Southern Fried Apples Recipe

Southern fried apples are a quintessential comfort food that brings the warmth of a classic American kitchen to your table. This simple dish transforms humble apples into a caramelized masterpiece that tastes exactly like the heart of a homemade apple pie.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You will love this Southern Fried Apples Recipe because it is incredibly versatile and takes less than 20 minutes to prepare. Whether you need a sweet side dish for a savory pork dinner or a warm topping for your morning pancakes, these apples deliver a perfect balance of buttery sweetness and cinnamon spice. It is a budget-friendly recipe that uses basic pantry staples to create a gourmet-style treat.

Ingredients

• 4 large apples (peeled, cored, and sliced into even wedges)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark both work well)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 splash of lemon juice (optional, to maintain brightness)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the apples: Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples into thin, even slices to ensure they cook at the same rate.
2. Melt the butter: Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter until it begins to bubble slightly.
3. Season the fruit: Add the prepared apple slices to the skillet and sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the top.
4. Caramelize: Cook the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the apples to become tender and the sugar to transform into a thick, golden syrup.
5. Final touch: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Serve while warm.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To achieve the best texture, choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp; these varieties hold their shape during the cooking process. If you prefer a much thicker, glaze-like sauce, you can create a slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stirring it into the skillet during the final two minutes of cooking. Using a cast-iron skillet is highly recommended as it provides even heat distribution and superior caramelization.

Variations & Substitutions

For a Spicy Cinnamon version, add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ground ginger to the mix. If you are making an adult-only version, try Tennessee Whiskey Apples by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of bourbon after the apples have cooked, simmering for another minute to burn off the alcohol. For a Maple Variation, simply replace the brown sugar with pure maple syrup. To make a Healthier Version, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil and reduce the sugar amount by half.

Serving Suggestions

These apples are remarkably flexible. Serve them alongside fluffy biscuits or fried chicken for a traditional Southern meal. They also make an incredible topping for French toast, waffles, or pancakes. For dessert, spoon them over a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream or a swirl of Greek yogurt. They also function perfectly as a quick homemade pie filling.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Store any leftover fried apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. If you wish to save them for longer, they can be frozen in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply place them back in a skillet over low heat until warmed through, or use the microwave in 30-second intervals.

Nutrition Information

Southern Fried Apples

Southern fried apples are a quintessential comfort food that brings the warmth of a classic American kitchen to your table. This simple dish transforms humble apples into a caramelized masterpiece that tastes exactly like the heart of a homemade apple pie.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 185

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 large apples peeled, cored, and sliced into even wedges
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar light or dark both work well
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 splash lemon juice optional, to maintain brightness

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• Apple Peeler
• knife

Method

 

1. Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples into thin, even slices to ensure they cook at the same rate.
   4 large apples
2. Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter until it begins to bubble slightly.
   3 tablespoons butter
3. Add the prepared apple slices to the skillet and sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over the top.
   4 large apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4. Cook the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the apples to become tender and the sugar to transform into a thick, golden syrup.
5. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Serve while warm.
   1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch salt

Notes

To achieve the best texture, choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp which hold their shape well. Using a cast-iron skillet is highly recommended as it provides even heat distribution for superior caramelization.

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