This easy Fried Apples Recipe features fresh apples, sugar, butter, lemon juice and cinnamon all cooked together right on your stove top in just 10 minutes! It’s a great rustic fall recipe that can be served in so many ways. Breakfast, dessert, side dish – the possibilities are endless!
What’s in this Fried Apples Recipe
You might just already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen right now. This is such a great easy recipe!
- Butter: Unsalted butter is what I like to use. You can use salted instead if preferred.
- Apples: Jonathan apples are my favorite, but really any apples you like best will work with this versatile recipe.
- Sugar: You’ll need both white granulated sugar AND light brown sugar to create the best touch of sweetness.
- Lemon Juice: For the very best flavor and natural acidity, use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than the bottled alternative if possible.
- Salt: You may want to omit this if you’re using salted butter.
- Cinnamon: This is an optional but highly recommended ingredient! Cinnamon helps to create the very best warm fall flavor.
PRO TIP: Try not to over-cook the apples or they’ll become mushy!
What else can I add?
You can really double down on that fall flavor by sprinkling in some nutmeg, allspice, or just extra cinnamon.
Jonathan apples are my personal favorite! However, they may be difficult to find at your local grocery store. Granny smith, pink lady, and honeycrisp apples all work great. You can just use whatever your favorite apple is.
They taste just like fresh apples – just more buttery, sugary, and spiced with just a touch of cinnamon. It’s like eating the essence of fall with all of the best sweet and spiced apple flavor! They’re softened but still hold their shape when not over-cooked.
Once everything is tossed in a hot skillet, you only need to cook the apples for about 8-10 minutes.
How to Store/Reheat
Once cooled to room temperature, you can store left over fried apples in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Fried Apples are great for breakfast. You can eat them by themselves, try them with a bowl of oatmeal, or toss them on top of pancakes. They also make one amazing dessert! Eat them with a bowl of ice cream, use them as a pie topping, or just gobble them up one by one. You can even serve this southern staple as a Thanksgiving side dish!
5-Star Review
“Great recipe! Made as a side dish. Will make again.” – Tamara R.
More Apple Recipes We Love
Fried Apples Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 57 grams (½ stick)
- 6 cups peeled and sliced Jonathan apples 678 grams (from about 5 apples)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 25 grams
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 27 grams
- ½ lemon juiced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams, optional
Recommended Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Instructions
- In a large heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add all other ingredients and cook, uncovered, 8-10 minutes. Carefully turn the apples, with a spatula, every 2 minutes. The apples should be tender, but still have a slight bite and hold their shape.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 6 cups peeled and sliced Jonathan apples, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, ½ lemon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Nutrition Information
Can you use this as an apple pie filling?
It could work!
Great recipe
Made as a side dish. Will make again.
Looks delicious, Tamara!