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Fried Apples

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Fried Apples are an absolute must! Perfectly sweet, they can be served as either a side dish or dessert! Super simple and super delicious!

 

Main image for recipe of fried apples in skillet, cooked and ready to serve.

 

Fried Apples are just one of those foods that can be a side dish or a dessert. 

One you want to eat on a big wrap around porch in a comfortable wooden rocking chair. Perhaps even while playing a game of chess with your grandpa.

One of THOSE foods.

Sweet apples are fried in melted butter and covered in a sauce that reminds you of autumn. Oh goodness, bring me another bowl.

I love that this fried apples recipe takes mere minutes to put together.

Fried cinnamon apples can be served either warm or cold.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to fry apples, look no further. It’s so simple yet incredibly impressive too!

 

butter place in a skillet. Not melted.

 

Ingredients for Fried Apples

Unfortunately not everyone has a Cracker Barrel nearby and can just swing by for a dish of fried apples.

Fortunately, all the ingredients to make them can be found in your own house in less time than it would take to get there anyway!

  • Butter: Use fresh butter and not margarine. It tastes WAY better that way.
  • Apples: I prefer granny smith apples. They taste great and hold their shape well too.
  • Cornstarch: This is used for thickening the fried apple glaze.
  • Water: Keep the water cold so the cornstarch can mix in well.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives the apples a hint of maple flavor.
  • Cinnamon: And this smell is the one that will bring the whole house into your dining table.
  • Nutmeg: Just a dash adds a nuance of fall flavor that you will love.

Pro Tips: 

  • Using a mandolin to core and peel your apples will go a lot faster than a paring knife!
  • If your brown sugar is hard, soften it by microwaving with a damp paper towel in 10 second bursts until soft.
  • For a fun flavor change try using a different fat such as bacon fat! 
  • If the fried apples aren’t quite spicy enough for you add a pinch of cinnamon to increase the flavor!

 

Sliced apples added to skillet

 

How to Make Fried Apples

In no time at all your Fried Apples will be ready to eat!

  • Fry Apples: The apples should be sauteed in the melted butter until almost tender.
  • Make Glaze: The brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch makes the glaze.
  • Serve: They are ready to bite into as soon as they’re done cooking! Yum!

Pro Tips:

  • Don’t overcook the apples. The resulting apple sauce will still taste yummy but won’t have nearly the same desired consistency.
  • If the glaze isn’t thick enough, add a small mixture of cornstarch and water until it is.

 

Apples cooked with cornstarch slurry ready to be added to apples.

 

How do you Eat Fried Apples?

Here’s a few of my favorites!

 

cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar added to cooked apples.

 

More Easy Side Dishes You’ll Love…

Just remember, sauteed apples can be served warm or cold. 

So you could even eat them straight from the fridge, no other dishes required.

 

Apples cooked and fried in yummy sauce.

 

Can Fried Apples Be Frozen?

Fried apples can be safely frozen though they will soften significantly once thawed.

While they will still taste good they will have a texture more similar to apple sauce than fried apples.

To freeze, allow the apples to cool completely. 

Then place them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Don’t forget to write the dish and date on the container!

Luckily, sautéed apples can also be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days. 

I’ve never actually had them last that long but it is possible.

 

wooden spoon in skillet holding up a spoonful of fried apples.

 

Can Dogs Eat Fried Apples?

Many dogs love apples and they are good for them too!

Loaded with fiber, vitamin a, vitamin c, and potassium, both humans and dogs can enjoy apples.

However, dogs should not under any circumstances consume brown sugar. It’s not good for them.

So feel free to toss your dogs some of your peels or sliced apples in moderation.

But don’t serve this to them once it’s cooked.

 

side view of apples on a plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

 

What Apples Are Good for Sauteing?

When looking for an apple to saute, choose one that is tart, firm, and tender. 

They will hold up best when cooked but also be perfect for adding all that sugar too.

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples tend to be sweet enough as is, so going for a tart variety of apple will give you the best flavor.

  • Granny Smith Apples: My personal favorite for this recipe. These don’t collapse when cooked.
  • Pink Lady Apples: Sweet and tart though they tend to fall more on the tart side.
  • Fuji Apples: While Fuji apples are more sweet than tart, they are also very crispy and hold up well to cooking.

 

zoomed out image of apples in bowl with scoop of ice cream

 

Can You Reheat Fried Apples?

The most important thing to remember when reheating fried cinnamon apples is that the longer they cook, the more mushy they will become.

Do not try to heat them up until they are hot. When the apples are warm they are done.

Here are two ways to reheat Fried Apples:

  1. Pan: Toss the pre cooked apples into a pan on medium heat and cook until warm. 
  2. Microwave: Reheat the fried cinnamon apples in intervals of 10 seconds, stirring between each session. Check for doneness by biting into an apple.

Fried Apples are one of my favorite ways to eat apples! They go well with almost everything and are always a favorite.

 

Yield: 4 Servings

Fried Apples

apples in bowl with scoop of ice cream and a fork in the apples.

Fried Apples are an absolute must! Perfectly sweet, they can be served as either a side dish or dessert! Super simple and super delicious!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 4 large tart granny smith apples - pealed, cored and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 Tablespoons corn starch
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter on medium heat.
  2. Add apples, stirring constantly until apples are almost tender; 6-7 minutes.
  3. Dissolve cornstarch in water; add to skillet.
  4. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg.
  5. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring.
  6. Remove from heat and serve warm.
  7. If glaze is not thick enough for your liking, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water at a time until desired thickness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 422Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 159mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 2gSugar: 42gProtein: 2g
Originally Posted: December 14, 2013

Photos & Text Updated: January 24, 2018

Photos & Text Updated: October 20, 2021

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Kelly Anthony

Friday 22nd of November 2019

I love sauteed apples with savory meals and my daughter loves them for breakfast! We'll make a batch and share the love. Thank you for the recipe!!!

Janelle

Monday 23rd of December 2019

Kelly so glad you and your daughter love these as much as we do! It's definitely a recipe that my kids request often! Glad you love it as much as we do!

Alison

Thursday 25th of January 2018

This is my all-time favorite side dish at Cracker Barrel!

I recently discovered that they sell their fried apples in jars so I bought 6 (oops!? sorry, not sorry) since our nearest Cracker Barrel is 1 hr+ away...made some with Christmas dinner and the others I'm stashing away for my guilty pleasure.

And then I got an email for "Sauteed Apples"! How exciting and convenient!!!! I can't wait to make these!!! :)

Janelle

Monday 20th of January 2014

Sarah, so glad you liked them! You can use any apples however non tart apples tend to make the recipe a little sweeter. But then again, I have a mega sweet tooth and love this recipe in all it's forms.

Sarah Epperson

Friday 17th of January 2014

These were delicious. We made this on a whim this evening when Kai requested apples as I was making dinner. I remembered seeing this recipe and decided to give it a try as the rolls were baking. We did not have tart apples, so I used what we had and they were still delish! Hoping to have some tart apples on hand in the future to try the recipe again!

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