Warm, buttery, and kissed with cinnamon — these Southern Fried Apples are the perfect comfort dessert or side dish. Whether served with pancakes, pork chops, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this quick and easy recipe delivers that sweet, caramelized flavor you’ll love.
🧈 Ingredients
- 4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
🔪 Instructions
- Prepare the apples
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into medium-thick wedges. You want them thick enough to stay firm while cooking but thin enough to absorb all the buttery sweetness.
- Sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Melt the butter
- In a large skillet (preferably cast iron), melt the butter over medium heat until it begins to bubble slightly.
- Add apples and sugar
- Stir in the apple slices and coat them well with melted butter.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt evenly over the apples.
- Cook until tender and caramelized
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the apples cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The sauce should become thick and glossy while the apples turn tender but not mushy.
- Finish with vanilla
- Once the apples are cooked, remove the pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract for a final touch of aroma.
- Serve warm
- Serve immediately in small bowls or over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or vanilla ice cream.
🍯 Tips for Perfect Fried Apples
- Apple variety matters: Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance, or mix varieties for depth of flavor.
- Adjust sweetness: If your apples are naturally sweet, reduce the sugar slightly.
- Make it richer: Add a splash of heavy cream at the end for a creamy caramel finish.
- For extra spice: Add a dash of allspice, cardamom, or cloves for a holiday twist.
🍽 Serving Ideas
- Breakfast: Spoon over fluffy pancakes or cinnamon French toast.
- Dessert: Pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Dinner side: Surprisingly delicious next to pork chops or roasted chicken for a sweet-and-savory balance.
🧊 Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Freezer: You can freeze cooked apples for up to 2 months — thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
- Ready in under 20 minutes.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect year-round comfort food.
- Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian.