Make Cracker Barrel’s fried apples at home with this quick, easy copycat recipe. It delivers the same comforting, Southern-style flavor you expect from the restaurant.
Cracker Barrel is a favorite roadside stop for us. Whenever we spot one on a trip, we can’t help but think of their warm, homestyle sides — and their fried apples are at the top of the list.
These apples bring back memories of my mom’s Sunday dinners. They’re sweet, tender but not mushy, and spiced just right — perfect alongside pork chops or served on their own.
With the holidays approaching I experimented to get a reliable copycat version for Thanksgiving. After a few test runs, this recipe hits the mark: tender apple slices coated in buttery cinnamon-sugar, finished with a glossy apple cider glaze.
I especially like serving these with pork chops, though they’re equally good spooned over oatmeal or pancakes the next morning.
Ingredients
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Golden Delicious apples (about 2 lbs), cored and sliced 1/2″
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2 1/2 tablespoons butter
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1/4 cup white sugar
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
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3/4 tablespoon cornstarch
Many recreations of Cracker Barrel’s fried apples use Golden Delicious apples for their balanced sweetness and tender texture. If you prefer a firmer apple that holds its shape, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady are good alternatives. The key is choosing apples that will soften but not disintegrate during cooking.
A large cast-iron skillet works wonderfully for this recipe, but a roomy nonstick skillet will also do the job.
Other Copycat Recipes
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Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme
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Copycat Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte
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Copycat Wendy’s Chili (Instant Pot)
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Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla
Other Side Dish Recipes
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Instant Pot Twice Baked Potato Casserole
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Secret Ingredient Sweet Potatoes
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Holiday Cranberry Compote
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup White Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 lbs Golden Delicious Apples, cored and cut into 1/2″ slices (use an apple cutter to make this easy)
- 1/2 Cup Apple Cider or Apple Juice
- 3/4 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Instructions
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1. In a small bowl, whisk together the white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
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2. Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet. Add the sliced apples and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over them. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 12 minutes until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. Remove the apples from the pan and set aside.
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3. In a small cup, whisk the apple cider and cornstarch until smooth. Pour the mixture into the hot skillet and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Return the apples to the skillet, stir gently to coat, then serve immediately.