Description
These Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples taste just like the warm, buttery, cinnamon-sweet apples you get at the restaurant — tender, glossy, and incredibly comforting. Made with simple ingredients and a slow cooker, this copycat Cracker Barrel apple recipe is the easiest way to bring Southern-style flavor to your home.
Ingredients
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6 large apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp recommended), peeled and sliced
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½ cup brown sugar
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
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⅛ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 tablespoons butter
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2 tablespoons cornstarch
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3 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
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Pinch of salt
Instructions
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Prep the apples: Peel and slice apples into medium-thick wedges so they hold their shape in the slow cooker.
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Combine sugars & spices: In a bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
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Add everything to the slow cooker: Place sliced apples inside, sprinkle the sugar mixture over the top, add lemon juice, and gently toss.
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Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, or until apples are tender but not mushy.
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Thicken the sauce: Mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour into the slow cooker during the last 10–15 minutes, then stir in butter and vanilla.
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Serve: Spoon warm fried apples over ice cream, pancakes, pork chops, or enjoy as a cozy dessert.
Notes
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Best apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold their shape best.
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Sweeter apples: Reduce sugar slightly if using Gala or Honeycrisp.
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Make it healthier: Replace some sugar with maple syrup.
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Sauce too thin? Add a little extra cornstarch slurry.
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Too thick? Add 1–2 teaspoons of water and stir gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3–4 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Southern / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: ~185
- Sugar: ~35g
- Sodium: ~40mg
- Fat: ~3g
- Saturated Fat: ~2g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~42g
- Fiber: ~3–4g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: ~7mg