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Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples ( Slow Cooker or Instant Pot!)

4.84 from 42 votes
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These Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples are my favourite dish at Cracker Barrel!  Every time we visit the States and we are close to a Cracker Barrel restaurant, we have to stop in. These Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples sprang from my love of that particular side dish option. ( I’m sure there are going to be a few more recipes along the way. Just wait!)

Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples with sauce in a white plate on blue background
Fried Apples

Gah. Now I am craving their hash brown casserole too! That’s a pretty amazing side dish, I think I’ll make that when it gets really cold here in Edmonton. So tomorrow, then, because it snowed yesterday. On September 19th. What. EVER. Mother Nature is truly not having a good year.

I’m pretty sure that the reason I love Cracker Barrel so much is that we really don’t have anything like it here in Canada. That place is chock full of chicken fried everything, gravies out the wazoo, endless options of hash brown and yes, these fried apples! We actually ignored Cracker Barrels for a few years on our journey’s, opting to try out other more local, small business options.

Then one time, on a spur of a moment whim, we tried it.

close up Fried Apples with sauce in a white plate on blue background

And now we have to get our fix at least one time whenever we visit the United States. ( I mean, let’s face it, you really shouldn’t eat it more than once hahah!) We are going on a trip again this Christmas and you can bet that a stop at a Cracker Barrel is on the list!

Type of Apples to Use for Fried Apples

You want to use a tart apple like a Granny Smith. When my apple tree gave me more apples this year than I know what to do with, I decided it was time to make some copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples.

close up of a spoon with Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

How to Make Fried Apples

Why they are called fried apples I can’t figure out, because I am pretty sure that in the quantities they have to make them for a large restaurant they are using massive stock pots of these suckers. To make REAL fried apples all you have to do is:

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet and add in the apples
  • Fry the apples until they start to get soft
  • Add in the spices
  • Mix the cornstarch with the apple juice and then add to the skillet
  • Let the sauce cook and thicken
  • Serve and enjoy

How to Make Fried Apples in the Slow Cooker

This fried apples recipe couldn’t get easier. Dump it all together in a crock pot and let it cook for a few hours. You end up with these gorgeous apples in a spicy brown sugar and butter sauce.

Eat them with ice cream or just a side dish for fun.

slices of Fried Apples with sauce in a spoon

The real key to a good copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples recipe is that you have to leave the PEELS ON! Yes, in the restaurant they leave the peels on the apples and that’s why they are so popular. The peel helps to keep the apples from falling apart into, well, applesauce basically. It also give them some much needed texture.

Happy cooking! Does anyone else love these apples ( and Cracker Barrel) as much as I do?

Love,

Karlynn

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Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples ( Slow Cooker!)

Copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Apples ( Slow Cooker or Instant Pot!). This is my favourite side dish at Cracker Barrel and now you can make it at home!
4.84 from 42 votes
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
3 hours
Course
Dessert
Cuisine
American
Servings
12 servings
Calories
286
Equipment
Slow Cooker / Crockpot
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 12 cups of sliced apples peel on ( sour apples like Granny Smith or home grown on the tree are best!)
  • 3 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 3/4 cup of salted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup of apple juice

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker Instructions:

  • Set your crock pot on the high setting. Spray it with cooking spray then place the apples in the crock pot.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the cinnamon, pie spice, brown sugar and cornstarch until it's all mixed in completely.
  • Sprinkle over the top of the apples. Pour the melted butter and apple juice over top of the mixture. Stir until everything is coated.
  • Cook on high for 3-4 hours  (this depends on your slow cooker!) or until apples are tender and the sauce has thickened.
  • Serve hot for the tastiest results!

Instant Pot Directions:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the cinnamon, pie spice, brown sugar and cornstarch until it's all mixed in completely.
  • Sprinkle over the top of the apples. Pour the melted butter and apple juice over top of the mixture. Stir until everything is coated. Place in the instant pot.
  • Choose to either slow cook or pressure cook.
  • To slow cook , use the slow cook button and cook for 4-5 hours OR until soft.
  • To pressure cook, use the high pressure option and cook for 3 minutes high pressure for thin apples, 5 minutes for medium apples and 8 minutes for very thick apples (if you use an apple slicer, these are the thick apples.)  Manually quick release and either keep on
  • "keep warm" or serve right away.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 286kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 111mg, Potassium: 192mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 430IU, Vitamin C: 5.9mg, Calcium: 55mg, Iron: 0.5mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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Reader Interactions

Comments & Recipe Tips Share a tip or comment!

  1. Kelly Gilstrap says

    I want to make these for a bridal brunch. Can I make them the night before and reheat them in the AM? Have you ever done that?

  2. Wendy says

    I made this in my crockpot and it had WAY TOO MUCH cinnamon. The sauce was also thinner than Cracker Barrel’s sauce. I inadvertently cooked mine for about 4 hours and the apples were nice and soft. My house smelled amazing while they were cooking.2 stars

  3. Sylvia says

    This recipe is not for every crockpot! Following the provided guidelines shown here, my apples were overcooked and over seasoned with cinnamon (is 3 tbsps. a misprint?) Best to use some moderation with the seasonings and cooking time.

  4. Linda Szymoniak says

    These are my favorite thing to eat at Cracker Barrel. Daughter #1 loves them and many of the dishes there. Daughter #2 isn’t a big fan of the restaurant, but definitely a huge fan of their fried apples. I was thinking of topping a Dutch baby with these. I may grab a jar from our Cracker Barrel but definitely want to make this recipe.

  5. Debbie Burgess says

    Idea is great, but use 1 stick butter, 1 c. brown sugar, & 1 cup water instead of what the recipe calls for. (no need to use apple juice) After time is up, stir cornstarch into 1/4 c. of cold water and stir into hot apple mixture. Use saute low feature to simmer, gently stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. This will prevent the “Burn” shut down.4 stars

  6. Lonnie Schleichardt says

    Dose not work in instapot keeps burning the bottom

    • Karen says

      Instant pot just keeps giving a “burn” error. The liquid ratio just isn’t right. Didn’t work, had to give up after 3 tries and cook on stovetop. Disappointing.

  7. Lisa says

    Made this today in my InstaPot and it never would pressurize. The apples had cooked some with my multiple attempts to pressurize, so I just put them in a microwave safe dish and finished cooking for 3 minutes.
    After researching I think the problem with pressurizing was the limited amount of liquid. Next time I will probably try upping the apple juice to pressurize then vent and use sautée function to cook off any extra liquid.
    Any other ideas?
    They were really cook and a hit at my ladies Bible study!5 stars

    • Karlynn Johnston says

      “technically” that should be enough but pressure cookers can give you a hard time. Add another 1/4 cup and see if that helps! I am so glad that they were a hit!5 stars

  8. Cinde says

    Hello, What is the Instant Pot version of this recipe? Thanks!

    • Karlynn Johnston says

      At the bottom! They had disappeared, but fixed now!5 stars

  9. Patrick says

    What are the insta pot directions for this recipe?

    • Karlynn Johnston says

      They are at the bottom! We had some trouble with the recipe plug-in but it’s fixed!

      • Meredith Busic says

        I want to can these, I know you shouldn’t use cornstarch so I am goi to try clear jel instead. Do you know how much I should use?

  10. Wendy Korte says

    This looks and sounds so delicious. The title says crockpot or Instant Pot, but I don’t see any directions for the Instant Pot. Could you let me know that please?

    • Karlynn Johnston says

      They are at the bottom! We had some trouble with the recipe plug-in but it’s fixed!5 stars

      • GrandMolly says

        If I want to use this as a pie filling, would I leave out (or reduce) the butter?

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