By: Jill Mills Updated: Nov 3, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These Southern Fried Apples are warmly spiced, tender, and coated in a yummy brown sugar syrup. Serve with ice cream, as a pancake topping, or with pork for a sweet and savory option.

A bowl of Southern fried apples with ice cream and caramel

These Southern Fried Apples are similar to my baked apples but, as you probably guess from the name, are “fried” on the stovetop instead of baking. They cook in a buttery sugar mixture, which eventually turns into a delightful syrup, until tender. Perfect for drizzling over ice cream! I love that these can be made anytime without turning the oven on!

Why I Love This Southern Fried Apples Recipe

Quick & easy. These Southern fried apples come together in under 30 minutes. The only prep is peeling and slicing the apples!
Sweet or savory. Most people think of fried apples for dessert and I concur. However, these can also be served as part of a savory dinner dish! I love to serve them with pork for a sweet-savory dinner.
Warm flavor. These apples taste a lot like apple pie filling, without the work of apple pie. The sugar creates a thick syrup with lots of flavor from the spices. It all pairs perfectly with tart Granny Smith apples!

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make Southern fried apples

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of the handful of ingredients needed to make this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Apples – I like to use tart Granny Smith apples to balance out the sweet flavors in the dish. However, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or any other firm apple variety works too. You can also use a mix for a variety in flavor.
Butter – I used unsalted butter and added a pinch of sea salt later.
Sugar – Equal parts granulated sugar and brown sugar sweeten the apples and create the caramelized sauce texture.
Spices – Ground cinnamon and nutmeg add warm fall flavors to the apples.
Sea salt – A pinch of sea salt helps enhance the flavor of the dish and balance the sweetness.

How To Make Southern Fried Apples

These apples are so easy to make, with just one skillet and a bowl. The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Cook the apples. Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and slicing them into equal-sized pieces. Melt the butter over low heat, then add the apples. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. They should be softened but not mushy.
Add the sugar mixture. Combine the sugar and spices in a small bowl. Add to the apples and stir to coat.
Continue cooking. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the sugar turns into a syrupy sauce. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Enjoy. Remove the apples from the heat. Let cool slightly. Serve as desired.

Southern Fried Apples on a plate with ice cream

Recipe Tips & Variations

Here are a few general tips for making Southern fried apples, as well as ways to customize the recipe.

Mix-in ideas. Add a handful of raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped pecans for extra texture and flavor.
Use firm apples. While I typically default to Granny Smith apples for sweet dishes, other apples work. Just be sure to use a firm apple variety that won’t turn to mush when cooked.
Don’t overcook the apples. When cooking the apples in the first step, they should be softened but not mushy. Cooking them for too long results in mushy apples, even when starting with a firm apple variety.
Adjust the flavor. Adjust the cinnamon and nutmeg to taste, or add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice for a different flavor profile.

Spooning syrup over a plate of Southern fried apples with ice cream

Ways To Serve Them

There are lots of ways to serve Southern fried apples!

For dessert, enjoy them warm, topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of granola for added crunch.

They also make a great topping on pancakes or waffles for breakfast. They could also work in a yogurt or smoothie bowl in the morning.

I also love to serve them with pork chops for a savory-sweet combination.

Proper Storage

Fridge. Store leftover fried apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat. Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

No ratings yet