Treat yourself to the irresistible flavor of southern-fried apples with this indulgent yet easy recipe. Sliced fresh apples are cooked to tender perfection in a rich, buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture on the stovetop, creating a caramel-like sweetness. Each bite offers a comforting mix of juicy apples and a spiced caramel syrup that makes this dish a true comfort food classic.
Whether you serve them as a delicious side dish with savory dishes like pork chops or as a dessert or breakfast topping, these luscious sautéed apples are an easy way to elevate so many dishes. This sweet treat requires just a handful of simple ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking time for a quick and versatile dish everyone will love. For more apple dessert recipes, try my Baked Apples, Apple Pie, or Apple Strudel.
Ingredients
Granny Smith Apples — I love using a tart apple like Granny Smith, as their sharper flavor balances the sweetness of the sauce, and they hold their shape and texture well when cooked. For a sweeter variation, use Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples.
Salted Butter — adds rich flavor and helps create a luscious sauce for the apple slices. For the best results and flavor, opt for a high-quality butter. If preferred, use unsalted butter with a pinch of salt added to control the flavor.
Granulated Sugar – helps caramelize the apples when pan-fried. For a more caramelized flavor profile, you can substitute the white sugar for raw or cane sugar.
Light Brown Sugar – adds a rich, molasses-like flavor that enhances the sauce’s caramelize flavor. Make your own brown sugar or use store-bought brown sugar.
Cinnamon — ground cinnamon offers warm, spicy notes that complement the sweetness of the apples. If you don’t have ground cinnamon, you can add two cinnamon sticks during cooking and remove it before serving.
Nutmeg — freshly grated nutmeg delivers the best flavor as the flavor in nutmeg starts to diminish within a few days after it has been ground.
How To Make Fried Apples
1. Prepare the apples by removing the skin with a fruit/vegetable peeler. Then, core and slice them into ¼-½ inch pieces.
2. In a large cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring until the sugar is moistened. Cook until the mixture is boiling, for about 2 minutes.
3. Add the apples to the skillet and stir to coat them completely in the butter-sugar-spice mixture.
4. Cook, stirring frequently, until the apples are cooked to desired tenderness, about 6-10 minutes for crisp-tender and about 15 minutes for very soft apples. Serve immediately.
Recipe Variations
- Add bourbon or rum: For a rich, sophisticated twist, stir in 3 tablespoons of bourbon, aged rum, or spiced rum towards the end of cooking the apples. This adds a rich depth of flavor and a hint of caramel to enhance the sweetness.
- Add vanilla: Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste with the apples for a warm, aromatic note that complements the cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also use your own homemade vanilla extract.
- Use citrus: For a bright, zesty finish, add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or orange juice or 1 teaspoon of grated zest.
- Vary the spices: Add your favorite baking spices apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice. You can also experiment with other warm spices such as allspice, cloves, and ginger to suit your taste.
- Serve with caramel sauce: For an extra indulgent touch, Garnish the apples with a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce. The additional rich, buttery sweetness adds a decadent dessert-like quality.
- Add nuts for crunch: Stir in ½ cup of candied pecans or toasted walnuts before serving to add a crunch and nutty flavor.
Best Apples For Frying
For the best fried apples, I recommend using Granny Smith apples. They hold their shape well when cooked, and their tartness is a delicious compliment to the sweet sauce flavor.
Other varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples are also excellent choices for a balanced sweet-tart flavor and a juicy, crisp texture. A softer type of apple, like Golden Delicious apples, adds a milder sweetness and a soft texture, yielding a more tender result.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this versatile dish for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert!
- Serve warm atop pancakes, waffles, French toast, or baked oatmeal.
- Use as a filling for crepes or stir into overnight oats.
- Serve them as a complimentary and easy side dish for savory dishes like pork chops, pork tenderloin, or roasted turkey.
- Spoon over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Make an apple cobbler! Place the fried apples in a 9-inch baking dish and scatter drop biscuits on top. Bake at 400F until the biscuits are golden brown.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Allow fried apples to cool completely to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh, ripe apples. This recipe is as good as the quality of the apples you choose. Opt for fresh, tart apples for the best texture and flavor.
- Control the heat. Cook the apples over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning the sugar and to help the apples cook evenly.
- Adjust for apple tenderness. For a crisp-tender texture, cook the apples for less time, about 6-10 minutes. For a softer texture, cook the apples for about 15 minutes.
- Thicker syrup. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water and stir the mixture into the skillet for a thicker sauce.
- Serve warm. This dish is best served warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Allow leftovers to cool completely before transferring to an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Absolutely! This easy fried apples recipe makes a delicious pie filling. Prepare the recipe as outlined, then allow the apples to cool before pouring them into your pie crust. I like to stir in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to make sure the filling sets during baking. You can also use it to make apple pie cookies or an apple galette.
Yes, you can make this recipe in the slow cooker instead of on the stovetop. Combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the apples reach your desired tenderness.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Fried Apple recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Fried Apples Recipe
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons salted butter (85g)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (50g)
- 2½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and sliced
Instructions
- In a large cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg, stirring until sugar is moistened. Cook until the mixture is boiling, about 2 minutes.
- Add the apples and stir to coat.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until the apples are cooked to desired tenderness, 6 to 10 minutes for crisp-tender and about 15 minutes for very soft apples. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe apples. This recipe is as good as the quality of the apples you choose. Opt for fresh, tart apples for the best texture and flavor.
- Control the heat. Cook the apples over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning the sugar and to help the apples cook evenly.
- Adjust for apple tenderness. For a crisp-tender texture, cook the apples for less time, about 6-10 minutes. For a softer texture, cook the apples for about 15 minutes.
- Thicker syrup. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water and stir the mixture into the skillet for a thicker sauce.
- Serve warm. This dish is best served warm for optimal flavor and texture.
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