Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
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Cracker Barrel’s fried apples are a yummy treat you can make at home. You can whip up this tasty dish in just 45 minutes with only a few simple ingredients. The recipe uses golden delicious apples, butter, brown sugar, and spices to create a sweet and warm side dish or dessert.
This easy recipe is perfect for fall or any time you want a cozy, comforting snack. You’ll love how your kitchen smells as the apples cook with cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a great way to use up extra apples and enjoy a restaurant-style treat without leaving your house.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make delicious Cracker Barrel-style fried apples:
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 golden delicious apples
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
For the apples, make sure to core them and cut them into 1/4-inch slices. This size works best for frying and helps the apples cook evenly.
You might want to have a little extra lemon juice on hand. You can add more at the end if you’d like a brighter, tangier flavor.
The recipe serves 8 people and has about 78 calories per serving. It takes about 20 minutes to cook and 45 minutes total from start to finish.
Remember, you can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar to suit your taste. The cinnamon and nutmeg give the apples a warm, cozy flavor that’s perfect for cool days.
Instructions
Start by melting 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. While the butter melts, core and slice 4 golden delicious apples into 1/4-inch slices.
Once the butter has melted, spread the apple slices evenly across the bottom of the skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt over the apples.
Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let the apples cook for about 15 minutes, until they become tender and juicy.
After 15 minutes, remove the lid and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground nutmeg over the apples. If you’d like, you can add a bit more lemon juice for extra tang.
Give the apples a gentle stir to coat them evenly with the spices. Your fried apples are now ready to serve! They’ll be warm, sweet, and full of comforting fall flavors.
This recipe makes 8 servings, with each serving containing about 78 calories. From start to finish, it takes about 45 minutes to make these delicious Cracker Barrel-style fried apples.
Possible Substitutes List
You can easily swap out ingredients in this Cracker Barrel Fried Apples recipe. Here are some tasty options:
Apples:
• Granny Smith – for a tart flavor
• Honeycrisp – for extra sweetness
• Gala – for a mild taste
Butter:
• Coconut oil – for a tropical twist
• Margarine – for a dairy-free version
Brown Sugar:
• Maple syrup – for a rich flavor
• Honey – for a natural sweetener
• White sugar – in a pinch
Spices:
• Apple pie spice – instead of cinnamon and nutmeg
• Pumpkin pie spice – for a fall twist
Lemon Juice:
• Orange juice – for a different citrus kick
• Apple cider vinegar – for extra tang
You can also add extras like:
• Chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
• Raisins or dried cranberries
• A splash of vanilla extract
Try these swaps to make the recipe your own. Mix and match to find your favorite combo!
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make Cracker Barrel Fried Apples more diabetes-friendly, you can try these simple tweaks:
Use less sugar. Cut the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons instead of 1/4 cup. This reduces carbs while keeping some sweetness.
Pick a sugar substitute. Try a natural zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit to replace some or all of the sugar.
Go easy on butter. Use just 2 tablespoons of butter to lower the fat and calories.
Add fiber. Leave the apple peels on for extra fiber, which helps slow sugar absorption.
Try these diabetes-friendly swaps:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 unpeeled apples, sliced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or substitute
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
Cook as directed, but watch closely since less butter may cause faster browning. The result is a lighter version with about half the carbs and calories of the original recipe.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor. They hold up well during cooking and balance the sweetness.
To prevent browning, toss your sliced apples in lemon juice before cooking. This keeps them looking fresh and adds a nice zing.
Don’t overcook the apples. You want them tender but still holding their shape. Test with a fork after about 12 minutes.
For extra richness, try using salted butter instead of unsalted. The hint of salt enhances the other flavors.
Experiment with spices! A dash of cardamom or ginger can add interesting new flavors to your fried apples.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan or microwave before serving.
Freeze your fried apples for longer storage. Let them cool completely, then place in freezer bags. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Try serving your fried apples warm over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a delicious dessert. They’re also great on pancakes or waffles!