- Canola oil (for frying; about 5-7 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- Kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups cold beer (preferably lager or pilsner)
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 Honeycrisp or other firm sweet-tart apples, peeled, cored, sliced into scant 1/4″-thick rings (8-10 rings per apple)
- A candy thermometer
- Fit a wide heavy pot with candy thermometer. Pour in oil to a depth of 2″ and heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 375ºF.
- Meanwhile, whisk flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 1 1/4 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add beer in a slow, steady stream, whisking until smooth.
- Whisk pepper, cardamom, 1/8 tsp. salt, and remaining 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon in a medium bowl.
- Working with 4-5 slices at a time, dip apples in batter, shaking off excess. Fry until golden, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Transfer fritters with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Immediately toss in spiced-sugar mixture and serve warm.