Cracker Barrel Cinnamon Fried Apples Recipe
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Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time : 20 min
Total Time: 30 min
Cracker barrel fried apples ingredients
Servings: 4
Servings: 8
Servings: 12
how are cracker barrel fried apples made?
Prepare the apples first.
Wash the apples and dry them well. Peel and core them, then cut them into ½-inch wedges. Keeping the pieces close in size helps them cook evenly.
Start with the butter.
Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the apple wedges and gently toss to coat them in the butter. Cook for about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften.
Add the cinnamon and sugar.
Sprinkle in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gently stir until the apples are evenly coated and the brown sugar begins to melt into the butter.
Add the apple juice and lemon juice.
Pour in the apple juice and lemon juice. Stir gently, scraping up any bits of brown sugar from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook until the apples are tender.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Cook for about 8–12 minutes, checking the apples around the 8-minute mark. They should be fork-tender but still hold their shape.
Let the sauce come together.
Remove the lid and cook for another 1–3 minutes, if needed, to let the sauce thicken slightly. You want a glossy, buttery sauce that coats the apples without being overly thick.
Add the finishing touch.
Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let the apples rest for 2–3 minutes so the warm sauce settles around them.
Equipment
- Large skillet — for cooking the apples and reducing the buttery sauce
- Cutting board — for preparing the apples
- Sharp knife — for peeling, coring, and slicing the apples
- Measuring cups — for the apple juice, brown sugar, and butter
- Measuring spoons — for the spices, lemon juice, and vanilla
- Wooden spoon or spatula — for gently stirring and tossing the apples
cracker barrel fried apples nutrition
|
Nutrition |
Per serving |
|
Calories |
~300 kcal |
|
Carbohydrates |
~50 g |
|
Protein |
~1 g |
|
Fat |
~12 g |
|
Saturated Fat |
~7 g |
|
Fiber |
~5 g |
|
Sugar |
~40 g |
|
Sodium |
~160 mg |
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Apple Recipe
Cracker Barrel flavor at home
Sweet, buttery, cinnamon-spiced apples that bring that cozy restaurant feeling right to your kitchen.
Quick skillet cooking
No slow cooker and no long wait. These apples come together in one skillet in about 20 minutes.
Tender, never mushy
The apples become fork-tender while still holding their shape, with a glossy buttery sauce coating every piece.
Simple but seriously good
A handful of everyday ingredients creates a rich brown sugar and cinnamon sauce that’s hard to resist.
Naturally gluten-free
Made with simple ingredients and no flour, these fried apples are naturally gluten-free when your ingredients are verified gluten-free.
An easy side for any meal
Serve them with pancakes or biscuits for breakfast, or alongside a Southern-style dinner when you want something sweet and comforting.
Want an oven-baked version?
If you’d rather let the oven do the work, try my Cracker Barrel Baked Apples. They’re made with cinnamon, brown sugar, and apple juice for a softer, oven-baked apple treat.
pro tips
The Apples Matter
I like using apples that hold their shape well as they cook. Granny Smith gives you a nice tart contrast to the sweet sauce, while Golden Delicious gives the apples a naturally sweeter flavor.
Don’t overcook
The best fried apples are tender enough to cut easily with a fork but still hold their shape. Start checking them early because apples can soften quickly once they begin simmering.
Keep the Pieces Even
Cut the apples into roughly ½-inch wedges so they cook at the same rate. This helps prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others are still firm.
Don’t Crowd the Skillet
Give the apples enough room to cook in an even layer. If your skillet is small, it’s better to work in batches than pile the apples too high.
Keep the Pieces Even
Cut the apples into roughly ½-inch wedges so they cook at the same rate. This helps prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others are still firm.
A Pinch Goes a Long Way
The small amount of salt helps balance the brown sugar and brings out the flavor of the apples and warm spices.
Control the Heat
Keep the heat around medium to medium-low once the apple juice is added. A gentle simmer gives the apples time to soften without scorching the butter and brown sugar.
Let the Sauce Reduce
If the sauce looks too thin once the apples are tender, remove the lid and let it simmer for another 1–3 minutes. The extra time allows some of the liquid to cook off and the sauce to become glossy.
Storage & reheating
You can make them ahead. If you’re serving them later today, cool them, cover, and refrigerate.
Reheat gently in a skillet, low to medium low for a few minutes. Add a spoon of apple juice if needed, and add the caramel drizzle just before serving.
If you’re serving right after cooking, no reheating needed.
Serving Tips
A plate of warm fried apples just feels at home with Southern comfort food. Serve them with fluffy pancakes or warm biscuits for breakfast, or put them beside meatloaf or hamburger steak for dinner.
They’re also lovely with Campfire Chicken when you want something a little different. For dessert, stay with the apple theme and serve apple dumplings.
Frequently Asked Questions
❤️ Did You Make This Fried apple?
I’d love to hear how your Cracker Barrel fried apple turned out!
⭐ Leave a star rating below and share your experience in the comments. Did you use Granny Smith apples, or try another variety?
If you snapped a photo, tag @crackerbarrelrecipes on Instagram so I can see your golden, homemade apple dumplings!
Happy cooking! 🍎🥧
