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Cinnamon Fried Apples

Cinnamon fried apples with a glossy brown sugar-cinnamon sauce made in one skillet. Tender apple slices cook under a cover, then the syrup is thickened with a quick cornstarch slurry for a spoonable finish.
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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: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apples
  • 6 firm apples Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, cored and sliced
Butter and aromatics
  • 0.25 cup butter
  • 0.33 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
Thickener and finish
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the apples
  1. Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Watch for the butter to fully melt and start to shimmer.
  2. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then stir to coat. Keep stirring until the apple slices look evenly coated in the brown spice mixture.
  3. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just tender. Look for softened edges while the slices still hold their shape.
Thicken and finish
  1. Whisk the cornstarch with the water, then pour it into the skillet. Stir right after adding so no lumps form.
  2. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy. You should see a smooth, glossy coating cling to the apples.
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract and serve warm. The aroma should be noticeable and the syrup should stay spoonable.

Notes

For best texture, use crisp apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith) so they stay tender but not mushy while covered cooking. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; rewarm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water. Freezing isn’t recommended because the apples can soften too much after thawing. For a lighter option, reduce the butter to 2 tablespoons and add an extra tablespoon of water to help the sugar dissolve.