Quick & Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples: Your Perfect Fall Dessert
Imagine a crisp autumn evening, a cozy blanket, and a warm, comforting dessert that captures the essence of fall. These Air Fryer Baked Apples are exactly that – a delightful treat featuring tender, juicy apples generously stuffed with a cinnamon-spiced oat and pecan crumble. They are incredibly easy to make, delivering a burst of sweet and spiced flavor in mere minutes, making them one of fall’s sweetest dessert options that come together in a snap!
Why Air Fryer Baked Apples Are Your New Favorite Fall Treat
When that craving for something sweet hits, especially during the cooler months, you often find yourself torn between the desire for a homemade dessert and the time it takes to prepare one. This air fryer baked apples recipe offers the perfect solution! Forget spending hours in the kitchen baking an entire apple pie or a baked apple crisp. While those classics are undeniably delicious, they often require a significant time commitment. Our air fryer version provides all the comforting flavors and textures of a traditional baked apple dessert with a fraction of the effort and cooking time.
All you’ll need is a couple of nice, juicy apples, a handful of old-fashioned rolled oats, some crunchy pecans, fragrant cinnamon, rich brown sugar, and a few other common pantry staples. In under 30 minutes, you can transform these simple ingredients into a warm, tender, and utterly satisfying fall dessert. It’s ideal for a single serving, a small family treat, or when you need a quick dessert to impress. Plus, using the air fryer means less mess and faster cleanup, making it a winner on all fronts!
Related Recipe: If you love apple desserts, be sure to try our delightful Apple Crumble next!
Key Ingredients for Irresistible Air Fryer Baked Apples
Crafting the perfect air fryer baked apples requires a few simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the readily available nature of its components. You’ll find all the precise measurements, ingredient lists, and detailed instructions in the convenient printable recipe card located at the end of this post.
Beyond the core ingredients, having these items on hand ensures a smooth and enjoyable cooking process. Gather your fresh apples, oats, and pecans, along with the sweet and spicy additions, and get ready to transform them into a heartwarming dessert that truly defines autumn comfort.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Understanding your ingredients and knowing when and how to make substitutions can elevate your cooking and ensure delicious results every time. Here’s a deeper look into the components of our Air Fryer Baked Apples:
APPLES – The foundation of any great baked apple dish is, of course, the apple itself. For baking, you want a variety that holds its shape well under heat and offers a good balance of sweet and tart flavors. Excellent choices include Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, and Gala. If you prefer a more pronounced tartness to complement the sweet filling, Granny Smith apples are a fantastic option. Avoid apples that become mushy quickly when cooked, like Red Delicious or McIntosh, as they won’t provide the desired tender-but-firm texture. A sweet-tart apple provides a wonderful contrast to the rich, sugary oat filling.
FILLING – The filling is where a lot of the magic happens! We use old-fashioned rolled oats for a delightful chewiness and a wholesome base. For the nuts, pecans add a buttery, earthy crunch that pairs beautifully with apples and cinnamon. However, this recipe is incredibly versatile! If you aren’t a fan of pecans, or simply want to try something different, feel free to substitute with other nuts like chopped walnuts or slivered almonds. Each will lend its own unique flavor profile. Alternatively, if you need a nut-free option, you can easily omit the nuts altogether and simply add an additional 3 tablespoons of old-fashioned rolled oats to maintain the bulk of the topping. To deepen the spice profile, if you have nutmeg in your spice pantry, a mere 1/4 teaspoon added along with the cinnamon will introduce an extra layer of warmth and complexity, making the filling even more aromatic and inviting.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Master Air Fryer Baked Apples
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is crucial for the air fryer to cook evenly and for the topping to crisp up beautifully right from the start, ensuring consistent results.
- Prepare the Apples: Wash your apples thoroughly and pat them completely dry with a paper towel. This step is important for both hygiene and to ensure the filling adheres properly. Next, carefully cut each apple in half horizontally. Using a melon baller, a small ice cream scoop, or even a sturdy spoon, scoop out the cores from all four apple halves. You want to create a cavity large enough to hold the filling without breaking through the bottom. Make sure to remove all seeds and any tough core remnants.
Carefully coring the apple halves to prepare them for the delicious filling. Perfectly cored apple halves, ready to be stuffed. - Mix the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, chopped pecans, light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined and the mixture forms a crumbly, moist consistency. The flour helps to bind the topping and create a lovely, golden crust, while the butter infuses everything with richness.
All the filling ingredients ready to be mixed together. Mixing the oat and pecan filling until perfectly combined. - Stuff the Apples: Carefully divide the prepared oat mixture evenly among the cored apple halves. Gently pack the filling into the cavities where you scooped out the apple core. Don’t overpack, but ensure the filling is secure and forms a small mound on top, as it will get deliciously golden and crunchy.
Stuffing each apple half with the sweet and spiced oat mixture. - Air Fry to Perfection: Place each stuffed apple half, cut-side up, directly into the basket of your pre-heated air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap, which allows for optimal air circulation and even cooking. Air fry the apples for approximately 15 minutes, or until they are perfectly tender when pierced with a fork and the topping has turned a beautiful golden brown and is wonderfully crispy. Cooking times can vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and apple size, so keep an eye on them.
Stuffed apples placed in the air fryer, ready for cooking. The finished air fryer baked apples, golden and bubbling, fresh out of the air fryer. - Serve Warm: Once cooked, carefully remove the air fryer baked apples from the basket. Allow them to cool for just a few minutes before serving. These are best enjoyed warm, when the apples are tender and the filling is soft and fragrant.
Frequently Asked Questions & Pro Tips for Perfect Baked Apples
For baked apples, you want varieties that can withstand the heat without turning into applesauce, while still offering a delightful flavor. Apples that are excellent for baking and hold their shape beautifully include Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Cosmic Crisp (which we specifically chose for these baked apples due to their balanced sweet-tart profile and firm texture). The ideal apple for baking will be either tart or sweet-tart, as their acidity provides a fantastic counterpoint to the sweet, rich cinnamon and oat filling, creating a more complex and enjoyable dessert experience.
Absolutely, you can use whole apples for this recipe, provided they are of a size that can stand upright and fit comfortably within your air fryer basket without touching the heating element. Baking whole apples will generally take a bit longer than halved ones. Cutting them in half is often preferred because it significantly speeds up the cooking process and makes coring the apple much easier, creating a stable base for the filling. If you opt for whole apples, make sure to choose medium-sized ones that are stable on their own. You will need to carefully core them from the top, creating a deep well for the filling. Expect to add at least an additional 5 minutes to the cook time, and potentially more if your apples are larger or particularly dense. Check for tenderness by inserting a knife or fork into the side of the apple.
If you happen to have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can pop them back into the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping is crisp again. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a microwave for 30-60 seconds, but the topping might not be as crispy. They are also delicious chilled, straight from the fridge!
While these apples are best enjoyed fresh and warm from the air fryer, you can certainly do some prep work in advance. You can prepare the oat and pecan filling mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. You can also core the apples a few hours before, tossing them lightly with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning, and keeping them refrigerated. Then, simply stuff and air fry when you’re ready to serve.
Air fryers can vary significantly in power and efficiency. The cooking time of 15 minutes is a general guideline. It’s always best to start checking for doneness a few minutes early, especially the first time you make this recipe in your specific air fryer. Look for tender apples (easily pierced with a fork) and a golden, bubbly topping. If your apples are browning too quickly, you can loosely cover them with a small piece of foil for the last few minutes of cooking.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Baked Apples
These warm, tender air fryer baked apples are a treat on their own, but they truly shine when paired with complementary toppings. Serve them warm for the ultimate comfort food experience. A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the rich filling, while a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream slowly melting over the warm apple creates a delightful textural and temperature play. For an extra touch of indulgence, a generous drizzle of caramel sauce or even a sprinkle of extra cinnamon will take this dessert to the next level.
Beyond these classic pairings, consider serving them with a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a healthier twist or alongside some granola for a breakfast-dessert hybrid. They also make a fantastic addition to a brunch spread. If you find yourself with an abundance of apples, don’t let them go to waste! Consider transforming them into crispy air fryer apple chips for a healthy snack, or explore our extensive arsenal of apple recipes to discover more delicious ways to enjoy this versatile fruit.
Explore More Air Fryer Delights
The air fryer is a magical kitchen appliance that can transform many dishes, from savory meals to sweet treats, with incredible efficiency. If you’re loving the ease and delicious results of these baked apples, you’ll be thrilled to discover what else your air fryer can do. Here are some more fantastic air fryer recipes to try:
- Air Fryer Brownies
- Air Fryer Churros
- Air Fryer Apple Fries
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Air Fryer Baked Apples
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IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 large apples sweet-tart, like Cosmic Crisp
- 6 Tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3 Tablespoons chopped pecans
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar lightly packed
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Things You’ll Need
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Air fryer
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Melon baller or small ice cream scoop/spoon for scooping the core
Before You Begin
- If pecans aren’t your thing, you can use any type of nuts you like; chopped walnuts or slivered almonds are also delicious here. Or you can skip the nuts altogether and add another 3 tablespoons of old-fashioned rolled oats instead for a nut-free version.
- To enhance the warm spice flavor, if you have nutmeg in your spice pantry, feel free to add 1/4 teaspoon along with the cinnamon to the filling mixture.
- These air fryer baked apples are incredibly delicious topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, and/or a generous drizzle of caramel syrup for an extra touch of decadence.
- When selecting apples for baking, look for sweet-tart varieties that maintain their structure well under heat. Recommended types include Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Cosmic Crisp (the variety we used here). The slight tartness of these apples perfectly balances the sweet cinnamon and oat filling.
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 350F (175°C).
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Wash the apples thoroughly and pat them dry. Cut each apple in half horizontally and use a melon baller, small ice cream scoop, or a sturdy spoon to scoop out the cores from all 4 halves, creating a cavity for the filling.
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In a medium bowl, combine the old-fashioned rolled oats, chopped pecans, light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is crumbly.
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Divide the oat mixture evenly among the cored apple halves, lightly packing it into the cavities and forming a small mound on top.
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Carefully place each stuffed apple into the basket of the pre-heated air fryer, ensuring they are in a single layer. Air fry until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork and the topping is golden brown and crispy, approximately 15 minutes. Cooking time may vary based on your air fryer and apple size.
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Serve warm, optionally with your favorite toppings like ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition
Calories: 261cal |
Carbohydrates: 33g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 15g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g |
Trans Fat: 0.3g |
Cholesterol: 23mg |
Sodium: 78mg |
Potassium: 200mg |
Fiber: 4g |
Sugar: 21g |
Vitamin A: 328IU |
Vitamin C: 5mg |
Calcium: 29mg |
Iron: 1mg
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.