Enjoy the classic taste of Cracker Barrel Fried Apples with this easy homemade recipe. Sweet, tender, and perfectly spiced fried apples just like the restaurant favorite!
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples are a classic Southern treat thatโs easy to make at home. Tender apple slices are cooked to perfection with butter, brown sugar, and warm spices until they become soft and caramelized.
This sweet and flavorful dish is perfect as a side or dessert and brings cozy comfort to any meal.
You might also want to try this Baked Apples Recipe for another tasty way to use apples. Our family also enjoys Deep Fried Apples.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just a few pantry staples like apples, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Sweet and Comforting: The slow cooking process creates tender, caramelized apples with a rich, sweet flavor.
- Versatile: Great as a side dish with pork or breakfast, or served warm over ice cream for dessert.
- Easy to Make: Requires minimal prep and cooks quickly on the stovetop.
- Homemade Touch: Tastes just like the restaurant version but fresh and made your way.
Ingredients
- Butter: Always use real butter for the best rich, creamy flavor.
- Tart Apples: Granny Smith apples are perfect for their tartness, but you can also try Fuji, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious apple, pink lady or Braeburn for different sweetness and texture.
- Brown Sugar: Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe works great and adds a deep caramel flavor.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Skip to the bottom of the page for the entire ingredients list.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the apples. Peel, core and slice the apples into wedges. Mix together in a large bowl with lemon juice.
Step 2. Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Next, pour the sliced apples in the pan in the melted butter. Season the apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.
Step 3. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the apples are tender.
Step 4. Serve and enjoy this fried apple recipe.
Storage
Refrigerate: Store leftover fried apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm them gently in the microwave or on the stove over low heat to keep their soft texture and flavors intact.
Freeze: You can freeze fried apples in an airtight container for up to 3 months; however, the texture may change once thawed. Because of this, fried apples generally donโt freeze well and are best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Serving Suggestions
- Vanilla Ice Cream. Add a scoop of creamy No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream on top of the warm fried apples for a classic and indulgent dessert. For extra richness, drizzle with Homemade Caramel Sauce.
- Side Dish. Serve the fried apples as a flavorful side dish alongside lunch or dinner, especially pairing well with pork chops or roasted meats.
- Whipped Cream. Finish each serving with a generous dollop of Homemade Whipped Cream for a light and creamy touch.
- Additional Suggestions: Try sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts on top for added crunch, or serve alongside pancakes or waffles for a delicious breakfast treat.
Expert Tips
- Tart Apples Work Best โ Their natural tang perfectly balances the sweetness of the fried apples, creating a well-rounded flavor.
- Toss Apples Thoroughly in Lemon Juice โ Coating the apples in lemon juice prevents browning and adds a fresh, bright taste.
- Consider Doubling the Recipe โ Fried apples are a crowd favorite and disappear quickly, so making extra is always a good idea.
- Add Chili Powder for a Kick โ A sprinkle of chili powder adds subtle heat and an unexpected depth of flavor.
- Use Apple Pie Spice Instead of Cinnamon โ For a cozy and warm twist, swap out cinnamon for apple pie spice.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is based on personal preference. We like to peel the apples but you do not have to. If you like the taste and texture of the apples with the peelings, leave them on the apples.
Yes! You can definitely make fried apples in a crockpot for a hands-off, slow-cooked version. Hereโs how:
Prepare the Apples โ Peel, core, and slice your apples just like in the stovetop method.
Add Ingredients to Crockpot โ Combine the sliced apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon (or apple pie spice), and a splash of lemon juice in the crockpot.
Cook on Low โ Set the crockpot to low and cook for about 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally if possible.
Check for Tenderness โ The apples should be soft but still hold their shape, similar to the texture of traditional fried apples.
Serve Warm โ Perfect as a side dish or topping, serve right from the crockpot.
If you find that the apples are not thick enough, add cornstarch. Combine a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water.
Mix this together really well and add to the apples. Bring to a boil and for 1 to 2 minutes. This should thicken the apples perfectly.
We love this copycat cracker barrel version as is and do not feel the need to thicken it. However, this is certainly an option for those that prefer it thicker.
More Easy Apple Recipes
Give this copycat recipe a try. Then come back and leave a comment and star recipe rating.
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 5 Tart Apples
- ยผ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- โ teaspoon Salt
- ยฝ Lemon juiced
Instructions
- Peel, core and slice the apples into ยฝ inch wedges.ย Place the apple wedges in a large bowl.ย Top with the lemon juice and gently toss to coat the apples with the juice.
- Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
- Place the apples in the pan in the melted butter.ย Season the apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.ย Stir to coat the apples in the seasoning mixture.
- Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes (stirring occasionally) until the apples are soft and tender.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
