Crispy Apple Fries with Caramel Cream Dip
Tart apples sliced and fried until golden, coated in cinnamon sugar, served with a rich caramel cream dip made from whipped cream cheese and caramel sauce. Quick dessert or snack with contrasting textures and sweet-tart flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 tart apples (Granny Smith or Pink Lady), peeled and sliced
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup Wondra flourall-purpose flour1:1adds gluten
lower protein content differs texture
- vegetable oil, for frying
- ½ cup sugar
- ⅛ cup cinnamon
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, or 1 cup whipping cream whipped with 1/2 cup sugar until stiff(optional)
- 1 cup caramel sauce, store bought or homemade
Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a fry pan or deep fryer.
- 2
Mix buttermilk and sugar in a medium bowl.
- 3
Peel and slice apples, adding them to buttermilk mixture as you work to prevent browning.
- 4
Spread Wondra flour evenly in a shallow dish.
- 5
Remove apples from buttermilk one at a time and lightly coat all sides in flour.
- 6
When oil is hot, gently place coated apples in oil without touching.
- 7
When the bottom side turns golden brown, flip and brown the second side.
- 8
Remove to paper towel-lined tray to cool and drain excess grease.
- 9
Sprinkle immediately with cinnamon and sugar while hot.
- 10
For dip: beat cream cheese until smooth, fold in whipped cream or whipped Cool Whip, then fold in caramel sauce.
Tips
Do not let apples touch in the hot oil to ensure even browning on all sides.
Add apples to buttermilk immediately after slicing to prevent browning.
Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar coating while apples are still hot so it adheres.
Good to Know
Dip keeps refrigerated up to 3 days in an airtight container. Fried apples best served fresh but can be reheated gently.
Prepare dip up to 1 day ahead. Fry apples just before serving for best texture.
Serve warm apple fries alongside chilled caramel cream dip. Serves 4-6 as a dessert or snack.
Common Mistakes
Do not overcrowd the oil when frying to avoid temperature drop and soggy apples.
Do not skip the buttermilk bath, which helps the flour coating adhere and creates texture.
Do not leave apples in buttermilk too long before flouring as they will become mushy.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
lower protein content differs texture