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Air Fryer Baked Apples

My oh my! Air Fryer Baked Apples might be my favorite Fall healthy-ish dessert treat! I love that I can make them in about 20 minutes from scratch and enjoy a whole serving of fruit in my dessert.

Air fryer baked apples with whipped cream on top
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Air fryer apples

That's right, the air fryer is not just for snacks and meals! You can absolutely use it to make desserts. After all, an air fryer is simply an oven that circulates hot air and bakes things faster.

So I took a dessert that typically takes a long time to bake in the oven and adapted it for the air fryer: baked apples!

These baked apples made in the air fryer are my favorite because:

  • They're not mushy and retain their crispness a little
  • They are ready in 20 minutes
  • They have the tastiest crispy cinnamon oat stuffing/topping
  • They're gluten free (not that I am gluten-free, but I like it when I don't have to take out flour because that seems to get all over the counter no matter how careful I try to be)
  • I don't need to heat up the whole by turning the oven on!
Air fried apple cut in half to show texture inside

More air fryer fruit dessert recipes: Air Fryer Peaches

You can use this recipe below to make baked apple halves or whole stuffed apples. I prefer the apple halves because of the higher topping-to-apple ratio, but there ain't nothing wrong with whole baked apples!

Either way, please do NOT forget the grab the whipped cream or ice cream. I find that apple desserts always need a little something creamy and sweet on top... who's with me?!

Watch the web story for a quick overview on how to make baked apples in the air fryer, or read the full recipe below.

Related recipe: Apple Raspberry Crisp

Ingredients to make air fryer baked apples

Ingredients

  • 2 medium apples, such as pink lady, gala, or fiji
  • ½ cup old fashioned oats (not instant oats or steel cut)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted or mostly melted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream for serving

Optional ingredients: try adding a tablespoon or two of crushed walnuts or pecans, or some raisins. Not too much, each apple gets just a few tablespoons of topping!

Related recipe: Instant Pot Apple Crumble Cheesecake

Equipment

Related recipe: Mini Apple Pie Cups

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the apples in half. Cut out the cores. This is best done by standing each apple half on the cutting board and using a knife to slice down in a V-shape behind the core of the apple. 

How to core an apple half to make baked apples

Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients (oats through salt) and mix well.

Gluten free oat crisp topping for baked apples in a bowl

Step 3: Divide the oat stuffing mixture between the four apple halves. Carefully place on your air fryer tray or basket and make sure they are not tipping over. Make sure there is something underneath to catch the caramelized juices as the apples air fry!

Apple halves stuffed with cinnamon oat topping on an air fryer tray

Step 4: If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 350F. Air fry the stuffed apples at 350F for 13-17 minutes, checking on them after 10 minutes to make sure the tops aren't burning. Air fryer models differ and some might cook faster or slower. If you prefer softer apples, air fry at 325F for 15-20 minutes.

Air fried baked apples on a plate

Step 5: Allow to cool for a few minutes and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream on top. If you want to get a little crazy, drizzle the whipped cream with the bourbon caramel sauce from my bourbon milkshake recipe!

Related recipe: Apple Toffee Cake

Air fryer whole apples

If you prefer whole baked apples, you can follow the same recipe as here, except you'll be able to stuff 4 apples with the stuffing recipe here! You might need to add a few minutes of air frying time if you prefer softer apples. If you prefer to cut out a bigger core and stuff MORE stuffing into the apples, increase the amount of stuffing.

Air fryer baked whole apple on a plate

Coring a whole apple is a lot more difficult than removing the core from an apple half. Start by CAREFULLY inserting a knife down around the core, taking care not to cut through to the bottom. Make a few cuts inside the core section too. Then use a fork to start scooping out pieces of the core. Make sure you remove all the seeds and hard parts of the apple core. It's OK if it doesn't look pretty, it will get stuffed with delicious oat topping!

Apple with the core removed

More healthy Fall dessert ideas: Pumpkin Whipped Cottage Cheese (everyone's who's tried it says it's LIFE CHANGING!)

Air fryer baked apples without stuffing

You can also use the air fryer to bake apples without any stuffing, for a very healthy delicious treat. Simply cut the apples in half and remove the core, coat them with a tiny bit of melted butter to prevent drying out, and air fry.

Air fryer baked apples retain their crispness a little and make a GREAT addition to oatmeal or on top of yogurt. You can slice them after they cool down, or serve them whole with a scoop of frozen yogurt on top.

Either way you decide to make them, I hope you get a chance to try apples cooked in the air fryer!

Related recipe: Apple Crisp

If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!

Baked apples topped with whipped cream
Print Recipe
4.85 from 19 votes

Air Fryer Baked Apples

Air fryer baked apples are so quick and easy to make, the perfect Fall dessert when you're craving something sweet, yet on the healthier side. These apples retain a little crisp and don't turn mushy, and have the tastiest crunchy oat topping. Read the notes below the recipe for tips on how to make whole apples in the air fryer, if you prefer that.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Author: Kate

Ingredients

  • 2 medium apples - such as pink lady, gala, or fiji
  • ½ cup old fashioned oats - (not instant oats or steel cut)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar - (light or dark)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - melted or mostly melted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream for serving - for serving

Special equipment

Instructions

  • Cut the apples in half. Cut out the cores. This is best done by standing each apple half on the cutting board and using a knife to slice down in a V-shape behind the core of the apple.
    How to core an apple half to make baked apples
  • In a medium bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients (oats through salt) and mix well.
  • Divide the oat stuffing mixture between the four apple halves. Carefully place on your air fryer tray or basket and make sure they are not tipping over.
    Apple halves stuffed with cinnamon oat topping on an air fryer tray
  • If your air fryer requires preheating, preheat to 350F. Air fry the stuffed apples at 350F for 13-17 minutes, checking on them after 10 minutes to make sure the tops aren't burning. Air fryer models differ and some might cook faster or slower. If you prefer softer apples, air fry at 325F for 15-20 minutes.
  • Allow to cool for a few minutes and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream on top.

Notes

  • To make whole apples in the air fryer: You'll be able to stuff 4 apples with the stuffing recipe here! You might need to add a few minutes of air frying time if you prefer softer apples. If you prefer to cut out a bigger core and stuff MORE stuffing into the apples, increase the amount of stuffing.
  • Use gluten-free oats if needed.
  • Optional ingredients: try adding a tablespoon or two of crushed walnuts or pecans, or some raisins. Not too much, each apple gets just a few tablespoons of topping!
  • The nutrition facts do not include ice cream or whipped cream for serving and will vary depending on actual ingredients used.

Nutrition

Calories: 173kcal (9%) | Carbohydrates: 29g (10%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (20%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg (5%) | Sodium: 15mg (1%) | Potassium: 150mg (4%) | Fiber: 3g (12%) | Sugar: 18g (20%) | Vitamin A: 225IU (5%) | Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) | Calcium: 23mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

The nutritional information displayed is an estimate and not to be used as dietary or nutritional advice. Consult a nutritionist or dietician for nutritional info based on the exact ingredients you use.

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