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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Popeyes Cajun Fries.
