Healthy Fried Apples Recipe – Dairy-Free & Refined Sugar-Free

Decadent and full of classic sweet and spicy flavor, healthy fried apples make the perfect easy side! Made with only simple, healthy ingredients and no refined sugar, you can feel great about eating them.

Growing up in the South, fried apples were a staple. They were the perfect easy side dish to go along with any meal, and they quickly became one of my favorites. I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of something that basically tastes just like apple pie filling?

While there are a number of southern foods that don’t work well with a healthy diet (such as fried chicken), fried apples are just as delicious made with healthy ingredients and no refined sugar!

Whenever I end up with more apples in our fridge than we can eat quickly, this is my go-to recipe. My whole family loves it (though there’s always debate on if the apples should be topped with nuts and cranberries or not). If I need a quick side to balance out a meal, this is it.

Why You’ll Love Healthy Fried Apples

Quick & easy – It only takes a few minutes to put this recipe together, and if you have help peeling a few apples, it goes even quicker!

No refined sugar – This is a big one for our family! The apples are sweet by themselves and adding just a touch of molasses brings out a little more sweetness and delicious rich flavor.

Dairy-free – Most fried apples are made using butter, but not this recipe! Coconut oil is the perfect way to add some amazing healthy benefits, especially if you eat dairy free.

Simple ingredients – Made with only a few simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, serving healthy fried apples with dinner can be a last-minute decision.

Kid-pleasing recipe – Soft enough for babies and young toddlers to chew and with delicious sweet flavor older kids will love, your whole family will request these again and again!

Benefits of Eating Healthy Fried Apples

Cooked apples have amazing health benefits especially for your gut! Apples are already high in fiber, however, cooking them makes the fiber more easily digestible. Cooking also releases more pectin, a type of fiber that promotes growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

When you cook apples, your body is also able to absorb more of the overall nutrition than it can from raw apples. Cooked apples are even shown to have more anti-inflammatory benefits!

While many fried apple recipes use lots of sugar, this recipe is sweetened only with a small amount of molasses. While molasses does contain natural sugars, it’s also high in numerous vitamins and minerals including iron, copper, and magnesium.

Instead of butter, this recipe uses coconut oil which has many of its own health benefits. It’s great for your brain and can even lessen hunger! Coconut oil is also anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial.

How to Serve Healthy Fried Apples

Fried apples are a classic southern side dish that can be served in so many ways!

They are wonderful paired with a savory dinner and are often served with pork chops. You can also eat them with breakfast as a topping for oatmeal, quinoa pudding, pancakes, or French toast. Fried apples are so delicious as a topping for vanilla ice cream!

With their sweet flavor enhanced by warm fall and winter spices, they make the perfect special Thanksgiving or Christmas side!

How to Store Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They’re delicious as a cold snack or reheated to serve with another meal.

Can I Freeze Healthy Fried Apples?

Yes, fried apples are a wonderful dish to freeze! Place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to serve them, first let them thaw in the fridge before heating them up in a skillet.

FAQs

What type of apples should I use? – The best apples for fried apples are crunchy and have a good balance between sweet and tart. I usually use Gala apples since they have good flavor, are usually available year-round, and are budget friendly. 

Can I use soft apples? – Yes, this is a wonderful recipe to use up apples that are turning soft! While it’s best with fresh, crunchy apples, this is my favorite way to use up older apples.

How do I serve fried apples? – Fried apples are delicious as a side dish for a savory dinner or as a breakfast topping for pancakes, oatmeal, and more. You can also use them as a topping for vanilla ice cream.

Tools You May Need

Large skillet

Knife

Spatula

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Ingredients for Healthy Fried Apples

Apples – The best apples for this recipe are crunchy and have a good balance between sweet and tart. However, this is also a great recipe if you need to use up older soft apples.

Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled lemon juice also works.

Coconut oil

Molasses

Vanilla extract

Spices – For the best flavor, use quality spices without additives.

Optional: chopped nuts and/or dried cranberries – Fried apples are delicious topped with chopped nuts and dried cranberries, however, this is totally optional.

How to Make Healthy Fried Apples

To start, you’ll need to peel and slice the apples into thin slices, about 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch wide. Then, place the coconut oil in the skillet and melt it on medium heat.

Add the apple slices to the skillet, and then stir in the lemon juice, molasses, vanilla, and spices.

Cook the apples on medium – medium low heat until they’re soft, usually about 15 minutes. As the apples are cooking, stir frequently to keep them from burning.

Serve them immediately as a delicious side! If you would like, you can top them with chopped nuts and dried cranberries to make this an extra special dish.

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Tag me on Instagram @violet_rightathome

More Cozy Fall & Winter Recipes

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Casserole without Refined Sugar

Gluten-Free Cranberry Crisp Bars

Homemade Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

Gluten-Free Apple Crisp without Refined Sugar

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins with Chocolate Chips