Sweet, tender slices coated in a buttery cinnamon glaze that pairs perfectly with breakfast, dessert, or even as a side dish. Fried apples are the kind of recipe that gives you instant satisfaction with its with delicious aroma.
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This Cracker Barrel Fried Apples dish is one of our favorite as it turns humble apples into a luscious, buttery treat. Made with few pantry staples and ready in minutes.
I love how versatile fried apples are. Serve them over pancakes, waffles, ice cream, biscuits, plus they are a beloved side dish that can accompany just about any meal.
Pro Tip
When preparing the apples, keep the slices in a bowl of water with lemon juice until all the apples are peeled and sliced. Be sure to drain the water before proceeding with the recipe.
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 4-5 medium apples Granny Smith or Golden Delicious recommended (4 cups or 500g)
- 4 Tablespoons butter unsalted
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large lemon juiced, divided (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
- Large bowl of water optional
Instructions
- If you haven’t already, juice the lemon. In a large bowl of water, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Peel and slice apples very thin about ¼ inch thick. You’ll need about 4 cups (or 500g) of sliced apples. Add the slices into the large bowl of lemon juice water. This is to keep the slices from browning. Important: Before moving to the next step, drain all the water from the large bowl.
- Toss the apples with a tablespoon of lemon juice, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a bowl and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with the brown sugar and white sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add the apple slices to the skillet and stir to coat them with the glaze. Cook the mixture over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally while it cooks. If the skillet becomes dry or the glaze becomes too thick, before the apples are finished cooking, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or apple juice to loosen it slightly. It’s crucial to limit the amount of liquid you add to no more than 1-2 tablespoons of liquid.
- Check the apples for doneness by inserting the tines of a fork or toothpick into the apples. It should go in slightly without breaking apart the apple.
- Combine cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the apples and cook gently for 1-2 more minutes until the sauce becomes thick and glossy. Take off the heat and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- 3-4 apples should be enough for 4 cups of chopped up apples but because apples vary in size, you may want to have an extra one on hand.
- When preparing the apples, keep the slices in a bowl of water with lemon juice until all the apples are peeled and sliced. Be sure to drain the water before proceeding with the recipe.
- Slicing the apples on a mandolin will ensure that they are cooked evenly.
Nutrition
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How to Make Fried Apples
Prep: Granny Smith or Golden Delicious hold their shape well so they are better for this recipe. Cinnamon and nutmeg are the traditional apple pie seasonings, you can use one without the other if you would like to and you can also add cloves. Checkout these nutmeg substitutes.
Juice the lemon and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a large bowl of water. Peel and thinly slice the apples (about ¼-inch thick). Place the slices in the lemon water to prevent browning.
Drain well before tossing the apples with another 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the brown and white sugars. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and begins to bubble, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
Add the seasoned apple slices, stir gently to coat them completely with the sugary glaze. Continue to cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The apples should become tender but not mushy.
Mix cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry then add to the apples, cook 1-2 more minutes until the sauce is glossy and thick.
What are the best apples to use?
I used Granny Smith in my recipe, but if you want to experiment with other flavors and textures with different apples you could also try these other apple varieties.
- Golden Delicious has a mild sweet flavor that softens and holds its shape when cooked.
- Fuji is incredibly sweet and juicy. Pairs perfectly with cinnamon, but they are less tart and you may want to add ½ teaspoon more of lemon juice.
- Honeycrisp has a slightly sweet and subtle tartness. This apple is firm but juicy and it has a pretty color when peeled.
- Braeburn is great for spiced apple dishes. Similar to Granny Smith apples in tartness and flavor.
Can I keep the peel on the apples?
Absolutely! In fact, Cracker Barrel doesn’t peel their apples so it comes down to a matter of preference.
Can I make Cracker Barrel apples in a slow cooker?
Yes! This is a great way to make fried apples with less effort, and keep them warm before serving. Toss peeled and thinly sliced apples with nutmeg, cinnamon and lemon juice. Add apples in your slow cooker. Melt the butter and pour it over the apples. Mix in both sugars and salt. Stir to evenly coat. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1 to 1.5 hours until apples are fork tender.
What caused my apples to become mushy?
If you add too much water when cooking apples, it will change the texture. Adding more water than necessary can ‘boil’ apples instead of sautéing them, which softens them because of their already high water content. Also too much water can wash out the glaze and cause them to look pale and mushy.
How to Store and Reheat
Storage: Leftover Cracker Barrel fried apples should be stored in your refrigerator. To store apples, it’s important to let them cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container. An airtight container will keep the apples from drying out as well as the apples absorbing smells from your refrigerator.They should last up to 4 days if stored properly.
Reheat: Reheat up on the stove top in a skillet with 1-2 teaspoons of water. Just enough water to loosen the glaze and heat it up.
Reheating in your microwave for 30 seconds increments is also an option. Cover loosely to prevent splattering.
More Tips
- Slicing the apples on a mandolin will ensure that they are cooked evenly.
- Swap out sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Maple syrup complements apples with its natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Substitute apple pie spice for cinnamon and nutmeg.
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Apples bring natural sweetness, a satisfying texture, and a cozy aroma to every recipe. Don't you agree?
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