If you’ve ever ordered a side of Cracker Barrel’s fried apples and thought, I need this at home, you’re in the right place. These fried apples are buttery, sweet, just the right amount of tart, and perfectly tender without going mushy.

They’re a delicious side dish for Crock Pot Pork Chops or Slow Cooker Chicken and Dressing, on top of French toast or oatmeal, or with ice cream. Make these pan-fried apples for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert; there’s never a bad time to serve up some warm spicy apples!

Sliced apples cooked in a cinnamon and brown sugar sauce are shown in a cast iron skillet with a spoon, resting on a wooden surface. A red and white cloth is partially visible in the background.
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Why You Will Want to Make My Easy Fried Apple Recipe

This fried apples recipe tastes just like an apple pie without the crust! It’s very easy to whip up on the stovetop and is impossible to mess up. This recipe comes together in 35 minutes, and you can even peel and slice the apples ahead of time, making this a great recipe for busy days or last-minute hosting! Since we’re using basic ingredients and mostly pantry staples, this recipe is light on the wallet. Plus, you can customize it by making it dairy-free, adding nuts, using less sugar, or whatever your heart desires! 

Gina’s Quick Tips Before You Get Started

Important prep tips before starting the recipe: 

  • You can peel, core, and chop the apples ahead of time and toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning. 
  • Using a heavy-bottomed pan like a cast-iron skillet can make a huge difference! This type of pan prevents the sugar from burning and distributes heat more evenly than other pans. 

Common Mistakes When Making This Recipe

  • Don’t slice the apples too thin or they might get mushy. Keep them in thicker slices so you get more of a bite. 

Ingredient Tips

Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

A basket with four apples, a stick of salted butter, a bowl of granulated sugar, a bowl of brown sugar, and two small dishes containing spices, all arranged on a white surface.
  • Butter: Helps the apples cook down and gives them a rich, buttery flavor. Unsalted butter works best!
  • Apples: Use firm ones like Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples. These apples are firm and on the tart side, which makes them hold up well when cooked. It’s not recommended to use sweeter apples as they produce too much liquid and are much too sweet once the sugar is added. 
  • White sugar: Sweetens things up and helps make that sticky syrup. 
  • Brown sugar: Adds more flavor and makes the sauce taste a little deeper and more caramel-like. Either light or dark brown sugar works!
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg: Adds a cozy spiced flavor to the apples. You can also use apple pie spice if you have it!
Do I have to peel the apples first?

That’s totally up to you. If you aren’t a fan of the skin, peel the apples. Otherwise, you can leave the skin on for a bit more texture. The skins will soften as they cook, but they will be soft enough to eat!

How To Make Fried Cinnamon Apples

Melt Butter and Add Apples

Melt butter in a large skillet and add the apples. Stir to coat, then cook on low until they’re soft but not falling apart.

A stick of butter melting in a black cast iron skillet with a red handle, photographed from above on a white background.
A black skillet with a red handle sits on a wooden board, filled with sliced apples cooking in a light syrup or sauce on a white background.

Mix Sugars and Coat Apples

While the apples cook, mix together the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Then, add the sugar mixture to the apples and stir to coat everything well.

A white bowl filled with a cinnamon and sugar mixture, with a black plastic tablespoon resting inside the bowl.
Sliced apples in a black skillet with melted butter, topped with a cinnamon-sugar mixture. A white spoon rests in the skillet, which sits on a wooden cutting board.

Continue Cooking and Serve

Let the apples cook a little longer until the sugars melt and turn into a thick, syrupy glaze. Serve warm!

Sliced apples cooked in a skillet with a glossy brown cinnamon sauce, placed on a wooden board next to a red and white striped towel.

Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips

Dietary Modifications: You can cut down on the sugar to make the apples less sweet. For a dairy-free version, swap the butter with coconut oil or a neutral-flavored cooking oil. 

Flavor Enhancements: If you prefer a different flavor, you can swap some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup. If you want a depth of flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract to the apples!

Add-In options: Add some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch. A drizzle of caramel sauce would also be delicious!

Simple Substitutions: If you’d rather use all white sugar or all brown sugar, you can do so!

Tips For Recipe Success: Stir the apples every so often to prevent the sugar from sticking or burning on the bottom of the pan!

A black skillet filled with sliced apples cooked in a brown, syrupy sauce, placed on a wooden board next to a red-and-white striped kitchen towel.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

  • Leftover apples can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months! Make sure to let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. 
  • Reheat leftover fried apples on the stovetop in a skillet or saucepan. You can also pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes if you’re in a pinch.

Biblical Hospitality Tips

There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of warm fried apples—sweet, tender, and spiced just right. They evoke memories of home, warmth, and simple moments of joy. In the same way, God often meets us in the ordinary, nourishing both our bodies and our spirits through the faithful routines of daily life. These apples, so simple and unfussy, reflect that quiet, generous presence that fills our homes with goodness.

Hostessing Tips for Comfort Food Gatherings

  • Serve Simply, Serve Sweetly: Offer these apples warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in small bowls. It’s an easy dessert that feels like a hug.
  • Setting a Welcoming Atmosphere: Use soft lighting and play instrumental hymns or acoustic worship music to create a peaceful, inviting space.
  • Fellowship Over Perfection: You don’t have to cook an entire meal. Inviting others over for just dessert can be just as meaningful.
  • Prep-Ahead Tip: Peel and slice apples the day before and store in lemon water in the fridge so they’re ready to cook when guests arrive.
Two white bowls with black script hold baked apples in syrup, each topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Inspired by a classic fried apples recipe, the bowls sit on a white surface with a striped cloth underneath.

Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!

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Sliced apples coated in a glossy brown cinnamon syrup, cooking in a black skillet with red handles, placed on a wooden board next to a white and red striped kitchen towel.
by Gina Dickson

Southern Fried Apples Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
This Southern Fried Apples recipe tosses tender apples in a sugary butter mixture with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon. They're an easy side dish or can be served as a dessert with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.

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Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4 apples, large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples. It's not recommended to use sweeter apples as they produce too much liquid and are much too sweet once the sugar is added. 
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

Prepare the Apples

  • Peel, core, and slice the apples into even slices to ensure they cook evenly.
    4 apples

Cook the Apples

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
    1/2 cup butter
  • Add the sliced apples, stir to coat with butter and then reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Stir the apples frequently to prevent sticking or burning. They should be soft but still hold their shape.

Add the Sugars and Spices

  • In a small bowl, mix the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
    1/2 cup granulated white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 pinch ground nutmeg, 1 pinch salt
  • Add this mixture to the cooked apples and stir to coat.
  • Continue cooking for 5 to 10 more minutes until the sugar dissolves and creates a syrupy glaze.

Serve

  • Serve the warm apples over scoops of vanilla ice cream, or enjoy them as a sweet side dish.

Notes

Tips For Recipe Success

Stir the apples every so often to prevent the sugar from sticking or burning on the bottom of the pan!

Important prep tips before starting the recipe: 

  • You can peel, core, and chop the apples ahead of time and toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning. 
  • Using a heavy-bottomed pan like a cast-iron skillet can make a huge difference! This type of pan prevents the sugar from burning and distributes heat more evenly than other pans. 

Common Mistakes When Making This Recipe

  • Don’t slice the apples too thin or they might get mushy. Keep them in thicker slices so you get more of a bite. 
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 176kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 31mg, Potassium: 171mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 100IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 42mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Cuisine: American Classic
Course: Side Dish
Author: Gina Dickson
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A cast iron skillet filled with sliced apples cooked in a brown sauce, sitting on a round wooden board with a red and white striped towel beside it. Text above reads "Southern Fried Apples.