Fried Apples

This recipe for fried apples is from my learn to cook series. So if you are a beginner cook this recipe is perfect for you. This is a recipe that I am cooking out of my old home economics cookbook.

overhead view of fried apples, an apple, and wood tongs


Homemade Buttery Fried Apples

This recipe for homemade fried apples is from my Learn to Cook series, and it’s also from my old home economics cookbook. So if you are a beginner cook, this fried apples recipe is perfect for you. You can learn how to easily make this dish for a dessert or a sweet side. Butter and sugar turn fresh apples into a delicious, down-home treat!

I usually just stick with copycat recipes, but when I was thumbing through the 250 recipes in my old home economics cookbook, I thought it would be a lot of fun to use some of them for beginners.

When I was growing up, I remember both my mom and my grandmother making old fashioned fried apples. Now, these fried apples aren’t deep-fried apples; they are apples cooked in a pan with some optional seasonings (such as cinnamon) and butter. The apples release their juices into a sugary sweet syrup.

What Types of Apples Make Great Fried Apples?

You want to pick an apple that’s firm and crisp and not too sweet or overly tart. Pink Lady apples have a nice flavor balance of sweet and tart, and they hold their shape when cooked. Other great options are Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious.

  • Click here for a complete guide to apple varieties and how best to use them.

How Do You Pick the Perfect Apple for Making Fried Apples?

I think the key to the best fried apples is picking the right apples. Look for apples with good coloring that aren’t bruised. Give them a gentle squeeze to make sure they don’t have any mushy spots. Don’t just toss them in your bag or cart; place them in gently. When you get home, store your apples in your refrigerator and wash them just before preparing. By storing them without washing, they won’t be wet, which can cause spoilage.

Should You Peel the Apples?

Keeping the peel on the apples helps them to hold their shape better. The skin softens up enough during cooking, so you won’t even notice it’s there. However, it’s perfectly ok to peel your apples if you prefer. 

Healthy Fried Apples

If you want to cut back on the calories a bit, reduce the amount of butter (or use vegan butter) and substitute a no-calorie sweetener for the sugar.

What Goes With Homemade Fried Apples?

Old fashioned fried apples are perfect as a side dish for pork chops (instead of apple sauce). Here are some other ideas on what to serve with your homemade fried apples:

  • Offer them as a side with baked chicken.
  • They are great with a pork sausage and cabbage dinner.
  • Spoon them over vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert. And, add some chopped pecans.
  • Add them to vanilla Greek yogurt and sprinkle with granola.
  • Use as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
  • Serve on top of a hot bowl of oatmeal.

What Can You Do With Loads of Fresh Apples?

September and October are the height of apple season, and you may feel a bit overwhelmed by apples! Click here for copycat recipes using apples. And, here are some suggestions from 50 Things to Make With Apples:

  • Apple pork burgers
  • Chicken apple crepes
  • Wine poached apples
  • Mulled cider
  • Apple cake
  • Apple chutney

Trust me, the ways to use apples are endless!

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Apples
  • Brown or white sugar
  • Butter

This recipe is very flexible with what type of apple you want to use. I have made this with Opal Apples, Red Delicious apples, or even Granny Smith apples.

apples, brown sugar, and butter

How do you pick the perfect apple for making fried apples?

I think the key is picking out the right apple. While you may be learning how to cook fried apples, you can pick out the perfect apple.

You might wonder how to pick out the perfect apple. You want to look at the apple closely when at the store. Look for apples that aren’t bruised, and ones that have good coloring.

You want to give them a gentle squeeze, you want to make sure that they do not have any mushy spots.

When you put them in your grocery cart, don’t just toss them in. Gently place apples in your cart or bag.

When you get home store apples in your refrigerator and wash just before serving. By washing them just before serving they won’t be wet which can cause spoilage.

fried apples on a platter

How to Make Fried Apples

  • Wash and core apples.
  • Cut apples into bite-sized pieces, lengthwise slices, or round slices.
  • Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
  • Add sugar and stir to combine with melted butter.
  • Add apples.
  • Cook slowly for 5 to 10 minutes, turning apples over occasionally.

Learning how to cook fried apples is very simple. This is an easy recipe to make and now you know how to pick out the perfect apple you are going to do a great job in cooking up some delicious fried apples.

fried apple rings on a platter

Do you love apples? Try these recipes!

Favorite Sweet Side Dish Recipes

Check out more of my easy beginner recipes and the best side dish recipes here on CopyKat!

overhead view of fried apples, an apple, and wood tongs

Fried Apples

Learn how to make fried apples for a sweet side dish or dessert.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple Recipes, Fried Apples
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 apples
  • ¼ cup sugar brown or white
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • Wash and core apples.
  • Cut apples into bite-sized pieces, lengthwise in ¼ inch slices, or in round slices.
  • Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. and add apples.
  • Add sugar and stir to combine with melted butter.
  • Add apples and cook slowly for 5 to 10 minutes, turning apples once during cooking.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 4.2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Comments

  1. Thomas Moore

    I dusted them with a mixture of 1 Tsp of cinnamon and 1 tsp nutmeg after frying apples and after removing them from frying pan.

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