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Fried Apples

A quick and delicious stovetop treat, Fried Apples are a comforting sweet dish, perfect for dessert or breakfast, combining tender apples with buttery, sugary goodness and warm spices.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 medium apples, peeled if desired, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick Firm apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Braeburn work best.
  • 3 tablespoons butter, salted or unsalted Butter makes the sauce rich and velvety.
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar Adjust according to taste and the sweetness of the apples.
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar Adds caramel depth.
  • 1 to 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon Provides cozy flavor.
  • pinch nutmeg or allspice Optional but adds lovely flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla Stir in at the end so it doesn’t burn.
  • small pinch salt Enhances sweetness.
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice Balances and brightens the flavor.
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water Add as needed to help loosen the sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch Optional for a thicker sauce; mix with 1 tablespoon cold water.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Peel the apples if you want a softer texture or leave the skins on for color and additional chew. Slice the apples evenly into 1/4 inch thick pieces.
Cooking
  1. Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
  2. Add the sliced apples into the skillet and stir to coat them with butter.
  3. Sprinkle in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg, stirring gently.
  4. Cook for 6 to 10 minutes, stirring gently to ensure even cooking until the apples are tender and the sauce is glossy.
  5. If the pan looks dry, add 1 tablespoon of water as needed.
  6. For a thicker sauce, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry and stir it in during the last minute of cooking.
  7. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla and lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired.

Notes

Fried apples are best served warm. They pair wonderfully with breakfast items like pancakes, oatmeal, and yogurt, or as a dessert with ice cream. These can also be customized with raisins, chopped nuts, or made dairy-free using coconut oil.