Air Fryer Baked Apples

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Air Fryer Baked Apples are coated in delicious warm spices and topped with a crispy maple syrup oat topping. They make the perfect fool-proof dessert and are a unique way to use up all your fresh apples! Pair them with a scoop of ice cream to make the perfect quick and easy snack or dessert.

Two plates of air fryer baked apples, one with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Table of Contents

Air Fryer Baked Apples are great for when you’re craving something sweet, but not wanting chocolate or other sweet treats. This recipe is made out of ingredients that are kitchen staples and they can be made in under 30 minutes.

And for even more apple recipes, try my Quinoa Apple Salad or these Spiced Apple Pancakes!

Why This Recipe Works

Perfect for Fall: A great way to take fresh-picked apples (hello apple picking season!) and turn them into something special.
An easy and satisfying dessert: Making a gourmet treat doesn’t have to be hard, and this easy recipe proves it!
Quick and simple: This recipe uses common ingredients and simple steps for a stress-free, easy dessert.

Jordan

Ingredients You’ll Need

Labelled ingredients for air fryer baked apples.

Gala apples – Crisp and naturally sweet, Gala apples hold their shape well in the air fryer without turning mushy. Honeycrisp or Fuji also work if that’s what you have.
Butter – Melted butter helps the topping stick and adds rich flavor. You’ll brush some over the apples and mix the rest into the oat topping.
Warm spices – Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg give these apples that classic “baked apple pie” flavor. Don’t skip them — they’re what make the recipe cozy and fall-like.
Brown sugar – Sweetens the topping and caramelizes as it cooks, giving the apples a golden, slightly crisp finish.
Rolled oats – Use plain old-fashioned oats for the best texture. Quick oats will work in a pinch but can get softer, and flavored oats aren’t recommended.
Maple syrup – Acts as a natural sweetener and also binds the topping together so it clings to the apples. Honey works too, but you’ll lose that signature maple flavor.
Pure vanilla extract – A small splash of vanilla deepens the flavor of the oat topping and makes it taste like dessert.
Vanilla ice cream (optional but highly recommended!) – A scoop on top of warm baked apples creates the ultimate fall dessert combo.

*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.

Substitutions/Additions

There are a few apples that do not turn super mushy when they’re air fried, but here are my top favorite apples aside from gala:

Honeycrisp: they are one of my favorite apples to use while baking. Because the apples start out a little crisper than other apples, they tend to keep their flavor and texture throughout the baking process. They’re also easy to access year-round.
Granny Smith: these are by far one of the most commonly used apples when baking or cooking with apples. This is because they are one of the most acidic (or sour) apples so they keep their texture really well.
Cortland: these apples compare to McIntosh apples but without turning into mush as soon as they start cooking. They’re bright red and a little bit softer than the other apples that are used in some recipes. They’re juicy, and the sweetness goes well with the warm spices that are added to this recipe.
Pink Lady: also known as Cripps Pink apples, they are a perfect combination between tart and sweet. Once they’re done cooking, you can still taste the delicious, almost honey-like flavor, but still enjoy the firmness of other apples.

How to Make Air Fryer Baked Apples

Slice apples. Slice the apples down the middle remove core and seeds. After removing, scoop out some of the apple to form a cavity in the middle. Save the carved apple and set it aside.

Adding butter and spices to cored apples.

Season the apples. Brush the apple halves with butter using a pastry brush and sprinkle with sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg.

Making oat topping for air fryer baked apples.

Prepare the oats topping. In a medium bowl, add the rolled oats, melted butter, extra apple pieces, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.

Air fry the apples. Top apple halves with crispy oat topping mixture and place in the air fryer. Cook 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool about 5 minutes, then top with ice cream and serve!

Recipe FAQs

At what temperature do apples soften?

It depends on the apple. I like to keep my apples around 140 degrees so they soften, but they don’t get too soft. I wouldn’t go over 165 degrees or your baked apples will turn into applesauce!

What apples should you not bake with?

While there are a few apples that I do not recommend baking, there is one in particular that is a big no-no when it comes to baking, and that is the red delicious. The flavor of the apple lessens when cooked, and they have the tendency to get very soft and mushy. I also don’t recommend using McIntosh or Fuji apples because they, too, will get very soggy when they’re air fried.

Should I peel the apples before baking?

For this recipe, I do not peel them because I like a little more of a textured skin once they’re done cooking. If you prefer softer air fryer apples, I would recommend peeling them first.

How do I store air fryer baked apples?

While your baked apples can sit at room temperature for up to three hours, you will either need to refrigerate or freeze your leftovers. You can store your baked apples in an air-tight container in your fridge for up to four days. They can keep in the freezer for a couple of months.

How do I reheat baked apples?

To reheat, toss them in your oven or air fryer at 350 F for 10-12 minutes.

Air fryer baked apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

More Air Fryer Dessert Recipes

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