Crispy Apple Rings

Ingredients

• 2 cups canola oil, for frying
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup soda water
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup Fiji apple, peeled, cored and sliced width-wise into flat circles
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving
• Caramel, to taste, for serving
• 1/4 cup granola, for serving

Directions

1. Toss the raw apple rings with the lemon juice so they are evenly coated. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, the sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add the soda water and buttermilk, stirring just until the batter comes together.
2. In another bowl, combine the powdered sugar with the remaining 1/2 cup of flour. Coat the apple slices in that mixture, then dip them into the batter one at a time, making sure each ring is fully covered.
3. Pour 2 cups of canola oil into a 1 1/2-inch deep skillet. Warm it over medium high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. A small personal fryer works well here if you have one. When the oil is ready, a bit of dough will rise to the surface; carefully lower in the battered apple slices, remembering that the oil is very hot.
4. Fry until browned, about 1-2 minutes, then turn the rings over. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the second side is browned too. Move the finished rings to paper towels to drain off extra oil.
5. Serve the apple rings warm with vanilla ice cream, warm caramel, and granola.