Cracker-Barrel Fried Apples
Cracker-Barrel Fried Apples are a classic Southern comfort food featuring tender apple slices sautéed in butter, sweetened with brown sugar, and flavored with cinnamon. They offer a warm, sweet, and nostalgic side dish or dessert that is quick and easy to prepare, bringing a cozy, homemade touch to any meal.
- 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
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium firm apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples into even, thin pieces to ensure they cook evenly and absorb the flavors perfectly.
- Melt Butter and Add Apples: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until bubbly but not browned. Add the apple slices and gently stir to coat them in the melted butter.
- Sprinkle Sugar and Spices: Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt over the apples. Stir occasionally to let the sugar dissolve and caramelize, forming a sticky, delicious glaze.
- Cook Until Tender: Continue cooking the apples for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until they are soft but not mushy, and the sugar is nicely caramelized.
- Finish with Optional Touches: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in vanilla extract and lemon juice if using, to brighten the flavor and keep the apples vibrant.
Notes
- Use firm apples to ensure slices hold their shape during cooking.
- Let the brown sugar caramelize slowly for the best glaze texture.
- Adjust sweetness gradually to avoid overly sweet apples.
- Use a non-stick pan to prevent apples from sticking and breaking.
- Cook on medium heat to avoid burning butter or sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: fried apples, cracker barrel, southern comfort food, sautéed apples, cinnamon apples, apple side dish, quick dessert