Enjoy the flavors of fall with this classic dessert – fried apples! These thinly sliced apples are bathed in a warm butter bath, allowing them to soften and caramelize to perfection.
If you’re an apple lover, then you will love this simple recipe that is no-fail!
Best part is this fall dessert is incredibly versatile too! Enjoy it on its own, with a scoop of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, or elevate it to a new level with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, a dollop of Whipped Cream, or even a drizzle of Caramel Sauce.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Pantry staples. This 5 ingredient recipe uses common pantry staples making it a budget-friendly and accessible dessert. No need for fancy ingredients!
- Quick and easy. Fried apples come together in under 20 minutes, perfect for a last-minute easy dessert recipe for kids or a spontaneous treat.
- Warm comfort food. The combination of warm, softened apples, spiced sugar, and a touch of butter creates a comforting and nostalgic dessert that everyone enjoys (it’s even gluten free!)
Fried Apples Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar – reduce the amount of sugar for a less sweet version. You can also try using ⅓ cup light brown sugar.
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, or to taste – Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon for a more festive fall flavor, or use apple pie spice.
- 4 golden delicious apples, peel, core, and slice – use Granny Smith apples for a tart twist, Honeycrisp for a sweet and juicy option, or Pink Lady apples for a sweet and tart flavor. You can even use a combination of different apples for a more complex flavor.
How to Make Fried Apples
SAUCE. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt ½ cup butter.
- Add ½ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon and whisk. Cook until the sugar dissolves.
APPLES. Add 4 peeled and sliced apples, stirring to coat, and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until softened.
ENJOY! Serve warm with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream or Caramel Sauce. You can also pour them over Fluffy Pancakes, Buttermilk Waffles, or mix them into oatmeal.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use a mix of apple varieties (like Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for a sweet-tart flavor balance.
- Slice apples evenly so they cook at the same rate and stay tender, not mushy.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves along with the cinnamon for extra fall flavor.
- Store leftovers in their juices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Serve warm over ice cream, pancakes, or oatmeal for an easy, cozy upgrade.
Fried Apples Recipe
Equipment
- skillet
- apple corer
- slicing knife
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, or to taste
- 4 golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add sugar and cinnamon. Stir and cook until the sugar dissolves.
- Add apples, stirring to coat, and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until softened.
- Serve warm with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream or Caramel Sauce.
Notes
- Use a mix of apple varieties (like Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for a sweet-tart flavor balance.
- Slice apples evenly so they cook at the same rate and stay tender, not mushy.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves along with the cinnamon for extra fall flavor.
- Store leftovers in their juices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Serve warm over ice cream, pancakes, or oatmeal for an easy, cozy upgrade.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Slice thickness matters for texture. The thickness of your apple slices will affect how quickly they cook. Thinner slices cook faster and become softer, while thicker slices take longer and retain a bit more bite. Choose a thickness based on your desired texture.
Don’t overcook! Keep an eye on your apples as they cook. You want them to be tender but not mushy. Overcooked apples will lose their shape and become unpleasant.
Store leftover fried apples in their juices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The texture will soften further, but they’ll still be delicious. Freezing isn’t recommended as the apples will lose their texture upon thawing.
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This recipe was originally published August 2024.
Everyone at home loved these fried apples! It’s super easy to make, it really just took me 20 minutes to finish this recipe. We love the sweet and crispy fried apples!
I made these and doubled the recipe to store the other half. The apples were perfectly tender with all the flavor!!
I loved how simple these apples were to make and how yummy they were! Cannot wait to make these again!