Southern Fried Apples are simmered a thick buttery brown sugar sauce that makes them so soft they will melt in your mouth. This classic side dish pairs perfectly with savory roasted meats, making it a favorite for holidays and Sunday supper.
Fall is the best time to make all of the apple recipes! For more fall favorites, try this Apple Cinnamon Bread, it’s topped with a crunchy sugar topping and is a reader favorite. Or make these Apple Turnovers, made with a delicate puff pastry crust and stuffed with apples.
Best Fried Apples
These gooey fried apples, are sweetened with a generous scoop of light brown sugar and spiced to cozy perfection with just the right amount of cinnamon and a touch of cloves.
This Southern favorite, tastes just like apple pie filling, but without all of the work and no difficult crust to try to make.
Sautéed apples are super versatile. Besides just eating them on their own as a delicious side dish, they can be used as a dessert, so good on top of ice cream or cheesecake. And for breakfast, add them to the top of simple French toast, pancakes, or baked oatmeal. They are even fancy enough for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
Fried Apple Ingredients
- Apples: Get apples that are firm and tart. I like to use Granny Smith apples, Pink Lady, or Braeburn. They hold-up well in cooking.
- Butter: Fresh unsalted butter will be mixed with the sugar and used to sauté the apples.
- Sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar can be used.
- Spices: Only a handful of spices are needed, cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice, and a tiny bit of salt.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch will add thickness to the sauce.
How to Make Fried Apples
Here are the basic instructions to make fried apples. For the full instructions and ingredient amounts check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Create a slurry by mixing together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Mix into the apples and stir until the sauce thickens.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Don’t over cook the apples. You want them firm but not mushy.
- Add in a little apple juice, apple cider, or water at the end of cooking to loosen the sauce up.
Recipe Variations
- Add in some different spices such as cardamom, ground ginger, or nutmeg.
- While simmering the apples, add in some orange zest and some orange juice for a citrus flavor.
- Make these with a splash of rum or bourbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can fried apples be made in a slow cooker? To make slow cooker fried apples follow these directions. Add the apples, butter, brown sugar, and spices to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, easy peasy.
Do the apples have to be peeled? This is up to you, it’s your personal preference. The apples do not have to be peeled.
How to Store & Reheat
How to store it? Let the apples cool and put in an airtight container. They should last about 4-5 days in the fridge.
How do you reheat it? Put the cold apples in a sauce pan with a little apple juice or water to loosen up the sauce, stir frequently. Or pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stir until heated through.
How to freeze it? Let the apples cool completely before putting into an air tight, freezer safe container. It can be frozen for 3 months, just be sure to label with the recipe and date.
Try these other fall recipes!
- Apple Crumble Cake
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Crustless Pumpkin Apple Pie
- Apple Crisp with Oats
- Baked Cinnamon Apples
If you’ve tried this fried apple recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes.
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Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 8 large apples
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter half a stick
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Wash the apples then peel them all with a vegetable peeler. Use an apple slicer to core and slice the apples. Then cut each apple piece in half lengthwise. You want each apple ½”-inch thick.
- In a large skillet, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat.
- Add in the apples and stir to coat them in the butter sauce. Put a lid on the pan and drop the heat to medium low. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and salt over the apples. Stir until all the slices are coated. Cook for 20-25 minutes more then check for doneness. Apples should be soft but not falling apart.
- Create a slurry by mixing together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Mix into the apples and stir until the sauce thickens.
Notes
- Can fried apples be made in a slow cooker? To make slow cooker fried apples follow these directions. Add the apples, butter, brown sugar, and spices to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
- How to store it? Let the apples cool and put in an airtight container. They should last about 4-5 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
Please let me know how it turned out
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