In a mood for a healthier alternative to donuts? These gluten free apple rings may just fit the bill. Rather than starch filled donuts, these fritter-like rings are filled with the natural sweetness, nature intended. The batter is lighter and crunchier than my Gluten Free Fruit Fritters recipe; skipping the butter, milk, egg whites, and baking powder, and replacing all with sparkling water. Though the batter is thinner, it can be made thicker simply by adding an additional tablespoon or so of rice flour. Top them with powdered sugar or an apple cinnamon caramel sauce (recipe included).
Crunchy gluten free apple rings. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with cinnamon sauce. A healthier alternative to donuts.
Ingredients:
- 2 cup + 2 Tablespoons white rice flour
- 1/4 cup granulated s ugar (or evaporated cane sugar for refined sugar-free)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1- 1/2 cups minus 3 Tablespoons sparkling water
- 3 Gala apples (or your favorite)
- Oil, for deep-frying
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brandy (or water)
- 1-1/2 cups apple juice
- 1 cup evaporated milk (or heavy whipping cream or full-fat coconut milk)
Instructions:
- Preheat deep-fryer to 375°F. (Alternatively, use a heavy skillet or Dutch oven filled with 2-inches of oil and use a cooking or candy thermometer.)
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; in a separate, small bowl, whisk egg yolks; whisk in sparkling water; add the egg mixture to the flour mixture; whisk until smooth; set aside to prevent grittiness in rice flour.
- Peel and slice apples into 1/3-inch thick rings (thickest slice setting on the KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor).
- Either core apples using an apple corer before slicing or after slicing use a biscuit cutter to core individual slices.
- Using metal tongs dip an apple into the batter; add to hot oil; add additional slices (the amount that waits your fryer or pan); cook until golden brown, about 9 minutes; turn slices over once; repeat until all are cooked; add fried slices to a plate lined with several paper towels to drain. Keep apple rings in a warm oven until ready to serve. It is important that the oil be at 375°F before adding more apples.
- Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar or top with Apple Cinnamon Caramel Sauce (recipe below); and serve.
- Heat butter, sugar and cinnamon in a small sauce pan over medium heat; add brandy (be careful - it may flame) or water; stir; add apple juice; stir; cook and reduce to half; add cream and cook until thickened.
Tips
The apples are fully cooked in this recipe. If you desire a less tender apple, slice it thicker to about 1/2-inch.
Facebook Comment – Sept. 2, 2014,
“these are really good”
~R.B.R.
Intolerant to eggs. Any substitutes? Like with apple butter or something? There are SO many great recipes that chia seeds don’t sound good in :(
Can we substitute apple sauce for the eggs?
At this time, I am off dairy and eggs
thx
Jacqueline,
Instead of applesauce which only adds moisture, use canned white bean liquid. Read about it at http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/amazing-new-egg-substitute-gluten-free-egg-free-marshmallow-fluff/.
Carla
can i bake onstead of deep fry?
I have an allergy to rice, but I would love to make the apple rings.
Can I substitute millet flour for the rice flour in this recipe? Can these be made the day before i want to serve them?
Thank you for the help.
Bev
I would not make them in advance. Just about everything gluten free tends to soften with time.
I have am allergy to rice. Can I substitute millet flour?
Thank you.
Beverly Kendrick
Beverly, If anything I would try sorghum flour. Rice flour tends to be crispy. I would definitely use tapioca flour/starch if not using ride flour, though.
Let us all know how it turns out, if you try it!
Carla