Fried Apples – When the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, there’s nothing like a warm batch of fried apples to bring cozy comfort to your table. This simple Southern treat combines tender apple slices with butter, sugar, and cinnamon, caramelized to perfection in a hot skillet. This recipe is so good you’ll end up serving it all year round.
Fried apples are absolutely tasty on their own, but they make for a warm, fragrant side dish. Almost any dessert pairs beautifully and so do breakfast favorites like pancakes and biscuits. It also makes a tasty topping for pork chops and roasted meats.
Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic taste of home or a way to use up an abundance of apples, this fried apples recipe will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you’ll enjoy a dish as comforting as a warm hug on a chilly day! 🤗
What Are Fried Apples?
This classic Southern dish doesn’t require the kind of deep frying you might think of for chicken or okra. Instead, you create this Cracker Barrel fried apples knockoff by stewing fresh apple slices with butter, sugar, and warm holiday spices. As the apples cook, they soften and caramelize, developing a golden, slightly sticky glaze that’s sweet and tangy.
Recipe Ingredients
- Apples – Fresh, ripe apples, peeled or unpeeled, are the main ingredient here. You can use any variety you choose. My favorite is Granny Smith apples, but Golden Delicious will deliver a sweeter sauce. 🍎
- Unsalted Butter is the rich and delicious oil that “fries” the apples.
- Spices – Brown sugar and cinnamon are a classic flavor enhancer. Granulated sugar tones down the molasses flavor, but you can replace both with light brown sugar. Nutmeg and vanilla extract add more flavor.
- Cornstarch thickens up the buttery sauce that coats the apples.
- Lemon Juice – This ingredient keeps your apples from browning after cutting them but before frying them.
How to Fry Apples
- Apples – Peel, core, and slice your apples into thin wedges or bite-sized pieces. To prevent browning, toss the slices with lemon juice immediately after slicing. (Photos 1-2)
- Melt butter over medium in a large cast iron skillet or sauté pan. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg (if using). (Photos 3-4)
- Glaze – Stir the mixture until the sugars dissolve and the butter melts. Stir until well combined and a syrupy glaze forms. It should take 2-3 minutes.
- Optional – For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. (Photos 5-7)
- Coat Apples – Add the prepared apple slices and vanilla to the pan, tossing them gently to coat them in the syrupy mixture. (Photo 8)
- Fry – Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes or until the apples are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. The cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the apple slices.
- Serve – Remove the skillet from the heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Recipe Variations
- Add half a shot of bourbon or rum for additional depth of flavor. You can also use maple syrup instead of sugar for a unique twist.
- Use an apple pie spice blend instead of just cinnamon and nutmeg for a hint of allspice and cloves. It makes the apples taste like the filling of a classic apple pie. Perfect for a dessert feel! 🥧
- Toss in some chopped pecans or walnuts during the last few minutes of cooking for added texture and flavor. They will toast slightly for a delightful crunch.
- Fill fried apple pies or a regular pie crust with this delicious recipe for an amazingly easy apple pie.
Tips and Tricks
- Peeling the apples is optional. Keeping the skin on can enhance texture and nutrition but may affect the sauce’s smoothness.
- Slice the apples into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. Evenly cut wedges and small cubes also work fine.
- If you desire a richer flavor, consider caramelizing the butter and sugars before adding the apples to enhance the overall taste. 🤎
- Brown sugar hack. Add a teaspoon of molasses to ¼ cup of white sugar for your brown sugar. Add a tablespoon of molasses for dark brown sugar.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make a double batch and refrigerate extra cooked apples in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Or place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze the fried apples for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, or enjoy them cold.
What Goes With Fried Apples
Serve fried apples with breakfast dishes like waffles and French toast or on a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pair them with savory dinner dishes like roasted turkey or pork. They also work great on a breakfast charcuterie board. 🤤
More Apple-Licious Recipes to Try
- Pecan Apple Salad
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Apple Brown Betty
- Fried Apple Pies
- Dutch Apple Pie
By Imma
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