Chinese Cuisine

Candied Apple Fritters

A classic Chinese dessert featuring crisp fried apple pieces coated in a glossy caramelized sugar shell. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the juicy apple interior makes this sweet treat especially popular at family meals and banquets.

Total
20 minutes
Candied Apple Fritters finished dish
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Quick Recipe Summary

Cuisine
Chinese
Category
Chinese Cuisine
Method
Frying
Total Time
20 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Main Ingredient
Apples

About This Recipe

A classic Chinese dessert featuring crisp fried apple pieces coated in a glossy caramelized sugar shell. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the juicy apple interior makes this sweet treat especially popular at family meals and banquets.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in about 20 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
  • Beginner-friendly enough for cooks who are still building confidence in the kitchen.
  • Helpful for practicing timing, heat control, and the order of adding ingredients.
  • Gives the dish a clear sweet and sour flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
  • Useful as a reference recipe because the steps explain both what to do and what to watch for.

Ingredients

  • 2 Apples
  • 80 g Granulated Sugar
  • 40 g Cornstarch
  • 15 g All-Purpose Flour
  • as needed Water
  • as needed for frying Corn Oil

Ingredient Notes

These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust.

Apples

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Granulated Sugar

A small amount of sugar rounds out saltiness and helps create a more balanced finish.

Cornstarch

Starch helps sauces cling and can protect sliced meat during quick cooking.

All-Purpose Flour

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Ingredients & Techniques Used in This Recipe

These guides explain the key sauces, ingredients, and cooking techniques used in this recipe, so you can understand the dish instead of only following steps.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Peel the apples.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 1: Peel the apples.
  2. Step 2

    Cut the apples into evenly sized bite-sized chunks or diamond-shaped pieces.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 2: Cut the apples into evenly sized bite-sized chunks or diamond-shaped pieces.
  3. Step 3

    Combine the cornstarch and all-purpose flour in a bowl. Gradually add water while stirring until a thick, smooth batter forms.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 3: Combine the cornstarch and all-purpose flour in a bowl. Gradually add water whil
  4. Step 4

    Heat enough corn oil in a wok or deep pan for frying.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 4: Heat enough corn oil in a wok or deep pan for frying.
  5. Step 5

    Dip each apple piece into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 5: Dip each apple piece into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated.
  6. Step 6

    Fry the coated apple pieces until golden brown and crisp.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 6: Fry the coated apple pieces until golden brown and crisp.
  7. Step 7

    Remove the fried apples and drain excess oil.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 7: Remove the fried apples and drain excess oil.
  8. Step 8

    Leave a small amount of oil in the pan. Add the sugar and cook over low heat until it melts into a light amber syrup.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 8: Leave a small amount of oil in the pan. Add the sugar and cook over low heat unt
  9. Step 9

    Add the fried apple pieces to the syrup and quickly toss until each piece is evenly coated with caramel.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 9: Add the fried apple pieces to the syrup and quickly toss until each piece is eve
  10. Step 10

    Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately.

    Candied Apple Fritters step 10: Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately.

Cooking Tips

  • Cook the sugar over low heat to prevent burning. Work quickly when coating the apples, as the caramel hardens fast. For the traditional restaurant-style experience, serve with a small bowl of ice water so diners can briefly dip the caramel-coated apples to create an extra-crispy shell.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
  • Pair it with one vegetable dish and one soup or tofu dish for a balanced Chinese meal.
  • Use the recipe card below when you want a quick cooking reference after reading the full notes.

Recipe Card

A classic Chinese dessert featuring crisp fried apple pieces coated in a glossy caramelized sugar shell. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the juicy apple interior makes this sweet treat especially popular at family meals and banquets.

Ingredients

  • 2 Apples
  • 80 g Granulated Sugar
  • 40 g Cornstarch
  • 15 g All-Purpose Flour
  • as needed Water
  • as needed for frying Corn Oil

Method

  1. Peel the apples.
  2. Cut the apples into evenly sized bite-sized chunks or diamond-shaped pieces.
  3. Combine the cornstarch and all-purpose flour in a bowl. Gradually add water while stirring until a thick, smooth batter forms.
  4. Heat enough corn oil in a wok or deep pan for frying.
  5. Dip each apple piece into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated.
  6. Fry the coated apple pieces until golden brown and crisp.
  7. Remove the fried apples and drain excess oil.
  8. Leave a small amount of oil in the pan. Add the sugar and cook over low heat until it melts into a light amber syrup.
  9. Add the fried apple pieces to the syrup and quickly toss until each piece is evenly coated with caramel.
  10. Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately.

More Chinese Recipe Guides

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