Easy Air Fryer Apples

I used to think the only way to enjoy cooked apples was in a pie or crumble that took forever to bake. Then I discovered my air fryer could handle this job in a fraction of the time.

Air fryer apples are simple to make and taste like fall in a bowl. You just slice them up, add a little cinnamon and sugar, and let the air fryer work its magic. In about 10 minutes, you’ll have tender, sweet apples that smell amazing and taste even better.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

For air fryer apples, you’ll want to stick with firm, crisp varieties that hold their shape well during cooking. Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and Gala apples are all great choices because they have the right balance of sweetness and tartness, plus they won’t turn to mush in the air fryer. Granny Smith apples also work well if you prefer a more tart flavor, while Fuji apples are another good option if you like things on the sweeter side. Just avoid softer apples like Red Delicious or McIntosh, as they tend to break down too much during the cooking process and won’t give you those nice, tender-but-still-intact apple pieces you’re looking for.

Options for Substitutions

This simple air fryer apple recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

• Red apples: While pink lady, honey crisp, and gala work great, you can use other firm apples like granny smith, fuji, or braeburn. Just avoid soft varieties like red delicious as they’ll get mushy. Green apples will add a nice tart contrast to the sweet maple syrup.
• Real maple syrup: If you’re out of maple syrup, try honey, agave nectar, or even brown sugar mixed with a tablespoon of water. Start with less since these can be sweeter than maple syrup.
• Coconut oil: Melted butter works perfectly as a substitute and adds a rich flavor. You can also use vegetable oil or even skip the oil entirely if you want to keep it lighter – just expect slightly less caramelization.
• Cinnamon: Feel free to mix things up with apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or add a pinch of nutmeg along with the cinnamon for extra warmth.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making air fryer apples is cutting them too small, which leads to mushy, overcooked pieces instead of tender bites with a nice texture – stick to 1-inch cubes for the best results.

Another common error is overcrowding the air fryer basket, so cook in batches if needed to ensure even browning and proper air circulation around each apple piece.

Don’t skip tossing the apples halfway through cooking, as this prevents one side from getting too dark while the other stays pale, and always check for doneness at the 8-minute mark since different apple varieties cook at slightly different rates.

For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or vanilla extract to your cinnamon mixture, and remember that softer apples like Gala will cook faster than firmer varieties like Honey Crisp.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Apples?

These warm, cinnamon-spiced apples are perfect on their own as a cozy snack, but they really shine when served over vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for a simple dessert. I love spooning them over oatmeal or pancakes for breakfast – the maple syrup and cinnamon make everything taste like fall in a bowl. They’re also great alongside pork chops or roasted chicken since the sweet apples complement savory dishes so well. For an extra treat, try them with a dollop of whipped cream or sprinkled over granola for a healthy parfait.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: These sweet air fryer apples taste best when served warm and fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. They make a great topping for oatmeal or yogurt the next morning, even when they’re cold!

Freeze: You can freeze these cooked apples in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. They’re perfect for adding to smoothies or thawing out when you want a quick healthy snack. Just portion them into small containers so you can grab exactly what you need.

Warm Up: To bring back that just-made taste, warm the apples in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or toss them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F. They’ll get that nice tender texture back and smell amazing again.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	10-14 minutes
Total Time	15-24 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 260-320
• Protein: 0-1 g
• Fat: 4-5 g
• Carbohydrates: 68-76 g

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (freshly ground preferred for more flavor)
• 2 medium red apples (cored and halved)
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (I use Grade A Vermont maple syrup)

Step 1: Prepare the Apples and Preheat the Air Fryer

• 2 medium red apples

Core and halve your red apples, removing the seeds and woody center core completely.

Pat the apple halves dry with a paper towel—this helps them cook more evenly and develop better caramelization.

While you prep the apples, preheat your air fryer to 380°F and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Coat Apples with Maple and Spices

• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

In a bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and ground cinnamon until well combined.

I like to use freshly ground cinnamon here because it has a more vibrant, warm flavor compared to pre-ground.

Toss the prepared apple halves in this mixture, making sure each piece is evenly coated on both the cut side and skin.

Step 3: Air Fry Until Tender and Caramelized

• coated apple halves from Step 2

Arrange the coated apple halves in the preheated air fryer basket with the cut side facing up.

Cook at 380°F for 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

The apples are done when the flesh is very tender and the edges are slightly caramelized.

I find that the exact timing depends on the size of your apples, so start checking around the 10-minute mark.

Step 4: Finish with Final Maple Drizzle

• cooked apples from Step 3
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

Transfer the hot cooked apples to a serving bowl and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of maple syrup while they’re still warm.

This adds a final layer of sweetness and helps create a light glaze as the syrup mingles with the apple juices.

Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.