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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp

    By Susan Ensley · Nov 3, 2024 · Updated: Oct 26, 2025

    Jump to Recipe
    Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp

    This Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp is the ultimate cozy comfort food! Perfect for fall nights, Thanksgiving, or a simple Sunday treat, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. If you're searching for the best apple crisp recipe with a delicious Southern flair, look no further. This dessert is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

    Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Want to Make Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp
    • Ingredients for the Southern Fried Apples
    • Ingredients for the Crisp Topping
    • Steps to Make the Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Recipe Tips and Tricks
    • Other Great Apple Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Want to Make Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp

    • It's the Perfect Texture Contrast: The foundation is warm, soft, and gooey fried apples, which are then topped with a perfectly crunchy, satisfying granola crisp.
    • It Uses the Best-Kept Southern Secret: The apples are cooked in a skillet before baking-a true Southern technique-which caramelizes the sugars and prevents a watery filling.
    • It's Fast and Simple: Despite its gourmet taste, the recipe uses simple pantry staples and comes together quickly, making it the best easy apple crisp for any occasion.
    • A Seasonal Star: Whether you're hunting for a Thanksgiving dessert alternative or a festive Christmas dessert, this crisp brings warmth and holiday cheer.

    Ingredients for the Southern Fried Apples

    Ingredients for Dolly Parton's Southern Fried Apples

    Ingredients for the Crisp Topping

    Ingredients for Crisp Topping

    Steps to Make the Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp

    1. Prepare one recipe for Dolly Parton's Southern Fried Apples, cooking the apples for only 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    Dolly Parton's Southern Fried Apples
    1. Add ½ cup of water, reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the apples to simmer while preparing the crisp topping.
    adding water to fried apples
    1. Place the honey granola, pecan pieces, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl. Then, stir everything together until well combined.
    placing granola, pecans, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl
    1. Cube the unsalted butter and add it to the bowl.
    adding cubed butter
    1. Put on a pair of vinyl gloves and work the butter into the granola mixture until all the cubes are broken up and the mixture is crumbly.
    1. Remove the pan with the apples from the heat and sprinkle the granola mixture over the top of the apples. Bake in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla Ice cream.
    sprinkling granola mixture over apples

    If you're searching for the best easy apple crisp recipe, your search ends here! This Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp is a timeless classic that brings the irresistible warmth and comfort of the South straight to your table. From the buttery, spiced fried apples to the sweet, crunchy granola topping, this dessert is perfect for any gathering or a simple cozy evening. 

    Southern Fried Apple Crisp

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best type of apple for this apple crisp recipe?

    The best choice for a perfect balance of flavor and texture is the Granny Smith apple. Their high acidity and firmness are necessary to stand up to the frying and baking process. Other acceptable options include Honeycrisp or Fuji.

    What makes Southern Fried Apples Southern?

    The term "Southern Fried Apples" refers to the technique of slowly cooking sliced apples in a skillet with butter, brown sugar, and spices (like cinnamon and nutmeg) until they are soft and caramelized before they are baked or served. This rich, buttery fried apple base distinguishes it from a standard baked apple filling.

    Can I make this Easy Southern Apple Crisp ahead of time?

    Yes! You can prepare the apple filling and the crisp topping separately the day before. Store the topping mixture in the refrigerator and the fried apples in an airtight container. Assemble and bake the crisp just before serving for the freshest crunch and warmth.

    How long does fried apple crisp last, and how should I store it?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat servings in a toaster oven or standard oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is crispy again and the filling is warm. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the topping soggy.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Choose the Right Apple: Granny Smith Apples are highly recommended because their tartness balances the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the butter. They also hold their shape well during the frying and baking process.
    • Don't Skip the Frying: The fried apples step is what sets this Southern recipe apart. Frying them in the skillet first evaporates excess moisture, ensuring your final crisp is thick and not soupy.
    • The Best Topping Secret: Use high-quality granola in your topping for the ultimate crunch. Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, for the best streusel-like texture.
    • Serving Suggestion: This warm apple crisp is best served immediately, topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

    Other Great Apple Recipes

    • Mini bundt cakes with cream cheese frosting.
      Apple Pie Bundtinis with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Dolly Parton's Southern Fried Apples
      Dolly Parton's Southern Fried Apples
    • Pork Tenderloin with Honeycrisp Apple Sauce
      One-Pan Pork Tenderloin with Honeycrisp Apple Sauce
    • Easy Apple Pie Bites
      Quick and Easy Apple Pie Bites
    • Easy apple tartlets.
      Easy Mini Apple Tartlets
    • Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing
      Cranberry Apple Sausage Stuffing
    • Easy Rustic Apple Galette
    • Apple Tart A La Mode
      Apple Tart à la Mode

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    Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp

    Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp

    Susan Ensley
    This Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp is the ultimate comfort food. It's a classic dessert that features warm and gooey fried apples baked with a crunchy granola topping.
    5 from 4 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course 4th of July, Brunch, Christmas, Dessert, Easter, Mother's Day, Side Dish, Thanksgiving
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 267 kcal

    Equipment

    • 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet or 5-qt. Le Creuset Braiser
    • Vinyl Gloves
    • 16-slice apple cutter
    • Vegetable Peeler

    Ingredients

    • 1 recipe Dolly Parton's Southern Fried Apples
    • 2 c Honey Granola
    • 1 c Pecan Pieces
    • 2 tbs Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 tbs All-Purpose Flour
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare one recipe for Dolly Parton's Southern Fried Apples, cooking the apples for only 10 minutes.
    • Add ½ cup of water, reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the apples to simmer while preparing the crisp topping.
    • Place the honey granola, pecan pieces, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl. Then, stir everything together until well combined.
    • Cube the unsalted butter and add it to the bowl. Put on a pair of vinyl gloves and work the butter into the granola mixture until all the cubes are broken up and the mixture is crumbly.
    • Remove the pan with the apples from the heat and sprinkle the granola mixture over the top of the apples. Bake in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes until golden brown and crunchy.
    • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla Ice cream.
    • Yield 12 servings

    Nutrition

    Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 54mgPotassium: 164mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Easy Southern Fried Apple Crisp
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @PudgeFactor or tag #pudgefactor

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    5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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