Of course! This is a fantastic copycat recipe that captures the essence of Cracker Barrel’s famous fried apples with the incredible ease of a slow cooker. They are buttery, cinnamony, and perfectly tender.
Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
This recipe simplifies the process but delivers all the warm, comforting flavor of the original. The slow cooker does all the work, making them impossible to mess up.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 2-3 hours (on LOW) | Total Time: 2+ hours | Servings: 6-8
Ingredients
· 3 lbs firm, sweet-tart apples (See “Best Apples to Use” below)
· ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, melted
· ⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar
· ⅓ cup (73g) light brown sugar, packed
· 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
· ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
· ¼ tsp salt
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for a thicker syrup)
· 1 tbsp water or apple juice (if using cornstarch)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
· Wash, peel, and core the apples. Slice them into ½-inch thick slices or chunks. The exact shape doesn’t matter, but uniform size helps them cook evenly.
· Place the apple slices into your slow cooker.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
· In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract until well combined.
· Pour this mixture over the apples in the slow cooker. Gently toss with a spoon until all the apple slices are coated.
Step 3: Slow Cook
· Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours.
· The apples are done when they are tender but still hold their shape. They should be soft, not mushy.
· Avoid cooking on HIGH as it can cause the apples to break down too quickly and become mushy.
Step 4: Thicken the Syrup (Optional)
· If you prefer a thicker, glossier syrup like the restaurant version, make a cornstarch slurry about 30 minutes before the cooking time is up.
· In a small bowl, mix the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water or apple juice until smooth.
· Carefully stir the slurry into the hot apples and syrup in the slow cooker.
· Replace the lid and continue cooking on LOW for the final 30 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
· Serve the fried apples warm. They are incredible as a side dish for pork chops, over pancakes or waffles, on top of ice cream, or straight out of the bowl!
Pro-Tips for the Best Results:
· The Best Apples to Use: You want apples that hold their shape well during cooking. The best choices are:
· Granny Smith: For a tart, classic fried apple flavor.
· Braeburn or Honeycrisp: For a perfect sweet-tart balance (highly recommended!).
· Fuji or Jonagold: For a sweeter, softer result.
· Avoid Red Delicious or McIntosh as they will turn to mush.
· Don’t Overcook! The goal is tender apples, not applesauce. Check them at the 2-hour mark. They will continue to soften a bit after you turn off the heat.
· Butter is Key: For the most authentic flavor, use real butter. Margarine will not provide the same rich taste.
· Spice to Your Liking: Feel free to add a pinch of allspice or cloves for extra warmth.
· Make it a Lighter Dessert: You can reduce the butter to 6 tablespoons and the sugar by about a quarter if you prefer, but the full amount gives you that true Cracker Barrel indulgence.
Enjoy this simple, delicious, and comforting slow cooker side dish