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This Fried Apples Recipe is tart, sweet and has just the right amount of spice to make them a favorite side or dessert!
They are as simple as they are delicious, and are a comfort food that everyone loves! Serve as a side, or as dessert (they are so good over ice-cream).
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below!
Southern Fried Apples
Right around this time of year, there is an abundance of apples available in the store, priced perfectly for making Apple Cinnamon Waffles, Applesauce and of course, these Fried Apples.
This is not terribly diet friendly. I mean, yes, it does contain fruit. However, we cook the apples in butter and add plenty of sugar. It’s like apple pie with the crust, essentially!
What you'll find in this post: hide
1 Southern Fried Apples
2 Why you’ll love this recipe:
3 Frequently Asked Questions
4 What to serve with Fried Apples
5 Recipe Ingredients and Possible Substitutes
6 Recommended Equipment/Tools
7 How to make this recipe
8 Kylee’s Notes
9 Freezing instructions
10 More delicious Apple Recipes
11 Easy Fried Apples Recipe
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This is an easy recipe to make, that doesn’t take long!
- This recipe can be made ahead, refrigerated or frozen (see notes).
- Versatile. It can be a side, a dessert or part of breakfast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes with Fried Apples?
Pork and chicken dishes pair well with these apples as a side, but I particularly like them as dessert with ice-cream. Some people love them with breakfast, too!
How long do fried apples last in the fridge?
Stored properly, in a covered container in the refrigerator, your apples will be good for about 5 days.
Can you freeze fried apples?
You certainly can. Allow to cool completely, then store in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw and warm in a saucepan.
What to serve with Fried Apples
This recipe can be a side dish for a main course (it is especially good with fried pork chops), or as a dessert with vanilla ice-cream.
You can even use them in hand pies. Wrap some apples in pie crust, brush with an egg wash, cut a few steam holes and bake.
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Ingredients and Possible Substitutes
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Butter. I use salted butter for pretty much everything.
- Apples. I use fresh apples, and prefer Granny smith apples for their tartness. They hold their shape well during cooking and the tartness balances the sweetness of this recipe.
- White and Brown Sugar. Both types have their place here! I use dark brown sugar.
- Cinnamon. You could use Apple Pie Spice if you have any in your pantry. Or Pumpkin Pie Spice, for that matter!
- Nutmeg and Salt. Just a pinch of each.
- Chopping Board
- Knife. You will need a good sharp knife to cut the apples evenly.
- Vegetable Peeler. To peel the skins off the apples
- Cast iron skillet. A cast iron skillet isn’t 100% necessary, but because of all the sugar, you’ll need a very heavy bottomed pan to help prevent burning and uneven cooking
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Peel, core and slice the apples into even pieces. You will want them sliced more chunky than thin. Cooking time will be longer, but the apples will have more bite to them.
Cook the apples
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the apples, cover, and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, until the apples are soft. Stir often so they don’t burn.
Add remaining ingredients
Mix the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a bowl.
Add to the apples and stir. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and are syrupy.
Serve
Serve over ice-cream, or as a side.
Kylee’s Notes
Peel and chop apples ahead
Toss the apple slices with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
Substitutions/Additions
You can use more or less sugar and spices according to your tastes.
You can use pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice in place of cinnamon if you prefer.
Freezing instructions
This recipe can be frozen after cooking.
Allow the apples to cool completely, then store in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw and warm in a saucepan.
More delicious Apple Recipes
- Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls. A delicious new take on an old favorite, these caramelapple cinnamon rollsare perfect for sharing (or not!)
- Apple Cinnamon Waffles. Apples and Cinnamon are the perfect flavorings for theseHomemade Apple Cinnamon Wafflesfrom scratch. Warmth, comfort and so much yum! The whole family will enjoy these!
- Apple Dumplings. Tart apples wrapped in a flaky biscuit, and smothered in a buttery vanilla sauce. Topped with crunchy cinnamon sugar, this is a super easy recipe that delivers on taste!
- Homemade Applesauce. A simple, no-frills homemade applesauce recipe, that lets you control the sugar! Perfect for families of all sizes, make a big batch for all of you to enjoy!
- Puff Pastry Apple Tart. A simple yet impressive dessert simple enough for weeknights, but fancy enough for holidays! This Puff Pastry Apple Tart takes just a few minutes to assemble, and 20 mins to bake!
- Chai Spiced Apple Crisp. A new take on a traditional fall favorite, my Chai SpicedApple Crispcombines gorgeous chai flavors with apples, topped with a decadent, crunchy and buttery topping.
- Apple Cinnamon Scones. Light and flaky apple cinnamon scones filled with fresh apples and warm cinnamon spices. These scones come together quickly with minimal ingredients and are perfect for grab and go breakfasts, or for mid morning/afternoon treats.
- Applesauce Muffins. This yummy and easyApplesauce Muffins Recipeis a fantastic family snack. These muffins are flavored with applesauce and dipped in cinnamon sugar after baking for a tasty treat!
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Easy Fried Apples Recipe
4.97 from 31 votes
This Fried Apples Recipe is tart, sweet and has just the right amount of spice to make them a favorite side or dessert!
A delicious comfort food that everyone loves! Serve as a side, or as dessert (they are delicious over ice-cream).
Author: Kylee Ayotte
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recommended Equipment
Yield: 6
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 6 apples (Granny Smith)
- ½ cup granulated white sugar (granulated, white)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
Serving:
- 6 scoops Vanilla Ice cream
Directions
Get prepped
Peel, core and slice the apples into even pieces.
Cook the apples
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the apples, cover, and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, until the apples are soft. Stir often so they don’t burn.
Add remaining ingredients
Mix the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a bowl.
Add to the apples and stir. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and are syrupy.
Serve
Serve over ice-cream, or as a side.
Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @kyleecooks or tag #kyleecooks!
Video
Notes
Nutrition info does not include the optional ice cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 572IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Read More
Reader Interactions
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Comments
Nancy Overby says
Just like Grandma use to make on her wood burning stove. The Best❤️
Reply
Kathy R says
As a true Southerner from North Carolina, we never put any spices in but a small dash of vanilla extract. And I would use much less sugar too (maybe 1/2 cup sugar max)for 6 apples and it be plenty sweet. We always had w/any pork dish and esp good with country ham and buttermilk biscuits! Thanks for sharing your version
Reply
Brenda says
Very tasty! Made with no changes. Thank you Kylee!
Reply
Norma says
Very good. Going to use this as filling for apple hand pies.
Reply
Kekeli Patbey says
Easy and excellent! I used a little less sugar.
Reply
Rob Sullivan says
Thanks so much for sharing recipe, I am not a very good cook although I like to cook,living alone I get tired of eating out and just decided to cook for myself,got myself a iron skillet and a instant pot and some recipes.
Reply
Sherry says
Made recipe like this one but added honey in place of the sugars. Tasted great!
Reply
Jodie Johnson says
Hello Sherry,
I see where you used honey rather than all of the sugars in this apple recipe. I would love to know how much honey you replaced the sugars with.
I prefer honey over sugar in my coffee as well. Thank you in advance!
Karen says
This recipe is the bomb!! I’ve been cooking since I was 8 or younger and I’m almost 58. That being said the ingredients to this recipe are spot on. The only difference I made is I didn’t cover them. We like our fried apples carameliized so I don’t cover them and keep cooking them until they’re sticky like. This is how all the older generation fixed them. I would strongly suggest trying them this way.
Fantastic recipe!!
Thanks KyleeeReply
Courtney says
Made this tonight as a side and they tasted great
Reply
Franny fra says
Thank you ,I can’t wait to try them. I think I’m going to wrap in croissants and maybe a little bit for the top.
Reply
Dara Maddox says
FANTASTIC..
I LOVE THIS RECIPE.
DELICIOUS,
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!Reply
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! I have never made fried apples before but these are so delicious!
Reply
Gwynn Galvin says
This recipe is so easy to make and oh so delicious! My family loved every spoonful!
Reply
Allyssa says
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make fried apples recipe! Fam really loves it! Will have this again! Highly recommended!
Reply
Liz says
Fried apples take me back to my childhood! My grandparents had a bunch of apple trees in their backyard, so my grandma often made fried apples! These taste almost like hers 🙂
Reply
