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Home » Dessert + Sweets » Fried Apples Recipe (How to Make Fried Apples)

Fried Apples Recipe (How to Make Fried Apples)

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
August 29, 2020
4.86 from 14 votes


Last Updated August 29, 2020 | 0 Comments

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Easy Fried Apples Recipe made with four delicious and simple ingredients and ready in just 20 minutes! Gluten-free and vegetarian, learn how easy it is to make these cinnamon-spiced fried apples and enjoy as is, with your favorite ice cream, or mixed with your morning oatmeal.

Looking for more easy apple recipes? Try this reader-favorite applesauce recipe or make your very own homemade apple cider.

Apples chopped into cubes and fried in a large cast-iron skillet with butter, cinnamon and sugar.

Homemade Fried Apples

Many things come to mind when I think about how to prepare apples – from cakes to pies, apple crisps to apple cobblers to homemade applesauce, and yes, even apple sangria. You name it, I’m probably thinking about it.

But what about fried apples?

One of my favorite ways to enjoy apples when I’m too tired to bake anything fancy, fried apples are sauteed in sugar, butter, and cinnamon, until soft, tender, and perfectly caramelized.

If that’s not enough to make you love them, here are five more reasons to love this recipe,

  • You’ll think you’re eating pie…minus the pie
  • Although they are sweetened with brown sugar and fried in butter, they’re a much healthier alternative to deep-fried apples or apple pie
  • These little apples cook super fast, making it an excellent recipe for anyone who hates to wait (or hates to cook)
  • They can be enjoyed with breakfast, dinner, AND dessert
  • Safe for those with a sensitivity to gluten and are totally vegetarian

Just wait, you guys, these fabulously sweet little apples are guaranteed to be your new cool-weather sweet treat. 

Ingredients in Fried Apples

  • Apples
  • Butter
  • Lemon juice
  • Brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Please note that this is not a recipe for deep-fried apples. Yes, these apples are fried in butter, but they are not dipped in a batter and then submerged in oil to deep fry. Although those would also be fantastic, this is your classic southern style fried apple.

If you don’t have any brown sugar on hand, feel free to substitute with granulated white sugar, you’ll hardly notice a difference!

Apples chopped into cubes and fried in a large cast-iron skillet with butter, cinnamon and sugar.

What Are the Best Apples For Fried Apples?

Try to use the following,

  • Granny Smith apples
  • Honeycrisp apples
  • Golden Delicious apples
  • Pink Lady apples

Just like in homemade applesauce, apple pie, or even apple crisp, there are a million opinions when it comes to “the best” apple. Depending on the variety, apples may either be sweet, tart, or a combination of the two.

What everyone can agree on is that you want apples that are crisp, tart, sweet, and hold up well when cooked or baked. In other words, you don’t want apples that get grainy and fall apart the moment they get a little warm.

In this particular recipe, I used Pink Lady apples, but any of the above (of a combination of the apples listed above) will taste great.

How to Make Fried Apples

Learning how to make fried apples is incredibly easy! You’ll need a large skillet, spatula, and a handful of super simple ingredients…like apples! You may either peel or leave the skin on your apples – this choice depends entirely on you. I love apple skin, plus I’m lazy, so I will rarely peel mine.

  1. Melt your butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the apples, lemon juice, and sugar, tossing well to evenly combine.
  3. Cook the apples, stirring often, until soft, but not mushy.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg, if desired.

My favorite way to enjoy these apples (aside from straight out of the skillet) is with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh my word, you guys! You have to try it! Warm, buttery apples with sweet, ice-cold ice cream. I mean, c’mon. It’s like hot and cold perfection.

And my second favorite is definitely with a giant scoop (or two) of whipped cream. The creaminess with the tart apples? Pure magic.

Bowl filled with fried apples and whipped cream

How to Serve Fried Apples

Fried apples may be enjoyed with breakfast, dinner, AND dessert!

  • Breakfast: Add your apples to a bowl of overnight oats or a hot bowl of oatmeal for an easy and much-improved fall-spiced breakfast. You may also add your apples to fluffy pancakes, waffles, and French Toast.
  • Dinner: Serve with mashed potatoes or cauliflower and herb-roasted chicken thighs or pork chops for a delicious twist on an already delicious dinner.
  • Dessert: Well, that’s obvious. Grab some ice cream and whipped cream and call it a celebration!

two bowls filled with fried apples and and topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon

More Apple Recipes,

Easy Apple Crisp Recipe (How to Make Apple Crisp)

Autumn Rosé Sangria with Apples and Pomegranates

Autumn Chicken Skillet with Apples and Sweet Potatoes

Apple Balsamic Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

Kohlrabi, Beetroot and Apple Salad with Feta

If you try making this recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

Overhead image of cinnamon fried apples with whipped cream

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Apples chopped into cubes and fried in a large cast-iron skillet with butter, cinnamon and sugar.

Fried Apples Recipe

4.86 from 14 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
Cinnamon Fried Apples Recipe. A must-have fall essential, these delicious fried apples ready in less than 20 minutes and are made with just four simple ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ¾ cup salted butter
  • 8 medium red apples - unpeeled and chopped into cubes
  • ½ lemon - juiced
  • ½ cup brown sugar - packed, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - optional
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Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the butter until melted. Add the apples, lemon juice, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
  • Continue to cook the apples until they are soft, but not mushy (you want some bite left). Remove from heat and stir in the ground cinnamon.
  • Best served warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Jessica's Notes

  • You may chop your apples into cubes or into slices. If you choose to slice your apples, try to slice them in equal thickness and not too thin as they will cook too quickly, not giving them a chance to caramelize.
  • This recipe is absolutely sweet, but it's not written so that the apples are swimming in butter and sugar. If you like your apples with additional syrup, increase the amount of butter by half and double (or triple) the total amount of sugar.
 
Originally published September 14, 2018

Nutritional Information

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.3mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword fried apples, fried apples recipe, how to make fried apples
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About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

310 shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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