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Home » Side Dishes » Fried Apples

Fried Apples

Created: September 30, 2020 Updated: September 30, 2020 by lyuba 3 Comments

1.4K shares
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These fried apples are a beautiful combination of tender sautéed apples with brown sugar and lots of warm spices. This recipe will be a delicious side dish, the perfect topping for pancakes and waffles, or serve it on ice cream as a dessert!

close up of red pan fried apples

Don’t be put off by the name of this delicious apple dish. Despite the name, these apples aren’t covered in a thick batter and fried in a vat of oil. It’s simply a classic southern recipe for pan-fried apple slices in a sweet and sticky glaze.

This recipe is popular all over south and made even more popular by Cracker Barrel and many southern chefs. When I worked at the Cracker Barrel, it was one of the most popular side dishes in the fall.

It’s an incredibly versatile dish too. You can spoon them over homemade pancakes or waffles. With a few adjustments, you can even use them in my warm Apple Crisp.

It’s wonderful served over grilled or baked pork chops. Perfect with some simple baked or pan-fried chicken. Or keep it simple and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

side view: frying sliced red apples in cast iron pan

Which Apples To Use?

Honestly, this recipe is pretty flexible, so choose one of your favorite varieties.

Firmer cooking apples are more likely to soften without falling apart, and certain kinds have sweeter notes that will enhance the spices used.

No matter which ones you use, just keep an eye on them when cooking. Any that are softer when eaten raw will usually cook faster. Here are a few options:

  • Honeycrisp
  • Pink Lady
  • Granny Smith 
  • Jonagold
  • Gala
  • Jazz

How To Make Fried Apples

Just combine sliced apples with a coating of spices and cook until tender and golden. Simple to do and it only takes about 40 minutes!

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Note: This is only a partial list of ingredients. For the full ingredient list, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

overhead photo: bowl of red apple slices and other ingredients for fried apples recipe
  • Apples – Pick your favorite apples but remember to try and stay away from those with very soft flesh that crumbles. You can also make this dish with pears or a mix of both. Just keep an eye on them as they cook, since pears require less cooking time.
  • Butter – Unsalted butter is best or replace with vegan butter, ghee, or coconut oil depending on your dietary needs.
  • Apple juice – apple cider would work as well and can add extra spice to the dish.
  • Brown sugar – Maple syrup or honey can be used in place of the brown sugar if you’d prefer. Just remember that it will be a little juicier (and great with ice cream).

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Prep the apples 

  1. Core and slice the apples, but don’t remove the peels. 
  2. Leaving peels on helps the apple slices hold their shape.
mixing spatula stirring red apple slices with cinnamon spice mixture

Mix with the spices 

  1. Melt the butter and combine with the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. 
  2. Toss the apples in the mixture until well coated.

Cook and serve 

fresh red apple slices in black skillet with wooden spoon for fried apples recipe
  1. Place the apples into a preheated skillet, spreading them out into an even layer. Then cover the pan with a lid. 
side view: frying sliced red apples in cast iron pan
  1. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally.
  2. Then, remove the lid and sauté until the apples are golden and the sauce has thickened into a glaze.
overhead photo: fried apples in cast iron skillet

Fried Apples Tips and Recipe Notes

  • Pan temperature – Be sure to follow the temperatures shown in the recipe card below.

    If the temperature is too hot, the sugar will cause the apples to burn and stick to the pan.

    If the heat is too low, it will essentially steam the apples.

    We use a combination of low and high heat to cook and caramelize them to perfection.
  • Larger batches – If you have a large enough pan, or several pans going, it’s easy to double or triple this recipe.

    This is a great way to make a week’s worth of snack or make enough for a gathering of friends and family.
  • Storage – Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Heat it up in the microwave just until warmed.
  • Freezing – Let the apples cool before storing in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 months, then thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

    Freezing the apples might cause them to soften even more. If they become too soft for your liking, you can blend them into a flavorful applesauce.
pan frying apple slices in cast iron skillet

OTHER WAYS TO USE SAUTEED APPLES

The possibilities are truly endless, but these apples are sure to please everyone no matter how you serve them!

  • Serve over yogurt
  • Over breakfast favorites like pancakes, waffles, and French Toast
  • Stir into a bowl of oatmeal
  • With pork loin, pork chops, or roasted chicken
  • Paired with cheese slices
  • Over homemade honey butter biscuits

If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!

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PIN THIS RECIPE

pan frying apple slices in cast iron skillet

Fried Apples

A beautiful combination of tender sautéed apples with brown sugar and lots of warm spices.
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apples
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 268kcal
Author: lyuba

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb apples
  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Core apples and slice them into several slices. Don't peel the apples.
  • Preheat a 12-inch skillet (or another cooking pan) over medium heat and lower the heat to medium-low.
  • Combine apple slices, melted butter, apple juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl and mix until apples are evenly coated.
  • Transfer everything from the bowl into the preheated skillet and spread it evenly.
  • Cover and cook over low heat for about 15-20 minutes. Stir the apple occasionally.
  • Take the lid off and raise the heat to medium. Stir and cook the apples for another 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 534IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles
titled photo collage shows southern fried apples on serving spoon and close up

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

1.4K shares

Filed Under: Apple, Fall Recipes, Gluten Free, Seasonal, Side Dishes

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Dona Fellows says

    October 30, 2021 at 2:07 pm

    What can I use in place of apple juice? I have unsweetened apple sauce and orange juice or pineapple juice

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 2, 2021 at 10:12 am

      You can use a tablespoon of water with a tsp of lemon juice for acid or pineapple juice

      Reply
  2. Tiffany Gibson says

    November 22, 2022 at 5:13 pm

    Delish recipe 😋

    Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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