Air Fryer Baked Apples a quick and healthy dessert featuring tender, caramelized apples stuffed with warm cinnamon, nuts, and a touch of sweetness, all perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a fuss-free treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this air fryer baked apples recipe because it’s both simple and satisfying. It’s a healthier dessert option that still feels indulgent thanks to the warm spices and caramelized sugar. The air fryer makes the apples perfectly tender and juicy in a fraction of the time it takes in a traditional oven. Plus, the mix of nuts and dried fruit inside adds a lovely texture and natural sweetness that makes each bite irresistible. Whether I want a quick snack or a comforting dessert, this recipe never disappoints.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
4 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work well)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil
Optional: vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for serving
Directions
I preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
I core the apples carefully, making sure to leave the bottom intact so the filling stays inside.
In a small bowl, I mix together the nuts, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until everything is well combined.
Then I stuff each apple with the filling mixture, pressing it down gently to fill the hollowed centers.
I place the apples upright in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other for even cooking.
I air fry the apples for 15-20 minutes until they’re tender and the filling is bubbly and caramelized.
After cooking, I carefully remove the apples and let them cool slightly before serving. They’re perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people. The prep time is about 10 minutes, and the cooking time in the air fryer takes around 20 minutes, so the total time needed is roughly 30 minutes. It’s a great dessert to whip up on a weeknight or when I want something comforting but quick.
Variations
I sometimes switch up the nuts depending on what I have on hand — pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts work beautifully. For a tropical twist, I add chopped dried pineapple or shredded coconut to the filling. If I want to cut back on sugar, I use coconut sugar or reduce it slightly, and I often swap butter for coconut oil to keep it dairy-free. Another variation I enjoy is adding a sprinkle of oats or granola on top before air frying for a little crunch.
Storage/reheating
I usually eat these baked apples fresh, but if I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, I pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, reheating gently in the microwave for 30-60 seconds works well too.
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FAQs
Can I use any type of apple for this recipe?
I find firmer apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work best because they hold their shape during cooking. Softer apples might get too mushy in the air fryer.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake these apples in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until tender and caramelized.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Just use coconut oil instead of butter and make sure your sugar is vegan-friendly. Serve with dairy-free yogurt or ice cream if desired.
How do I prevent the apples from getting too soft or mushy?
I keep an eye on the cooking time and remove the apples as soon as they’re tender but still hold their shape. Using firmer apple varieties helps a lot.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Definitely! I sometimes mix the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge until I’m ready to stuff and cook the apples.
Conclusion
I really enjoy how easy and delicious this air fryer baked apples recipe is. It’s a wholesome dessert that feels cozy and special without much effort. The warm spices, crunchy nuts, and juicy apples make a perfect combination that satisfies my sweet tooth in a healthy way. Whether I’m making a quick treat for myself or serving guests, this recipe is always a hit.
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Air Fryer Baked Apples
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and healthy dessert featuring tender, caramelized apples stuffed with warm cinnamon, nuts, and a touch of sweetness, all perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a fuss-free treat.
Ingredients
4 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work well)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil
Optional: vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Core the apples carefully, leaving the bottom intact so the filling stays inside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the nuts, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until well combined.
- Stuff each apple with the filling mixture, pressing it down gently to fill the hollowed centers.
- Place the apples upright in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other for even cooking.
- Air fry the apples for 15-20 minutes until tender and the filling is bubbly and caramelized.
- Carefully remove the apples and let them cool slightly before serving. Optionally, serve with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt.
Notes
Use firmer apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala to avoid mushy texture.
Variations include swapping nuts (pecans, almonds, hazelnuts), adding dried pineapple or shredded coconut.
Use coconut sugar or reduce sugar to cut back sweetness; swap butter for coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
Add oats or granola on top before air frying for extra crunch.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in air fryer or microwave.
Filling can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 baked apple
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
