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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Fried Apples Recipe

    Fried Apples Recipe

    Published: Mar 5, 2017 · Modified: Aug 22, 2021 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Fried Apples in a pan.

    Slowly cooked in browned butter and sugar, fried apples are an incredible Southern side that’s easy enough to make on a weeknight. This Cracker Barrel copycat recipe for caramelized apples will melt in your mouth.

    An iron skillet with fried apples and a spoon.

    One of our favorite meals is my mother-in-laws’ fried chicken dinner. While her fried chicken is amazing, her method is the same used by Ashely Christensen, the fried apples that accompany the chicken have always been our favorite part of the dinner. It was the first meal she made for me when Mike and I started dating.

    I have to admit, that fried apples would never have been served in my house growing up, but I don’t really think of these as fried, more like sautéed in brown butter deliciousness. This is a truly Southern dish I think your family is going to love.🥰

    Why you’ll love it

    • It’s a super easy side dish
    • Just 3 ingredients make a delicious addition to any meal
    • You can use up apples that are turning past their prime
    • Nothing goes better with fried chicken

    What you’ll need

    A bunch of apples in a tray.
    • Apples – use firm tart apples to offset the sweetness
    • Butter – brown butter will bring out the flavor of the apples
    • Pantry staples – sugar, water

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      How to make fried apples

      Step 1 – In a 12 inch iron skillet or non-stick, cook butter over medium heat until it begins to turn brown.

      Step 2 – Add apples that have been cut into thick 1 inch slices, do not peel. (if you hate the peelings, you can peel them but Nana always leaves the peelings on) Add water and sugar and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium heat for 30-45 minutes depending on the firmness of the apples. Do not stir or they will get mushy, but you can gently turn them over every once in a while.

      A spoon full of cooked apples in a skillet.

      Step 3 – Let cool slightly before serving.

      Pro Tip: If you have an iron skillet, these cook up and caramelize the apples beautifully.

      There’s just something about these sweet apples that are perfect with fried chicken.  And don’t forget some buttermilk biscuits and green beans that have been cooked with a little bacon for 4 hours.  Throw in some mashed potatoes and you have the perfect Southern dinner.

      You don’t have to have fried chicken to enjoy these caramelized apples, try them with roasted chicken, or pork tenderloin. Try serving them with your Thanksgiving turkey and change up your holiday meal this year.

      FAQ’s and tips

      Are apples good for you?

      Apples offer lots of health benefits. They are full of fiber, vitamin C, potassium and vitamin k.

      What kind of apples are good for fried apples?

      You want to use firm apples.  Gala’s looked the best this week which is what I used in the photos, but Fuji’s are my favorite. Braeburn, pink lady’s, jonagold and granny smith are other great choices that give a sweet-tart flavor and won’t turn to mush when cooked.

      Can I make this dish without sugar?

      You can definitely cut down on the sugar depending on the sweetness of your apples, but you’ll need some. Honey is an acceptable sugar substitute; start with 1 tsp to every two apples you add to the dish.

      What can I do with leftover fried apples?

      Fried apples reheat really well on the stovetop or in the microwave. They’re a delicious topping for ice cream or Greek yogurt.

      How long do fried apples last in the fridge?

      Leftover fried apples can be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated for 2-3 days.

      More apple recipes you’ll love

      • A half eaten apple cider muffin.
        Apple Muffin Recipe
      • A spoonful of Apple Pomegranate Cobbler
        Apple Pomegranate Cobbler
      • Apple blondies cooling on a black rack.
        Cinnamon Apple Blondies
      • An apple pancake in a skillet with powdered sugar.
        Light & Fluffy German Apple Pancake (Dutch Baby)

      What can I serve with apples?

      • A serving spoon in a skillet of pork marsala medallions
        Creamy Pork Marsala with Mushrooms
      • A dish of homemade cheeseburger hamburger helper on a plate with a fork.
        Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
      • A fork full of Steak Marsala
        Steak Marsala
      • Chicken piccata being served over angel hair pasta
        Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe with Capers

      If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

      Fried apples in an iron skillet.

      Fried Apple Recipe

      Author: Barbara Curry
      Slowly cooked in browned butter and sugar, fried apples are an incredible Southern side that's easy enough to make on a weeknight. This Cracker Barrel copycat recipe for caramelized apples will melt in your mouth.
      5 from 1 vote
      Print Pin
      PREP: 15 minutes
      COOK: 1 hour
      Servings: 4

      Ingredients
       

      • ½ cup butter
      • 6 large apples firm; cored thickly sliced
      • ¼ cup water
      • 1 ½ cups sugar

      Equipment

      • Cast iron skillet
      Prevent your screen from going dark

      Instructions
       

      • In a 12 inch iron skillet or non-stick, cook butter over medium heat until it begins to turn brown.
      • Add apples that have been cut into thick 1 inch slices, do not peel. Add water and sugar and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium heat for 30-45 minutes depending on the firmness of the apples. Do not stir or they will get mushy.
      • Let cool slightly before serving.
      Barbara’s Tips + Notes
      • Use a cast iron pan if you have one to caramelize the apples well
      • Don’t stir too much or they will get mushy
      • Great side for chicken or pork
      • Great way to use up older apples that aren’t as fresh to eat

      Nutrition

      Calories: 668kcal | Carbohydrates: 121g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 366mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 110g | Vitamin A: 890IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
      Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

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      Comments

      1. Heidi Brown says

        March 06, 2017 at 9:38 pm

        Yum yum yum!!! I can attest to the deliciousness! ???? These weren’t just good, they were “grandma good” ❤

        Reply
        • Barbara Curry says

          March 07, 2017 at 9:13 pm

          So glad you liked them!

          Reply

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      Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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