This easy and delicious Fried Apples recipe is the perfect topping or side dish for a delicious Southern meal. Made with browned butter and apples cooked until softened, this is a recipe the whole family will love.
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Fried apples have always been one of my favorites. Cooking apples in butter and sugar in a cast iron skillet will only yield delicious results. My method is a little different than most recipes, as I like to brown my butter in the skillet before adding my apples and sugar. This gives the apples a more caramelized flavor and is truly delicious.
This recipe can be served as a breakfast side (that’s how we eat it), but it could also serve as a topping. Put it on top of some vanilla ice cream or on top of pancakes. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this fried apples recipe.
If you’re looking for more delicious fruit sides, check out our watermelon fruit salad or sugared cranberries.
Ingredients for Fried Apples
- Butter – stick to unsalted for this recipe. We want to control the amount of salt added.
- Brown sugar – feel free to use white granulated sugar if that’s what you have on hand.
- Spices – Apple pie spice (a mixture of spices that includes cinnamon, nutmeg, …) and kosher salt. If using table salt or sea salt, use less than indicated in the recipe.
- Firm apples – I prefer to use Granny Smith apples in this recipe. Any firm apple will work in this recipe. You’ll want to core and slice these. You can peel them or not, depending on your preference.
How to make Fried Apples
Melt butter in a large pan over low heat until it turns brown and emits a nutty aroma, roughly 8-10 minutes.
Stir in brown sugar, apple pie spice, and salt into the browned butter until well mixed. Gradually mix in the sliced apples, ensuring they are well coated.
Cover the pan and simmer on low, mixing now and then, for 10-15 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the liquid in the pan has increased.
Take off the cover, switch the heat to medium-high, and cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring, until the liquid is reduced by half and thickens into a syrup. Take off from the heat.
Serve and enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
These apples are great served as a side for breakfast. You can also eat them as a dessert or on top of ice cream.
You could also serve them as a side along with pork chops for lunch or dinner.
Make ahead and Storage Options
To make these ahead, cook recipe and sore leftovers wither in the fridge or freezer.
For refrigeration: Store the remaining apples in a sealed container for up to 5 days. Warm them in a small pan on the stove until heated thoroughly.
For freezing: The fried apples can be frozen. After cooling, transfer them to a freezer-proof bag and freeze them. They should be consumed within three months. To avoid mushiness upon thawing and reheating, it’s advisable to undercook the apples slightly.
Expert Tips
- Make sure to keep the heat on low heat when browning the butter to avoid the butter from burning.
- Use a firm and tart apple, like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Pink Lady, for the best results.
I hope you enjoy this fried apples recipe as much as we do. If you have tried this recipe, or any other recipe on our site, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Easy Fried Apples (Southern Style)
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and sliced – about 6 cups
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan over low heat until it turns brown and emits a nutty aroma, roughly 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in brown sugar, apple pie spice, and salt into the browned butter until well mixed. Gradually mix in the sliced apples, ensuring they are well coated.
- Cover the pan and simmer on low, mixing now and then, for 10-15 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the liquid in the pan has increased.
- Take off the cover, switch the heat to medium-high, and cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring, until the liquid is reduced by half and thickens into a syrup. Take off from the heat.