Deliciously Simple Recipes

These Pan-Fried Apple Donuts are a quick and delicious treat made with fresh apple rings and Kodiak waffle mix. The apples are sliced into donut-shaped rings, dipped in a thick Kodiak batter, and cooked in a lightly greased pan until golden brown on both sides. The outside becomes warm and fluffy while the apple inside turns soft and slightly sweet. A sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar adds extra flavor. These apple donuts are easy to make and are perfect for breakfast, an after-school snack, or a simple dessert.

You get cinnamon in every bite, with the apple adding natural sweetness. If you sprinkle cinnamon sugar on them while hot, the outside gets a lightly sweet, almost donut-like coating.

They’re best eaten warm right out of the pan, plain or with a little maple syrup.

For the apple donuts, cut the apples into rings:

1. Wash the apple. You can leave the skin on.
2. Place the apple on its side.
3. Slice straight across into rounds about ¼–½ inch thick.
4. Use a small round cookie cutter, bottle cap, or knife to remove the core from the center.
5. You’ll now have apple slices shaped like donuts.

Ingredients

• 2 apples, cut into 1/2-inch rings, cores removed
• 1 cup Kodiak waffle mix or any other pancake ready to use mix
• ¾ cup milk to start
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla, optional
• Cinnamon + sugar for finishing

Procedure

1.Mix 1 cup Kodiak waffle/pancake mix + ¾ cup milk + 1 egg + ½ tsp cinnamon. Make the batter fairly thick so it coats the apples; add a little more Kodiak mix if it slides off.

2.Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low to medium heat and add about 1–2 teaspoons butter or oil. Pat the apple rings dry, dip them completely in the batter, and place them in the pan.

3.Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and the apple has softened slightly. Keep the heat moderate—the Kodiak coating can brown before the apple cooks if the pan is too hot.

4.After frying, sprinkle with cinnamon + a little sugar while they’re warm.

Tip: For softer apples, cut the rings closer to ¼ inch thick. For a little crunch inside, use ⅜–½ inch.

Air fryer: Spray lightly with oil and cook at 375°F for about 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway.

Oven: Bake at 400°F for about 12–16 minutes, flipping halfway.

While they’re still warm, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. For a lower-sugar version, just use cinnamon and serve with a little maple syrup for dipping.

I’d choose the air fryer if you have one—it gives the Kodiak coating a much more donut-like outside.