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.
The Best Southern Fried Apples
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. In fact, you may find yourself going back for some more apple picking.
Enjoy this as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or as a side dish with chicken fried chicken, ham steak, or pan-fried pork chops. Spoon the fried apples over pancakes, waffles, French Toast, or buttery cream cheese pound cake.
How to Make Fried Apples
This recipe is so easy that you will wonder why you haven’t made it your whole life. Simply 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 start to 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.
Recipe Tips
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you most certainly can. The apples will lose a little 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, Golden Delicious apples, or Pink Lady apples. Use a variety for the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
To reheat leftover fried apples, place in a large skillet over low heat and warm, stirring gently several times. Or reheat in the microwave for short intervals at a reduced power.
More Apple Recipes
Easy Southern Fried Apples Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 medium Granny Smith apples peeled cored and sliced (see notes)
- 1/2 cup unsalted sweet cream 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
- The best apples for this recipe are Granny Smith apples, Honey Crisp apples, Braeburn apples, Golden Delicious apples, or Pink Lady apples. For best results, use a variety for the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Peel and slice your apples in as uniform pieces as possible so they all cook at about the same rate. I use an apple slicer, and if, for some strange reason, a piece looks unusually thick, I slice it in half lengthwise to make a couple of thinner wedges.
- If peeling and cutting your apples more than a few minutes prior to starting this recipe, then spritz the apple slices with a little lemon juice.
- For optimal flavor, use real unsalted sweet cream butter. It really is the true Southern way.
- If you don’t like nutmeg (believe me, I have readers that do), try other spices like a couple 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.
- To reheat leftover fried apples, simply place in a large skillet over low heat and warm, stirring gently several times. Or reheat in the microwave for short intervals at a reduced power.
Nutrition
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April Andrews
Looooove these! They’re great as a side or dessert.
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!
Ned
This is what dreams are made of! I love these apples so much! Thank you for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Ned!
kushi
This is one of my favorite apple recipes. They are delicious with fried porks. That is a meal I could eat over and over again.
Beth Pierce
Me too, Kushi!
Paula
Love these sweet and tender fried apples. They are delicious with your ham steak recipe. It just does not get much better than this! Comfort food at it’s best!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Paula! So glad that you liked them!
Louetta W
Easy and so yummy! Made this with pork chops and the family loved it. I haven’t had fried apples since I was a kid. Recipe is a keeper!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Louetta! I am so glad that you liked the fried apples. They are so yummy with grilled polska kielbasa!
Louise
This fried apple recipe was delicious and super warming, perfect for the fall season and to use up home grown apples if you have them
Jenny
This sounds like a really delicious way to enjoy fresh apples, we love them as an autumnal treat at this time of year.
Margaret
I’ve never had anything like this. I would love to have this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sounds absolutely delicious! Great way to use up old apples, too.
Sandra
This is such a great way to enjoy apples! My family really enjoyed them! Quickly became a favorite at my house!
Karen
These are the best fried apples. They are so yummy and they make the house smell so good. Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karen! So glad that you like the apple recipe.
Regina
I love these fried apples. They are so yummy with so many different dishes. I love them with pork chops, ham steak, and grilled chicken. Or try them over French Toast or pancakes.
Tammy
Being a southern girl, my mom used to make these all the time. They smelled so good cooking. Thanks for the memory.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Tammy!
Allyson Zea
These are so tasty especially with ice cream!!!
Catie
I am drooling over these delicious apples! Such a tasty and flavorful treat!
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%, Catie!
Erin
This is one of my favorite recipes. I love to serve it with ham steak and mac and cheese.
Dina and Bruce
THESE kicked it! Ate with ice cream!
Tay
I made these fried apples after dinner last night and OMG they were delicious! Definitely making them all fall long!
Nikki
What a quick and easy apple recipe. The flavors are perfect. I love that these Southern fried apples can be a dessert, as a topping or a side dish.
Beth Pierce
Me too, Nikki!
Anjali
These apples turned out perfectly!! They were sweet, gooey, and had a great texture. We actually used them as a topping for pancakes and it was amazing!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Anjali! We love them too!
Justine
This is one of my favorite ways to eat apples! We’re going apple picking this weekend, so this is on the menu!
Breanna
We love these. Brown sugar instead of white is better, we think! More caramelly!! Love how quick they are. Thanks for the great recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Breanna!
Sheryl Jones
My husband likes these as a topping for ice cream. Great use IF there are leftovers from our grilled pork steaks.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the reminder. I had forgotten about that!
Debbie
These are absolutely wonderful!! I’ve made these and added feta and walnuts/pecans and stuffed boneless chicken breast….it was awesome!!!!
I was wondering if I was to make a larger batch, of these, can they canned, and if so ….would the. hot water bath process work? and for how for how long? By the way, all of your recipes are absolutely fabulous!! Thank you!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! You are making me very hungry describing your meal. I am not sure about canning them as I have very little experience in canning. Perhaps one of the readers will know the answer to that.
Andrea
OH yum! These look marvelous. A perfect side to go with my fried pork chops.
Jessica Formicola
I am so ready for alllll the apple recipes! These fried apples are at the top of my list!
Gina
Love how easy these are to make and how they’re great for both savory and sweet meals!
Catherine
I love sautéing apples like this sometimes for an easy side or dessert. Delicious!
Jenn
Oh wow, I ate a few too many of these! This is such a delish recipe – we all loved it! And, the cinnamon was just right! Yum!
Rebecca Hubbell
These were so good, my kiddo loved them and we served them with pie crust chips!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked them! What a great idea!
Natalie
The smell alone is amazing! Made these & added a little scoop of ice cream & caramel…so delicious!!
Nancy
We made these often and they are such a hit with the family! So tasty!
Kathryn Donangelo
I love the combination of cinnamon and apples! This is one of my favorite treats year round, thank you for the delicious recipe!
Claudia Lamascolo
Not only are these making my mouth water thinking how they taste the smell must be fabulous while making these!
Suzy
We make these all of the time! They go perfectly over pancakes or just on their own!
Linda
These are one of my favorite sides! I love the still crunchy apples with the delicious cinnamon flavor. They’re perfect for this cold winter weather too. And I would never serve my southern barbecue without them!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
My family is going to love this, thank you for the recipe!
Melissa
Simple and quick and soooooo delicious!
Suzy
We did a whole bunch of apple picking and this was the best way to use them up! Loved how this turned out!
Eden
Oh my goodness these were GOOD!! Can’t wait to make them again. I want to add them to my apple pie!! These were easy to make too 🙂
Sara Welch
Not only were these delicious, but my house smelled amazing too! Such a great recipe for fall!
Stephanie
These were amazing! I made a big batch and had them with our pancakes last weekend…yummy!