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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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!
Catalina L
Just wanted to drop by and say thank you for the Easy Southern Fried Apples recipe. They turned out wonderfully sweet and tender, a perfect side dish for my Sunday brunch.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Catalina! I am so happy that you liked the fried apples!
April Andrews
Looooove these! They’re great as a side or dessert.
Sandra H
Glad I found this recipe! I had no idea it’s so easy to make fried apples! It turned out really good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sandra! So glad that you liked the fried apple!
Janelle
I loved this version. That butter makes a huge difference. Thanks!
Beth Pierce
I agree, Janelle!
Grace
So good with your ham steak and so easy to make. I could eat that meal once a week for the rest of my life!
Beth Pierce
Me too, Grace!
Erinn K
This is so easy to make and it’s just too good to resist! I’ll have to make another batch soon! I served it with fried pork chops but I want to try it over vanilla ice cream.
Beth Pierce
You will love it!
Sarah
Not only was this quick and easy, but made it my house smell delicious; the best way to enjoy apples, indeed!
Beth Pierce
I agree, Sarah!
Danielle
These are delicious! My kiddos love them over their vanilla ice cream and they are so easy to make!
Beth Pierce
My kids love them too!