Alright, I finally did it. I gave in to the air fryer craze. I know, I know—”Welcome to 2020,” right? But hear me out: this little gadget has totally changed my snack game. Especially when it comes to apples. One bite of these warm, sweet, cinnamon-coated air fryer apples and I was hooked.
If you’ve ever dreamed of apple pie without the fuss of crusts or long bake times, this is it. The apples turn soft and tender, with caramelized edges that taste just like a cinnamon apple pie filling recipe. Only this time, no oven mitts or pie dough drama involved.
It’s the perfect cozy treat whether you’re a meal-prep enthusiast, a midnight snacker, or someone who’s just looking for an easy fall dessert that doesn’t take forever.
Let me show you how it’s done.
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Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients—three, to be exact. And I promise, it doesn’t get easier than this:
- 2 large apples (I like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady. Avoid Red Delicious, they get mushy.)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (or a mix of fall spices like nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger)
- 1–2 tsp sweetener of your choice (maple syrup, coconut sugar, honey, stevia, or monk fruit all work)
- Optional: 2 tsp melted butter or oil for extra richness
- Bonus sprinkle: pinch of sea salt, if you want to get fancy
These ingredients make a batch big enough for 2 people. Or one very hungry person.
Instructions / Method
Here’s how we make these beauties:
Step 1: Chop the Apples
Wash and dry your apples. You can peel them or leave the skin on—totally your call. Cut them into even chunks or slices. Just make sure they’re all about the same size so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Toss in the Good Stuff
Place your chopped apples in a bowl. Add cinnamon, your sweetener of choice, and oil or butter if using. Toss until they’re well coated.
Step 3: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Let it preheat for a few minutes while you finish prepping.
Step 4: Time to Fry
Spread the apples in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd—they need some space to caramelize properly. Work in batches if needed.
Step 5: Cook ‘Em Up
Air fry for 7 minutes. Shake the basket, then cook for another 8 minutes. The apples should be soft inside, crispy on the edges, and smell like heaven.
Let them cool slightly (they’ll be piping hot!) before digging in.
Serving Suggestions
You’ve got options here, folks. These sweet air fryer apples are basically dessert chameleons:
- Spoon them over oatmeal or chia pudding
- Tuck them inside crepes or warm tortillas
- Serve with pancakes, waffles, or French toast
- Dollop them on vanilla ice cream (oh yes.)
- Layer them into yogurt parfaits
- Stir into warm porridge or use as an apple pie filling
Craving something even easier? Check out our easy 3-ingredient apple dessert for a shortcut treat.
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? (Highly unlikely, but just in case…)
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Pop back into the air fryer or warm on the stovetop.
- Freeze? Meh. They get watery and sad. Not recommended.
Make a double batch and enjoy them all week—breakfast, snack, dessert. Repeat.
Health Benefits
Air fryer apples aren’t just a pretty face—they’re packing serious nutrition too:
- High in fiber, which helps digestion
- Rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like quercetin
- Cinnamon can help balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation
- Naturally gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and dairy-free
- Can be made sugar-free with stevia or monk fruit
For more inspiration, check out our favorite healthy apple snacks too.
Oven & Stove Variations
No air fryer? No problem.
Oven method:
- Preheat to 350°F
- Spread apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through
Stovetop method:
- Heat a pan with 1 tsp butter or oil
- Add apples and cinnamon mix
- Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until softened (10–12 mins)
Air Fryer Apples
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Crispy-edged, cinnamon-spiced air fryer apples that taste like the filling of your favorite apple pie—but ready in 15 minutes and without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
- 2 large apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady recommended)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1–2 tsp sweetener of choice (maple syrup, coconut sugar, honey, stevia, or monk fruit)
- Optional: 2 tsp melted butter or oil
- Optional: pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry the apples. Peel if desired, then chop into even chunks or slices.
- Place in a bowl and toss with cinnamon, sweetener, and optional butter or oil until well coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Spread apples in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry for 7 minutes, shake the basket, then air fry for another 8 minutes until soft with caramelized edges.
- Let cool slightly before serving—these come out hot!
Notes
Serve over oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, or crepes—or enjoy on their own for a warm and cozy snack. Avoid Red Delicious apples as they tend to get mushy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Still cozy, still delicious.
Related Recipes
Love these air fryer apples? Don’t stop here. Keep the fruity goodness going:
- Cinnamon apple pie filling recipe
- Moist pumpkin banana bread
- Fruity crumble topping ideas
- Classic banana bread recipe
- Easy and healthy carrot cake
- Seasonal cookie treats
Bookmark them now, thank me later.
For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Facebook.