If you love the warm, cinnamon-spiced apples served at Cracker Barrel, this Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples recipe will bring that same comforting flavor right to your kitchen—without any stovetop work! These tender, buttery apples simmer low and slow in a blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple juice, creating a melt-in-your-mouth side dish that tastes like fall in every bite.

Ingredients

• 6 large apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice (optional)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (cubed)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider

How to Make Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

1. Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4-inch slices. Place them directly into your slow cooker.

2. Add the Sugars & Spices

Sprinkle the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice (if using) over the apple slices.
Stir to coat the apples evenly in the sweet, warm spice mixture.

3. Add the Liquids

Pour in the apple juice (or apple cider) and lemon juice.
Dot the apple mixture with the cubed butter.

4. Slow Cook Until Tender

Cover and cook:

• On LOW: 3 hours
• On HIGH: 2 hours

Cook until the apples are soft but still hold their shape. Stir occasionally for even cooking.

5. Serve Warm

Gently stir and serve the apples warm as a cozy side dish—or spoon them over pancakes, waffles, biscuits, or vanilla ice cream.

Pro Tip

For an extra indulgent twist, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the finished apples before serving!

FAQs

1. What kind of apples work best?

Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work beautifully because they hold their shape and don’t become mushy.

2. Can I make these apples ahead of time?

Yes! These fried apples reheat wonderfully. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days and warm on the stovetop or microwave.

3. Can I freeze slow cooker fried apples?

Absolutely. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat to serve.

4. Can I thicken the sauce?

If you want a thicker syrup, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) during the last 20 minutes of cooking.

5. Are these apples good for dessert?

YES! They’re amazing over ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, pancakes, waffles, and even oatmeal.

Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

Whether you serve them with breakfast, spoon them over desserts, or enjoy them on their own, these slow-cooked fried apples are guaranteed to become a family favorite. Best of all? They’re incredibly simple to make with just a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 6 large apples peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice optional
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter cubed
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider

Instructions

 

Prepare the Apples

• Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4-inch slices. Place them directly into your slow cooker.

Add the Sugars & Spices

• Sprinkle the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice (if using) over the apple slices.
• Stir to coat the apples evenly in the sweet, warm spice mixture.

Add the Liquids

• Pour in the apple juice (or apple cider) and lemon juice.
• Dot the apple mixture with the cubed butter.

Slow Cook Until Tender

Cover and cook:

• On LOW: 3 hours
• On HIGH: 2 hours
• Cook until the apples are soft but still hold their shape. Stir occasionally for even cooking.

Serve Warm

• Gently stir and serve the apples warm as a cozy side dish—or spoon them over pancakes, waffles, biscuits, or vanilla ice cream.

Keyword Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples