Prepare the Apples:

• Peel the apples and cut them into thin sticks, like fries.
• Place the apple sticks in a bowl of cold water to keep them from turning brown.

Make the Batter:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add the sparkling water or club soda to the flour mixture, whisking until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to stick to the apples. If it’s too thin, add a little more flour; if it’s too thick, add a bit more water.

Heat the Oil:

• Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven.
• Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can check the temperature with a kitchen thermometer.

Coat and Fry the Apples:

• Drain the apple sticks and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Dip each apple stick into the batter, letting any extra batter drip off.
• Carefully place the coated apple sticks into the hot oil. Fry in small batches to avoid crowding the pan, which helps keep the oil hot and the fries crispy.
• Fry the apple sticks for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the apple fries from the oil, and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:

• In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
• While the apple fries are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are evenly coated.

Serve:

• Serve the apple fries warm with a side of caramel dipping sauce. Enjoy them while they’re hot for the best taste and texture!