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Home » Recipes » Southern Recipes

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe


Prep Time :5 minutes mins
Cook Time :15 minutes mins
Total Time :20 minutes mins
Servings :6
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Close up of fried apples with a wooden spoon.
Long image of a closeup shot of fried apples with a spoon digging in. Text Overlay for pinterest added.

Published: May 8, 2023 · Modified: Aug 3, 2024 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

This copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples recipe is as close as you can get to eating the real deal. You might as well be sitting in the restaurant, instead you're enjoying it in the comfort of your own home. Deliciously soft, sweet and full of fall spices.

Overhead shot of a pan full of fried apples.
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

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Any apple recipe is going to be more popular in the fall (it's apple season) and this copycat recipe is no exception. It's perfect as a Thanksgiving side dish. However, it's actually a favorite of mine - that means in my house it's served any time of year.

This classic southern side dish has been a fixture on the menu of Cracker Barrel restaurants for years and for good reason. I think it's most people's favorite thing on there.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • More Cracker Barrel recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Frequently asked questions: FAQs
  • Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • Delicious fried apples have so much versatility. Enjoy as a sweet side dish for a main course, as I mentioned earlier, with, for example, some pork chops or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy as a dessert.
  • It's a super easy recipe to make with very few ingredients.
  • Absolutely everyone loves fried apples, it's great comfort food.
  • It's basically the same as apple pie filling and so you could make a large batch and make a pie too.
  • You could add it to your slow cooker, as another easy cooking option.
  • You could serve as a side for your Thanksgiving meal, it pairs perfectly with a Thanksgiving turkey.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Ingredients needed for fried apples, laid out with text overlay.
  • Apples - I like to use Granny Smith Apples or Honey Crisp, tart apples are best for this recipe plus they hold their shape better.
  • White Sugar - for sweetness.
  • Brown Sugar - for sweetness and texture.
  • Butter - to fry the apples in.
  • Apple Juice - for added fluid to make the sauce.
  • Apple Pie Spice - this just makes life a little easier than adding separate spices.
  • Cornstarch - for thickening the sauce.

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • Step 1: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Step 2: Add the sugars, apple pie spice and cornstarch to a resealable bag and shake well to mix.
  • Step 3: Add the peeled sliced apples to the bag with the spice mixture and shake well, moving the apple slices around to mix and become coated, evenly.
  • Step 4: Add the apple mixture to the hot skillet and melted butter along with the apple juice and move the apples around to cover the skillet.
  • Step 5: Turn down to low- medium heat and cover the skillet.
  • Step 6: Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Step 7: Once the apples are nicely softened serve immediately.

For a cute fall inspired recipe, you should check out my Thanksgiving Cake Pop Recipe, these little turkeys are so adorable.

Hint: If you don't have a lid for your skillet you can cover with aluminum foil.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Juicy Apples - The best apples are the more tart varieties like granny smith however, some like to use a sweet apples like golden delicious apples or a pink lady.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar - try adding a spoon full.
  • Bacon Drippings - Melt bacon drippings in the skillet, instead of butter.
  • Apple Cider - instead of the apple juice.
Overhead close up shot of a pan full of fried apples.

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Necessary gear: Equipment

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I have a list of equipment I may have used in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

I would recommend a cast-iron skillet though, for a nice even heat distribution.

More Cracker Barrel recipes I think you'll love

  • close up of a skillet of mac and cheese with some missing.
  • A close up of a plate of Cracker Barrel Chicken and Rice Recipe
  • Close up of a corner of a dish of sweet potato casserole with a scoop missing.
  • Close up of fried apples with a wooden spoon.
  • Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese - deliciously creamy and full of cheese mac and cheese is a staple side dish for any meal.
  • Cracker Barrel Chicken and Rice - this recipe is a long time favorite in the south.
  • Cracker Barrel Sweet Potato Casserole - a simple classic that is perfect for the holidays.
  • Cracker Barrel Fried Apples - these apples are perfect as a side dish, next to some turkey or pair with some ice cream and it tastes great as a dessert. So flexible.

Check out this list of awesome Thanksgiving Side Dishes.

How to store leftovers

Once cooled completely store leftover fried apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Mel's kitchen notes

Sprinkle lemon juice over your apple slices to stop any browning from occurring. Make this recipe with just a handful of ingredients.

Close up shot of fried apples with a spoon digging in.

Frequently asked questions: FAQs

What type of apple is best for frying?

Granny smith, honey crisp or pink lady. They have a delicious tart flavor and their texture holds up well to frying without disintegrating.

What should I serve with fried apples?

Depends if you're serving as a dessert recipe or a side dish to a main course. If you'll be offering as a dessert, then you could offer ice cream or heavy cream.
If this will be a side dish for you then it pairs perfectly with pork and chicken.


If you’ve tried this Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

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Close up of fried apples with a wooden spoon.
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Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Recipe

Delicious soft and sweet with cinnamon and nutmeg spice these Cracker Barrel Fried Apples are as close to the real deal as you can get.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Servings: 6
Cuisine: American
Author: Melanie Cagle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Large 12" Skillet

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter unsalted
  • 4 Each Apples large, peeled, cored and sliced
  • ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons Apple Pie Spice
  • 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
  • ½ Cup Apple Juice

Instructions

  • Add the butter to a large skillet and turn on medium-high heat.
    3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • In a large resealable bag add the sugars, apple pie spice and cornstarch and shake to mix.
    ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar, 2 teaspoons Apple Pie Spice, 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
  • Peel and core the apples then slice into ¼" thick slices.
    4 Each Apples
  • Add the apple slices to the resealable bag with the sugar and spice and shake well to mix. Make sure all the slices are evenly coated.
  • Once the butter has melted add the apple slices to the skillet along with the apple juice and move around a little to even out.
    ½ Cup Apple Juice
  • Cover, turn down the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Once the apples have nicely softened serve immediately.

Notes

If you don't have a lid for your skillet you can cover with aluminum foil.
If you don't have a resealable bag go ahead and using a mixing bowl. I feel moving the slices around in the bag really helps distribute those ingredients nicely.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 8mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g

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Filed Under: Christmas, Copycat Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Fall Recipes, Side Recipes, Southern Recipes, Thanksgiving

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