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Air Fryer Apples are tender on the inside with a soft, caramelized cinnamon-sugar coating — and they’re ready in about 15 minutes. It’s one of those simple treats that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
If you love cooked apples, try air frying baked apples next!
Quick Look At This Recipe
✨ Flavor: Warm, spiced apples with a soft caramelized cinnamon-sugar coating.
⏱️ Prep time: 6 minutes
🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
⏲️ Total time: 16 minutes
👥 Servings: 4
🥄 Tools: Air fryer and baking dish
❄️ Freezer friendly: No, air-fried apples are best made fresh.
👩🏻🍳 Tip: Cook the apples in a small dish inside the air fryer basket (not loose) so the cinnamon-sugar mixture pools into a caramel-like syrup instead of dripping away.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
I’ve made this air fryer apples recipe more times than I can count, and it’s become one of my go-to’s when I want something sweet without a lot of fuss.
I’m always looking for treats that feel indulgent but don’t take much to put together, and this one checks both boxes. I love topping them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an instant treat.
I’ve also used them as an apple pie filling! I love knowing my pie is filled with fresh, juicy apples instead of something from a can.
If you love apples, try air fryer apple chips or an air-fried apple crisp. We’ve also put together our favorite fall recipes to make in the air fryer, if you need more options!
Why This Recipe Works
- The caramelized syrup is the secret. Instead of tossing the apples loose into the basket, they cook in a small dish set inside the air fryer. This keeps the sugar and cinnamon mixture from dripping away.
- Firm apples hold their shape. Varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji stay tender-firm instead of turning to mush, so you get distinct, spoonable slices rather than applesauce.
- It’s a lightened-up treat. With just a touch of oil and sugar, this gives you that warm apple-pie flavor without the crust or the extra sugar of a full dessert.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
- Apples: Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold their shape and won’t turn mushy in the air fryer. Avoid Red Delicious, which breaks down too much when cooked. I also use fresh apples to make these air fryer apple fritters.
- Granulated Sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness of the apples.
- Coconut Oil: Helps the cinnamon and sugar stick to the apples while they cook. It’s a lighter, dairy-free fat option. Melted butter works great too if you prefer its richer flavor.
- Vanilla and Cinnamon: Both add natural sweetness and warmth to the air-fried apples, while the cinnamon adds a bit of spice.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list with quantities.
Variations
- Sugar-Free or Different Sweeteners: You can skip the sugar if you want but the air fryer apples will be noticeably less sweet. You can also use coconut sugar, brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup for different flavor profiles, or use monkfruit sweetener for sweetness without any calories or sugar.
- Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for some crunch.
- Add different spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice along with the cinnamon for extra flavor. You can also replace it with pumpkin pie spice for a more complex flavor.
How to Cook Apples in the Air Fryer
To get started, mix the coconut oil, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a bowl and preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3-5 minutes before adding the apples.
- Peel and slice apples into wedges about 1/4 inch in thickness. Place them in a large bowl and toss them with the melted coconut oil mixture until evenly coated.
- Place apples in a baking dish, like a Pyrex, Corningware, or large ramekin bowl, that fits inside your air fryer basket. Using a dish, rather than just placing the apples in the basket directly, allows the cinnamon sugar mixture to pool around the apples. This gives them their soft, syrupy, caramelized coating, instead of drying out or losing all that flavor to the bottom of the fryer.
- Place the bowl in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, until the apples are easily pierced with a fork, golden brown, and the sauce is syrupy. Serve warm with air-fried frozen waffles for breakfast.
Expert Tips
- Cut evenly: Try to cut the apple slices as close as you can to the same size. This will help them cook at the same rate.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Work in batches if you’re making a large batch or have a smaller air fryer. If the air can’t circulate properly around the apples, they won’t get that soft, caramelized texture you’re after.
- Optional stir: About halfway through cooking, you can carefully stir or shake the apples in the dish. It’s not required, but it helps the sugar and cinnamon caramelize a little more evenly on all sides.
- Air fryers vary: I make this recipe in my Cosori air fryer. Because air fryers can vary depending on size and wattage, cook time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.
Air Fryer Apples Recipe FAQ’s
These are best made fresh and served warm, since that’s when the texture is at its best. The apples will soften more when reheated.
Granny Smith is my favorite because it’s firm and holds its shape well, with a little tartness to balance the sweetness. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala are all great choices too. Avoid Red Delicious because it turns to mush once cooked.
That’s up to you! I prefer to peel mine for a softer bite and texture, but leaving the skin on adds extra fiber and saves you a step if you’re short on time.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350° F before serving. I don’t recommend freezing them, since apples tend to turn mushy once thawed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these warm, straight from the air fryer, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a simple dessert.
They’re just as good spooned over a bowl of air fryer oatmeal or Greek yogurt for breakfast, or used as a quick, fresh apple pie filling. For a weekend treat, spoon them over a stack of air fryer pancakes and drizzle with homemade pancake syrup.
However you serve them, they’re best enjoyed right away while that caramelized coating is still warm and soft.
More Air Fryer Apple Recipes
Desserts
Air Fryer Bloomin’ Apples
Desserts
Air Fryer Apple Turnover
Desserts
Air Fryer Apple Pie Taquitos
Desserts
Air Fryer Apple Pie
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Air Fryer Apples
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Pyrex or Corning ware bowl
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine oil, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.
- Wash and pat apples dry with paper towels. Use a paring knife to peel skin off and cut apples into quarters. Then cut the thin piece of core off of each individual piece. Cut apples again into slices (half-moon shapes).
- Once the apples are sliced, add apple slices to the bowl mix and lightly toss them in the mixture until all slices are fully coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F 3-5 minutes. Place apples in a single layer a Pyrex, Corning ware, or large ramekin bowl, and place in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, until the apples are soft and golden brown.
- Allow apples to cool for 2-3 minutes and then serve immediately.
Notes
- Cut evenly so the apple slices cook at the same rate.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket — work in batches for a smaller air fryer or a larger batch.
- Air fryers vary by size and wattage, so cook time may need to be adjusted by 1-2 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks delish! I love apples but sugar makes me really sick. Have you tried any substitutes??
I haven’t tried one, but I wonder if a little monkfruit or even a little honey would be good?