Craving a quick and cozy treat? This easy air fryer apples recipe is the perfect way to enjoy warm, cinnamon-spiced apples in just minutes. With simple ingredients and no oven required, you'll have a healthy snack or easy dessert that tastes just like apple pie filling, without all the work. Serve these cinnamon apples on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In this post, I'll share step-by-step instructions, the best apples for air frying, and tips to get them perfect every time.
I think regular readers know, I LOVE my air fryer, as evidenced by my air fryer cookies, air fryer French toast, and air fryer apple fritters.
So, when I found myself craving some baked apples on a particularly chilly night, I thought to myself... why not make it even easier and throw them in the air fryer?!
These apples are truly a special treat. The fact that they're made in the air fryer means it's not only super easy to whip this up, the apples end up cooked to perfection.
You can top this dessert off with ice cream, homemade whipped cream, or some gluten free granola. The sky is the limit!
Jump to:
- What Makes Air Fryer Apples So Good?
- Choosing The Best Apples For Air Frying
- Ingredients For This Air Fryer Apples Recipe
- Step-By-Step Instructions: How To Make Air Fryer Apples
- Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Troubleshooting Air Fryer Apples: Quick Reference
- Storage & Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Recipes You Might Like
- 📖 Recipe
- Easy Air Fryer Apples
What Makes Air Fryer Apples So Good?
- Did I mention it's easy? The whole process is super quick and you don't even have to turn on your oven.
- It tastes just like warm apple pie filling. Who doesn't love that?
- An air fryer is ideal for apples because you can achieve faster caramelization with less oil.
- Like I said, you can add fun toppings and the possibilities really are endless. I'm partial to salted caramel ice cream.
Choosing The Best Apples For Air Frying
When it comes to choosing the best apples for this recipe, I don't think you can go wrong with anything you pick. However, there are a few considerations.
Granny Smith will give you a slightly more tart flavor profile, while Honeycrisp and Gala are on the sweeter side.
Ingredients For This Air Fryer Apples Recipe
- Apples: To be honest, I think you can use any apples you like in this recipe! Honeycrisp or Granny Smith would be my top choices.
- Maple syrup: Make sure you're using 100% pure maple syrup, NOT pancake syrup (which tends to have a bunch of added artificial ingredients).
Step-By-Step Instructions: How To Make Air Fryer Apples
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
- Wash and dry apples thoroughly. I peel mine but technically this is optional.
- Toss your apple slices in a large bowl along with half of the maple syrup, the melted butter, and the cinnamon.
Step 2: Air Fry the Apples
- Transfer the apples to the basket of your air fryer.
- Air fry on 390ºF for about 8 minutes.
Pro tip: Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to work in batches.
Step 3: Serve and Enjoy
- Immediately transfer the apples into a heatproof bowl and toss with the rest of the maple syrup. Serve warm.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
There are so many delicious ways to serve these air fryer apple slices! My personal favorites include ice cream and/or homemade whipped cream.
If you wanted to, you could make your own granola or grab your favorite at the store and sprinkle on top. That would kind of make this recipe more like an apple crisp!
But you can think beyond dessert here, too. Add these apples to Greek yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes for a delicious fall breakfast.
Store leftover apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Troubleshooting Air Fryer Apples: Quick Reference
| Problem | Possible Causes | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Too Soft / Mushy | Slices too thin; soft variety (e.g., Red Delicious); temp too high | Use firm apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji); slice ¼" thick; cook at 325°F slightly longer |
| Burns / Browns Too Quickly | Slices too thin; sugar caramelizes fast; fryer runs hot | Check 2–3 mins early; lower to 325°F; add sugar after cooking |
Apples turn out too soft or mushy
Possible causes:
- Slices are too thin
- Apple variety is naturally soft (i.e. Red Delicious apples)
- Cooking time or temperature is too high -- air fryers are all different and yours may heat up differently than mine
How to fix:
- Use firmer apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady
- Slice at least ¼ inch thick
- Lower the temperature on your air fryer to 350ºF and cook slightly longer, constantly checking for doneness
Apples burn or brown too quickly
Possible causes:
- Slices too thin
- Air fryer runs hot
How to fix:
- Check for doneness 2-3 minutes early
- Lower the temperature on your air fryer to 350ºF
Storage & Reheating
One of the best things about air fryer apples is that you can make a batch ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week.
- Fridge: Store cooled apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: While you can freeze them, the texture softens significantly once thawed, so it's not recommended if you want crisp apples.
- Reheating: For best results, pop apples back into the air fryer at 320°F for 3-5 minutes to restore warmth and some crispness. Avoid microwaving unless you don't mind them being softer, as it tends to make apples mushy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can use non-dairy butter to make this recipe dairy free.
To prevent sticking, lightly coat the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil before adding the apples. Avoid overcrowding the basket, which can cause apples to steam and stick instead of crisp.
The best way to reheat air fryer apples is to place them back in the air fryer at 320°F for 3-5 minutes. This reheats them evenly and helps revive some crispness.
You can store the apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I wouldn't keep it longer than that.
Yes, you can air fry frozen apples, but the texture will be softer and more steamy than when starting with fresh apples. Frozen apples release more water as they cook, so they're better for a warm topping (like on oatmeal, pancakes, or pork chops) rather than crispy apple slices. For best results, thaw frozen apples first, pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, then follow the recipe to air fry.
For more cozy autumn baking, don't miss my roundup of the best gluten-free fall desserts.
Did you try my air fryer apples? Leave me a comment below or tag me on Instagram @justastastyblog and #justastastyblog! And don't forget to subscribe to get new recipes directly in your inbox.
Related Recipes You Might Like
📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Apples
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup divided
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with half of the maple syrup, the melted butter, and cinnamon.4 medium apples, ¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup, 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Transfer the apples to the basket of the air fryer. Air fry on 390°F for 8-9 minutes.
- Transfer the apples back to a heatproof bowl and toss with the remainder of the maple syrup while the apples are still warm.¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup
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