Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Learn how to make fried apples that taste even better than the ones served at Cracker Barrel! Butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg are cooked in a skillet or in a crock pot with Granny Smith apples to create this mouthwatering treat.
Servings: 3 ½ cups
Calories: 291kcal
Ingredients
- 4 large firm baking apples Granny Smith or Golden Delicious
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Rinse the apples, then peel, quarter, and core them with a sharp knife. Cut into thin slices, then toss with lemon juice so they don't turn brown.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly. Stir in the slices to coat with butter, and cook until the juices have thickened slightly and they are beginning to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Add the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and stir well. Turn the heat down to medium and cook until the slices are fork tender. Be careful not to overcook.
- If the juices haven't thickened to your liking, remove the fried apple slices with a slotted spoon and whisk the cornstarch with a little water. Add the slurry to the sauce and simmer until thickened. Gently stir the slices into the thickened sauce.
- Taste and adjust the spices as desired. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream for dessert, or with pork chops for a sweet and savory twist.
- Crock Pot Method: Combine all the ingredients, including the cornstarch, in a slow cooker and cook on high for 1 ½ hours, or until the apples are tender. Check after 1 hour.
Notes
- Tart baking apples, such as Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, are the best choice. You can also try Cortland, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonathan apples.
- Peel the fruit to improve the texture and to make them easier to eat. For an exact Cracker Barrel copycat, leave the peels on.
- Slice them the same thickness to ensure the fruit cooks evenly.
- Measure the salt accurately. Otherwise, there will be too much liquid, and it won't thicken properly.
- Overcooking fried apples will make them turn to mush.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 464IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
