This Cracker Barrel Fried Apples copycat recipe tastes just like the delicious side dish from the restaurant! It’s super simple to make in the slow cooker, too.
Does anyone else love flavor of Cracker Barrel’s fried apples as much as I do?
Whether we go to the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I always get these as a side. Because I love it so much, I decided to make a copycat recipe that I can do at home to get that same great taste.
I like using both sweet and tart apples in my recipe, since the combination makes a very tasty side dish. It’s just the right sweetness that pairs with so many main courses.
Since I use a slow cooker, it doesn’t take much prep time to put the ingredients together and get these Cracker Barrel Fried Apples cooking. You can try our Slow Cooker Apple Crisp, too!
Variations
There are a number of ingredients and spices that you can add to alter the flavor profile of this dish. Doing so can make this less of a side and more of a dessert, so it’s up to you how you want to incorporate into your meals.
- Spiced Fried Apples: Add cinnamon, nutmeg and/or allspice to the recipe for a bit of comfort food.
- Maple Fried Apples: Drizzle maple syrup over the apples while cooking for a sweet Canadian take.
- Caramel Fried Apples: Similarly, add caramel sauce to the apples during the cooking process.
- Savory Fried Apples: Add a pinch of salt and some black pepper to the apples for a more savory dish. You could also add some bacon or sausage for a breakfast twist.
- Apple Cranberry Fried Apples: Add cranberries — fresh or dried — for a tart treat
- Apple Pear Fried Apples: Add diced pears to the recipe for a slightly sweeter and juicier variation.
- Apple Peach Fried Apples: Add diced peaches to the recipe for a sweet and slightly tart variation.
Can I use different apples?
Sure, I use this mix because Honey Crisp are sweet, while Granny Smith are tart. I find this mix particularly tasty. But it’s your call. Braeburn, Rome, Golden Delicious, and Jonathan will also work. Just choose apples that are firm and that will hold up to the heat and not turn to mush.
Is it 5lbs of each kind of apple or 5lbs total?
That would be 5 pounds total.
Can I peel the apples first?
Sure. I keep them on because I like the range in texture. (It also saves a step.) But you can peel them. You may want to check up on them, though, during the cooking process so they don’t get mushy.
How To Store Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Let the fried apples come to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. When you want to eat the apples, you can reheat them in the microwave with a damp paper towel over them. To reheat on the stove, place the fried apples in a small saucepan and heat on MEDIUM until warmed through. To reheat in the oven, place the fried apples in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Slow-Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
Ingredients
- 5 pounds HoneyCrisp and Granny Smith apples (cored and cut into wedges)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 lemon (juice only)
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker liner with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the apples in the slow cooker.
- Stir together the dry ingredients: both sugars, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle the mixture over the apples and toss the apples until evenly coated.
- In a large measuring cup, stir together the melted butter, lemon juice, and vanilla. Pour over the apples.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours. Be careful not to overcook as the apples will look intact but fall apart upon stirring.
- Stir gently prior to serving.
Looks wonderful! Quick question. Is it 5lbs of each kind of apple or 5lbs total? Thanks!
That would be 5 pounds total. Great questions! I’ll have to make that update on the recipe card.