Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
17 Comments May 02, 2022
Updated May 24, 2025
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Copycat cracker barrel fried apples are a unique side dish or dessert; they are perfectly seasoned, buttery cooked apples you can’t get enough of.
Do you need a recipe for a potluck or barbecue? Bring a pot of baked beans and also a pot of these fried apples for the best side dishes you can make!
Southern Fried apples aren’t necessarily fried; the apples are cooked in the oven or slow cooker along with butter and plenty of brown sugar, maple syrup, and spices.
You can find fried apples on the menu at Cracker Barrel Restaurant as a side dish. I love them so much and am happy I can make a fresh batch at home in my crockpot any time I want. If it’s apple season and you have a large batch of apples, this is your recipe!
Key Ingredients
Here are the fresh ingredients to make these apples.
- Apples – I use gala, but for this recipe you can use any you like or have on hand. Just don’t use old mealy apples for it will ruin the recipe.
- Seasonings – The flavorings for crock pot fried apples are cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. A touch of lemon juice will keep the apples from browning and add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Butter – Melted salted butter will give the apples a fried flavor.
- Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and a caramelized flavor to the slow cooker fried apples recipe.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the apples, so they have a nice texture. You don’t want soupy apples.
How to make Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
See how to make these apples in three easy steps.
Step One – Peel, core, and slice your apples into wedges. Add the sliced apples to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the cornstarch and sprinkle over the lemon juice. Toss this together. There will be a milky liquid at the bottom; this is ok.
Step Two – Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and melted butter.
Step Three – Stir and cook on HIGH for two hours. Stir the apples at the halfway point.
Ways to Serve Fried Apples
You can serve these for all three courses. See how we do it:
- Breakfast – Serve the crockpot fried apples on the side of breakfast for a fruit side or spoon over pancakes or waffles and top with whipped cream. Another idea is to serve a bowl of the apples with a sprinkling of granola for a healthier breakfast.
- Dinner – Great alongside ham, pork loin, or pork chops! Try a little of the cinnamon fried apples with every bite of pork.
- Dessert – It’s like an apple crisp without the topping! Serve warm right out of the slow cooker and top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with caramel for an extra flavor punch.
Variations
You can add these additions and make the recipe your own!
- Raisins – Add a 1/4 cup of regular raisins or golden raisins at the beginning of the cooking time. The raisins will become plump while cooking.
- Cardamon – If you have ever tried cardamom spice, then you know how well it goes in fall-flavored dishes. Try this fried apple recipe with a 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom.
- Pecans – Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans for added texture and flavor to the slow cooker fried apples.
Featured Comment
“It’s better than cracker barrel actually.”
– mary
Fried Apples Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 6 medium size apples (I use gala), peeled, cored and cut into wedges.
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 3 tsp. lemon juice
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 tsp. pure maple syrup, can use pancake syrup
- 1/4 cup salted melted butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel apples and cut into wedges. I used an apple corer & slicer.
- NOTE: I am a slow apple peeler, so what I like to do is fill a bowl of cold water, I even add some ice cubes in it, once I am done peeling and cutting into wedges I put them in the water, submerged. This way they don’t have time to turn brown before I put them in my slow cooker.
- Place the apple pieces into the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch and the lemon juice. Mix until all apples are coated. You will have a milky liquid in the bottom, and it is ok.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the maple syrup, melted butter and vanilla.
- Mix until all apples are coated with the sugar/spices.
- Cook on High for 2 hours. Stir halfway, gently. Check your apples for doneness they should be soft, cook for an additional 30 minutes if needed.
- Once the apples are cooked, gently mix.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Warm and cozy Slow Cooker Apple Butter is perfect for spreading on toast or pairing with savory dishes like Apple Butter Pork Chops.
For a sweet treat, try Slow Cooker Baked Apples, Fireball Apples, or Red Hot Apples—each one brings a fun twist to classic cooked apples.
And if you’re craving a hearty main dish, Pork Chops and Apples is always a comforting favorite.
These apples are delicious and I will certainly make them again. Someone gave me a bag of apples and because of a gum problem I have I could not eat them. I came to Pinterest and found these and that just solved my problem! Thank you so much for sharing they are delicious . Now I can eat apples again !
What’s the best container to freeze these in?
Freezer ziplock bags are great, or canning jars and leave an inch of room for expansion.