Easy Cinnamon Apple Donut Recipe

Fried Apple Rings. Photo via Like Mother Like Daughter

It's that time of year once again. The falling leaves drift by my window as I drink hot cocoa every evening, lighting candles just for the fun of it, and binge watching classic holiday movies. That’s my ideal vision of autumn. However, typically due to other priorities (school), I can’t partake in autumn to the fullest of my potential. 

So I needed to figure out a way to maximize my seasonal vibes in a quick and easy way. 

Tis’ the morning of November 1st. As this weighty thought consumed my mind, I found myself doomscrolling on TikTok for a quick and easy fall-themed treat to make—something simple, something cozy. After an hour, I hit the jackpot. 

A TikTok popped up titled “easy cinnamon apple donut recipe.” Apple slices pretending to be donuts? Donuts that are halfway healthy? I had to try them. And to be honest? They turned out delicious, required almost no effort to make, and instantly made me feel like I gained a few points on my autumn-maxxing meter. Essentially, it felt like fate was handing me a shortcut to autumn joy. 

Start off by slicing four apples of your choice. I was feeling a bit indecisive and, to be honest, I’m not an expert on apples, so I got a fuji, honeycrisp, granny smith, and gala apple. Cut them into disks about 2-3 centimeters thick. 

Once you're finished, cut rings into the middle of each apple slice (I used an Olive Oil cap to do so). This will create that donut shape we’re going for. 

Moving on to the batter, mix together 1 cup of flour, ¼ cup of cornstarch, at least ¼ cup of cinnamon, and 1 cup of milk. 

In a separate bowl, mix your sugar and cinnamon together for the coating to put on the apples once they’re done frying. 

Heat up a skillet with oil (I used canola oil). Coat the apples with the batter and fry them until they turn golden brown. (Don’t forget to flip them in the pan so the batter fries evenly.) 

Once the apples are done frying, immediately coat them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. 

Finally, enjoy! I hope this easy apple cinnamon donut recipe helps you feel, or in this case, taste even more joy out of fall—just like it did for me! :D