Fried Apples (Skillet Recipe)

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Unsure how to make fried apples? You won’t believe how simple it is to make fried apples in a skillet. All you need are four ingredients and you can serve warm cinnamon apples as a side dish, dessert with ice cream or as a breakfast topping for your pancakes, french toast or waffles.  Scroll down for easy step-by-step instructions, including a video!

Apple season is in full swing and I am here for it.  I have an apple tree in my backyard. Some years we don’t get a ton of apples because of issues with weather, or because we’ve trimmed it the year prior. But this year, it is a bountiful harvest. I have apples coming out of my ears. Last week I showed up on my mother’s doorstep with around 40 pound of fresh apples and she was both delighted and overwhelmed. I feel that mom, I feel it.

A favorite recipe for years has been fried apples. I love the versatility. I’ve even made fried pineapple! How many recipes work well for any time of day? Serve it at breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert! Any time is a good time for fried apples with cinnamon. For real.

Best Apples to Fry

While you can technically fry any type of apple, some types are better suited for frying than others. For the best results, I recommend using firmer apples such as Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, McIntosh or Braeburn. These apples will hold up better during cooking and won’t turn to mush when they’re done. I used Cortland from my apple tree for this recipe and they worked well!

Fried Apple Recipe Ingredients

To make this fried apple recipe, you’ll need just the following ingredients:

• apples: approximately 5 to 7 medium apples of your favorite firm variety (Cortland shown)
• brown sugar: love the flavor of brown sugar for this recipe but you can substitute white sugar
• cinnamon: you can also use pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon or replace 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon with 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg.
• butter: 2 tablespoons preferred but you can also drop it down to 1 tablespoon to reduce the fat
• water

While this fried apple recipe uses peeled apple slices, you can also use apple chunks or leave the peel on as I did with these sauteed apples.

How to Make Fried Apples

You’ll be surprised how easy fried apples are to make in under 20 minutes! To start, you’ll want to core, peel if desired, and slice your apples. I recommend not cutting your apples too thinly or they can easily become overcooked and mushy. I quartered my apples and then sliced in three or four wedges, depending upon the size of the apple. Try and cut them evenly so they are all done at the same time.

For super easy cleanup, place your apples in a gallon size Ziploc bag. Add in brown sugar and cinnamon. Seal the bag and shake well to coat. Alternatively, you can toss your apples in the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture in a bowl.

Pan Fry Apples

Heat your skillet over medium heat. Add butter. Once melted, add in apples and water. Cook over medium heat for six to ten minutes or until apples are tender, stirring often. Exact cook time will depend upon the thickness of your apples. Serve immediately to enjoy these warm apples!

How to Make Fried Apples Video

I’ve got a step-by-step video showing you how to make fried apples in a skillet. Once you see how easy it is to make, you’ll be making these apples all the time!

Fried Apples in a Crockpot

While making these pan fried apples in a skillet is pretty quick, you can also choose to make fried apples in a crockpot.  The instructions are also simple and it will have your house smelling delicious!

• Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray or add a liner. Melt butter.
• Add sliced apples, brown sugar and cinnamon and toss to coat. Pour melted butter over the top and stir.
• Cook on high for approximately 2 hours or until the apples are tender.

Try this recipe for Fried Apples in a Crockpot! With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a tasty treat that is perfect for any time of day. Whether you’re looking for something sweet to eat for breakfast or a cozy dessert to enjoy at night, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.

5 from 3 votes

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Fried Apples

These fried apples are easy to make in a skillet and so delicious! They're perfect for serving at breakfast, as a side dish, or as a warm dessert with ice cream. Only four ingredients are required to make this fried apple recipe!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish, Snack

Keyword apple recipe, apples, cinnamon, cinnamon apples, easy recipes, fall harvest, fried apple, fried apples, pan fried, Recipe for fried apples, skillet

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 198 kcal

Ingredients

• 6 to 7 cups apple slices approximately 6 medium apples, peeled or unpeeled
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Place sliced apples a gallon size ziploc bag. Add in brown sugar and cinnamon. Toss to coat. (Or place ingredients in a bowl and stir until well combined.)
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
3. Add the apples and water and cook for 6 to 10 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring frequently.
4. Serve immediately.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• You can use any type of apple you like for this recipe. However, firmer apples will hold up better during cooking.
• Want some crunch? Add some chopped nuts or granola over the top of your fried apples before serving.
• Switch up the spices to suite your tastes. Use pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon. Or replace 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon with 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg.
• Add in 1/4 cup of raisins or dried cranberries in the last few minutes of cooking for added flavor!

Fried Apples in a Crockpot

• Spray crockpot with non-stick cooking spray or add a liner. Melt butter.
• Add sliced apples, brown sugar and cinnamon and toss to coat. Pour melted butter over the top and stir.
• Cook on high for approximately 2 hours or until the apples are tender.

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Nutrition Facts

Fried Apples

Amount per Serving

Calories

198

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

4.3

g

7

%

Saturated Fat

 

2.4

g

15

%

Cholesterol

 

10

mg

3

%

Sodium

 

33

mg

1

%

Potassium

 

259

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

43.3

g

14

%

Fiber

 

5.8

g

24

%

Sugar

 

34.9

g

39

%

Protein

 

0.7

g

1

%

Calcium

 

20

mg

2

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What goes with fried apples?

So many different foods can be served with fried apples. Here are just a few ideas:

• pork: Pork chops, pork loin, ribs, etc would taste great served with apples. Try these brown sugar pork chops!
• baked or fried chicken: Make a favorite meal even better with the addition of fried sliced apples. From bbq chicken wings to chicken tenders, almost any chicken recipe will work.
• mashed potatoes, broccoli or green beans: All work well as complimentary side dishes to cinnamon apples.
• pancakes, french toast or waffles: Use it as a topping or side dish for brunch or breakfast.
• ice cream: Serve as a topping over your favorite ice cream for dessert. Butter pecan or vanilla ice cream are especially delicious served with fried apples.

I hope this recipe for fried apples becomes a favorite in your household, too! If you give them a try, let me know in a comment below.