Sometimes we know exactly how we came up with the idea for some of our recipes. This was not one of those times.  We can’t remember what inspired us to try making apple fries, just that one day they appeared on our list of food experiments.  Though it isn’t a stretch to assume that it originated out of Erik’s love of apples.  And boy am I glad we did come up with this idea.  These may be one of my new favorite fall desserts.  Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside…sweet, tart…they’re so many awesome combinations in one.

Burger King has apple fries, but we all know they’re not really fries. They’re just apple sticks.  They just call them apple fries to trick small children into eating fruit.  These, my friends…these are apple fries.

These apples know their destiny, and they are proud to accept that fate.

Apple Fries:

• 2 apples
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
• 1/3 cup cinnamon sugar
• Oil for frying

Cut apples in half and remove the core. You can remove the skin if you’d like, but you don’t have to.  Once core is removed cut into French fry sized slices (about half an inch thick).

In a large bowl combine the flour, egg, water, sugar, and sesame seeds (if using) and mix until smooth.  In a large pan heat about 2 inches of oil.  While the oil is heating, set up your frying station.  From left to right you should have, your cut apples, the 1/3 cup cinnamon sugar in a shallow bowl, the fry batter.  Once the oil is hot enough (about 375 degrees Fahrenheit), you can start.  This next step is optional, but will add to the yumminess. If you’re up to it, coat the apples in the cinnamon sugar like so:

If you’re pressed for time, you can skip this step since you can add extra cinnamon sugar on top at the end.

Then cover them in the fry batter.  Then into the oil they go.  Cook until the batter turns golden brown, and the bubbling around the fries slows down.  Turn once during the cooking process.   You don’t want to crowd the pan, so you may have to work in batches.

Remove from the oil, and place on a plate lined with paper towel to drain.  If desired you can sprinkle with additional cinnamon sugar.

Behold

Now, these are pretty amazing on their own. But since they’re supposed to be like French fries, you’re probably going to want a dipping sauce.  And since these are apple fries, that dipping sauce should be caramel.  If you want you can just use a store bought caramel sauce to use and that’ll be fine.  Or if you’re feeling ambitious you can make your own.  We made our own.  We basically followed the Pioneer Woman’s recipe, except instead of just a pinch I added at least 1 ½ tsp of salt, since we really enjoy the salted caramel flavor.

Oh yeah, that’s the stuff.

These apple fries are wonderful. They’re like super mini apple pies.  You’re probably not going to want to stop eating them (much like regular French fries).  I highly recommend that you all make these at least once this fall.