
Fried Apples Recipe
These old-school fried apples are one of the easiest desserts you can make with only four everyday ingredients. These softened apples are flavorful and cooked perfectly in butter and cinnamon.
They’re sweet and buttery and absolutely delightful to have as a dessert to complete dinner or as an afternoon tea dessert.

Why This Recipe Works?
It’s a fail-proof dessert recipe that everyone can make without much effort. After the first taste it will soon become your favorite on the dessert list.
Fried apples are great to serve in many different ways. You may enjoy them with ice cream on top as a classic diner dessert or serve them as topping for waffles and pancakes. They truly make the best breakfast or brunch ever.
These fried apples store last in the freezer for up to 5 months. You may make a large batch and freeze them for future use.
Recipe Ingredients
Only four simple ingredients for guaranteed success:
- Unsalted butter
- Red apples
- White sugar
- Ground cinnamon
White sugar and brown sugar are interchangeable for this recipe. You may also use half white sugar and half brown sugar if desired.

How To Make Fried Apples Recipe?
First, melt the butter in a medium dutch oven or a cast-iron skillet on medium heat. Add apple slices and 1/2 cup of the sugar, stir well. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on medium-low heat for 15 minutes until the apples are softened. Stir occasionally to prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom.

Add the remaining sugar and cinnamon, constantly stir and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes over medium-high heat.
Serve immediately with ice cream or as a topping for waffles or pancakes.
Cook’s Tips
- Pick large, red apples for the best sweet and tart taste.
- Cook the apples without peeling them to keep them firm yet tender after frying. People also believe eating apples with the skin is more nutritional and better.
- Serve immediately with more cinnamon on top, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions
Choose tart and firm apples for frying and baking such as Fuji, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith.
Once the fried apples are completely cool, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
You may also keep them in the freezer for up to 5 months.
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This recipe has 330 calories per serving.

Fried Apples
Easy Fried Apples are quick and absolutely delicious. Serve with ice cream or as a dessert or brunch topping that no one can resist. It's ready in under 30 minutes and stores beautifully in the freezer so make a large batch!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 red apples unpeeled and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup white sugar divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Directions
-
1
Melt the butter in a medium dutch oven or a cast-iron skillet on medium heat. Add apple slices and 1/2 cup of the sugar, stir well.
-
2
Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on medium-low heat for 15 minutes until the apples are softened. Stir occasionally to prevent the apples from sticking to the bottom.
-
3
Add the remaining sugar and cinnamon, stir constantly, and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes over medium-high heat.
-
4
Serve immediately with ice cream or as a topping for waffles or pancakes.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Recipe resource: Taste of Home
Tips:
Best
Hi Bee,
Would this work with pears please.
John M (in the UK)
Sure!
If storing (fridge or freezer), what is the best way to reheat them later without destroying their taste and texture – microwave, air-fryer, saucepan?
Microwave is always the easiest.