Cracker-Barrel Fried Apples
Cracker-Barrel Fried Apples are a comforting Southern side dish featuring sweet, tender apples cooked with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. This easy recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, caramelized to perfection in butter, making it an ideal dish for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack at any time of year.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Fruits
- 4 medium firm apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
Cooking Base
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sugars and Spices
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Liquids
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
Seasoning
- Prepare the Apples: Wash, peel, and core your apples, then slice them into uniform 1/4-inch thick pieces to ensure even cooking and a tender bite.
- Melt Butter in the Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter until it becomes foamy and golden, providing a rich base that caramelizes the apples gently.
- Add Apples and Brown Sugar: Stir in the sliced apples, sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly over them, then toss to coat the apples and begin forming a luscious glaze.
- Simmer and Stir: Add a splash of water and apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), reduce the heat to low, and let the apples simmer, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and tender while still holding their shape, about 10 minutes.
- Season and Serve: Sprinkle with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors, remove from heat, and serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp apples for the best texture and flavor; avoid overripe fruit.
- Do not overcook the apples—they should be tender but not mushy.
- Slice apples evenly to ensure consistent cooking and an attractive presentation.
- Cook on low heat to allow sugars to caramelize without burning.
- Adjust sweetness and spice halfway through cooking to suit your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: fried apples, Cracker Barrel fried apples, southern side dish, cinnamon apples, caramelized apples, easy apple recipe, fall flavors, comfort food