How Long Until Fried Apples Soften?
The time it takes to fry the apples will vary depending on how large the apple slices are and what variety of apples you’re using. Generally they’ll be done in 10-15 minutes. Using a lid does quicken the process a bit, especially if you’re cooking a large batch of apples. I’ve found Honeycrisp apples take the longest to cook. Cutting apples smaller does help. Traditional apple cutters cut apples into 8 thick wedges. I prefer this 16-slice apple cutter personally.
Brown Sugar Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 6 cups 5 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup Butter
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 ½ tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch or Flour
Instructions
- Prep: Begin by peeling, core, and slice the apples. Then, place the sliced apples into a medium bowl and squeeze a bit of the lemon juice over the apple slices to prevent them from browning.
- Frying: In a large saucepan or cast iron pan, melt the butter over medium heat. After the butter is melted, pour the apple slices to the pan. Proceed to sauté over medium high heat until the apples begin to soften (about 5 minutes). You will notice a slight change in color from crisp white/green to a creamy white/yellow.
- Then, add in the sugar and cinnamon into the apple mixture. Feel free to add a dash of nutmeg if you'd like! Continue cooking the apples until the sugar dissolves into the butter and it forms a sauce. Next, sprinkle the flour or cornstarch over the apples and stir to combine, continue cooking over low heat until the sauce thickens. If you would like more sauce, stir in ¼-½ cup of water and continue cooking to thicken the additional sauce.
- Alternately, you can create a cornstarch slurry instead by stirring together 1 TBSP cornstarch with 3 TBSP cold water. Stir into the apples; sauce will thicken as it heats. Served immediately and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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What Pan is Best for Fried Apples?
I like to use a cast iron skillet to make fried apples on the stove. It retains heat well which means the apples cook evenly. A regular black cast iron skillet will sear the apples more, resulting in darker brown edges that have a wonderful rich, buttery taste. Enameled cast iron pans heat more evenly and will not leave brown edges. I like both! The pan I use just depends on how large a batch I’m doing. You can also use stainless steel or a ceramic large skillet. Just make sure the pan has a lid as it does make the process faster.
Warm Spices for CINNAMON APPLES
You can fry apples in butter and not add anything else, but I love adding spices like cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg. The flavors blend well together and taste so good! Using apple pie spice is also a good option. I also like the sweet syrup the spices create. Drizzle it on top of the apples just before serving to add a lovely flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of spices as you’d like, but don’t go overboard so that the delicious flavor from the luscious apples shines through!
How to Use Fried Apples?
Skillet fried cinnamon apples can also be used in a variety of ways. They are the perfect filling for traditional apple pie or hand pies. You can cook them further to yield fresh apple sauce. You can use them as topping at breakfast on pancakes, waffles or oatmeal. Serve them alongside a buttery pound cake drizzled with a sticky caramel sauce. They make an amazing dessert served over vanilla bean ice cream or warm homemade custard. Or serve them as a simple side dish at any meal.
More easy recipes with apples:
- SNICKERDOODLE APPLE PIE
- APPLE BANANA BREAD
- PUFF PASTRY APPLE TURNOVERS
- APPLE CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD
- BEST SNICKERDOODLE APPLE COBBLER
- APPLE DUMP CAKE
- MINI APPLE PIES
- CARAMEL APPLE POKE CAKE
- APPLE PIE BARS
- CARAMEL APPLE BREAD
Brown Sugar Fried Apples are easy to make using crisp apples, melted butter, warm cinnamon and sweet brown sugar! These delightful fried apples are delicious served as a side dish or for dessert, no matter the time of day these are simply amazing!
Ann says
Yes! I just did! I love it. I love fried apples 🍏
Nicole says
Yay so glad you loved it!
Terry says
Hey Jessica! Looks like a great recipe, & I appreciate that you’ve listed numerous ways to use them, but…you haven’t said anything about how to store the leftovers, and for how long they’ll keep. Help, please!
Jessica says
Wait- leftovers?! We never have leftovers of fried apples! LOL! They’ll keep in an airtight container for up to a week. : )
Terry says
Thanks so much! Now alone in the house, so leftovers are always a possibility, for some things that aren’t easily shareable.
Jessica says
I get it. 😉 The good thing is, the apples save well and are wonderful on oatmeal in the morning.
Nancy says
I just served these over oatmeal pancakes. Yum!
Jessica says
Oh that sounds wonderful Nancy!!
BarbBarb says
Looks like a fantastic recipe! If I wanted ro have filling in the freezer to make hand pies later, would it be better to just slice and freeze the apples, or should I make the recipe and freeze it?
Jessica says
I’d freeze the apple filling, then thaw and make into hand pies later on.