Southern Cinnamon Fried Apples (Sauteed and Glazed)

This Southern Fried Apples recipe is filled with the heartwarming flavors of perfectly caramelized, spiced, and tender slices of apple. This dish captures the essence of comfort food, offering a delightful blend of sweetness and warmth in every bite. Whether you’re seeking a delightful side dish to accompany your meal, or a luscious dessert this side is for you.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

What Are Fried Apples

They are a delicious dish made by sautéing or pan-frying apple slices in butter or oil, often with added sugar and spices. The result is soft, caramelized, and slightly tender apples that are bursting with sweet and flavorful goodness. Fried apples are a popular comfort food and can be enjoyed as a side dish, topping, or dessert component.

If you love the Cracker Barrel version, you are going to love these. These fried apples are known for their sweet and spiced flavor, reminiscent of classic Southern comfort food. They are often served as a side dish alongside breakfast, lunch, or dinner items, adding a touch of warmth and sweetness to the meal.

Spices

• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a classic spice that pairs perfectly with apples. Its warm and sweet flavor complements the natural sweetness of the fruit.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a slightly nutty and earthy flavor that works well with the sweetness of the apples. A little goes a long way, so you definitely won’t need much.

Here’s Why You Will Love This Dish

• Flavor: The apples are cooked with a combination of sugar or sweetener, cinnamon, and other warm spices like nutmeg or cloves. This creates a deliciously sweet and spiced flavor profile.
• Texture: The apples are cooked until they are tender and slightly caramelized, resulting in a soft yet slightly firm texture. They have a rich, syrupy glaze that coats the apple slices.
• Serving: These are best served as a side dish, accompanying dishes like pancakes, waffles, biscuits, breakfast platters, and even main courses like fried chicken or pork chops.
• Nostalgia: These fried apples contribute to that theme by offering a taste of classic Southern home cooking.

What Type of Apples to Use

You’ll want to choose apples that hold up well during cooking and offer a balanced flavor. Generally, apples that are slightly tart and firm work best for frying as they won’t turn mushy quickly. Here are some options:

• Granny Smith: These are known for their tartness and firm texture. They hold their shape well and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the dish.
• Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples are crisp and juicy, with a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. They can add a pleasant texture.
• Golden Delicious: These are sweet with a mild flavor and a slightly softer texture.
• Jonagold: Jonagold apples offer a blend of sweetness and tartness. They’re firm enough to withstand cooking and can contribute to a well-rounded flavor profile.
• Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, but they can soften more quickly during cooking. While they might not retain their shape as well as other varieties, they can still be used if you prefer a softer texture.

Peeling the Apples

I prefer to peel the apples beforehand. The apple peel can add a slightly chewy texture to your fried apples. If you prefer a smoother texture, you might want to peel the apples. Peeled apples are also usually more visually appealing.

If you want to keep the peels on, it’s totally fine. A significant amount of the nutrients and fiber in apples are found in the peel. If you’re aiming to maximize the nutritional content of your dish, leaving the peel on can be beneficial.

How to Peel and Core the Apples

1. Hold the apple firmly in one hand.
2. With the other hand, use a vegetable peeler to start peeling the skin away from the top of the apple, moving in a downward motion. Rotate the apple as you go to remove the skin in a spiral fashion.
3. Continue peeling until all the skin is removed. Try to remove as little of the flesh as possible while taking off the skin.
4. If you don’t have an apple corer, you can use a knife to core the apple.
5. Place the apple on a cutting board horizontally.
6. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a circular incision around the stem, creating a guide for coring.
7. Then, make downward-angled cuts on all four sides of the apple around the core, creating a square shape. Cut just deep enough to remove the core and seeds while keeping as much of the usable flesh as possible.

How to Make Southern Fried Apples

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Place a skillet on medium-high heat and add butter.
2. When melted add in apples, sweetener cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and salt. Stir.
3. Adjust the heat on the stove to low and place a lid on the skillet.
4. Simmer the apples until soft.

What Type of Pan to Use

You’ll want to use a pan or skillet that provides even heat distribution and allows you to easily sauté the apple slices without overcrowding. Here are some options:

• Cast Iron Skillet: Cast iron skillets are known for their excellent heat retention and even heating. They can create a beautiful caramelization on the apples due to their ability to hold and distribute heat effectively.
• Stainless Steel Skillet: Stainless steel skillets also offer even heating and are durable. They are less nonstick than other options, so you might need to use a bit more oil or butter to prevent sticking.
• Sauté Pan: A sauté pan has straight sides and a larger cooking surface, making it suitable for cooking larger batches of fried apples.

You can use a nonstick pan if you wish. I typically don’t recommend them because most aren’t good with heat distribution and even cooking.

How to Store

You can store leftovers tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days in the fridge. You can reheat these in the microwave, on the stove, or in the slow cooker until warm.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze leftovers tightly covered and sealed for 6-8 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.

Pair With These Recipes

Soul Food Pork Chops
Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Steamed Lobster Tail
How to Make Cocktail Shrimp

More Apple Recipes

Caramel Apple Cider
Sugar Free Apple Pie
Sugar Free Apple Butter
Sugar Free Apple Crisp
Slow Cooker Crockpot Apple Oatmeal
Cranberry Sauce with Apples
Slow Cooker Crockpot Apple Crisp