Southern Fried Apples

This recipe for sweet Southern Fried Apples is the epitome of sugar and spice and everything nice. They’re so quick and simple to prepare that you’re certain to make them over and over again.

Easy Southern Fried Apples Recipe

Fried apples are one of those dishes that can be served as a side dish or a dessert. They’re a scrumptious option to serve as a side dish with savory entrées like baked ham, chicken and pork chops. Likewise, they can be served as a topping for a big bowl of vanilla ice cream for dessert, or hot homemade biscuits for breakfast and buttermilk pancakes for brunch. They’re especially tasty when apples are in season, and the cool Autumn season arrives and apples are everywhere you look. You may have had them at Cracker Barrel or a similar country cooking restaurant and now you can make them yourself at home. To make these easy Fried Apples: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Apple Slices – Peel the fresh apples and remove the core.
• Melt Butter in a Large Skillet – Melt butter over medium-high heat. I usually grab my cast iron skillet but any large heavy bottomed skillet will work.
• Apple slices – Add fresh apple slices, granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, apple pie spice and salt. Stir the sugar mixture to combine.
• Simmer the Apple Slices – Simmer the apples on low heat per the cook time in the recipe until they have a tender texture.
• Cornstarch Slurry – Stir a cornstarch slurry into the apples to thicken the sauce to your taste.
• Serve – Serve immediately as a side dish with pork or chicken, over pancakes, waffles, homemade biscuits or pound cake.

How to Make the Best Southern Fried Apples Recipe

Are fried apples seasonal? They’re especially tasty when apples are in season in the fall and the cool down that comes with the Autumn season. That said, they certainly aren’t considered only a seasonal side dish. You can find them on the menu of country cooks year-round.

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Southern Fried Apples: Granny Smith apples, butter, granulated sugar (white sugar), light brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, two teaspoons ground cinnamon, apple pie spice and cornstarch mixed with cold water for thickening.
• Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A deep saucepan or cast iron skillet, an apple peeler and corer, a sharp knife and chopping board, measuring cups and spoons, a large spoon for stirring and a small bowl, a fork or whisk to make the cornstarch slurry for thickening the sauce at the end of cooking the fried apples.
• I choose to use sliced apples for this recipe. You could also chop the apples into bite-size cubes, but not too small or they’ll just turn to mush. Think large apple cubes allowing for the fact that they will naturally shrink while cooking.
• Substitutions: You can make fried apples with any variety of apples that you have on hand. It’s important to choose a firm apple that’s somewhat tart like Granny Smith apples. Gala apples, Honeycrisp apples or Braeburn apples would be my first choice for this recipe. Keep in mind that each variety of apple will perform differently. Some are naturally more juicy than others and some will need less cooking time.
• Should you choose to make with a sweeter, softer apple such as golden delicious you will need to adjust the amount of sugar accordingly ands they will need less time to cook.
• Thicken the Sauce: You can thicken the sauce with cornstarch at the end of cooking to your personal taste. Start with one tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in cold water then repeat the process until your desired thickness is reached. If you’d like a thicker coating, repeat. Likewise, If you want a thinner syrup, you may choose not to thicken at all.
• Variations: You can adjust the amount of cinnamon to your taste or use all cinnamon in place of the apple pie spice. You could use dark brown sugar in place of light brown sugar.
• Storage and Leftovers: Store leftover Southern Fried Apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Reheating: Gently reheat in the microwave in single servings or in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Serving Suggestions: Enjoy Southern fried apples cold over oatmeal or gently warmed in the microwave to serve as a side dish with any meal, spooned over pancakes and toast or with vanilla ice cream and cake for dessert.
• Freezer: You can cool and freeze leftover fried apples for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat before serving.

More Southern Style Apple Recipes to Make

Whether it’s the harvest season or summer pie baking time, apples are always available and everyone loves them. A few other recipes from my kitchen using apples that you may like to try:

• Start your morning with freshly baked Apple Muffins.
• Treat the family to Toffee Apple Pizza for dessert.
• Make delicious Cinnamon Apple Butter in your slow cooker.
• Lattice topped homemade Apple Pie will take you from summer holidays to fall baking.
• Apple Butter Pie is an oldie but goodie that’s spicy and sweet.
• Apple Baked Oatmeal will start your morning right.
• Chocolate Apple Kabobs from Homemade Interest.

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Apple Peeler Corer
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Saucepan