Fall is apple picking season, and this delectable Fried Apples recipe is just what the doctor ordered. It takes less than 20 minutes and has five simple ingredients you may already have. Fresh apple slices cook until soft in a buttery cinnamon sauce. Prepare to be dazzled with some good ole Southern home cooking.
Enjoy this as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, as a side dish with chicken fried chicken, ham steak, or pan-fried pork chops, or spoon the fried apples over pancakes or waffles.
Fall is my favorite time of the year! I love everything about it, from the bonfires to the brightly colored mums and cool, crisp nights. Fall wouldn’t be the same without picking a peck or 1/2 bushel of apples. With this scrumptiously easy recipe, you will have those apples eaten up quickly. You may find yourself going back for some more apple picking.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Apples: I like to use Granny Smith Apple, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are also good.
- Butter: salted or unsalted
- Spices: such as ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cloves.
How to Make Fried Apples
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Grab a large nonstick pan or cast iron skillet and melt a stick of butter in it over medium heat. You don’t want that butter to burn. Once the butter is melted, stir in the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I like to add a dash of nutmeg or sometimes a couple of pinches of ground cloves. Think apple pie spice, and you can’t go wrong.
Stir the mixture so the sugar dissolves in the butter over the heat. Add the apples and continue cooking and stirring several times for about 7-10 minutes. Don’t overcook the apples; they will break down and get mushy. You still want them to have a little firmness. Cook just until fork tender. That is a big part of what makes them so yummy.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- If you peel and cut your apples more than a few minutes before starting this recipe, spritz the apple slices with lemon juice.
- For optimal flavor, use real unsalted sweet cream butter. It is the proper Southern way.
- If you don’t like nutmeg (believe me, I have readers who do), try other spices, like a couple of pinches of ground cloves or apple pie spice, to taste.
- For more texture, top with chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you most certainly can. The apples will lose a bit of their firmness, but sometimes, you need to freeze some leftovers. Let the apples cool to room temperature and seal them in Ziploc freezer bags or containers. Store for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
The best apples for this recipe are Granny Smith apples, Honey Crisp apples, Braeburn apples, or Pink Lady apples. Use a variety for the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
To reheat leftover fried apples, place them in a large skillet over low heat and warm, stirring gently several times. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave for short intervals at a reduced power.
Easy Southern Fried Apples Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples peeled cored and sliced (see notes)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg see notes
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet or cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring continuously until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add apples and cook just until the apple begins to break down and starts to become a little fork tender, stirring several times. This usually takes between 7-10 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you peel and cut your apples more than a few minutes before starting this recipe, spritz the apple slices with lemon juice.
- For optimal flavor, use real unsalted sweet cream butter. It is the proper Southern way.
- If you don’t like nutmeg (believe me, I have readers that do), try other spices like a couple of pinches of ground cloves or apple pie spice to taste.
- For more texture, top with chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Darlene Durham
This recipe sounds delicious. Both granulated and brown sugar are mentioned. Which is used in the recipe?
Beth Pierce
I know that is late so I am tired but I do not see brown sugar mentioned anywhere. Can you please point it out to me.
Ramona
Great side with ribs. Oh so yummy!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Ramona!
Elisa
Such a great fried apples recipe, they are easy to make and turn out delicious!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Alisa!
Lisa
I come from apple country (in the Pacific Northwest) and had never heard of fried apples. These will be on repeat this fall! Super-delish!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Lisa! So happy that you liked them!
Kerrigan
These fried apples are so delicious. My family loved them! Thanks for sharing.
chara
I am making this tomorrow. Love this, thanks for sharing
Farah Abumaizar
These were wonderful! My toddler loved these on his pancakes, super delicious with ice cream too!
Laurel Swartz
Delicious, thanks for sharing! I used this recipe as a filling for Apple Turnovers and I added a tsp of Cayenne powder just to give it a little kick, which I like.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Laurel! I bet it was delicious with that little bit of cayenne!
Tamara
I love fried apples…such a quick and easy treat to make especially with ice cream for the summer!
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%
Natasha M
Oh these were so good. I have pinned them, so I can come back and find them anytime. Delicious with your ham steak recipe and collard greens. Nothing like a good southern meal.
Beth Pierce
I agree 100% Natasha!
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh
This sounds like the perfect autumn treat! I can almost smell those cinnamon-infused apples cooking. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try and enjoy some cozy Southern flavors. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sue-Tanya!
Hazel
As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for simple yet delicious dishes, and your Southern Fried Apples hit the spot. We loved them!
Harry
Great apple recipe. Absolutely delicious with polish sausage and your southern green beans. Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Harry! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Julie D
Oh wow this is such a tasty treat so delicious with pork tenderloin and mac and cheese. Two thumbs up for these southern fried apples!
Sam Donnelly
We have an apple tree in our garden and we get loads of apples each year, so I love fixing this. My daughter loves these apples over Greek yogurt!
Yolanda L
These are so good! I love cooked apples they end up so juicy – these are perfect with the added spices like cinnamon and of course we had a scoop of vanilla ice cream too!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Yolanda!