Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples are a sweet, spiced delight that brings all the comfort of the famous Cracker Barrel fried apples to your table. These slow-cooked apples are simmered in a mix of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and apple juice until tender but still firm. With their perfectly spiced, caramel-like sauce, they are a fantastic side dish or dessert, especially when served warm. Whether paired with a savory meal or as a standalone dessert, these slow cooker apples are easy to make and full of nostalgic flavor.
These Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples are the ultimate sweet and spiced comfort food. The apples are slow-cooked to tender perfection with a warm, caramel-like sauce made from brown sugar, cinnamon, and apple juice. This recipe is a delightful way to enjoy fall flavors, whether as a side dish or a dessert.
INGREDIENTS
- Apples: 6 large Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced for the best flavor and texture
- Brown sugar: ½ cup packed, adds a rich sweetness
- Ground cinnamon: 1 tsp, for that warm, spiced flavor
- Ground nutmeg: ¼ tsp, enhances the spiced profile
- Unsalted butter: ¼ cup melted, adds richness to the sauce
- Cornstarch: 1 tbsp, helps thicken the sauce
- Lemon juice: 1 tbsp, brightens up the flavor
- Apple juice or apple cider: ½ cup, adds moisture and depth of flavor to the sauce
- Salt: Pinch, balances the sweetness
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Place the peeled and sliced apples into the slow cooker.
- Step 2:
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples in the slow cooker.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, cornstarch, lemon juice, and apple juice until smooth. Pour this mixture over the apples and gently toss to coat them evenly.
- Step 4:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the apples are tender but still hold their shape.
- Step 5:
- Stir gently to coat the apples in the sauce before serving. Enjoy warm as a dessert or side dish.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serve warm, either as a side dish for savory meals or as a dessert topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Helpful Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of vanilla extract or sprinkle a bit of ground cloves into the mix.
- Adjust the sweetness by using more or less brown sugar to suit your taste.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Alton Brown suggests using a mix of tart and sweet apples for a more complex flavor. Try combining Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for a balanced profile.