If you have ever wondered what Dolly Parton serves alongside her favorite meals, wonder no more. The Queen of Country has a soft spot for Southern Fried Apples and once you taste them, you will understand why.
This dish is pure Southern comfort. It is simple, warm, and the kind of thing that makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful. Best of all, it works at just about any time of day.
What Are Southern Fried Apples?
Southern Fried Apples are a classic comfort food that has been a staple of Southern cooking for generations. You cook sliced apples in butter with brown sugar and cinnamon until they go tender and sweet. That is really all there is to it.
Dolly’s version calls for Granny Smith apples. She prefers brown sugar, which gives the dish a deeper, richer sweetness than white sugar would.
How To Make Them
Start by peeling and slicing about six apples. Then melt butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Stir in your brown sugar and cinnamon, add the apple slices, and stir until everything is well coated.
Cook the apples, stirring occasionally, for about 10 to 15 minutes, until they are tender and fragrant. Serve them warm. Just be careful not to burn yourself on that hot skillet.
The recipe is easy to make your own, too. Feel free to add extra spices, toasted nuts, or dried cranberries. Dolly’s recipe is a starting point, not a set of rules.
When Can You Serve Them?
That is the beauty of this dish, almost anytime. According to the original recipe page, Southern Fried Apples pair beautifully with pork chops, baked ham, or grilled chicken. They also go well alongside mac and cheese.
Want something sweet after dinner? Top them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Prefer a cozy breakfast? Stir them into your morning oatmeal.
There really is no wrong time to enjoy a warm skillet of Southern Fried Apples. Dolly would likely agree.