These air fryer apples are an easy dessert when you want something warm and sweet without making a whole pie or crumble. The apples soften in the air fryer while the oat and walnut filling gets crisp on top, and the maple syrup adds enough sweetness without making the filling heavy.
It's one of my favorite air fryer recipes because you only need 9 ingredients to make something delicious. They’re also easy to portion since each apple is cut in half before cooking. If you enjoy quick air fryer desserts, try my Air Fryer Peach Cobbler too. Keep reading because I’ll show you how to prepare the apples, what to use in the filling, and how long they need in the air fryer.
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Try These Easy Air Fryer Apples
If you like baked apples but don’t want to turn on the oven, these are your next go-to recipe. The apples get soft and warm, and the oat and walnut filling stays a little crunchy on top.
The filling is my favorite part of this baked apples in air fryer recipe. I like the mix of maple syrup, cinnamon, walnuts, and oats because it gives the apples enough sweetness and texture without covering up the fruit.
Why You’ll Love It
- They’re quick: The apples only need 15-20 minutes cook time in the air fryer, making them a great side dish for meals like chicken or pork, or even just a healthy recipe snack.
- The filling has texture: Rolled oats and chopped walnuts keep it from becoming soft all the way through.
- You only need a few ingredients: There’s nothing complicated in the filling, and most of the ingredients are easy to keep on hand.
- They’re easy to serve: Each apple makes two portions, so you don’t need to cut or plate a larger dessert.
- You can change the nuts or spices: Pecans, almonds, or pumpkin pie spice give so much flavor, and all work if that’s what you have.
Recipe Ingredients
- Apples: Use apples that hold their shape fairly well when cooked. You want them to soften in the air fryer without collapsing completely. I prefer using honey crisp apples or Golden Delicious when I can. Granny Smith apples are more tart apples when it comes to flavor.
- Rolled oats: These are what give the filling its chewy, slightly crisp texture. I wouldn’t swap them for instant oats or steel-cut oats here.
- Walnuts: I like the crunch they add against the soft apple. Pecans or almonds work too if you prefer them.
- Maple syrup: This sweetens the filling and helps coat the oats, walnuts, and spices. It also works nicely with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Apples
1. Cut the apples in half vertically. Use a spoon or melon baller to remove the core and seeds, leaving a hollow in the center of each half.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients, rolled oats, chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the melted butter and maple syrup over the oat mixture. Stir until everything is coated and the filling looks crumbly.
3. Spoon the mixture into the hollow center of each apple half. Pack it down slightly so it stays in place while cooking. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Spray some cooking oil spray on the tray.
4. Place the filled apples carefully in the air fryer basket in a single layer. For a slightly crispier topping, spray minimal canola oil, or coconut oil on the top, and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the apples are tender and the filling is golden brown and crisp.
5. Remove the air-fried apples carefully after air frying and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. Serve warm with whipped cream, apple pie spice, or vanilla ice cream if you like. To make them cinnamon apples, just sprinkle some cinnamon and brown sugar on top.
Recipe Tips
- Use rolled oats for these easy air fryer apples rather than instant or steel-cut oats. They hold their shape better and give the filling the right texture.
- Pack the filling into the apples firmly enough that it doesn’t fall out during cooking.
- Don’t remove too much apple when coring. You only need enough space for the filling.
- Check the apples near the 15-minute mark. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size and type of apple.
- The apples will be very hot when they come out, especially around the filling, so give them a minute before serving.
- If your air fryer runs hot, check them early so the filling doesn’t brown too much before the apple is tender.
- I would not recommend storing leftover apples, as these can become very soggy.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Greek yogurt
- Caramel sauce
- Chopped nuts
- Extra pure maple syrup
- Drizzle of honey
FAQs
I’d choose an apple that softens when cooked but still holds its shape. You don’t want the apple to turn completely mushy before the filling has browned.
I don’t recommend it. Rolled oats work better because they hold their texture during cooking.
Yes. You can use pumpkin pie spice instead of the cinnamon and nutmeg.
The apples should be tender when pierced, and the filling should look browned and crisp on top. For this recipe, that usually takes 15-20 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
It's a matter of personal preference. The skin of the apple provides extra stability to the soft apples, but you can remove it if you prefer a softer texture.
Recipe
Air Fryer Apples
Equipment
- Spoon or melon baller
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Air Fryer
- Oven mitts
- Serving dish
- Whisk or spoon for stirring
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Silicone spatula
Ingredients
- 2 apples
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Cut apples in half vertically and use a spoon or melon baller to remove the core and seeds. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Drizzle the melted butter and maple syrup over the oat mixture and stir until the mixture is crumbly and well coated.
- Spoon the oat mixture into the hollow center of each apple, packing it down slightly.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, place the apples carefully inside and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the filling is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the apples from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a minute or two. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Notes
Cooking Time and Temperature
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, until the apples are tender and the oat filling is golden brown and crisp.Taste & Texture
These apples are soft and warm inside, with a slightly crisp oat and walnut topping. The cinnamon and nutmeg add a little spice, while the maple syrup gives the filling a mild sweetness.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freezer: The source recipe doesn’t provide freezing instructions, so I wouldn’t recommend a specific freezer time.
- Reheating: Reheat the apples in the air fryer until warmed through so the topping has a chance to crisp up again.
Serving Recommendations
I like these best while they’re still warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream works really well because it melts a little into the oat filling. If I want something lighter, I’ll use a spoonful of Greek yogurt instead. A little extra maple syrup on top is also good if the apples themselves aren’t very sweet.Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Walnuts: Replace them with pecans or almonds.
- Spices: Use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Maple syrup: Keep the maple syrup for the same flavor and moisture in the filling.
- Nuts: Leave them out if needed, although the filling will have less crunch.
- Serving: Add whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce after cooking.
Proper Storage Tips
- Let leftovers cool before putting them into a container.
- Store them covered in the refrigerator.
- Keep the filling side facing up so it doesn’t get squashed.
- Reheat only what you plan to eat.
- I’d avoid leaving them sitting at room temperature for long periods once cooked.
Pro Tips
- Cut the apples in half as evenly as you can so they cook at a similar rate.
- Use a spoon or melon baller to remove the core without cutting through the bottom.
- Stick with rolled oats for the filling.
- Mix the melted butter and maple syrup through the dry ingredients until everything is coated.
- Pack the filling down slightly before air frying.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) before adding the apples.
- Start checking at 15 minutes.
- Remove them carefully because both the fruit and filling will be very hot.
- Let them stand for a minute or two before serving.
Video
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