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Cinnamon Fried Apples

Cinnamon fried apples with tender slices and a glossy cinnamon-brown sugar sauce made in a skillet. Quick simmering thickens the syrup into a spoon-coating glaze for a warm Southern side dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apples
  • 6 firm apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith) cored and sliced
Cinnamon-brown sugar sauce
  • 0.25 cup butter melt for cooking
  • 0.33 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the apples
  1. Melt butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat until it’s fully melted and shimmering.
  2. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then stir to coat each slice.
  3. Cover and cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just tender.
Thicken into a glossy syrup
  1. Whisk cornstarch with water, then pour the slurry into the skillet.
  2. Simmer 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
  3. Stir in vanilla, then serve the cinnamon fried apples warm.

Notes

For the best sauce, keep the heat at medium and stir only occasionally during the covered cook so the apples soften without breaking apart. Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until hot. Freezing is not recommended because the apples can become softer after thawing. If you want a dairy-free option, use a plant-based butter in the same amount.