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    Home > Vegan Breakfasts

    Oil-free Fried Apple Rings (Donuts)

    By My Pure Plants on 01/03/2023 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Pin

    These Fried Apple Rings look like giant apple donuts/doughnuts. They are neither deep-fried nor baked. The juicy apple slices are dipped into a 3-ingredient psyllium husk pancake batter, fried like a pancake and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Vegan and gluten-free.

    Stack of cinnamon fried battered apple rings on a white plate.

    Sometimes all I need is the smell of apple and cinnamon to fill my home and I immediately feel cozy and warm. I love everything with cinnamon, like our Simple Plum Crumble. I’d like to add it to warm sauces like our Mixed Berries Sauce or our Warm Strawberry Puree or our Cold Spicy Melon Puree. My favorite breakfast is this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. Cinnamon, cinnamon, cinnamon on everything. You’ll see!

    Table of Contents hide
    1. Ingredients of our fried apple rings
    2. Which apples to fry
    3. Psyllium husk pancakes
    4. How to make fried apple rings?
    5. Top tips for making perfect Fried Apple Rings
    6. FAQs and Substitutions
    7. More dessert recipes
    8. Fried Apple Rings (Donuts) with 3-ingredient Pancake Batter

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    Ingredients of our fried apple rings

    This recipe is easy, fast and highly addictive. When we receive our yearly supply of apples from my in-laws, I am making apple rings 3-4 days in a row. I can do a batch, while my kids are asleep. All I need is:

    • 3 large apples,
    • pancake batter, and
    • cinnamon sugar.

    I fry these pancake battered apple slices as I would fry a regular pancake – in my non-stick frying pan. No oil is needed!!! Definitely healthier than anything deep-fried, don’t you agree?

    For substitutions, scroll down a bit and you can read all about the different versions.

    Which apples to fry

    Large, firm and tart apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady or anything similar.

    You need large apples, so you get nice and big apple donuts. You need firm apples, or at least firm enough that the apple slices won’t go all mushy in the frying pan. You need tart apples as you will get just the right kind combination of sweet cinnamon sugar and sour apple slices. This is the kind of apple you should be looking for if you would like to make these easy, battered apple rings.

    Psyllium husk pancakes

    I was only introduced to psyllium husk after I started a gluten-free diet. It is a perfect binding agent and egg substitute. I use them a lot in baking, for example, making this light, chocolate sponge cake. I think it binds everything stronger than flax or chia egg. 

    As I promised this is a 3-ingredient pancake batter, where you need:

    • gluten-free flour (our ultimate guide to gluten-free flours),
    • dairy-free milk (recipe for our homemade cashew milk), and
    • psyllium husk (vegan, organic and gluten-free psyllium husk).

    I use a combination of oat and corn flour. Oat for consistency and corn for extra sweetness. Maybe it is just me, but if I use corn flour in any dish, it somehow turns them even sweeter compared to other flours. I also tested this recipe with a combination of oat-rice flour.

    However, you can choose your own pancake mix. Make sure to add a little less liquid as the batter needs to be thick enough to coat the apple slices.

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    How to make fried apple rings?

    It is actually quite simple and you only need 4 main steps.

    Making the pancake batter – step 1

    Take a bowl and a whisk. Add flour, milk and psyllium husk and mix them thoroughly. Have the pancake batter rest for at least 5 minutes to ensure the husk does its job i.e. thickens the batter.

    White bowl with psyllium husk pancake batter.

    Coating the apple slices – step 2

    Wash, peel and core the apples. I have an easy-to-use apple corer or a small cookie cutter to finish quickly. Then cut the apples into 0.25-0.5 inch slices. You can use a mandolin for even thin slices.

    Dip them in the pancake batter right before you plan to fry them. If you leave them in the batter for long, the apple might release some liquid and the pancake batter may turn runny.

    Step photos showing 3 apples unpeeled and then peeled, sliced cored apple rings on wooden cutting board

    Frying the battered apple rings – step 3

    Pre-heat your frying pan to low-medium heat and fry them as you would fry any other pancake. You need only a couple of minutes for each side to turn golden brown.

    3 battered apple rings are frying in a frying pan. Showing both sides in the two images.

    Coating them in cinnamon sugar – step 4

    Don’t forget to cover them with cinnamon sugar while they are hot (they will not stick otherwise). These apple donuts go perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some caramel sauce or dipped in melted chocolate. Enjoy!

    White plate sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and a fried apple ring is coated using a hand.

    Top tips for making perfect Fried Apple Rings

    • You need to fry on low-medium heat, so the apples will be cooked. Firm and tart apples tend to remain crunchy if you cut them too wide or cook them for too short.
    • Even if the apples remain a bit crunchy (but you have to take them out because the pancake batter is already golden brown), don’t worry, they will soften on room temperature while they are resting. You can even cover them to make sure they do soften.
    • I read somewhere ages ago that you can prepare apples for baking if you drop them in hot water for 5 minutes. In that way, the apples will not release any further liquid while baking (no pies with soggy bottom) and the slices soften up a bit as they are pre-cooked so to speak. I tried this method with these apple rings and there were no crunchy apples at all.
    • P.S.: I don’t mind crunchy apples at all. :-))

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    Close-up of fried battered apple rings with caramel sauce.

    FAQs and Substitutions

    Can it be paleo fried apple rings?

    Yes. You need to use coconut flour with a combination of tapioca or arrowroot starch (2:1) instead of the oat-rice or oat-corn mix.

    Can I pre-made the pancake batter and leave in the fridge overnight?

    Yes and no. Yes, because nothing will go wrong if you leave the batter overnight. But no, because the psyllium husk will turn it into more of a jelly-consistency and it will not stick to the apple rings easily. I could still cover them and fry them but it needed special attention. So, I don’t really recommend to do it.

    How long do these fried apple rings last?

    I would say 1 day tops on room temperature and 2-3 days in the fridge. The more days pass, the softer it gets. And not the good kind of soft.

    Stack of cinnamon fried battered apple rings on a white plate.

    This Fried Apple Rings recipe is vegan, so dairy-free and egg-free. It is also suitable for vegetarian, paleo, nut-free and gluten-free diets. It can also be WFPB-friendly (whole foods plant-based) if you have a good non-stick frying pan or use an air fryer to make them without oil.

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    More dessert recipes

    You can browse through our Vegan and Gluten-free Dessert Recipes or check out

    • Vegan Snickers Cake
    • Chocolate Peach Galette
    • Vegan Chocolate Pudding
    • Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies
    • Vegan Tapioca Pudding

    Close-up of fried battered apple rings with caramel sauce.

    Apple Donut Pancake Batter - Apple donuts fried in a 3-ingredient pancake batter that is plant-based and gluten-free. Then dipped in cinnamon sugar. Yummm!

    Fried Apple Rings (Donuts) with 3-ingredient Pancake Batter

    Emese Maczko
    Juicy apple slices fried in a 3-ingredient psyllium husk pancake batter and coated with cinnamon sugar.
    4.8 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Resting time 5 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 660kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 Apples (large)
    • 1 ½ cup Oat flour 150 g
    • ½ cup Corn flour or Rice flour 50 g
    • 2 cup Dairy-free milk (or ½ water - ½ milk) 5 dl
    • 2 tsp Psyllium husk
    • Cinnamon sugar (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    EXCLUSIVE 5-ingredient recipes for busy home cooks that are ready in 15 minutes!Check out our Express Vegan Cookbook!

    Instructions
     

    Prepare the apples

    • Wash and peel the apples. Cut them into 0.25-0.5 inch slices. You can use a mandolin for even thin slices. Remove the seeds and cores to get nice apple rings with an easy-to-use apple corer or a small cookie cutter.

    Prepare the pancake batter

    • In a large bowl mix together the flour, the milk, and the psyllium husk thoroughly with a whisk and let it sit for 5 minutes until the husk thickens the batter.

    Frying the apple rings

    • Heat a non-stick frying pan on low-medium heat.
    • Dip the apple rings in the batter one by one and fry them as they were pancakes. Flipping them after a couple of minutes to have both sides golden brown. 
    • While still hot, dip them into cinnamon sugar. (If you wait, and the apple donuts cool down, the sugar won't stick to them.) Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce or melted chocolate. Enjoy!
    Tried this recipe? Can we see it?Please share a picture with us by uploading an image to Pinterest below ours.

    Notes

    Which apples to fry
    Large, firm and tart apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady or anything similar.
    Top tips for making perfect Fried Apple Rings
    • You need to fry on low-medium heat, so the apples will be cooked. Firm and tart apples tend to remain crunchy if you cut them too wide or cook them for too short. 
    • Even if the apples remain a bit crunchy (but you have to take them out because the pancake batter is already golden brown), don't worry, they will soften on room temperature while they are resting. You can even cover them to make sure they do soften. 
    • I read somewhere ages ago that you can prepare apples for baking if you drop them in hot water for 5 minutes. In that way, the apples will not release any further liquid while baking (no pies with soggy bottom) and the slices soften up a bit as they are pre-cooked so to speak. I tried this method with these apple rings and there were no crunchy apples at all. 
    • For a more frugal approach, you can use ½-1/2 water and milk. 

    Video

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Fried Apple Rings (Donuts) with 3-ingredient Pancake Batter
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
    Calories 660 Calories from Fat 95
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 10.5g16%
    Saturated Fat 1.7g11%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Sodium 177mg8%
    Potassium 387mg11%
    Carbohydrates 123g41%
    Fiber 18.5g77%
    Sugar 15.7g17%
    Protein 23g46%
    Vitamin A 1750IU35%
    Vitamin C 1.7mg2%
    Calcium 500mg50%
    Iron 7.2mg40%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    UPDATED: This recipe was originally posted in September 2018, but was rewritten and republished with step-by-step photos, instructions, and tips in August 2019. 

    390 shares

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    1. SHANIKA

      August 29, 2019 at 8:29 pm

      5 stars
      These Fried Apple Rings are such a great Fall season sweet treat to do with kids! I need to try this with my son! So amazing!

      Reply
      • My Pure Plants

        September 07, 2019 at 12:22 pm

        You should. My daughter loves making holes with the apple corer and dropping the apple rings in the batter.

        Reply
    2. Traci

      August 29, 2019 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      How fun are these?! Gluten-free too…for the win! Love this unique breakfast recipe…thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • My Pure Plants

        September 07, 2019 at 12:23 pm

        You’re welcome. We love to make them after the afternoon nap for “snacking” too.

        Reply
    3. Tonje

      August 29, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to make these! They look amazing, and I think my partner will love it too!

      Reply
      • My Pure Plants

        September 07, 2019 at 12:23 pm

        Be sure to let us know how you and your partner liked it.

        Reply
    4. Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table

      August 29, 2019 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      These look like a great, healthy take on doughnuts – so appealing that even the frying doesn’t hurt 😉

      Reply
    5. Mindy Fewless

      August 29, 2019 at 6:28 pm

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to make these!! I love that they’re a healthy donut alternative too!

      Reply
      • My Pure Plants

        September 07, 2019 at 12:24 pm

        Be sure to let us know how you liked it.

        Reply
    6. Agi

      September 29, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      Love them to the Moon and back!!!

      Reply
      • My Pure Plants

        November 25, 2018 at 9:13 pm

        So are we! Can’t get enough.

        Reply

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