• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Side Dishes » Fried Apples Recipe

Published: July 16, 2019 Last Modified: July 16, 2019 By Sara 12 Comments

Fried Apples Recipe

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Fried Apples Recipe | Sauteed Apples | Cinnamon Sugar Apples #apples #cinnamon #sugar #sidedish #dessert #dinneratthezoo #fall

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!

Fried Apples Recipe | Sauteed Apples | Cinnamon Sugar Apples #apples #cinnamon #sugar #sidedish #dessert #dinneratthezoo #fall Fried Apples Recipe | Sauteed Apples | Cinnamon Sugar Apples #apples #cinnamon #sugar #sidedish #dessert #dinneratthezoo #fall

Southern fried apples coated in butter, cinnamon and sugar in a skillet.

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.

Sliced apples in a mixing bowl.

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.

Butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and cinnamon in a pan.

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.

Sliced apples in a pan with butter, sugar and cinnamon.

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.

A cup of fried apples served with vanilla ice cream and garnished with fresh mint.

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

  • Apple Pork Chops
  • Fried Apple Pies
  • Apple Nachos
  • Slow Cooker Apple Cider
  • Cinnamon Sugar Apple Fries

Fried Apples Video

Southern fried apples coated in butter, cinnamon and sugar in a skillet.
Print Pin
5 from 10 votes

Fried Apples

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!
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 351kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 595IU | Vitamin C: 10.2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Dessert, Gluten Free, Side Dishes

FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

    ​
    ​

    Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

    « Pork Tacos (Slow Cooker)
    Italian Pasta Salad »

    Comments

    1. Melanie says

      June 23, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      So good with pork chops!

      Reply
    2. wilhelmina says

      July 23, 2019 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      These make such a great side dish, so easy and delicious!

      Reply
    3. Natasha says

      July 23, 2019 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      These are perfect in these cute little dishes!!

      Reply
    4. Trang says

      July 23, 2019 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      Great idea for a pancake topping!

      Reply
    5. Suzy says

      July 23, 2019 at 12:38 pm

      5 stars
      We pick fresh apples every year! This will surely be a hit in our house!

      Reply
    6. Tanya Schroeder says

      July 23, 2019 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great way to eat apples!

      Reply
    7. Ashlyn @ F5 Method says

      July 17, 2019 at 11:24 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
    8. Heidy L. McCallum says

      July 17, 2019 at 9:15 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    9. Beth Pierce says

      July 17, 2019 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    10. Noelle says

      July 17, 2019 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      This was such a sweet treat! Love this recipe, flavors are amazing! Thank you

      Reply
    11. Caroline says

      July 17, 2019 at 8:48 am

      5 stars
      Fried apples are such an easy dish and great in lots of dishes from breakfast to dessert.

      Reply
    12. Dannii says

      July 17, 2019 at 8:17 am

      We love making these in the autumn. They are SO good on overnight oats.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More

    Grilling Recipes

    Tacos al pastor stuffed with grilled pork, pineapple, red onion and cilantro.

    Tacos Al Pastor

    Grilled zucchini on a serving plate topped with fresh parsley.

    Grilled Zucchini with Garlic and Herbs

    Grilled lamb chops on a plate garnished with parsley and lemon.

    Grilled Lamb Chops

    BBQ pork chops are bone in pork chops that have been grilled and topped with barbecue sauce.

    BBQ Pork Chops

    Grilled bruschetta chicken topped with melted mozzarella cheese, tomato basil bruschetta and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

    Bruschetta Chicken

    A plate of Hawaiian chicken with grilled pineapple.

    Hawaiian Chicken

    More Posts from this Category

    Featured Recipes

    A piece of bread scooping into a pan of spinach dip.

    Hot Spinach Dip

    General Tso's chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, then topped with sesame seeds.

    General Tso’s Chicken

    A pan of honey garlic chicken stir fry with a spatula in it.

    Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

    A quick and easy chicken taco soup full of beans and vegetables that's ready in just 25 minutes. #StockUpOnDelMonte #Safeway Ad

    Chicken Taco Soup

    FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

      ​
      ​

      Categories

      Sites I am featured In
      PRIVACY POLICY ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2022.
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • RSS
      • Twitter
      • About Me
      • Contact Me
      • All Recipes
      • Dinner
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
      • One Pot Meals
      • Slow Cooker
      • Asian Food