Description
Southern Fried Apples are a comforting dish made by sautéing apples in butter and sugar, usually with added spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The apples soften and caramelize, creating a syrupy, sweet glaze that coats each slice. It’s a beloved dish in the Southern United States, often enjoyed as a side with meats such as pork chops or fried chicken, or as a topping for biscuits, pancakes, and even ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work best)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons apple cider or water (if needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to prevent browning)
Instructions
Preparation:
- Prepare the apples: Wash, core, and slice apples into 1/4-inch thick wedges. Leave the peel on for extra texture and nutrition, or peel if you prefer.
- Optional step: Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning if you’re not cooking them immediately.
Cooking:
- Heat the skillet: In a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add apples: Add apple slices to the skillet in a single layer (work in batches if necessary).
- Season: Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt evenly over the apples.
- Cook: Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples begin to soften and caramelize.
- Add liquid if needed: If apples seem too dry or are sticking, add apple cider or water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Finish cooking: Continue cooking for another 5-8 minutes until apples are tender but still hold their shape, and the liquid has reduced to a syrupy consistency.
- Final touch: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract if using.
Notes
These warm, buttery apples are a Southern classic that pair perfectly with breakfast dishes like pancakes or biscuits—or serve them as a comforting dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For added flavor, try a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of bourbon!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish / Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: Low
Keywords: Southern Fried Apples Recipe