Homemade Fried Apples is a side dish that’s almost like a dessert! Granny Smith apples are made delicious with a simple combination of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s a fall-flavored treat that I personally like to enjoy all year long! It’s a classic, timeless, scrumptious, and easy to make recipe you’ll love serving with your next country dinner.

A white bowl is filled with fried apples.


Fried Apples

As a kid, I use to LOVE ordering Fried Apples at Cracker Barrel with my entree! I always felt like I was getting away with something. You mean I can enjoy what tastes like dessert with my chicken and dumplings? Yes, please!

And who am I kidding… I still do the same thing as an adult. Except instead of having to wait to go to Cracker Barrel, now I can just make these easy Fried Apples in my own kitchen whenever the craving strikes.

And when I say this recipe is easy, I mean it is easy easy. From start to finish, this recipe will take you less than thirty minutes. Granny Smith apples are tossed in warm butter that’s made scrumptious with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s all cooked together in a skillet for less than 10 minutes.

The only part of this recipe that’s slightly time consuming is peeling, coring, and slicing the apples themselves. If you have kids old enough to help, you may be able to convince them to do that part for you!

Southern Fried Apples may have gained popularity by being featured on the Cracker Barrel menu, but this rustic side dish has been around for what feels like forever. When a recipe is this classic, you know it’s gotta be good.

Fried Apples are a timeless side dish staple, like apple pie, that compliment so many various entrees and other sides. You can always serve them as dessert with a little ice cream as well! There’s no bad way to enjoy this fall-flavored simple treat.

Peeled apples are placed in a bowl.

How to Make Fried Apples (Better than Cracker Barrel!)

Got all of those apples ready to go? Perfect! Let’s fry them up with some brown sugar, spices, and plenty of butter.

  1. Make the sugary mixture. Start off by melting the butter in your skillet. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  2. Cook the apples. Stir in the sliced apples until they’re all evenly coated with the sauce. Cook until softened.
A spoon is lifting up several apple slices.

How to Serve Fried Apples

There’s really no bad way to enjoy a serving of fresh Fried Apples. Turn them into an easy dessert recipe or plate them next to something on the savory side! Here are just a few of my favorite ways to enjoy this classic fruity treat:

How To Store Leftovers

In an airtight container in the fridge, Fried Apples will stay fresh for about 4-5 days. Make sure they’re totally cooled to room temperature prior to storing.

A scoop of ice cream is placed on top of fried apples in a bowl.

Be sure to check out more of my favorite easy apple recipes!

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A white bowl is filled with fried apples.

Get the Recipe: Fried Apples

Cinnamon spiked Fried Apples are buttery and sweet. The perfect side dish for chicken, pork and beef.
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 4 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and sliced

Equipment

  • 1 skillet

Instructions 

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add in the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg continuing to stir until the sugar dissolves.
  • Stir in the apples until well coated in the butter mixture and cook until softened, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy.

Notes

Can be served as a dessert topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
Use to top pancakes and waffles. Or enjoy as a side dish with chicken or pork.
Calories: 411kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 61mg, Sodium: 192mg, Potassium: 251mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 46g, Vitamin A: 816IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 1mg