4large applespeeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady)
Instructions
In a large cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and cinnamon, stirring until sugar is moistened. Cook until the mixture is boiling, about 2 minutes.
Add the apples and stir to coat.
Cook, frequently stirring 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
Feel free to use a combination of apples if you don’t have enough of one variety.
If you find this fried apple recipe too saucy, you can serve it with a slotted spoon.
Don’t have cinnamon? Try using apple pie spice or nutmeg instead.
Make sure to slice the apples evenly, as uneven apples will cause some pieces to be overcooked. Overcooked apples tend to lose their flavor and turn mushy.
If you double the recipe, you’ll have to use a large skillet or two skillets as you don’t want to overcrowd the skillets.
If you choose the keep the skin on the apples, make sure you give them a good scrub, as some apples have wax sprayed on them to help them retain moisture at the store.
To mix up the flavor, try adding 3 tablespoons of bourbon towards the end of cooking, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or bean paste with the apples.
For a thicker syrup, dissolve ½ teaspoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon water and stir into the skillet to the fried apples. Cook for 1 minute, while stirring, until thickened.