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    Home » Recipes » Sides & Salads

    Restaurant Cinnamon Apples Side Dish (Video)

    February 5, 2020 By Brandy 14 Comments

    ↓ Jump to Recipe
    These restaurant cinnamon apples are just like the ones served as a side dish at Cracker Barrel and Chili's, only healthier!  No butter, and minimal sugar!
    If you are looking for other delicious apple recipes try our baked apple chips or Grandpa Bob's apple pull-apart bread!
    restaurant cinnamon apples

    Watch our step by step video!

    Derrick and I both LOVE the skillet apples at restaurant like Chili's and Cracker Barrel. We don't eat out often, but still like having this delicious side dish so we make our own.

    What Makes These Cinnamon Apples Healthier?

    We've made them many times and have come to the conclusion that 1: they don't need to be fried or sauteed in butter (like many recipes call for) and 2: they don't need a lot of sugar, if any. It all depends on what kind of apple that you use. The sweeter the apple, the less sugar you'll want to add. I find that 2 T. of sugar for 6 apples is perfect for our family!

    What Apples Are Best for Cooking?

    I like using Honey Crisp or Gala. According to allrecipes.com, other apples that hold up well when cooked are Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, Jonagold, and Golden Delicious (just to name a few). I'm going to go out on a limb and say that all apples would taste delicious served this way!

    skillet apples in pan
    To make skillet apples you'll need fresh apples that have been peeled and sliced, 100% apple juice, cinnamon, a bit of sugar and a few tablespoons of corn starch for thickening. That's it! This delicious side dish serves 6 people (1 apple each).

    Restaurant Cinnamon Apples Side Dish Recipe

    skillet apples in pan

    Cinnamon Apples Side Dish

    These restaurant cinnamon apples are just like the ones served as a side dish at Cracker Barrel and Chili's, only healthier!  No butter, and minimal sugar!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 166kcal

    Ingredients

    • 6-8 apples
    • 2 ½ cup apple juice divided
    • 2 Tbsp. sugar
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 3 Tbsp. cornstarch

    Instructions

    • Peel and slice each apple into 12 sections.
      sliced apples on cutting board
    • Add apples to a large saute pan or skillet in a single layer.
    • Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
      sliced apples with cinnamon and sugar
    • Pour 1 c. apple juice over your apples and bring to a simmer on med-high heat. Continue to simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes, or until fork tender.
      simmering cinnamon apples in sautee pan
    • Combine (with a whisk) cornstarch and remaining juice. Once apples are tender, pour cornstarch mixture over apples and stir until thickened.
      apple juice and corn starch in measuring cup
    • Remove from heat.
      skillet apples in pan

    Notes

    These keep well for at least a week in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 166kcal

    Dishes to Serve Restaurant Cinnamon Apples With:

    Grilled chicken, pork chops and mashed potatoes, Thanksgiving dinner, or ham and potatoes!

    This post is a refresh of a post originally shared in 2011. New photos and video instructions have been added.

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    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    Comments

    1. pax says

      December 19, 2023 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      this was so good

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        December 19, 2023 at 10:33 pm

        Pax, so glad to hear you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    2. Gail says

      September 15, 2013 at 9:35 am

      Had some apples a little past their prime so I gave this. A try. Delish! I only used 1 cup of apple juice and 1 T. corn starch and just enough apple juice to mix it with. I wanted it thick. Going to try it with my morning yogurt.

      Reply
    3. ian ross says

      April 10, 2012 at 1:33 am

      Tried out your recipe and your right! went down an absolute treat with the wife and kids! Dad's not so useless after all! after a few hours of basking in the credit I did have to admit to getting the recip from yourself!replica watches uk

      Reply
    4. Nicole [The Lovely Poppy] says

      October 25, 2011 at 2:59 am

      thanks for sharing, i'm stopping by from tip junkie and would love to have you stop by my blog and check out the huge ($100) giveaway going on now- http://thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-follower-giveaway.html

      Reply
    5. Chris says

      October 21, 2011 at 4:34 am

      Hi Brandy, what a great recipe. Would be perfect for apple crisp/crumble and apple pie. I found and am following you through My Romantic Home and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you could follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris

      Reply
    6. Jilly says

      October 19, 2011 at 10:31 am

      Apples are favorite fruit in every sessions. We make different dishes with apples and same thing doing with berries. My grandmother likes to make blackberry jam, blackberry cobbler, blackberry lemonade, and many more recipes of blackberry.
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      Reply
    7. kitty says

      October 17, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      These sound fabulous, especially for this time of the year! I'm visiting from OTMM.

      Reply
    8. Patti says

      October 14, 2011 at 11:44 am

      I love anything "apples", especially at this time of year - looks delish! Stop by to enter my giveaway of 100 printed postcards!

      Reply
    9. High Street Cottage says

      October 14, 2011 at 2:17 am

      Hi Brandy, I have been wanting to do some apples this way for a while now. I was able to get some Stoufer's apples a couple years back, totally fat free, and I would microwave them, and add a little granola in the bottom of a souffle cup, then the hot apples and we felt like we were eating apple pie, without all the fat, so your recipe sounds healthy, and easy, I'm going to try it, thanks for sharing, tami

      Reply
    10. Heather says

      October 13, 2011 at 2:09 am

      Oooooh! I love the apples from Chili's! I'm definitely trying these out!

      Reply
    11. shopannies says

      October 12, 2011 at 4:45 pm

      so yummy come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

      Reply
    12. Life After Piggie Smalls says

      October 11, 2011 at 10:54 pm

      oooh yummy, I've always wanted to know how to make those!

      Reply
    13. Rachel Marie says

      October 11, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      Oh wow!! That was easy, and looks delicious 🙂 Perfect for the fall. Thanks for sharing.

      -Rachel Cottongim

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      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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