There’s something magical about the smell of warm, cinnamon-spiced apples filling the kitchen—it instantly feels like home. My love for air fryer baked apples started on a chilly fall evening when I needed a quick dessert but didn’t want to heat up the whole oven. In just 20 minutes, I had tender, caramelized apples that tasted like they’d been slow-baked for hours. Seriously, if you haven’t tried this trick yet, you’re missing out! It’s the easiest way to turn a simple apple into a cozy, healthy treat—no fancy skills or cleanup required. And trust me, once you’ve made them once, you’ll be hooked.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Baked Apples
These little gems are my go-to for so many reasons—here’s why they’ll become yours too:
- Lightning fast: Done in 20 minutes flat (oven-baked apples can’t compete!)
- Secretly healthy: Just fruit, a drizzle of honey, and spice—no guilt here
- Your rules: Swap in nuts, oats, or even chocolate chips if you’re feeling wild
- No mess: One little air fryer basket to wash instead of a bulky baking dish
- Year-round magic: Cozy in winter, refreshing with ice cream in summer
Honestly? The hardest part is waiting for them to cool enough to eat!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Baked Apples
Here’s the beautiful thing about this recipe—you probably have most of these ingredients sitting in your kitchen right now! But let me share exactly what you’ll need to make these air fryer baked apples just right:
- 2 medium apples (I swear by Granny Smith for their tartness or Honeycrisp for extra sweetness—just make sure they’re firm so they hold up)
- 1 tablespoon honey (the good, sticky stuff—none of that fake syrup business)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (because what’s a baked apple without that warm spice?)
- 1 tablespoon chopped nuts (optional, but walnuts or pecans add such a nice crunch)
- 1 teaspoon butter (optional, but oh-so-good when melted into the filling)
That’s it! Five simple ingredients that come together to create something way more magical than the sum of their parts. Now grab your apples—let’s get coring!
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Apples
Okay, let’s get to the fun part—turning those simple ingredients into the most delicious, cozy dessert you’ve ever made in under 20 minutes! I’ll walk you through each step so your apples come out perfectly tender and caramelized every time. Don’t worry—it’s practically foolproof.
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
First things first: give those apples a good wash—nobody wants wax or grit in their dessert! Now for the only slightly tricky part: coring. You’ll want to remove the core completely, but here’s my pro tip: don’t go all the way through the bottom. Leave about a half-inch at the base so your delicious filling doesn’t leak out. I use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the seeds and tough center, making a nice little well for the filling. If you mess up and poke through? No worries—just pretend you meant to make an apple cup!
Step 2: Mix the Filling
This is where the magic happens! In a small bowl, mix together your honey and cinnamon until it looks like liquid gold. Taste it (because, honestly, who could resist?)—if you like it sweeter, add a bit more honey. Want extra spice? Toss in a pinch of nutmeg or allspice. Feeling fancy? This is when I’ll sometimes stir in those chopped nuts or even a few oats for texture. The key is to make sure it’s well blended so every bite gets that perfect sweet-spicy balance.
Step 3: Cook in the Air Fryer
Pop your air fryer basket in and preheat to 350°F—just 2-3 minutes does the trick. While that’s warming up, fill your apples with the honey mixture, packing it in gently. If you’re using butter, place a tiny pat on top of each filled apple—it’ll melt down into all the nooks and crannies as they cook. Arrange them in the basket with some space between (crowding leads to steaming, not that nice caramelization we want). Cook for 12-15 minutes—start checking at 12! They’re done when a fork slides easily into the flesh but they still hold their shape. Oh, and that smell? Pure heaven.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Baked Apples
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds—I have a problem), I’ve learned all the tricks to avoid soggy, undercooked, or exploding apples. Here’s how to nail it every single time:
Pick the right apples
Not all apples are created equal for air frying! I learned this the hard way when I tried using softer varieties—total mush. Granny Smith is my MVP for holding its shape, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji work great too. Just stay away from mealy types like Red Delicious unless you want apple sauce!
Don’t overstuff them
That honey-cinnamon mix is delicious, but resist the urge to pack it in like you’re stuffing a Thanksgiving turkey. Leave about 1/4 inch at the top—the filling expands as it cooks. I’ve had many a messy air fryer basket from overzealous filling (sorry, husband who has to clean it).
The fork test is your friend
Start checking at 12 minutes—poke the side (not the filling!) with a fork. You want tender but still with some resistance, like a perfect baked potato. If the fork meets zero resistance, they’re overdone. And if your air fryer has hot spots like mine, give the basket a gentle shake halfway through for even cooking.
Bonus pro tips:
- Lightly spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking (learned this after my first batch left half their skin behind)
- If your apples wobble, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to stabilize them—lopsided apples cook unevenly
- Want more caramelization? Brush the outsides with a tiny bit of honey before cooking
Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll have restaurant-worthy baked apples that’ll make everyone think you spent hours in the kitchen!
Variations for Air Fryer Baked Apples
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can mix it up! Sometimes I’m in a classic cinnamon-honey mood, other days I want to get creative. Here are my go-to twists that keep things interesting:
Maple Cinnamon Bliss
On weekends when I’m feeling extra indulgent, I swap the honey for pure maple syrup—just a tablespoon per apple. The deep, caramel-like flavor pairs perfectly with the cinnamon. Bonus? It makes your kitchen smell like a Vermont pancake house! I’ll sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg too for that “apple pie in every bite” feeling.
Crunchy Oat Surprise
For breakfast-worthy apples, I mix 1-2 tablespoons of old-fashioned oats right into the filling. They soak up all that sweet honey and turn delightfully tender-chewy. It’s like having apple crisp without all the work! Pro tip: Toast the oats in a dry pan first for extra nuttiness—total game changer.
Yogurt Cloud Topping
Right after the apples come out of the air fryer, I’ll dollop on some thick Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain both work). The warm apples make it melt slightly into this dreamy, creamy sauce. Last time I did this, I sprinkled crushed pistachios on top—fancy enough for company but still stupid easy. My kids call it “apple sundae” and beg for it!
Honestly? Half the fun is inventing your own versions. Try adding a few chocolate chips before cooking (they get melty!), or mix in some dried cranberries for tartness. The air fryer doesn’t care—it’ll make anything delicious!
Serving Suggestions
Now for my favorite part—stuffing my face with these glorious air fryer baked apples! But first, let’s talk about how to take them from great to “oh-my-goodness-I-need-this-every-day” status. Here’s how I love to serve them:
A la mode (aka the best way): Plop a scoop of vanilla ice cream right into that warm apple cavity and watch it melt into all those cinnamon-y nooks. The contrast of hot and cold is pure magic. Bonus points if you use caramel swirl ice cream—trust me on this one.
Breakfast mode: Top with a big dollop of Greek yogurt and drizzle with extra honey for a morning treat that feels indulgent but isn’t. I’ll sometimes add granola for crunch—my kids call it “deconstructed apple crisp.”
Fancy pants version: For company (or when I’m pretending to be fancy), I’ll add whipped cream, a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, and some chopped toasted nuts. A little mint leaf makes it look straight out of a restaurant—they’ll never know it took 15 minutes!
Midnight snack style: Sometimes I just grab a spoon and eat it straight from the air fryer basket. No judgment here!
Honestly? These apples are so good they don’t need anything extra—but where’s the fun in that? Get creative with your toppings and make each bite your own!
Storage and Reheating
Okay, confession time—I rarely have leftovers because we gobble these up so fast! But on the off chance you manage to save some (superhuman willpower!), here’s how to keep your air fryer baked apples tasting fresh:
First, let them cool completely—no one likes a soggy apple! Then pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for about 2 days, though honestly, they’re best eaten within 24 hours. The cinnamon flavor actually gets better as it sits!
When you’re ready for round two, here’s my favorite trick: reheat them in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. It brings back that just-made texture way better than a microwave ever could (though 20 seconds in the microwave works in a pinch). If the filling seems dry, add a tiny drizzle of honey before reheating.
Pro tip: If you want to prep ahead, you can core and fill the apples up to 4 hours before cooking—just keep them in the fridge wrapped in plastic. The lemon juice trick? Skip it! The honey mixture keeps them from browning.
Nutritional Information
Let’s keep it real—I’m no dietitian, but I do love knowing what’s going into my treats! Here’s the scoop on these air fryer baked apples (per serving, based on using honey and no extra toppings):
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 20g (all natural from the apples and honey!)
- Fat: 2g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 4g (that’s 16% of your daily needs—not bad for dessert!)
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and vary based on ingredients used. If you’re watching sugar, you could swap the honey for sugar-free maple syrup—but personally? I think life’s too short not to enjoy that golden honey goodness in moderation!
The best part? Unlike most desserts, you’re basically eating fruit with a little sweet spice. My kinda “health food” that doesn’t taste like punishment!
FAQs About Air Fryer Baked Apples
I get so many questions about this recipe—here are the ones that pop up most often (and my honest answers after testing every possible variation!):
Can I use other apple varieties? Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are my go-tos, any firm apple works—try Braeburn, Fuji, or Pink Lady. Just avoid softer varieties like McIntosh unless you want applesauce (learned that the messy way). The firmer the apple, the better it holds its shape in the air fryer!
What if I don’t want to use honey? No problem! Maple syrup makes a delicious swap, or for sugar-free options, try monk fruit syrup or even a sprinkle of brown sugar. The key is using something slightly sticky to help the spices cling to the apples. My diabetic friend swears by sugar-free caramel syrup—says it tastes like dessert rebellion!
Should I peel the apples first? Nope! The skins soften beautifully during cooking and add extra fiber (bonus!). Plus, peeling is just one more step standing between you and dessert. I only peel if I’m making these for my toddler niece—and even then, only because she’s weird about textures.
Got more questions? Drop them in the comments below—I read every one! And if you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how your air fryer baked apples turned out. Did you add crazy toppings? Discover a genius twist? Spill the apple-filled details! You can also find more inspiration on Pinterest.
Print
“20-Minute Air Fryer Baked Apples: Irresistible Fall Comfort”
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and healthy air fryer baked apples, perfect for a quick dessert or snack.
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 tsp butter (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and core the apples.
- Mix honey and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Fill the apple centers with the honey-cinnamon mixture.
- Place apples in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- Adjust sweetness to taste.
- Add toppings like yogurt or whipped cream if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
