5 from 2 votes

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

This southern recipe is so much better than canned and tastes like the pan fried apples from Cracker Barrel. Each bite is tender, sweet and addicting! Serve these Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples for breakfast, a side dish or dessert.

Fried apples in a skillet with a serving spoon.


If you are a fan of Cracker Barrel restaurants, you needed to try this copycat recipe. It is crazy delicious and perfect with just about everything.

My dad and I have gone to Cracker Barrel several times on our trips to New York City. He says it’s his favorite restaurant and that he’s never not had a good meal from there. I’ve been craving their fried apples recipe since my last trip and now I just make it at home. I don’t live close to any Cracker Barrel restaurants sadly.

This is the perfect recipe for apple season. I love using apples in a dessert recipe. This dish also makes a delicious side dish, too! Who doesn’t want to add a little sweet treat to their dinner plate. I’ll never complain.

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    Who knows maybe this fried apple recipe will become a family favorite in your home as well. It’s one of those recipes you don’t forget too easily!

    Meal planning binder image.

    Why You’ll Love Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

    • A delicious treat for dessert or a sweet afternoon snack
    • Makes a yummy side dish on your family’s dinner table
    • Great recipe to use your abundance of tart apples
    • Bring one of Crackers Barrel’s favorite menu items to the convenience comfort of your own home
    • Made with a handful of ingredients readily available at the grocery store
    • Perfect fall comfort food

    Ingredients

    • Salted butter
    • Granulated sugar
    • Light brown sugar
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Golden Delicious apples – Peel and core the apples and cut into 1/2 inch slices.
    • Apple juice
    • Cornstarch

    The full printable recipe card can be found at the bottom of this post.

    Ingredients to make copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples.

    How to Make Cracker Barrel Fried Apples 

    • Step One: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter, sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir constantly until the butter and sugars are melted.
    Steps to make Cracker Barrel Fried Apples.
    • Step Two: Add the apples and coat them in the mixture. Place a lid on the pan and bring it to a simmer. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until tender-crisp. Gently stir every few minutes to not break up the apples.
    Steps to make Cracker Barrel Fried Apples.
    • Step Three: In a bowl, mix together the apple juice and cornstarch. Slowly stream this into the simmering apples, stirring constantly. Cook for one minute until thickened and serve immediately.
    Steps to make Cracker Barrel Fried Apples.

    Equipment Needed

    This post contains affiliate links.

    What to Serve with Cracker Barrel Apples

    Fried apples served on pancakes on a plate.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Use apple cider in place of the apple juice. DO NOT USE apple cider vinegar! 
    • If you can’t find Golden Delicious apples, you can use Granny Smith apples instead. Some other options are Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gala or Fuji. Use a baking apple.
    • Try using dark brown sugar or using all brown sugar instead of adding in the white sugar. 
    • Love cinnamon? Add up to 1 tablespoon if you wish.
    • Include a few other spices like ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground allspice. You can also include just apple pie spice.

    Storage Instructions

    Store any leftover fried apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

    You can also freeze this recipe. Store in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Fried apples on pancakes on a plate.

    Do I Have to Peel the Apples?

    If you don’t want to peel the apples, you don’t have to. You can still make this recipe with unpeeled apples. 

    Cracker Barrel peels their apples so that’s why we do it for this recipe.

    What Does It Taste Like?

    Close your eyes and take a bite and you’ll feel like you are back at Cracker Barrel! 

    The apples have some texture to them and are not mushy. They have the same scrumptious sweetness and light cinnamon flavor just like the original. 

    Do You Serve Fried Apples Warm or Cold?

    You can serve them both ways! I prefer them warm, but I’ve also tried them cold and enjoyed them. I love putting them on top of pancakes while they are still warm.

    Fried apples served on top of pancakes.

    What are the Best Apples to Use?

    I recommend using baking apples. I like Golden Delicious apples, but know that they can be hard to find sometimes. 

    Other types of apples you can use include:

    • Granny Smith
    • Honeycrisp
    • Braeburn
    • Gala 
    • Fuji
    • Pink Lady

    How to Thicken Cooked Apples

    I make a cornstarch slurry to thicken the apples. Usually a slurry is made by mixing together water and cornstarch, but in this recipe, I use apple juice instead of water.

    A fork with fried apples on it.

    Apple Recipes

    Try Big Mac Sauce, Copycat Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich, Copycat McDonald’s Sausage Egg McMuffins, Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls, Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich and Copycat Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter.

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

    5 from 2 votes

    Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 6
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    This southern recipe is so much better than canned and tastes like the pan fried apples from Cracker Barrel. Each bite is tender, sweet and addicting! Serve for breakfast, a side dish or dessert.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 tbsp salted butter
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 2 ½ lb Golden Delicious apples peeled, cored, cut into ½ inch slices
    • ½ cup apple juice
    • 1.33 tbsp cornstarch*

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter, sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir constantly until the butter and sugars are melted.
    • Add the apples and coat them in the mixture. Place a lid on the pan and bring it to a simmer. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until tender-crisp. Gently stir every few minutes to not break up the apples.
    • In a bowl, mix together the apple juice and cornstarch. Slowly stream this into the simmering apples, stirring constantly. Cook for one minute until thickened and serve immediately.

    Notes

    Use 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 336IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Keyword copycat recipes, fried apples, pineapples

    Did you make this recipe?

    I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

    Want Even More Recipes?

    Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.


    The Best of Simply Stacie ebook cover.

    free ebook!

    The Best of Simply Stacie

    When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    One Comment

    1. Bertha Tipton says:

      5 stars
      I loved these Apples. Will make again.

    Similar Posts