Fried Apples

Luscious apples are pan-fried in butter and spices to create these fried apples that are sure to be a welcome addition for any apple lover out there.

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Table of Contents

Fried Apples Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Fried Apples Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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These delicious fried apples are cooked in melted butter and warm spices to make the best sweet comfort food you can imagine. They are a snap to make and are perfect for everything from an ice cream topping to a filling inside yummy apple treats.

Fried Apples Ingredients

Fried Apples raw ingredients that are labeled

This fried apples recipe combines thinly sliced apples, lemon juice, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of flour for a delightful blend of flavors.

The apples maintain a crisp texture while developing a caramelized exterior, complemented by the zesty kick of lemon juice.

The butter adds a rich, creamy element, while cinnamon infuses warmth.

You’ll need:

5 large Pippin apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 5 cups)
1 large lemon (about ¼ cup juice)
½ cup of salted butter
½ cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour

Substitutions And Additions

CINNAMON: If you’re looking to switch up the spice profile, consider using apple pie spice instead of plain cinnamon.

This blend typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, adding a more complex and autumnal flavor to your fried apples.

LEMON: If you don’t have a fresh lemon on hand, you can use bottled lemon juice as a convenient alternative.

It will provide the necessary acidity to balance the sweetness of the apples.

SUGAR: You can also use maple syrup, honey, and/or light brown sugar as a white sugar substitute to sweeten the apples.

APPLES: If you can’t find the Pippin variety of apples, you could use Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Golden Delicious apples in this easy recipe.

A firm apple will hold up better to the frying process than softer apples.

How To Make This Fried Apples Recipe

These apples are easily fried up in a skillet on the stove, along with the spices, until they are softened and coated in the sweet glaze.

STEP ONE: As you peel, core, and slice the apples, toss them into a bowl and squeeze lemon juice over them.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

I used a full lemon over the apples as I was slicing them. Mostly, this helps to prevent browning on the sliced apples, but it also adds another level of flavor and tartness to offset the sweet sugar.

STEP TWO: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

STEP THREE: When the butter is melted, add the apple slices to the skillet. Saute over medium-high heat until the apples begin to soften, about five minutes.

PRO TIP:

As the apples cook, they will break down into mush (like making applesauce). If you slice them thin, they only need five to ten minutes total to cook through, but will still have a little structure to them.

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the apples, stir and continue cooking until the sugar dissolves into the butter and forms a sauce.

PRO TIP:

The apples usually release liquid while cooking. If there is not enough liquid after dissolving the sugar into the cooking apples, you can add a little cold water to make more sauce. It will thicken with the flour.

apples being coated with ingredients in a skillet

STEP FIVE: Sprinkle the flour over top of the apples and stir to combine.

STEP SIX: Bring the apple mixture to a low boil and simmer over low for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.

STEP SEVEN: Serve immediately.

How To Serve

There are so many ways to use these tasty fried cinnamon apples. They are lovely in a bowl on their own with a drizzle of caramel sauce, or what about on top of a big scoop of vanilla ice cream?

They could also be used as the perfect filling inside one of our other recipes instead of store-bought apple pie filling.

Our apple enchiladas are one fun way to use them, or try them in our apple pie or caramel apple pie bombs.

You could also think outside the box and serve these fried apples as a delicious side dish alongside our fried pork chops.

A couple more ways to enjoy fresh apples include our apple fritter bread and apple pie cookies.

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Storage

Whether you’re planning to make them ahead of time or have leftovers, here’s what you need to know:

MAKE AHEAD: These fried apples can be prepared ahead of time for added convenience.

After cooking, allow them to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.

Store them in the refrigerator for up to two to three days or in the freezer for longer storage.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store these easy fried apples in the refrigerator in an airtight container for two to three days. Or make the leftovers into an apple crisp.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze fried apples, but the texture of them may change during the freezing process.

REHEATING: Reheating your fried apples is a cinch. You have a few options:

STOVETOP: Place the fried apples in a saucepan and heat over low to medium heat. Stir occasionally until they are heated through.
MICROWAVE: If you’re short on time, microwave them in a microwave-safe container in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until they reach the desired temperature.

Why We Love This Recipe

There are plenty of reasons why we love these fried apples, including:

CLASSIC COMFORT: These fried apples embody the comforting flavors of fall with their tender yet slightly crisp texture, warm cinnamon spice, and delightful sweetness.

VERSATILE USE: These fried apples are incredibly versatile. They can be served as a side dish for savory meals, paired with breakfast items like pancakes or oatmeal, or even enjoyed as a dessert with a scoop of ice cream.

MAKE-AHEAD AND STORAGE FRIENDLY: Whether you want to prepare them in advance or have leftovers, this recipe provides guidance on how to store and reheat the fried apples.

Sweet southern fried apples are a perfect alternative to pie filling but are also delicious on their own! Spiced and saucy, these are a fantastic way to use up all those crisp apples this fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of apples are best to use in this apple recipe?

Make sure you pick firm apples, but any apple you choose would be delicious. Try Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.

Can I freeze homemade fried apples?

Fried apples can be frozen, but the texture of them may change. If you are planning to use them as a filling, they would likely be fine to freeze and use later.

Do I need to peel the apples for this recipe?

It is best to peel the apples for this recipe as leaving them on would affect the consistency and soft texture of the apples.

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Fried Apples

5 from 2 votes

Luscious apples are pan-fried in butter and spices to create these fried apples that are sure to be a welcome addition for any apple lover out there.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings

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Ingredients

5 large Pippin apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 5 cups)
1 large lemon, about ¼ cup juice
½ cup salted butter,
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Instructions

As you peel, core, and slice the apples, toss them into a bowl and squeeze lemon juice over them.
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
When the butter is melted, add apples to the skillet. Saute over medium-high heat until the apples begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the apples, stir and continue cooking until the sugar dissolves into the butter and forms a sauce.
Sprinkle the flour over the apples and stir to combine.
Bring the apple mixture to a low boil and simmer over low for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serve immediately!

Notes

I used a full lemon over the apples as I was slicing them. Mostly, this helps to prevent browning on the sliced apples, but it also adds another level of flavor and tartness to offset the sweet sugar.
As the apples cook, they will break down into mush (like making applesauce). If you slice them thin, they only need 5 to 10 minutes total to cook through, but will still have a little structure to them.
The apples usually release liquid while cooking. If there is not enough liquid after dissolving the sugar into the cooking apples, you can add a little cold water to make more sauce. It will thicken with the flour.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Stefanie Knaus Photographer
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Fried Apples

Fried Apples Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Fried Apples Recipe

How To Serve

Apple Fritter Rings

Hasselback Apples

Storage

Why We Love This Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes You’ll Love