Tender, sweet, sliced apples that are cooked to perfection in a sauce that is rich, buttery, and fragrant with warm, fall spices. These old fashioned fried apples are just like grandma made.
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I like to serve them with Herb Roasted Pork Loin and Sauteed Haricots Vert. I also love serving them for brunch on top of Belgian Waffles with a dollop of whipped cream.
Fried apples feel like the start of Autumn. They’re so delicious as a side dish beside pork or chicken dishes, for breakfast on biscuits or pancakes, or as a dessert with ice cream.
WHAT APPLES ARE THE BEST FOR THIS RECIPE?
You will want to use a crisp apple that will hold up to the heat and not get mushy. I like using Granny Smith apples because they’re so tart and crisp. They hold their shape very well.
Fuji apples and Pink Lady apples also work very well.
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
- Don’t peel your apples. The skin will help keep the shape of the apple slices while they fry.
- Try to slice the apples in a consistent size so that they cook evenly. I like using either a mandoline slicer or a food processor.
- Use real butter, not margarine or lard. A lot of Southern cooks swear by lard, but butter really adds a richness to the sauce.
- Apple cider provides the most flavor, but apple juice will also work.
- Fresh lemon zest is worth the extra effort. It adds a freshness to the apples that’s delicious.
- Use the end of a sharp paring knife to test for doneness. A fork will split the slice.
- Finish your sauce with butter. It makes the sauce shiny and pretty and mellows all the spices together.
OLD FASHIONED FRIED APPLES
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Description
Old Fashioned Fried Apples are the warm, sweet side dish that you remember grandma making. This dish is a great side dish with pork or chicken, a sweet part of a brunch or is also delicious as a dessert served with ice cream.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
4 medium Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored, and sliced into slices
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon apple pie spice
½ cup apple cider
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons butter, room temperature
Instructions
In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add the sliced apples granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon zest, salt, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Use a spatula to toss the dry ingredients into the apples until all of the slices are well coated.
Cover the skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until tender.
Spoon the apples into a large bowl and cover to keep warm.
In a small bowl or ramekin, stir together the apple cider and cornstarch.
Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and cook, whisking constantly for about a minute until thickened. Add the 2 teaspoons of butter to the sauce and whisk until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Pour over the apples. Gently fold the sauce into the apples.
Serve warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Fry
- Cuisine: Vintage
Keywords: old fashioned fried apples, apple recipes, side dish, brunch recipes, desserts, vintage recipes, old fashioned recipes
