Fried apples are a classic side dish that generations have enjoyed. But if you’ve ever tried to replicate the delicious flavors of Cracker Barrel’s famous fried apples, you know it’s not easy! Whether a novice or a pro, these tried-and-tested recipes are guaranteed to help you get that classic fried apple flavor you crave. Read on to learn the secrets behind perfect fried apples every time! You are going to love this copycat recipe.
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Delight your family with a delicious fried apple recipe from Cracker Barrel.
These skillet-fried apples are lovely when served with pork chops, but this becomes my easy apple dessert recipe when it is apple season. I know you will love serving this up just like the Cracker Barrel restaurants do, and when you make it at home, you can serve it up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This copycat Cracker Barrel recipe is an easy recipe. Who doesn’t love a delicious treat from your favorite restaurant?
Southern Fried Apples
If you have never had fried apples, you will want to try this classic southern side dish immediately. If you enjoy the taste of apple pie filling, this will soon be one of your favorite ways to enjoy apples.
In the restaurant, they aren’t made fresh, but you can make a copycat of their fried apples using fresh ingredients at home. These apples are delicious if you enjoy them as a side dish or a dessert.
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make fried apples:
- Bacon drippings or butter
- Golden delicious apples – or other tart apples
- Lemon juice
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
How to Make Fried Apples Cracker Barrel Style
- Core, peel, and slice apples.
- In a large skillet, melt bacon drippings or melt butter.
- Spread sliced apple evenly over the medium skillet bottom.
- Sprinkle the lemon juice over them, followed by the brown sugar and salt.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, and stir them occasionally. Cook until the apples are fork tender and juicy.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, and serve.
- You can add a squeeze of lemon at the finish for enhanced flavor.
To Peel or Not to Peel Apples
You can leave the peels on the apples or take them off, which is entirely up to you. I think you can deviate from the recipe a bit if you want to use different types of apples in the recipe. I think you can get a delicious flavor by using a couple of other apples.
Please note the video below features apples that are not peeled. You can peel the apples if you want them exactly like they are at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant. You can add a little squeeze of lemon for enhanced flavor.
What are the best apples to use for cooked apples?
Cracker Barrel uses the Golden Delicious type of apple, but many other apples have a better flavor when you cook them. I recommend different kinds of apples over golden delicious. Here are a few of my recommendations.
- Granny Smith apples have a citrusy-tart flavor and are very firm, so they don’t get mushy when cooked.
- Jonagold apples have a sweet honey flavor that holds up well when baked.
- Honeycrisp apples are sweet and tart with a hint of berry.
- Pink lady apples are sweet, and tart apples, they are also slow to brown.
Want to get the best flavor imaginable? Make this recipe with a few different types of apples
How to Serve Fried Apples
My favorite thing about this recipe is this apple recipe can be served as either a delicious side dish during the main course or a dessert. If you make them as a side dish consider adding a little less sugar. If you want to serve them as a dessert, consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Fried Apples
You can store this fried apple recipe by simply placing the leftover apples in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to five days.
Fried apples can be reheated in the microwave for 2 to 5 minutes on medium heat depending on the quantity you have to reheat.
A great way to enjoy these leftover apples is to heat them and add them to your morning oatmeal.
Can Cracker Barrel Fried Apples be frozen?
While you can freeze the leftover apples, I personally do enjoy the texture of frozen fried apples. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Fried apples can be enjoyed as a side dish or even a dessert. There is nothing like Cracker Barrel Fried Apples in the fall! When you make them at home you can enjoy them even more.
Love Cracker Barrel? Check out these copycat recipes!
- Broccoli and Cheddar Chicken
- Hash Brown Casserole Cracker Barrel
- Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Ritz Crackers
- Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad
- Cherry Chocolate Cobbler
- Coca Cola Cake Cracker Barrel
- Cracker Barrel Southern Fried Chicken
Here are a few more easy apple recipes your family will love!
- Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
- Low Sugar Apple Pie
- Apple Pie made with Ritz Crackers
- Apple Cider Pork Roast
- Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
- Best Apple Crisp
- Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
Be sure to take a look at my all-time favorite fall recipes and the best Cracker Barrel copycat recipes.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup bacon drippings, or 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
- 6 tart apples peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt bacon drippings or butter.
- Spread the apples evenly over the skillet bottom.
- Sprinkle lemon juice over the apples, followed by the brown sugar and salt.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, until apples are tender and juicy.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg and serve.
- You can add a squeeze of lemon at the finish for enhanced flavor, this is optional.
John Fuller
For an adult kick in this recipe put some Sailor Jerry’s Spice Rum in a small atomizer
then spray lightly over the finished product. Yummy.
Stephanie Manley
I like how you think!
John Fuller
When I saw the heading I thought that I would be seeing something special. Most of you
Millenials and GenXs would not know that this recipe was one of my favourites made by
my mother and grandmother back in the 1950s. I think the restaurants stole this from my
ancestors. I have this recipe in an old cookbook of Betty Crocker’s dated 1961.
Stephanie Manley
I don’t think Cracker Barrel is known for modern innovative recipes. They try to recapture your Grandmother’s cooking.
Felicia
The cracker barrels fried apples come in a #10 can. They are not made at the restaurants. I worked there I know.
Kris
where can this be bought?
Katie
What kinda apples are the best to use?
Stephanie
I like to use a combo of apples, generally a granny smith or two, some galas, or whatever is on sale.
camellia nolen
Cracker Barrel apples are not peeled and are thicker sliced than pictured in this copy kat recipe.
Bill
To kick it up a notch, when the apples are almost done cooking, add a half teaspoon of vanilla! Delish!
Stephanie
I would give that a try.
N.C.M.
CRACKER BARREL’S correct Recipe has “NO” Sugar of any kind in it! I know this because I have, and I told them, “diabetes.” That is when I was told. “No sugar of any kind is added. Only the natural sugar that is in the apples.”
Christina
They have jarred fried apples in the store that are advertised as being the same recipe as in the restaurant, sugar is the second ingredient listed. I love them, but they are not sugar free by any means.
Diane
Can you can these?
Samantha Gallegos
Canning perseveres anything. Just jar them and seal them as you would jam
Kris Cecala
How can you store these? Can this be frozen?
Stephanie
You could store these in the refrigerator for 4 or 5 days.
John Fuller
Why store them? Just eat them and make some more as needed. Easy to do.
Ozark Lady
Is there a printed copy of the recipes somewhere? I cannot follow videos due to my vision problems.
Stephanie
Yes, there it is on this page, it is in the blue section of the page that is in the middle. Hope this helps.
Bob
Thank you for your recipe. I made this recipe for my daughter as the Cracker Barrel fried apples is her favorite. I am not sure what I did wrong but it left a bitter after taste in our mouths. Do you think I might have used too much nutmeg or maybe the cinnamon was too old? As you can tell, I am not an experienced cook and would like to try it again but not sure what went wrong.
Wanda Nelson
Yes you probably put to much cinnamon in it
As I was told by my mom when I was being taught how to cook different dishes not to use too much cinnamon. Because it will make your dishes bitter. Also watch the amount of nutmeg also.
Grammie
It may be a matter of when you added the cinnamon. I read that cooking makes it bitter, so now in many recipes I try to add it when serving,
Terry
This is a great basic recipe that can be changed to suit your tastes- I used super juicy tart apples so added a little more brown sugar, some cardamon, nutmeg, a little cornstarch to thicken the juices and just for an extra special a tablespoon of honey jack-no leftovers!