolks in a separate mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and whisk them together for a couple of minutes until they form stiff, glossy peaks that are almost creamy in texture. Be careful not to overmix the egg whites, as overmixed egg whites can become dull and dry. Once done, set the egg whites aside for later use. The egg whites act as a leavening agent in this recipe for Fried Apple Rings (this is why there is NO baking powder in my recipe)

Step 4: Get the bowl with the egg yolks and add milk, rum (if using), and a generous teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using a hand whisk, whisk the ingredients until they are fully combined. Add the gluten-free flour and kosher salt, and continue whisking until the mixture becomes smooth batter. Should the mixture be too thick, add a little milk to the mixture. (This will most likely happen if you use Cup4Cup which I don't recommend using)

Step 5: Gently fold about ⅓ of the beaten egg whites into the batter to help loosen it up. Next, add the remaining egg whites and fold them in carefully until the batter for Apfelringe becomes light and airy. It's normal to see some streaks of egg whites in the batter.

How to fry Gluten Free Apfelringe

Frying the first batch of apfelringe can be tricky. Avoid overcrowding the pan and keep a close eye on the oil temperature. It's important to exercise caution when handling hot oil!

Step 1: Line a sheet tray or platter with some paper towels and set aside. This will help to remove some of the excess oil from the fried apple rings.

Step 2: In a large pan or deep skillet with high sides, heat around 2 inches of neutral-tasting oil slowly to 360F. If the oil is too hot, the gluten-free fried apple rings will quickly brown on the outside and raw on the inside.

Step 3: When the oil is hot, dip 2-3 apple rings in the batter. Allow excess batter to drip off. Chopsticks actually come in very handy when doing this but a fork will work just as well.

Step 4: Carefully place the apple rings in the hot oil and fry at medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the bottom side is golden brown. Carefully flip them over and continue to fry until both sides become evenly golden brown. Frying time depends on the size and thickness of the apfelradln. Keep an eye on the oil temperature since it will drop when you add the cold dough. Adjust as needed to keep it at 355 - 365F. If it is too low the batter will soak up all the oil making the fried rings very greasy.

Step 5: Carefully transfer the fried apple rings to the prepared sheet tray or a paper towel-lined plate. Allow them to drain on paper towels before transferring them to a serving platter. Repeat frying with the remaining apple rings. Please be aware that the fried apple rings will soften the longer they sit. This is totally normal.

Serving & Storage

Gluten Free Fried apple rings can be served in many ways, depending on your preference. Apfelradln are the best when enjoyed right away. Here are some ideas:

1. Dust with powdered sugar: Once the Apfelringe are fried, sprinkle confectioners' sugar and some cinnamon on top for a sweet and simple treat.
2. Serve with ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the warm apple rings creates a delicious contrast of hot and cold.
3. Drizzle with caramel sauce: Warm caramel sauce adds a rich and indulgent touch to the apple rings.
4. Pair with whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top of the apple rings which adds a light and fluffy texture to the dish.
5. Enjoy as is: These apple rings are delicious on their own, so you can simply serve them as a snack or dessert.

Should you happen to have any leftover Apfelradln, you may store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one day. They will become soggy like most other deep-fried dishes. Therefore Apfelradln are the best when enjoyed right away. Just like Kaiserschmarrn, you can prepare the batter beforehand, it's not advisable to pre-cook the dish. 

How to dispose used frying oil

To dispose of frying oil, let it cool completely and strain out any food debris. Then, pour it into a container with a tight-fitting lid and label it as "used cooking oil". Do not pour the oil down the sink or toilet as it can clog the pipes. You can dispose of the used oil in the trash or take it to a local recycling center. Some cities offer used oil recycling programs where you can drop off the oil for proper disposal.

FAQ - Gluten Free Apfelringe (Fried Apple Rings)