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The Ultimate Tested Recipe for Authentic Southern Fried Apples

A cast iron skillet filled with golden-brown Southern Fried Apples coated in buttery caramel sauce.

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This tested, easy-to-follow recipe for authentic Southern Fried Apples delivers a perfect tender texture and a rich, buttery caramelized sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

4 medium firm apples (Fuji or Gala preferred), peeled, cored, and sliced

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons water or apple juice

Instructions

1. Peel, core, and slice apples uniformly (1/4 to 1/2 inch thick). In a small bowl, combine both sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

2. Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Add the apple slices and sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring gently, until they begin to soften.

3. Sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture evenly over the apples. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sugar will dissolve and form a syrup.

4. Stir in 2 tablespoons of water or apple juice. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2-4 more minutes until the Southern Fried Apples are fork-tender. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Use firm apples like Fuji or Gala to prevent them from turning mushy.

Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary to ensure the apples sauté properly instead of steaming.

Serve warm with ice cream, or as a side to roasted meats.

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