This EASY fried apples recipe is the perfect side dish for most dinners. Make sure to double the recipe and have some for breakfast too.
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I know it’s Labor Day weekend and I should be enjoying the last days of summer, but I made this recipe for fried apples instead!
It’s been a lazy weekend, and my kids are binge watching some TV shows, so it’s quiet. I’ve been craving these apples since the last time I went to Cracker Barrel. This is definitely a Cracker Barrel copycat recipe!
These are the best comfort food and so yummy.
Easy Fried Apples Recipe
I’m allergic to eggs so I don’t eat a lot of sweets and desserts unless I make them. This is a great quick and easy treat and side dish to get that sweet fix without having to make a homemade dessert.
Best Apples for Fried Apples
I like to use a tart apple and Granny Smith apples are the best. However, you can really use any apple you prefer or whatever you have on hand. I like Granny Smiths because they hold up well when cooking and baking. In other words, they don’t get mushy!
You don’t have to use all the same apple either. You can mix things up and use what you like.
Kitchen Tools for simple fried apple recipe
I didn’t use any special kitchen equipment to make these. However, I can’t live without my apple slicer! I went to a Pampered Chef party years ago and didn’t want to spend a ton of money, so I just bought the apple slicer and corer and I have used it way more than I thought I would.
It definitely saves time when making this recipe or just cutting up an apple for a snack. Here’s the exact one I have.
Cast Iron Skillet– If you have cast iron, get it out for this recipe! Cooking in cast iron is such a southern thing to do and perfect for this recipe.
Wooden spoon– I love wooden spoons and have an entire drawer full of them. You can never have to many!
Ingredients for Southern Fried Apples Recipe
You don’t need a lot of ingredients for this recipe, but they pack in a ton of flavor.
- Butter– Salted butter is the best, but unsalted will work too. I normally use salted butter because that’s what I normally buy.
- Apples– Granny Smith are great for this recipe. If you missed why, scroll back up a little. Honeycrisp and golden delicious work well too.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg– A little goes a long way.
- White and brown sugar

How to make fried apples
Step 1
Peel, slice and core your apples.
Step 2
Melt the butter in a large pot or large skillet over medium heat . Add apple slices and cook until tender. Give it a stir every few minutes.
Step 3
Add in the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook for a few more minutes and serve while the apples are still warm.
Step 4
Store and leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator. These taste great leftover because the flavors really soak into the apples.
Hint- These apples can be the filling in an apple pie too!!
Fried apples for dessert
Did you know you have have easy fried apples for dessert? Just grab a bowl of your favorite vanilla ice cream and a scoop of warm fried apples!
For a yummy breakfast just make your favorite pancake recipe and top with fried apples. It’s delicious.
This is a great recipe for a dessert apple pie pizza.
What recipes go well with pan fried apples?
You can eat these southern fried apples with all kinds of delicious foods! Here are some of my favorites from my favorite bloggers.
- Sweet Dry Rub for Pork Ribs
- Slow Cooker Pulled Ham
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops– You know I love anything with bacon!
- Grilled Beef Ribs
I also have a great slow cooker pork and apple recipe that my kids LOVE. Make sure to save it too!
Reminder: If you make one of my recipes, it would be GREAT if you could leave any feedback in the comment section and rate it for other readers who are looking for something new to make.
Easy Southern Fried Apples Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 4 granny smith apples sliced and peeled
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
Instructions
- Slice and peel apples.
- Melt butter in pan set on medium heat.
- Add apples and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add white sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon and stir well.
- Cook an additional 2 minutes and serve.
Lois Crawford
Thursday 5th of September 2019
Wow!! That looks very easy!! I'm going to try it this fall.