These fried apples are fresh apple wedges sauteed with butter, sugar and cinnamon until browned and tender. An easy side dish or dessert option that always gets rave reviews!
When apples are in season I cook with them constantly. I make apple pies, apple cake, and these simple yet satisfying Southern style fried apples. Serve your apples as a side dish for pork chops, or spoon them over vanilla ice cream for a treat!
There are SO many different ways to enjoy apples – cakes, pies, homemade apple sauce, cobber, you name it. One of my favorite ways to serve apples is this Southern preparation of fried apples. This 5 ingredient recipe couldn’t be any easier and the apples come out so flavorful and caramelized.
How do you make fried apples?
This recipe starts with 6 large apples, you can choose your favorite variety. The apples go into a skillet along with melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. You’ll want to watch your apples carefully as they cook. The apples should be starting to caramelize around the edges, but you don’t want to cook them so long that they become mushy.
What are the best apples to fry?
I chose Pink Lady apples because they have a nice flavor balance of sweet and tart, and they hold their shape when cooked. Other great options are Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn or Golden Delicious. You want to choose an apple that’s not overly sweet or overly tart, and that’s firm and crisp. I like to keep the peels on my apples because they hold their shape even better that way, but you can absolutely peel your apples if you prefer.
Tips for fried apples
- I like to cut my apples into thicker wedges because they’re easier to eat and it helps to ensure they don’t get overly soft as they brown in the sugar and butter.
- This recipe assumes that you’re using an apple with some sweetness to it, such as the Pink Lady apples shown. If you choose a tart apple, such as Granny Smith, you may want to increase the sugar by 1/4 cup.
- I stick to the classic cinnamon to spice my apples, but you could also add a pinch of ground cloves, allspice or nutmeg.
Are fried apples healthy?
While apples on their own are healthy, sadly fried apples are not the healthiest food option. If you’d like to try to cut back the calories a bit, you could reduce the amount of butter or substitute a no-calorie sweetener for the sugar.
Ways to serve fried apples
Fried apples make a great side dish or snack, but there are so many different ways to pair them with other flavors.
- Ice Cream: Serve your apples over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Breakfast Topping: Spoon your apples over pancakes or waffles.
- Oatmeal: Serve fried apples on top of a hot bowl of oatmeal or cold overnight oats.
- Side Dish: Offer a side of fried apples alongside pork chops or baked chicken.
- Yogurt: Spoon over vanilla Greek yogurt and sprinkle with granola.
I like to make a double batch of apples so I can enjoy them all week long in various preparations. Everyone is sure to love these apples no matter how you serve them up!
More great apple recipes
Fried Apples Video
Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 6 large apples such as Pink Lady, Granny Smith or Braeburn
- 1/2 cup butter salted or unsalted, both work just fine
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peel the apples if desired (I leave the skins on). Cut the apples into wedges.
- Melt the butter in a large pan over medium high heat.
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Add the apples to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until apples have started to caramelize around the edges.
- Serve immediately. Leftovers can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
wilhelmina says
These make such a great side dish, so easy and delicious!
Natasha says
These are perfect in these cute little dishes!!
Trang says
Great idea for a pancake topping!
Suzy says
We pick fresh apples every year! This will surely be a hit in our house!
Tanya Schroeder says
This is such a great way to eat apples!
Ashlyn @ F5 Method says
Even though it’s summer these fried apples look amazing! I’m always a fan of enjoying apples year round and this looks like the perfect dinner side or dessert. 🙂
Heidy L. McCallum says
Those pictures really make me want to devour those fried apples! I love apples and totally see this recipe being a huge hit at my house.
Beth Pierce says
Love the way my home smells of apples after baking a recipe like this! Gives me all the feels of fall; I love it! Excited to make these this week!
Noelle says
This was such a sweet treat! Love this recipe, flavors are amazing! Thank you
Caroline says
Fried apples are such an easy dish and great in lots of dishes from breakfast to dessert.
Dannii says
We love making these in the autumn. They are SO good on overnight oats.