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

 

 

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!

 

 

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!

 

 

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.

 

 

How do you Eat Fried Apples?

Here’s a few of my favorites!

• Ice Cream Topping
• Pie Filling
• Crisp Filling
• Side Dish for Anything
• Topping for Pancakes
• Whipped Cream
• Ham Steaks Recipe
• Apple Gingerbread Cake

 

 

More Easy Side Dishes You’ll Love…

• Roasted Butternut Squash Cubes
• Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
• Broccoli Salad
• Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• 3 Bean Salad Recipe
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
• Molasses Bread
• Classic Potato Salad 
• Creamy Coleslaw Recipe

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

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

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

Originally Posted: December 14, 2013

Photos & Text Updated: January 24, 2018

Photos & Text Updated: October 20, 2021

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