Fried Apples
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Fried Apples are so delicious! Tender and juicy, coated with a sweet buttery filling that screams Comfort Food!
(Post modified with new photos on 10/18/22.)
The first time I tried them was with our oldest daughter at a Cracker Barrel in Topeka, Kansas. We had just been on a college visit to K-State and were returning home. It was an autumn day and cold. Comfort food sounded good. It was a fun mother and daughter time. This recipe reminds me of that day. Good memories.
Fried Apples are Comfort Food
What exactly are fried apples? Are they a side dish? A salad? Or dessert? At Cracker Barrel, they are listed under side dishes.
Why do they call them Fried Apples? After all, you don’t fry them. They are simmered in juice.
Well, never mind the details. They are simply comfort food. Perfect for a simple dessert, or sweet side dish to serve at your next Potluck dinner, a Chuckwagon Dinner, or to take to an Oktoberfest Celebration!
Ingredients Needed to Make This Recipe
(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
- apple juice
- Fuji apples (4 large apples)
- cornstarch
- brown sugar
- ground cinnamon
- allspice
- butter
- fresh nutmeg (for topping)
What Kind of Apples?
When choosing what kind of apple to use, you want a variety that is firm and will hold together. Not one that will turn mushy when cooked. For this recipe, I used Fuji. It’s a good apple for baking and is sweet and juicy. You could also go with Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, or maybe even a Jonathan. Or mix it up and do half sweet and half tart, like Granny Smith.
Instructions for Making this Recipe
Gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Slice and core the apples. I like to leave the peel for added color and nutrition.
In a medium skillet, combine 1 1/3 cups apple juice and the sliced apples.
If desired, you may substitute apple cider for the apple juice, which would give the apples even more flavor. Fresh apple cider would be even better!
Simmer on medium-low heat until the apples are fork tender but not mushy, stirring frequently, about 15-18 minutes. Remove apples from juice and place in oven safe bowl to keep warm.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the remaining 1/3 cups apple juice, cornstarch, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and allspice. Whisk together until smooth.
Stir this mixture into the hot apple juice and cook in skillet, stirring constantly to a rolling boil until smooth and thickened. Add butter and stir in until melted.
Pour sauce over apples and serve warm. If desired, sprinkle fresh nutmeg over each serving. This recipe will serve 4-6 people.
I like making Fried Apples in my cast iron skillet. Because of that, they also remind me of something a cowboy might eat, so you could also call it chuck wagon food!
Which is exactly what I did one year when I invited our family and church over for a Country Chuck Wagon Dinner.
See more Dessert Recipes or Side Dishes Here. View Apple Recipes Here.
Fried Apples
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium Fuji apples cored and sliced
- 1 2/3 cups apple juice divided
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 3 tablespoons butter
- nutmeg freshly grated for serving
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
- Slice and core the apples. I like to leave the peel on for added color and vitamins.
- In a medium skillet, combine 1 1/3 cups apple juice and the sliced apples. Cook on medium-low heat until the apples are fork tender but not mushy, stirring frequently, about 15-18 minutes. Remove apples from juice and place in a glass bowl or serving dish.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/3 cups apple juice, cornstarch, brown sugar, ground cinnamon and allspice. Whisk together until smooth.
- Stir this mixture into the hot apple juice and cook in skillet on medium-high heat, stirring constantly to a rolling boil until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat.
- Add butter and stir in until melted. Pour sauce over apples and serve warm. If desired, sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg over each serving. Serves 4-6.
Notes
Nutrition