Air Fryer Apples

Air fryer apples (in slices or whole baked) with a cinnamon brown sugar-maple glaze are tender, sweet, and a low-effort, moreish snack or dessert in just 20 minutes!

Tender Cinnamon Maple Glazed Air Fryer Apples

While I love using my air fryer to quickly whip up delicious veggie sides (like air fryer asparagus, potato wedges, or butternut squash cubes), did you know you can also air fry fruit with outstanding results? I’ve already shared a method for making crispy apple chips (in a dehydrator or air fryer), but now it’s the turn of these tender air fryer apples (slices or whole baked).

Quick and easy air fryer apple slices require just 6 ingredients and combine the apple of your choice with a sweet and decadent cinnamon-maple-brown sugar glaze. It transforms the fruit into tasting just like a rich apple pie filling but in a fraction of the time and no hovering over a stovetop.

Alternatively, make air fryer baked apples stuffed with a delicious oat crisp filling in this peach crisp for a simple and delicious dessert. Either way, these air-fried apples are packed with flavor while also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan with refined sugar-free and sugar-free options (aka keto-friendly and paleo).

When ready, you can enjoy the air fryer cinnamon apples in an almost endless variety of ways. You can enjoy them as a snack, as part of a larger breakfast (like over pancakes or French toast), or dessert (with a big scoop of nice cream). Keep reading for my favorite serving recommendations!

The Ingredients

All you need to air fry apple slices are just 6 simple and inexpensive ingredients, with just a handful more required for stuffed air fryer baked apples.

• Apples: I used Honeycrisp, but any firm, crisp apples— sweet or tart — will work (i.e., Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, etc.).
• Cinnamon: Apple and cinnamon are perfection combined. Optionally use a tiny pinch of nutmeg, too.

To change the flavor of the air fryer apple slices, you can substitute another spice blend, like pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or chai spice.  Adjust the amount to taste.

• Brown sugar: For a refined sugar-free option, use coconut sugar or a sugar-free brown sugar alternative.
• Vanilla: Use natural vanilla for the best flavor.
• Maple syrup: For a sugar-free option, use a sugar-free maple syrup alternative.

Add a tiny pinch of salt to balance and enhance the air-fried apples’ sweetness.

• Oil: Use neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, etc. Coconut oil also works.

When making air fryer baked apples, you’ll also need to make some oat crisp (I recommend making a half batch from the linked recipe. Any leftovers can be used for other treats or frozen until later). Mix the crisp topping with chopped nuts and seeds (and optional raisins or dried cranberries).

How to Make Air Fryer Apples?

Cooking apples in an air fryer is a simple and fuss-free process. Below I’ve included methods to air fry apples whole, halved, or in slices.

Air Fryer Apple Slices

• 1) First, core and chop the apples into even-sized slices about ½-inch thick.

• 2) Meanwhile, mix the oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

• 3) Add the apple slices and gently mix them until evenly coated.

• 4) Spread the apples and liquid in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes at 375F/190C.

• 5) Then, shake the basket and cook the apple slices for a further 5 minutes.

If the air-fried apples aren’t soft enough to your liking, keep air frying the slices in 2-minute increments until ready. Use a fork or paring knife to check for doneness.

• 6) Finally, remove the air-fried apple slices from the air fryer and serve while warm!

Air Fryer Baked Apples

You can enjoy these air fryer baked apples either whole (cored and stuffed) or sliced in half and topped for a healthy, easy air fryer apple dessert!

1. First, prepare the apples. You can slice them in half and remove the core, stem, and seeds with a small pairing knife. OR slice the very top off the apple and use a melon baller or paring knife to scoop out the core and some of the apple flesh to make a kind of ‘bowl’ for the filling.

If any of the apples don’t stand straight, slice a very thin layer from the bottom to stop them from rolling/ shifting around.

2. Then, brush the flesh of the apples with oil or vegan melted butter and sprinkle with some cinnamon.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the oat crisp topping (add some raisins or dried cranberries and chopped nuts and/or seeds for more texture, protein, and heart-healthy fats).
4. Spoon the filling into the apples or over the apple halves and carefully transfer them to the air fryer basket (leave space between them). Air fry for around 12-15 minutes, or until tender, at 350F/180C.

To make baked apples in the oven: Prepare the apples as written, then place them spread out onto a large baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 350F/180C for 20-25 minutes, or until tender.

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Slice the apples evenly: They will air fry evenly, so none are over or undercooked to your desired texture.
• Adjust the sweetness: When using sweet apples vs. tart apples, you may wish to adjust the amount of added brown sugar accordingly.
• Don’t overcrowd the slices: Otherwise, they steam but don’t become tender and wonderfully caramelized like we want.
• Adjust the cooking time: Based on whether you prefer the air fryer apples to be tender-crisp or tender. Your air fryer model may also require slightly different amounts to my own, so keep an eye on them the first time you follow this recipe.
• For richer, saucier air-fried apples: Keep some of the cinnamon and brown sugar aside and mix it into a small amount of melted vegan butter to toss with the air-fried apple slices before serving.
• When making whole air fryer baked apples: Be careful not to remove too much of the apple flesh. The hole only needs to be ¾-1 inch wide to hold the apple crisp filling.

Storage Instructions

Store: Allow the air fryer apple slices to cool and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Air fryer baked apples (whole) when stuffed are best within 3-4 days.

Freeze: You can freeze the air-fried apples for 3-4 months in an airtight container or portion them into Ziplock/Stasher bags.

Reheat: You can either reheat the apples in your air fryer for just 2-3 minutes at 350F/180C OR microwave them in 10-15 second increments until ready (depending on the amount, it should take 30-60 seconds).

Serving Recommendations

There are plenty of ways to enjoy these air fryer cinnamon apples, including:

• Top the air fryer baked apples/slices with vegan whipped cream or custard
• With a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream (or pecan, cinnamon, etc.)
• Drizzle the air fryer baked apples with maple syrup or vegan caramel sauce
• Add vegan yogurt and granola/enjoy the air-fried apple slices within a vegan parfait
• Use the air fryer apples to top pancakes, waffles, and French toast
• Enjoy with oatmeal and overnight oats

I also love to serve them during the holidays, as they make for a crowd-pleasing addition to Christmas and Thanksgiving breakfast or dessert tables!

More Easy Vegan Fruity Desserts

• Easy yogurt mango popsicles
• Pineapple strawberry nice cream
• Blueberry zucchini muffins
• Blackberry orange cupcakes
• Easy vegan lemon cake
• Healthy watermelon popsicles
• Sparkling pineapple strawberry mocktail (to enjoy alongside dessert)

If you try either of these air fryer apples recipes, I’d love to know what you think in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla