Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

 Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples – Copycat Recipe

 

If you’ve ever dined at Cracker Barrel, you probably know their famous Fried Apples—tender, sweet, buttery, and full of cinnamon flavor. This slow cooker version makes it super easy to recreate at home, with all the cozy flavors of fall. Perfect as a side dish, dessert, or topping for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.

 Ingredients

• 3–4 lbs apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious work best), peeled, cored, and cut into thick wedges
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for thickening the syrup)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice (optional, for warmth)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (to keep apples fresh and balance sweetness)
• ½ cup apple cider (or water, for extra moisture)

 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Apples

1. Wash, peel, core, and slice apples into medium wedges (not too thin or they’ll get mushy).
2. Toss them lightly in lemon juice to prevent browning while you prepare the syrup mixture.

Step 2: Make the Sweet Mixture

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
2. Stir well until there are no cornstarch lumps.

Step 3: Assemble in the Slow Cooker

1. Grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Place half of the apple slices at the bottom.
3. Sprinkle half of the sugar-spice mixture over the apples.
4. Add a few cubes of butter.
5. Repeat with the remaining apples, sugar mixture, and butter.
6. Pour in the apple cider around the edges.

Step 4: Slow Cook

1. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or until apples are tender but not mushy.
2. Halfway through, gently stir to ensure even cooking and coating.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touch

1. Once apples are cooked, stir in vanilla extract.
2. If the sauce looks too thin, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to allow it to thicken.
3. For an extra glossy finish, you can dissolve 1 tsp cornstarch in 1 tbsp cold water and stir it in, cooking for another 10 minutes.

 How to Serve

• Serve warm as a side dish with pork chops, fried chicken, or breakfast casseroles.
• Use as a dessert topping for ice cream, pound cake, cheesecake, or pancakes.
• Spoon into jars and refrigerate—delicious even cold with whipped cream.

 Tips & Variations

• Best Apples: A mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp or Fuji) creates the perfect balance.
• For Extra Caramel Flavor: Replace part of the brown sugar with dark brown sugar or drizzle in caramel sauce at the end.
• Spiked Version: Add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum during the last hour of cooking.
• Make Ahead: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.

This recipe gives you that authentic Cracker Barrel flavor—buttery, cinnamon-spiced apples with a rich syrupy sauce—all with minimal effort thanks to the slow cooker.