Searching for a healthy dessert recipe? Try these air fryer baked apples! This is a delicious option during the fall or winter season (or really, anytime). Made with just six ingredients, any air fryer enthusiast will love this simple recipe.
Ingredients
Here’s a photo of everything you’ll need to make this recipe, along with selected ingredient notes:
- Apples – I recommend using firmer, crisp apples for this recipe. In the photos, you may notice that there’s a bit of a red tint to the flesh of the apples I used – these are Lucy Glo and Lucy Rose apples (red-fleshed varieties). Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Gala apples are all good choices as well.
- Oats – Rolled oats or instant oats both work fine for this recipe. Do not use steel cut oats; these are too coarse for a topping.
- Pecans – This adds a nice nuttiness to the topping. Feel free to substitute with walnuts or slivered almonds if you’d prefer those. You can also leave these out if you have a nut allergy.
Instructions
You’ll find the full recipe with amounts and instructions in the recipe card below, but here is a helpful overview with photos.
You’ll start by prepping your air fryer basket. Pour half a cup of water into the bottom of the basket. (The water should sit below where the basket rack is for the food.)
This will create steam and keep the apple moist as it’s cooking so that it does not dry out.
(For best results, you’ll need to use an air fryer with the basket, rather than the air fryers that are structured like a toaster oven, so that you can do this water step. You can skip this step if using an air fryer without a basket, but note that the texture of the dessert will be different.)
Now it’s time to prep the apples. Cut the apples in half. Use a paring knife to carefully cut around the core, then pop it out with a spoon.
Brush the apple halves with a little melted butter.
Sprinkle cinnamon on each apple, then place them in the air fryer basket.
Cook this alone in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes.
While that’s cooking, prepare the topping. Mix together the oats, cinnamon, softened butter, brown sugar, and pecans.
When the timer goes off on the air fryer, spoon the topping over the apples, dividing it evenly between them.
Air fry again for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft. Now grab a fork and dig in!
Feel free to top with vanilla ice cream or vanilla yogurt if desired.
Recipe FAQ
Here are some common questions that may come up as you prepare this recipe:
Store baked apples in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer until warm.
Baked apples are best made fresh for optimal texture.
Yes! Baked apples provide fiber to support digestive and heart health, and are a lower-calorie dessert for those concerned about weight management.
Baked apples can easily be made gluten free by using certified gluten-free oats.
More Apple Recipes
If you’re looking for more apple desserts and snacks, try one of these tasty options:
- Baked apple roses – If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert, this is the recipe you need! Make beautiful apple roses with just a few simple ingredients.
- Caramel apple salad – No, it’s not really a salad. If you’ve ever seen the traditional caramel apple salad, you know it’s a combination of apples, snickers, cool whip, and other ingredients. This version puts a more nutritious spin on the classic, using apples, ricotta, caramel, and cacao nibs.
- Apple mug cake – If you need a snack after a tough workout, this apple mug cake is a great option – it’s got a pancake-esque quality to it.
- Apple peanut butter energy balls – Easy to make and perfect for popping when you need a satisfying snack!
I hope you enjoy these air fryer baked apples! If you get a chance to try them, feel free to leave a recipe rating or comment below.
Air Fryer Baked Apples
Ingredients
For the apples:
- ½ cup water
- 2 large apples
- ½ tbsp butter, melted
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
For the topping:
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp butter, softened
- 2 tbsp chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place the ½ cup of water in the bottom of the air fryer basket and set aside for now. (This will create steam that keeps the apples moist as they cook).
- Cut the apples in half lengthwise through the stem. Use a paring knife to cut a bit around the core, then use a spoon to pop the core out.
- Spread melted butter over the flesh of the apples, then sprinkle with ¼ tsp of cinnamon.
- Place the apples in the air fryer basket, cut side up. Cook at 350 degrees in the air fryer for 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the topping: Combine the rolled oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, softened butter, and pecans in a small bowl.
- When the apples are done with the initial cooking phase, divide the topping among the apples and air fry again for another 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until the apples are soft and the filling is golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Share: What’s your favorite apple dessert? If you tried this recipe, what did you think?
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