This Southern fried apples recipe is one you can make for a delicious dessert, or topping. Tender sliced apples mixed with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. 

These apples are similar to fried bananas. Try serving these on top of cake mix waffles , ice cream or even for a yogurt parfait. 

This recipe taste very similar to the fried apples my mom would get at Cracker Barrel. She would always order a side of hash brown casserole and a side of fried apples every time we went for breakfast. 

Why you will love these Cracker Barrel fried apples

• Easy and quick to make. Under 30 minutes. 
• Can be used for a variety of dishes.
• Great way to use up leftover apples.  

Ingredients needed

Apples – You can use a firm apple but I think Granny Smith works the best. 

Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter for this apple recipe. I prefer using sweet cream unsalted. 

Cinnamon – Adds a nice spice to the mixture. You could also substitute with the homemade apple pie spice mixture. 

Sugar – For this recipe, I use light brown sugar. I really love the richness it gives the apples. You can substitute for granulated white sugar. 

What apples to use?

There are so many variety of apples to choose from at the grocery store. I would recommend choosing a variety that is is firm and will hold their shape like Granny Smith, Honey Crisp or Pink Lady. These also work well because they are a nice mixture or sweet and tart. 

How to make Southern fried apples

Scroll to the bottom for full, printable recipe, ingredients and video.

1. Prepare: Peel and slice the apples. 
2. Melt: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. (Be sure not to let it burn.)
3. Cook: Once the butter has melted, stir in cinnamon and sugar. Add in sliced apples and cook until they soften. 
4. Serve: Serve by themselves with a spoon or as a topping. 

How to store

Store: Make sure the apples completely cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat over medium heat in saucepan or in the microwave. 

Freeze: Freeze in a sealed, airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months. 

What to serve with fried apples?

These can be eaten straight from the bowl, but here are a few of our favorite ways to serve them:

• As a topping for ice cream or yogurt. 
• Use for a side dish. We especially like them with pork. 
• As a topping for waffles, pancakes, french toast and oatmeal or grits. 

How to make healthy fried apples?

Apples by themselves are healthy. “An apple a day” as they say. But when you mix in butter and sugar, that adds calories and fat. 

If you would like to reduce the calories, feel free to cut back on the butter and sugar or use a sugar substitute.

Recipe tips

• I prefer to peel my apples but feel free to leave the skin on.
• Cut the apple into small slices or small cubes. Also, be sure to cut them uniform in size so they cook the same. 
• Allow the apples to get tender but not so soft they turn to mush. Depending on how you cut them, I find 5-8 minutes works well. 

More apple recipes

• Grilled apples – Similar to fried apples but made on the grill. Great for camping. 
• Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cups – A tasty on-the-go breakfast. 
• Apple dump cake – Similar to an apple cobbler. 
• Apple pie filling – Make your own delicious pie filling. 
• Cinnamon apple nut blondies – Blondies filled with diced apples and chopped nuts. 
• Apple cake – One of my favorite things to make in the fall. This is full of fresh apples and butterscotch chips. 
• Caramel apple dip – Sweet cream cheese layered with caramel sauce and sliced apples. 

*** If you made this recipe, please feel free to leave a comment and star rating below.