Sweet, tender and juicy, Air Fryer Baked Apples are a fuss-free dessert with a warm cinnamon oat filling. They take just 15 minutes to bake in the air fryer and you only need 8 ingredients! These stuffed apples are a quicker alternative to oven baked apples, which can take 30-45 minutes to bake, and they even satisfy the craving for apple crisp or crumble, with much less effort. As a bonus, this recipe is dairy-free and vegan, with a gluten-free option included.
Table of Contents
This recipe is similar to my air fryer pears recipe. What I love about both is that they do double duty as both dessert and a sweet breakfast!
Details on the ingredients
The ingredient list is short and simple!
- Apples - You need 6 apples for this recipe, with the cores cut out. I used SweeTango, which is similar to Honeycrisp, but you can use a number of different varieties. Whatever you choose, go for apples that are firm and crisp and hold their shape when baked.
- Oats - For the filling, you'll need ½ cup of oats. I normally use old fashioned or large flake rolled oats but you can also use quick oats if you prefer. To make this recipe gluten-free, make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.
- Flour - Just two tablespoons of flour goes into the oat filling. I used whole wheat, but you can also use all-purpose white. To make this recipe gluten-free, just use 1:1 gluten-free flour.
- Butter - A little melted butter helps the crumble filling stick together. To keep this recipe vegan and dairy-free, I used plant-based butter. You can also use dairy butter if you prefer.
- Maple syrup - Some maple syrup also helps the oat mixture stick together and adds some sweetness.
- Coconut sugar - Just a tablespoon pairs with the maple syrup to make the oat filling a little sweeter. You can use brown sugar as a substitute.
- Cinnamon - This adds a warm and cozy flavour. Feel free to substitute apple pie spice if you have it.
- Salt - Just a pinch of salt complements the sweetness of the apples and filling.
How to bake stuffed apples in the air fryer
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the ingredients for the oat filling. Set aside.
Wash and dry your apples and slice about ¼ - ½ inch off the tops.
Use a paring knife to remove the cores. I find a combination of paring knife and spoon works best to get out all the seeds. You can also use an apple corer.
Divide the filling into each of the apples.
Place the apples in the air fryer basket and air fry on 330F for 13-15 minutes, or until fork tender.
Use tongs to carefully remove the apples from the air fryer basket.
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Serve immediately with a drizzle of maple syrup and/or a scoop of ice cream.
Recipe substitutions
- Instead of plant-based butter, you can use melted coconut oil or dairy butter for a non-dairy free version.
- Change up the spices by adding a pinch of nutmeg or using apple pie spice or pumpkin spice.
- Replace the coconut sugar with brown sugar. (I don't recommend replacing it with granulated sugar).
- If you don't need the recipe to be vegan, substitute the maple syrup with honey.
- Mix some chopped pecans into the oat filling, or add some dried cranberries or raisins.
Storage and reheating
Air fryer apples are best enjoyed freshly baked and warm. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. I don't recommend freezing them.
To reheat, just warm them in the air fryer at 330F for 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave them.
Frequently asked questions
For baked apples, you'll want an apple variety that is firm and holds its shape once baked, like Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Cortland or Granny Smith. You want to avoid varieties that get soft and mushy when baked.
It also depends on the flavor you prefer. Granny Smith will be more tart, while Honeycrisp will be sweet. I used SweeTango in this recipe which is a cross between Honeycrisp and Zestar apples, so they're crisp and sweet.
You can make the filling in advance and store it covered in the fridge for 2-3 days but I don't recommend prepping the apples a few days in advance as they brown quickly.
At best, you can prep them a few hours in advance. To minimize browning, once you core your apples, place them in a bowl of cold water that has been mixed with a pinch of salt. Leave them there for a few minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
Key recipe tips
- Stable apples. You'll want to make sure the apples you select are sturdy and can stand up on their own. If they're wobbly, they'll just tip over in the air fryer.
- Size of apples.Try not to use apples that are too tall or you may need to cut more off the top. The oats on top of taller apples will brown quicker in the air fryer. I usually select rounder apples.
- Coring the apples. When removing the core, scoop out enough flesh to get about 2 tablespoons of filling in there. Be careful you don't scoop too much out around the sides or bottoms as the apples may not be able to hold the filling.
- Don't over stuff. You want to get a lot of filling into the apples, but don't pack it in too tight.
- Air frying time. If you prefer your baked apples firm, take them out at 13 minutes. For softer apples, bake them for 15-17 minutes.
- Air fry in batches. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to air fry the apples in batches or make just half a recipe.
- Type of air fryer. You may need to adjust the air frying time and temperature slightly based on your brand and model of air fryer. This recipe was tested in a 5.8 quart Cosori.
More apple recipes
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Baked Apples
Ingredients
- ½ cup large flake rolled oats, (substitute with quick oats)
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour, (substitute with all purpose white flour)
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, (substitute with brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon plant-based butter, melted (substitute with melted coconut oil or dairy butter)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 6 apples, see note
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together everything but the apples to make the oat filling. Set aside.
- Wash and dry your apples and slice about ¼ - ½ inch off the tops.
- Remove the apple cores. A combination of paring knife and spoon works best to get out all the seeds. You can also use an apple corer.
- Divide the filling into each of the apples.
- Place the apples in the air fryer basket and air fry on 330F for 13-15 minutes, or until fork tender.
- Use tongs to carefully remove the apples from the air fryer basket.
- Serve immediately with a drizzle of maple syrup and/or a scoop of ice cream.
Notes
- Use apples that are firm and crisp and won't get mushy when baked such as SweeTango, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Cortland or Granny Smith.
- You'll want to make sure the apples you select are sturdy and can stand up on their own. If they're wobbly, they'll just tip over in the air fryer. I usually select rounder apples.
- Try not to use apples that are too tall or you may need to cut more off the top. The oats on top of taller apples will brown quicker in the air fryer.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and 1:1 gluten-free flour.
- If you prefer your baked apples firm, take them out at 13 minutes. For softer apples, bake them for 15-17 minutes.
- If you have a small air fryer, you may need to air fry the apples in batches or make just half a recipe.
- You may need to adjust the air frying time and temperature slightly based on your brand and model of air fryer. This recipe was tested in a 5.8 quart Cosori.
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
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