Description
Chipotle Fried Apples combines the warmth of cinnamon and sugar with a surprising kick of smoky chipotle for a flavor fusion you won’t forget. Fresh apples are dusted with the perfect blend of cinnamon, sugar and then fried to golden, caramelized perfection in an oil blended with chipotle.
Ingredients
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 washed granny smith apples
2 washed red delicious apples
2 washed honeycrisp apples
1 large lemon or 2 small lemons- juiced
4 tablespoons avocado oil
2 teaspoons canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
STEP 1: Prepare a Lemon Water Bath. Fill a large mixing bowl halfway with water. Juice the lemons and add both the juice and lemon halves into the water. Dice the washed, cored, unpeeled apples and place them into the lemon water to prevent browning.
STEP 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
STEP 3: Drain and Dry the Apples. Drain the apples from the lemon water and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
STEP 4: Cook the First Batch of Apples. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of chipotle to the oil. Toss half of the apples with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated. Add the coated apples to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until the coating is thick and caramelized. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked apples into a bowl and set aside.
STEP 5: Cook the Second Batch of Apples. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 teaspoons of chipotle peppers. Toss the remaining apples with the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Add the coated apples to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until the coating is thick and caramelized.
STEP 6: Combine and Serve. Turn off the heat and add the previously cooked apples back into the skillet with the fresh batch. Add the salt and stir the apples together until well combined and evenly coated.
Notes
- Customize the heat: Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to suit your spice preference.
- Apple variety: Choose crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture combinations
- Pairings: These fried apples are perfect as a side dish for savory proteins such as roasted chicken, turkey, pork or even as a unique topping for grilled cheese, ice cream, pancakes and waffles!
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: My preferred brand of chipotle in adobo sauce for this recipe is San Marcos. I put the entire can in a small blender cup and blend until smooth. I freeze leftover adobo sauce if I do not plan to quickly use it.
- Adapted from another fantastic recipe at www.epicurious.com from Table Mountain Inn, this version has been tweaked with a few changes to the preparation, oil, and ingredient requirements to create a healthier and more flavorful dish. A big thank you to the original creators for the inspiration.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Method: fry
- Cuisine: American, Southwest