Go Back
–+ servings
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.

Southern Fried Apples Recipe

Print Recipe
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!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword comfort food, easy, fruit, sweet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 176
Author Gina Dickson

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.
    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.
  • 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
    A white bowl filled with a cinnamon and sugar mixture, with a black plastic tablespoon resting inside the bowl.
  • Add this mixture to the cooked apples and stir to coat.
    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 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. 

Nutrition

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
QR Code linking back to recipe