Hungarian apple fritters, Alma pongyolában

Name: Hungarian apple fritters, Alma pongyolában
Prep time: 30 min
Ingredients: 6 apples; 2 egg yolks; 1 egg white; 1.5 cups all purpose flour (plus extra flour for coating the apple rings); 1 tbsp powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 2/3 cup sparkling water; 2/3 cup whole milk; 1 pinch salt; Lemon juice, for sprinkling over the apples; 1-1.5 cups vegetable oil for frying; Powdered sugar and ground cinnamon, for serving

Hungarian apple fritters, or alma pongyolában, are a simple homemade dessert made from fresh apple rings dipped in a light batter and fried until golden. The Hungarian name literally means “apple in a dressing gown,” referring to the soft layer of batter surrounding each slice of apple.

This is the kind of dessert that can be prepared quickly from ingredients you probably already have at home. Unlike fritters made with chopped or grated apples, alma pongyolában is made with whole apple rings. As they cook, the apples become tender and juicy, while the batter turns crisp and golden on the outside.

The batter is made especially light by adding sparkling water and gently folding in a beaten egg white. Before dipping the apple rings into the batter, I coat them lightly with flour. This small step helps the batter cling to the apples instead of sliding off during frying.

Firm apples with a slightly tart flavor work particularly well in this recipe, as they hold their shape and provide a lovely contrast to the sweet coating. The finished fritters are traditionally served warm, generously sprinkled with powdered sugar and ground cinnamon.

They are best eaten freshly made, when the outside is still crisp and the apple inside is warm and soft. Ready in around 30 minutes, these Hungarian apple fritters make a delicious autumn dessert, an easy afternoon treat or a sweet ending to a family meal.

Hungarian apple fritters, Alma pongyolában

Alma pongyolában literally means “apple in a dressing gown”—a lovely old-fashioned Hungarian name for apple rings dipped in a light batter and fried until golden. Crisp on the outside and soft and juicy inside, they are especially delicious served warm with a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar.

This simple Hungarian dessert is ready in about 30 minutes and is a wonderful way to use fresh apples.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine Hungarian

Servings 4 people

Equipment

Apple peeler
Apple corer
Sharp knife
Cutting board
2 Mixing bowls
Electric hand mixer or whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Spatula
Medium frying pan
Tongs or slotted spoon
Plate lined with paper towels

Ingredients

6 apples
2 egg yolks
1 egg white
1.5 cups all purpose flour plus extra flour for coating the apple rings
1 tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup sparkling water
2/3 cup whole milk
1 pinch salt
Lemon juice, for sprinkling over the apples
1-1.5 cups vegetable oil for frying
Powdered sugar and ground cinnamon, for serving

Instructions

Beat the egg white until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the powdered sugar until pale, thick and creamy.
Add the salt, milk, sparkling water and baking powder. Gradually add the flour and mix until the batter is smooth.
Gently fold the beaten egg white into the batter, taking care not to knock out too much air.
Peel and core the apples, then cut them crosswise into ½-inch-thick rings. Sprinkle the rings with a little lemon juice to prevent them from browning, then lightly coat them in flour. Shake off any excess.
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Dip each apple ring into the batter, allowing the excess to drip off, then carefully place it in the hot oil.
Fry the apple rings in batches until golden brown on both sides. Do not overcrowd the pan.
Transfer the fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Combine the powdered sugar with ground cinnamon and sprinkle generously over the warm apple fritters. Serve immediately.