Description
These Southern Fried Apples are a sweet, cinnamon-spiced classic cooked in one skillet. Tender apple slices are glazed in a buttery brown sugar sauce, making them perfect as a holiday side, breakfast topping, or comforting dessert. With just a few simple ingredients and under 20 minutes, this Southern favorite delivers cozy flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
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4 cups apples (Granny Smith, Fuji, or Pink Lady), sliced into ½-inch thick half-moons
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Juice of 1 medium lemon
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2 tbsp salted butter
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½ cup granulated sugar
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¼ cup packed brown sugar
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1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Optional Toppings:
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Vanilla ice cream or Cool Whip
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Chopped walnuts or pecans, lightly toasted
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Caramel sauce
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Pinch of sea salt
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Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
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Slice apples into half-moons and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
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In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter and cook until it begins to brown (about 3 minutes).
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Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook for 2 minutes until combined and bubbling.
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Add apples and toss to coat in the cinnamon-sugar glaze. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are fork-tender.
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Optional: toast nuts while apples cook.
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Serve warm with toppings of choice or straight from the skillet.
Notes
Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for flavor balance.
Browned butter adds rich, nutty depth—don’t skip this step!
For softer apples, slice thinner or extend cooking time slightly.
A splash of cream or maple syrup can make it even richer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American