Julie Clark
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Cinnamon Fried Apples
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These cinnamon fried apples will melt in your mouth! Softened apples in a butter, sugar and cinnamon mixture. A delicious side dish or dessert recipe.
Apples are often used in desserts…and sometimes used in sheet pan dinners or soups. But sometimes just a good old fashioned bowl of cinnamon fried apples are what is needed for a side dish or afternoon snack. Total time to make them is about 20 minutes, so it is quick and easy.
About this recipe:
- Flavor: Apple and cinnamon with a hint of butter are the key flavors. It’s like apple pie without the crust. That means it’s healthy, right? 😉
- Texture: Depending on the apples you use and how long you cook them, they could be very soft or still have a little crunch to them. It’s your preference. Otherwise they have a smooth, rich sauce that coats every apple.
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Where did fried apples come from? Have you ever been to Cracker Barrel? They are restaurants that are popular across the south and midwest United States. Their menu is huge, and some of their most popular dishes are the side dishes.
Hash brown casserole…and fried apples. That’s what we love to get at Cracker Barrel. This southern fried apples recipe is a copycat version of Cracker Barrel apples. So delicious, warm and sweet.
Which apples are best for frying?
There are so many varieties of apples in the grocery store. How do you know which is the best apple?
For this recipe you’ll want to choose a tart apple that will hold up to the heat and not get mushy. Look for Granny Smith Apples, Fuji apples or Pink Lady apples. (source) These are all common apples that we have in Aldi or Walmart so you shouldn’t have a problem finding them.
How to Make Fried Apples
- Peel and core apples. If you have an apple peeler/corer, this will save tons of time.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice on them as you go to prevent browning.
- Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large skillet with high sides, melt butter, then add sugar and cinnamon. Optional spices are nutmeg or apple pie spice.
- Cook over low-medium heat for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until melted.
- Add apples.
- Continue to stir and cook for about 12-14 minutes, until they are fork-tender. The exact timing will depend on how big the apple pieces are.
When the apples are tender, they are done and ready to eat any way you like them. I especially love them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, over French toast or topping a bowl of yogurt. You can even serve them over pork chops or baked ham.
do you need cornstarch to thicken the apples?
Some recipes call for mixing a cornstarch slurry and drizzling it into the apples to thicken the sauce. It ends up more like apple pie filling. I don’t find this is necessary, but you can do it if you’d like.
Can you freeze apples?
Yes! If you have an abundance of apples, you can freeze them either fresh or cooked.
To freeze them fresh, peel the apple, core it and cut it into slices. Lay the slices on a baking sheet that you’ve lined with parchment. Allow the apples to freeze on the sheet first, then store them in ziplock bags in the freezer.
You can also freeze the apples cooked as in this fried apple recipe. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge until they are fully defrosted.
Serving Ideas
At Cracker Barrel you get fried apples in a bowl and eat them with a spoon. They are delicious. But if you’re looking for something a little different try serving fried apples on:
Cinnamon Fried Apples
These cinnamon fried apples will melt in your mouth! Softened apples in a butter, sugar and cinnamon mixture. A delicious side dish or dessert recipe.
Servings 4
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped apples
- 1 lemon (for juicing on the sliced apples)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel and core apples.
- Squeeze lemon on them as you go to prevent browning.
- Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a pan with high sides (or a cast iron skillet), melt butter over low heat and add sugar and cinnamon.
- Cook over low-medium heat for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until melted.
- Add apples.
- Continue to stir and cook for about 12-14 minutes, until softened. The exact timing will depend on how big the apple pieces are.
- Serve warm.
- Store any leftover fried apples in an airtight container in the fridge.
Video
Notes
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 4 people, with 1 serving 1 cup of apples. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**
Nutrition
Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 254IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg
Apple Recipes You’ll Love
During apple season, you might find you want a new apple recipe to enjoy. Here’s a few we love!
I’m having trouble, and I hope you can help me. I’ve made this recipe twice, and each time I put the apples in, the caramel seizes up. I wind up with chunks of hard candy.
can i make them the day before & reheat them
My mother always made this. I like cutting the apples into slices, frying them first in butter then adding the cinnamon add sugar. I serve them as a side for pork chops. Family can’t get enough. Also great at Thanksgiving with the turkey.
My mom has made these for years and they’ve always been one of my favorite side dishes!!!! Will be making them a lot with Apple season coming up soon for sure! Thanks for an awesome recipe
The Apple’s was real good thanks for the recipe.
Did those apples need refrigerated after cooking? And about how many days do they last?
Even better without the cinnamon. I’ve never measured my ingredients for this recipe but it always turns out great with the brown sugar and butter making a wonderful caramel sauce for the apples. And I would recommend peeling the apples to prevent a choking hazard.
I love to use honey crisp apples for about all my apple recipes.. These look very tasty.