Description
This easy recipe for fried apples transforms simple ingredients into a glowing, cinnamon-red gloss delight, perfect for weeknights or cozy desserts. It’s a comforting family favorite with tender apples and a rich, flavorful syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 medium (1.5 lbs / 680 g) firm, sweet-tart apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji)
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
- 0.25 cup (50 g) light brown sugar (or coconut sugar or granulated sugar substitute for low-carb)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A tiny pinch ground nutmeg
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) water or apple juice
- (Optional) 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- (Optional) A tiny pinch of ground cloves or allspice
- (Optional) 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Wash, peel, core, and slice 4-5 medium apples evenly into 0.5-inch (1.25 cm) thick wedges.
- Melt Butter: In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, melt 2 tablespoons (30g) of unsalted butter over medium heat until it shimmers, about 1-2 minutes.
- Cook Apples: Add the sliced apples to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften slightly and turn translucent around the edges. (Optionally cover for a minute or two to speed softening).
- Sweeten and Spice: Sprinkle 0.25 cup (50g) brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of nutmeg over the apples. Stir gently to coat them completely. Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes until the sugar dissolves and creates a fragrant, thickening sauce.
- Create the Gloss: Pour in 0.25 cup (60ml) water or apple juice. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the apples are fully tender and the sauce has reduced to a beautiful, cinnamon-red gloss, clinging to each apple slice. (If sauce is too thin, simmer an extra minute; if too thick, add a tablespoon of water).
Notes
Uniformly slice apples to ensure even cooking. If the sauce seems too thin, simmer for an extra minute; if it looks too thick, add a tablespoon of water. For a low-carb option, use a granulated sugar substitute. Consider covering the skillet briefly during initial apple cooking to speed up softening.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4-1/3 of recipe (approx. 150 g)
- Calories: 210 calories
- Sugar: 31 g
- Sodium: 8 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
Keywords: fried apples, cinnamon apples, easy dessert, skillet recipe, comforting, fruit dessert, quick, stovetop, apple harvest