Name: Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 6 cups peeled and sliced Jonathan apples; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar; ½ lemon, juiced; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

There’s something magically simple and cozy about this Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe. Within 10 minutes, you get tender, cinnamon-kissed apples that smell like fall and taste like a warm hug—perfect for anytime you want a sweet, comforting treat fast.

The image shows a black cast iron pan filled with cooked apple slices that are golden yellow and soft in texture, coated with a light sauce and sprinkled with ground cinnamon. On the right side of the pan, there are two whole cinnamon sticks laid on top of the apples. The pan handle is wrapped with a white and blue checkered cloth, and the pan sits on a surface with a white marbled texture. The apple slices are layered unevenly, with some pieces overlapping each other photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I love turning simple apples into this luscious dish that’s bursting with buttery sweetness and cinnamon warmth. It’s one of those quick recipes you didn’t know you needed until you make it—and then you keep coming back for more.

Speedy and Simple: From peeling to plate in about 20 minutes—total lifesaver when you want something sweet without fuss.
Perfect Texture: The apples stay tender with a little bite, never mushy, giving a lovely balance to each spoonful.
Minimal Ingredients: Just butter, a blend of sugars, lemon, salt, and cinnamon make the magic happen—no complicated pantry raid needed.
Versatile Pairing: Works beautifully as a side, dessert topping, or a cozy snack on its own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients come together flawlessly, highlighting the apples’ natural sweetness and adding buttery warmth with just the right touch of spice. When you pick your apples, I recommend Jonathan apples—they hold up beautifully while frying and have the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

Flat lay of a small slab of unsalted butter with a pale yellow color, a heaping pile of peeled and sliced Jonathan apples showing creamy white flesh and subtle red and yellow skin edges, two small white ceramic bowls—one filled with granulated white sugar and the other with light brown soft brown sugar, half a fresh lemon cut to show juicy pulp, a small white ceramic bowl containing warm brown ground cinnamon powder, and a tiny white bowl holding fine kosher salt crystals, all arranged symmetrically and balanced with perfect spacing, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Gives richness without overpowering, letting the cinnamon and sugars shine.
Jonathan Apples: Ideal for frying as they keep their shape and offer a nice tartness to balance sugars.
Granulated Sugar: Adds straightforward sweetness and helps caramelize the apples.
Light Brown Sugar: Brings a subtle molasses flavor, deepening the caramel notes.
Lemon Juice: Just a splash to brighten flavors and stop the apples from browning early.
Kosher Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the overall flavor profile.
Ground Cinnamon: Optional but highly recommended for that classic cozy aroma and warming spice.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I love this recipe classic and straightforward, I encourage you to play around with it. Add your own spin—this really is a forgiving and flexible dish.

Variation: Sometimes I swap half the butter for browned butter just before adding apples—it deepens the nutty flavor beautifully. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
Dietary Mod: Want it dairy-free? Coconut oil or vegan butter works wonderfully here without losing any of that smooth richness.
Seasonal Touch: Toss in a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of vanilla extract for cozy holiday vibes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe

A black cast iron pan filled with slices of cooked apples that are soft and golden yellow with a light brown coating of cinnamon and sugar, arranged in a loose, layered pile. At the bottom right of the pan, three cinnamon sticks are placed side by side. The pan is resting on a white marbled surface with a crumpled white and blue checkered cloth draped near the top left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melt Butter and Get Cozy

Start by melting your butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-low heat. I find that low and slow lets the butter melt gently without burning and helps infuse that buttery flavor beautifully into the apples later.

Step 2: Add Apples and Seasonings

Next, add in your peeled and sliced Jonathan apples along with all the sugars, lemon juice, salt, and cinnamon if you’re using it. Give everything a gentle stir to evenly coat those apple slices.

Step 3: Fry and Flip Every 2 Minutes

Cook the apples uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, turning gently every 2 minutes with a spatula. You want the apples tender but still holding a slight bite—none of that mushy, overcooked mess. The sugars will melt into a delicious glaze that coats every slice.

Top Tip

After many batches, these tips made a big difference for me—I’m sharing so you get the best results without the trial and error!

Slice Uniformly: Cutting the apples into even slices ensures they cook consistently and none get undercooked or too mushy.
Low Heat is Key: Cooking over medium-low heat lets the sugars caramelize slowly without burning, locking in the best flavor.
Turn Gently: Flip every couple of minutes carefully to keep the apple slices intact; I use a wide spatula to avoid breakage.
Don’t Skip the Lemon: It might seem minor, but lemon juice keeps the apples bright and stops browning before cooking starts—all part of the magic for great color and flavor.

How to Serve Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe

fried apples with cinnamon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a sprinkle of toasted pecans or a dollop of whipped cream for extra decadence. Sometimes a small scoop of vanilla ice cream turns this simple dessert into a celebration.

Side Dishes

These quick fried apples are fantastic alongside cinnamon pancakes or waffles, or even served on the side of roasted pork chops—the perfect sweet-savory combo. They brighten up breakfast or dinner effortlessly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served these apples layered over a flaky puff pastry tart and drizzled with caramel sauce—always a crowd favorite. They also make a stunning topping for oatmeal bars or crumble desserts when you want to impress without extra work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—they keep well for up to 4 days. I usually reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave to warm the butter glaze back up.

Freezing

Freezing fried apples works okay but changes the texture slightly. If you do freeze them, allow to cool completely, then freeze in a sealed bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm gently to bring back some softness.

Reheating

I recommend reheating leftovers slowly on low heat in a skillet with a splash of water or butter to revive the luscious texture without drying them out. Microwave works in a pinch, but stirring halfway through helps heat evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of apples in this Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe?

Absolutely! While Jonathan apples work great because of their tartness and firmness, you can substitute with Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples. Just keep in mind firmer apples hold their shape better during cooking.

Do I have to use cinnamon in this recipe?

Cinnamon adds the classic warmth and spice, but it’s optional. You can skip it or experiment with other warming spices like nutmeg or allspice for different flavors. The recipe still works beautifully without it.

How can I prevent my apples from getting mushy when frying?

The key is cooking them on medium-low heat and turning them gently every couple of minutes. Don’t overcook; aim for tender but still slightly firm apples. Using firmer apple varieties also helps.

Can I make Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make these apples a few hours ahead and gently reheat before serving. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re best enjoyed fresh but keep well for a day or two.

Final Thoughts

This Quick Fried Apples with Cinnamon Recipe has become one of my favorite quick fixes for when I want something sweet but homemade. It’s such a simple way to capture that cozy, nostalgic apple flavor anytime you want with minimal effort. I’m confident you’ll find yourself making this as much as I do—maybe even more!