by Beth Pierce 81 Comments
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Fall is apple picking season, and this delectable Fried Apples recipe is just what the doctor ordered. It takes less than 20 minutes and has five simple ingredients you may already have. Freshapple slicescook until soft in a butterycinnamon sauce. Prepare to be dazzled with some good ole Southern home cooking.
Table of contents
- The Best Southern Fried Apples
- Ingredients Needed
- How to Make Them
- Recipe Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Apple Recipes
The Best Southern Fried Apples
Fall is my favorite time of the year! I love everything about it, from the bonfires to the brightly colored mums and cool, crisp nights. Fall wouldn’t be the same without picking a peck or 1/2 bushel of apples. With this scrumptiously easy recipe, you will have those apples eaten up quickly. In fact, you may find yourself going back for some more apple picking.
Enjoy this as adessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oras a side dishwith chicken fried chicken, ham steak, or pan-friedpork chops. Spoon the fried apples over pancakes, waffles, French Toast, or buttery cream cheese pound cake.
Ingredients Needed
- Apples: I like to use Granny Smith Apple, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are also good.
- Butter: salted or unsalted
- Granulated sugar
- Spices: such as ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cloves.
How to Make Them
This recipe is so easy that you will wonder why you haven’t made it your whole life. Simply grab a large nonstick pan or cast iron skillet and melt a stick of butter in it over medium heat. You don’t want that butter to burn. Once the butter is melted, stir in the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I like to add a dash of nutmeg or sometimes a couple of pinches of ground cloves. Think apple pie spice, and you can’t go wrong.
Stir the mixture so the sugar dissolves in the butter over the heat. Add the apples and continue cooking and stirring several times for about 7-10 minutes. Don’t overcook the apples; they will start to break down and get mushy. You still want them to have a little firmness. Cook just until fork tender. That is a big part of what makes them so yummy.
Recipe Tips
- If you peel and cut your apples more than a few minutes before starting this recipe, spritz the apple slices with lemon juice.
- For optimal flavor, use real unsalted sweet cream butter. It is the proper Southern way.
- If you don’t like nutmeg (believe me, I have readers that do), try other spices like a couple of pinches of ground cloves or apple pie spice to taste.
- For more texture, top with chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Storeleftoversin anairtight containerin the fridge for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze fried apples?
Yes, you most certainly can. The apples will lose a little bit of their firmness, but sometimes, you need to freeze some leftovers. Let the apples cool to room temperature and seal them in Ziploc freezer bags or containers. Store for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
What are the best apples to use?
The best applesfor this recipe areGranny Smith apples, Honey Crisp apples, Braeburn apples, or Pink Lady apples. Use a variety for the perfect balance ofsweetnessandtartness.
How do I reheat them?
To reheat leftover fried apples, place them in a large skillet over low heat and warm, stirring gently several times. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave for short intervals at a reduced power.
More Apple Recipes
Easy Southern Fried Apples Recipe
Better than Cracker Barrel home-style crisp apples cooked in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. They make the perfect side for fried pork chops, honey-baked ham, or scrambled eggs with smoked sausage.
5 from 47 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 249kcal
Author: Beth Pierce
Ingredients
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples peeled cored and sliced (see notes)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg see notes
Instructions
In a large nonstick skillet or cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring continuously until the sugar is dissolved.
Add apples and cook just until the apple begins to break down and starts to become a little fork tender, stirring several times. This usually takes between 7-10 minutes.
See AlsoEasy stewed appleServe immediately.
Notes
- The best apples for this recipe are Granny Smith apples, Honey Crisp apples, Braeburn apples, Golden Delicious apples, or Pink Lady apples. For best results, use a variety for the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Peel and slice your apples in as uniform pieces as possible so they all cook at about the same rate. I use an apple slicer, and if, for some strange reason, a piece looks unusually thick, I slice it in half lengthwise to make a couple of thinner wedges.
- If peeling and cutting your apples more than a few minutes prior to starting this recipe, then spritz the apple slices with a little lemon juice.
- For optimal flavor, use real unsalted sweet cream butter. It really is the true Southern way.
- If you don’t like nutmeg (believe me, I have readers that do), try other spices like a couple pinches of ground cloves or apple pie spice to taste.
- For more texture, top with chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat leftover fried apples, simply place in a large skillet over low heat and warm, stirring gently several times. Or reheat in the microwave for short intervals at a reduced power.
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 433IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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More Recipes and Cooking
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Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on this site should be used as a general guideline.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Tamara
I love fried apples…such a quick and easy treat to make especially with ice cream for the summer!Reply
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%
Reply
Natasha M
Oh these were so good. I have pinned them, so I can come back and find them anytime. Delicious with your ham steak recipe and collard greens. Nothing like a good southern meal.Reply
Beth Pierce
I agree 100% Natasha!
Reply
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh
This sounds like the perfect autumn treat! I can almost smell those cinnamon-infused apples cooking. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try and enjoy some cozy Southern flavors. Thanks for sharing!Reply
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sue-Tanya!
Reply
Hazel
As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for simple yet delicious dishes, and your Southern Fried Apples hit the spot. We loved them!Reply
Harry
Great apple recipe. Absolutely delicious with polish sausage and your southern green beans. Thanks for the recipe, Beth!Reply
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Harry! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Reply
Julie D
Oh wow this is such a tasty treat so delicious with pork tenderloin and mac and cheese. Two thumbs up for these southern fried apples!
Reply
Sam Donnelly
We have an apple tree in our garden and we get loads of apples each year, so I love fixing this. My daughter loves these apples over Greek yogurt!Reply
Yolanda L
These are so good! I love cooked apples they end up so juicy – these are perfect with the added spices like cinnamon and of course we had a scoop of vanilla ice cream too!Reply
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Yolanda!
Reply
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