Go Back

Cinnamon Fried Apples

Cinnamon fried apples are tender apple slices coated in a glossy cinnamon-brown sugar sauce, simmered until thick and shiny. Quick skillet cooking brings out a warm, spiced aroma with a spoonable texture.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cinnamon Fried Apples
  • 6 apples Firm apples, cored and sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith).
  • 0.25 cup butter
  • 0.33 cup brown sugar Packed brown sugar.
  • 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.06 tsp salt Pinch of salt.
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Fry the apples
  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it looks foamy and just starting to sizzle.
  2. Add the apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then stir to fully coat the slices with spice syrup.
  3. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just tender and you can pierce them with a fork.
Thicken and finish
  1. Whisk the cornstarch with the water until smooth, then pour it into the skillet while stirring.
  2. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy, coating the spoon in a light sheen.
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract and serve warm.

Notes

For even tenderness, slice the apples to a similar thickness so the batch cooks uniformly. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water if the sauce tightens. Freezing is not recommended because the apples can soften too much after thawing. For a dairy-free swap, use the same amount of a plant-based butter substitute instead of butter.