Description
Warm, caramelized Southern-style apples cooked in a buttery cinnamon glaze. Perfect as a dessert, breakfast topping, or sweet side dish, these Southern Fried Apples are comforting, quick, and full of nostalgic flavor.
Ingredients
4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for tartness)
Optional: pinch of ground cloves or allspice
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced apples and stir to coat them evenly in the melted butter.
- Sprinkle in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but not mushy.
- In the last 2 minutes of cooking, stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice.
- Serve warm as a side dish, dessert with ice cream, or topping for pancakes or oatmeal.
Notes
Use a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor.
Add cloves or allspice for a warmer spice profile.
Substitute maple syrup for granulated sugar for a richer glaze.
Top with chopped pecans or a splash of bourbon for dessert.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat gently.
Freeze cooled fried apples for up to 2 months and reheat in a skillet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
