Fried Apples

When many Americans think about fried apples, one restaurant chain comes to mind quickly and regularly: Cracker Barrel. This Tennessee-based collection of rustically-decorated eateries specializes in classic Southern fare like fried chicken, catfish, and mac & cheese, along with enormous breakfast spreads.

Cracker Barrel breakfasts are arguably their most famous meals, and the Fried Apples that Cracker Barrel offers as a breakfast side dish have become a verifiable cult classic among Cracker Barrel enthusiasts.

Sweet, tender, and perfectly spiced, Cracker Barrel's Fried Apples taste very much like the inside of an especially-good apple pie. Without all that pesky crust in the way, these apples can be paired with anything from pancakes to waffles to oatmeal to ice cream and even pork chops.

Cracker Barrel works hard to keep the recipe for this beloved dish under wraps, but we've developed a Fried Apples recipe that provides the best qualities of the Cracker Barrel version, but with a few slight twists.

Why Are Cracker Barrel's Fried Apples So Special?

"Fried Apples" is a somewhat inaccurate title for the signature Cracker Barrel dish; in order to get the soft (but not mushy) texture and the correct balance of flavors, the apples can be slowly baked (as they would be in an apple pie). But because that method would be very time-consuming, you can instead gently sauté (or "fry") the apples in butter.

The seasonings for Fried Apples are classic apple companions: brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A syrup-like "sauce" made of apple juice and a thickening agent (cornstarch) gives the cooked apples a velvety consistency that both complements the texture of the fruit and also makes it a fitting companion for whichever food pairing you prefer.

How To Make Fried Apples

This is a fast and easy side dish. So easy, in fact, you might not need a recipe after you make it the firs time. But here's a quick outline (the full recipe is below):

• Step 1. Make sugar mixture with brown sugar, white sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Step 2. Melt butter in skillet. Add the sliced apples (peeled or unpeeled—that's up to you), along with the sugar mixture and lemon juice.
• Step 3. Stir well to coat the apples in the sugar mixture, then simmer until the apples are tender.
• Step 4. Combine apple cider and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Step 5. Remove the apples from the skillet, leaving the sauce behind. Pour the cider mixture into the skillet, whisking to combine. Let the sauce simmer until it begins to thicken.
• Step 6. Add back the apples, and stir to coat the apples in the syrup. Finally, add more butter, and let it melt, covering the apples in a thick, caramel-like sauce.

Fried Apple Variations

The great thing about fried apples is that you can get a little creative.

• Use your favorite type of apples: Cracker Barrel uses Golden Delicious apples for their fried apples, but if you prefer a less-sweet apple, then you should feel free to experiment with different varieties. We find that Honeycrisp apples—which are also on the sweeter side, but which have slightly more acidity and more structural integrity than Golden Delicious apples—work brilliantly for this dish, but Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Braeburn apples are other tasty possibilities.
• Consider leaving the apples unpeeled: For fried apples that are as close as possible to Cracker Barrel's, be sure to remove the peels from the apples before slicing. But if you'd like a bit more bite to the finished dish, then the peels can absolutely come along for the cooking process. Just keep in mind that apples with peels may take longer to cook down and soften than unpeeled versions, so adjust your cook time accordingly.
• Try adding a splash of bourbon: Bourbon has an underlying sweetness that pairs nicely with tart apples, so adding a bit of whiskey to this recipe gives it an extra layer of flavor dimension and complexity. One ounce of bourbon (or a little less than a shot glass) provides these taste-related benefits, but it's a small enough amount that the alcohol can quickly cook out.
• Play around with different spices and seasonings: Cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg are classic apple pie ingredients, so they feel like a natural fit for Fried Apples. That said, you're welcome to introduce whichever spices and flavor additions best suit your tastes. Vanilla extract, maple syrup, and allspice are easy add-ons, but you could also try ginger, coriander, sage, Chinese five-spice, or any other seasoning that strikes your fancy.