• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Butter & Baggage logo
  • Home
  • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breads & Biscuits
    • Breakfast
      • Muffins
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Brownies
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Pies, Cobblers & Crisps
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Dips
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Chilis
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    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.

    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump To Recipe Print Recipe
    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

    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

    • Apple Muffin Recipe
    • Apple Pomegranate Cobbler
    • Apple Blondies
    • German Apple Pancake Recipe

    What can I serve with apples?

    • Creamy Pork Marsala Recipe
    • Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
    • Steak Marsala
    • Easy Chicken Piccata

    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.
    No ratings yet
    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!
    « Square Buttermilk Biscuits
    Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner »

    Reader Interactions

    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

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    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.

    More about me →

    Subscribe

    Strawberry Recipes

    • Strawberry Jam Cake
    • Strawberry Jam without Pectin
    • Strawberry Pound Cake
    • Sheet Pan Pancakes
    • Strawberry Cobbler
    • Strawberry Biscuits

    Popular

    • Breakfast Puff Pastry (VIDEO)
    • Steak Marsala
    • Queso Chicken
    • Sausage Balls Recipe
    • Chocolate Bark Recipe
    • Mini Croque Monsieur

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    breakfast bread chicken pasta dessert bars

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 BUTTER & BAGGAGE | PRIVACY POLICY
    BRANDING & CUSTOMIZATION BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

    129 shares
    129 shares