Cinnamon Fried Apples are a classic Southern-inspired comfort dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Tender apple slices are pan-fried in a buttery cinnamon-sugar glaze until perfectly caramelized and fragrant. The result? Warm, melt-in-your-mouth apples with a rich sweetness and spiced aroma that instantly feels like home.
Perfect for breakfast, as a side dish, or even dessert, these apples pair beautifully with pancakes, pork chops, biscuits, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. With only a handful of ingredients and a quick cooking time, they’re an easy recipe to keep in your fall and holiday repertoire.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Fried Apples
This recipe is quick, uses simple ingredients you likely already have, and delivers rich fall-flavored comfort in under 15 minutes. It’s adaptable for both sweet and savory meals and can be easily scaled up for larger gatherings or holiday servings.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (or to taste)
- 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Prepare the apples
Peel, core, and slice the Granny Smith apples into even wedges for consistent cooking. Granny Smiths are ideal because their tartness balances the sweetness of the glaze, but other firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Braeburn work well too.
Step 2: Melt the butter
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Let it bubble gently without browning it will serve as the rich base for your cinnamon glaze.
Step 3: Add sugar and cinnamon
Stir in the white sugar and ground cinnamon. Mix well until the sugar begins to dissolve into the butter, forming a fragrant spiced sauce. Adjust the cinnamon quantity to match your preference for spice intensity.
Step 4: Cook the apples
Add the sliced apples to the skillet, tossing to coat them evenly in the buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but not mushy. They should hold their shape while becoming soft enough to pierce easily with a fork.
Step 5: Serve
Serve the apples warm as a side or topping. They’re delicious on their own, but truly shine when spooned over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or ice cream.
Expert Tips for Success
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Choose firm apples: Firmer apples keep their structure during frying. Overripe apples can become too soft and lose their shape.
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Control sweetness: For a milder glaze, reduce sugar to ⅓ cup or balance with a splash of lemon juice.
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Consistent slicing: Keep apple slices uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking.
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Watch the heat: Medium heat prevents the butter from burning while the apples soften.
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Caramelized finish: For extra depth, cook the apples a minute or two longer until the sugar mixture darkens slightly into a caramel-like consistency.
Tasty Variations to Try
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Spiked apples: Add a splash of bourbon or rum after cooking for an adult twist.
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Brown sugar swap: Replace white sugar with brown sugar for a richer, molasses-like flavor.
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Apple pie version: Stir in a pinch of nutmeg or cloves for an apple pie spice blend.
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Maple cinnamon apples: Substitute sugar with pure maple syrup for a softer sweetness and deeper flavor.
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Nutty topping: Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts over the finished apples for added crunch.
Serving Ideas
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Breakfast: Spoon over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or French toast for an instant upgrade.
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Dessert: Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt for a quick sweet treat.
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Baking shortcut: Use as filling for crepes, muffins, or bread pudding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other apple varieties?
Yes. While Granny Smith apples offer the best sweet-tart contrast, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn are also excellent choices. Avoid soft apples like McIntosh as they break down too quickly during frying.
Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely. Cook the apples as directed, cool, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet to restore the warm, buttery glaze before serving.
Can I freeze fried apples?
Yes, though the texture may soften slightly after thawing. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months and reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes. Substitute the butter with a high-quality plant-based alternative or coconut oil, though this will slightly change the flavor profile.
Do they work as pie filling?
Definitely. Slightly undercook the apples, then use them as a base for rustic pies, galettes, or turnovers. The cinnamon-butter glaze gives a head start on flavor.
Cinnamon Fried Apples
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Tender apple slices pan-fried in a buttery cinnamon-sugar glaze, perfect as a breakfast side, dessert topping, or sweet complement to savory mains. A quick, cozy fall favorite.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (adjust to taste)
- 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice apples into even wedges for consistent cooking.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and bubbly.
- Stir in sugar and cinnamon, mixing until sugar dissolves into a fragrant spiced glaze.
- Add apple slices, tossing to coat evenly in glaze. Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still holding shape.
- Spoon apples warm over pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or ice cream.
Notes
Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn for best texture.
Reduce sugar for milder sweetness or balance with a splash of lemon juice.
Keep slices uniform for even cooking.
Cook longer for a deeper caramelized finish.
Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently in skillet.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Side Dish, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cinnamon fried apples, southern apple recipe, skillet apples, fall apple side dish, caramelized apples, cinnamon apple dessert
