Skillet Fried Apples – Cracker Barrel Copycat

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 is made in a skillet and completes almost any Southern meal.

 

Add Fried Apples to your Dinner Menu

Slightly sweet and buttery apples are a side dish that you can serve with almost any meal. Add to your breakfast or brunch with biscuits, pile them next to smothered pork chops or add some ice cream and serve for dessert. You just need apples, butter and sugar, nothing fancy.

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) these 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.

They are equally as good with a simple rotisserie chicken which is my go to dinner and is commonly seen as a side dish for Southern BBQ.

While these are called fried apples they aren’t actually fried more like sautéed in brown butter deliciousness. This is a truly Southern dish I think your family is going to love.🥰

You may have had something similar to this recipe at Cracker Barrel. It’s a side that is generally on the menu although they’re apples are not cooked as long so they aren’t caramelized.

For the apples to caramelize, they need to simmer for about 45 minutes at a low heat. Let them cook slowly without stirring, just gently move them around every once in a while. You want them to soften but not turn mushy. You can make them in advance and just warm up before serving.

Why You’ll Want to Try Fried Apples

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

You Only Need a Few Ingredients

• Apples – use firm tart apples to offset the sweetness. You want to use firm apples. Gala’s looked the best this week which is what I used in the photos, but Fuji, 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.
• Butter – brown butter will bring out the flavor of the apples
• Pantry staples – sugar, water

How to Make Cooked 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.

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.

Warm up any leftovers and spoon them over vanilla ice cream.

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.