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This fried apples recipe comes together in just one pan and takes only 15 minutes to make. Tender apple slices are pan-fried to perfection with butter and cinnamon, creating a delicious side dish, healthy dessert, or ice cream topping.
If you’re looking for more delicious ways to enjoy apples, don’t miss our Mini Dutch Apple Pie, featuring a buttery, flaky crust filled with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples. Or try our moist and flavorful Apple Cake, our warm and comforting Apple Cobbler, and our crispy, golden Apple Fritters. Each of these recipes brings out the sweet, rich flavors of apples in its own unique way!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Cooks in just 15 minutes, this fried apples recipe is perfect for those spontaneous cravings.
- Versatile: Serve it as a side, a topping, or enjoy it on its own as a dessert.
- Customizable: This recipe for fried apples offers a balance of traditional and alternative ingredients to suit various dietary needs.
- Doubles Well: Need more? This recipe can easily be doubled without compromising on flavor.
Fried apples are a simple, Southern-inspired treat, perfect for when you’re craving something warm, sweet, and buttery. Made with just a few everyday ingredients—apples, butter, brown sugar, and a few warm spices—these apples are pan-fried to tender perfection in about 15 minutes. This small batch recipe is ideal for one or two servings, giving you just the right amount without leftovers. Known for their appearance on Cracker Barrel restaurant menus, fried apples have become a classic comfort food across the U.S. Enjoy them as a side dish, a topping for oatmeal or pancakes, or even as a dessert with ice cream; these caramelized apples capture the warmth and simplicity of traditional Southern cooking.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy fried apples recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Apples: I prefer using firmer varieties like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or Granny Smith apples for best results. These are the best apples since they maintain their shape and don’t get mushy during cooking. Feel free to experiment with different apple varieties to discover unique flavors. If you’ve got leftover apples, consider using them to make Apple Pie Oatmeal, Applesauce, or an Apple Dumpling.
- Lemon Juice (Optional): Use either fresh or bottled lemon juice. The citric acid helps to prevent apple discoloration and extends freshness.
- Butter: Salted butter is recommended for added flavor depth. If you’re on a sodium-restricted diet, unsalted butter works too. Use vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
- Brown sugar: If you’re looking for an alternative, maple syrup is a great substitute that offers a different kind of sweetness. If you don’t have brown sugar, consider making a small batch of brown sugar to use in this recipe and in others.
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are my go-to spices for this recipe. If you don’t have them, the recipe will still work, but the spices do add an extra layer of deliciousness.
Recipe Variations
If you’re looking to switch things up, these variations will keep your fried apples recipe exciting. Each tweak adds a unique spin while maintaining the dish’s comforting essence.
- Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the skillet. The subtle spiciness beautifully complements the sweetness of the apples.
- Add Nuts: Introduce a crunchy texture by tossing in some chopped pecans or walnuts during the last few minutes of cooking. The nuts add both flavor and crunch.
- Citrus Twist: Add a splash of orange or lemon juice along with the zest for a citrusy tang that brightens the dish.
- Apple and Berry Medley: Mix in a handful of fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries for added color and a burst of tartness.
How To Make Fried Apples
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of fried apples. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples and place them into a medium-sized bowl. Pour lemon juice over the apple slices to prevent browning.
- Melt the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and spices. Cook, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add the sliced apples and stir to coat.
- Cook and stir for 12-15 minutes, until apples have softened. The exact timing will depend on the size of your apple slices.
- Remove from heat and serve warm.
This recipe will yield approximately 1 cup of fried apples.
Expert Tips
- Peeling the Apples: You can peel the apples or leave the skin on—it’s totally up to you! Peeling them will give you a smoother texture, but both ways are delicious.
- Preventing Browning: Slice the apples right before cooking to keep them from turning brown. If you’d like a little extra help keeping them fresh-looking, be sure to toss the slices in a bit of lemon juice before adding them to the pan.
- Making a Larger Batch: Need more than a couple of servings? Just double the ingredients to make a bigger batch.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to enjoying your fried apples, the possibilities are nearly endless. From breakfast options to dessert delights, here are some versatile ways to enjoy this dish:
- Breakfast Oats: Serve over oatmeal, in baked oatmeal, or incorporate into overnight oats for a fruity start to your day.
- Pancake Topping: Elevate your pancakes, French toast, or waffles by using this recipe as a delicious topping.
- Yogurt Mix-In: Stir the fried apples into your yogurt for a tasty and nutritious snack.
- Ice Cream Topping: For a dessert that’s hard to resist, spoon the fried apples over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Mini Desserts: Use the fried apples as apple pie filling to make a mini apple pie or an apple galette with a small pie crust.
- Savory Pairing: For a unique twist, serve the fried apples alongside a delicious ham steak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I do not recommend freezing fried apples.
Absolutely, it makes a delicious pie filling.
Absolutely, freezing is a great option if you have an excess of fresh apples. Here’s how to freeze apple slices for later use:
Preparation: Peel, core, and slice the apples to your desired size.
Prevent Browning: Drizzle lemon juice over the slices to keep them from discoloring.
Initial Freezing: Lay the apple slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet and place it in the freezer.
Storage: After the slices are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for long-term storage.
More Small Batch Apple Recipes To Try
Love apples? Here are a few more small batch recipes that highlight this delicious fruit, perfect for any occasion.
- Baked Apples: A simple and comforting dessert that fills the kitchen with the aroma of warm spices.
- Apple Butter: A smooth, spreadable treat, perfect on toast or in pastries.
- Apple Cinnamon Scones: Light and fluffy scones with a hint of apple—perfect with your morning coffee.
- Apple Muffin: Moist and packed with apple chunks, this muffin makes a quick and tasty snack.
- Apple Galette: A rustic tart that lets the natural sweetness of apples shine.
- Mini Dutch Apple Pie: A smaller take on the classic, complete with a crumbly topping.
- Apple Dutch Baby: A puffy, oven-baked pancake with apple slices and a hint of cinnamon.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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Small Batch Fried Apples
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups sliced or chopped apples , approximately 2 medium-sized apples
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice the apples and place them into a medium-sized bowl. Pour lemon juice over the apple slices to prevent browning
- Melt the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add the sliced apples and stir to coat.
- Cook and stir for 12-15 minutes, until apples have softened. The exact timing will depend on the size of your apple slices.
- Remove from heat and serve warm.
Notes
- Peeling the Apples: You can peel the apples or leave the skin on—it’s totally up to you! Peeling them will give you a smoother texture, but both ways are delicious.
- Preventing Browning: Slice the apples right before cooking to keep them from turning brown. If you’d like a little extra help keeping them fresh-looking, be sure to toss the slices in a bit of lemon juice before adding them to the pan.
- Making a Larger Batch: Need more than a couple of servings? Just double the ingredients to make a bigger batch.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
What type of apples would you recommend?
I love using Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith apples when making fried apples. But honestly, I’ve used just about all types of apples. Each variety of apple will bring a little something different to the recipe. Keep in mind that firmer apples will hold their shape better and won’t turn mushy when heated.
I will be making fried apples soon. The reviews are agreat motivation. Thanks for the recipe.
Best fried apples recipe!! I make them as a pancake topping and my hubby loves it and eats it all!
Absolutely delicious and easy to make..
Will be served with vanilla ice cream for dessert..
I need to pin this somehow..
Had a Granny Smith apple and Fuji apple that I needed to use or loose. This recipe was just perfect. Thanks so much for posting it.
I love these fried apples with breakfast sausage and homemade biscuits. Sooooo…….Southern!
I like to pile the hot apples on half a hot buttered biscuit. So good anytime but breakfast is a favorite.
I’ve been making these for YEARS. My favorite thing to do is use half butter and half bacon grease, and throw in a slice of cooked chopped bacon. I’ve also added walnuts or pecans at the last. And I almost always use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
Quick and easy dessert. Mixed apples and pears and it turned out great.
shortening is also the best for frying chicken or potatoes or crisping tortillas for tacos
please could you tell me what is shortening as I may not get it in England
Eileen, by definition, shortening is any fat that is solid at room temperature and used in baking. It is mostly used in pastries and other flaky baked goods. I use butter in my recipes.