Air Fryer Baked Apples

WRITER BYCassie

POSTEDNovember 26, 2019

Air-fried baked apples are the perfect quick dessert when you're craving something sweet. These cinnamon-baked apples are filled with a delicious cinnamon oat filling and can be enjoyed on their own or topped with ice cream or cream. They're made with everyday ingredients and ready in just 15 minutes. If you don't have an air fryer, you can also make them in the oven.

When I'm craving a sweet treat for fall, I always head straight for air-fried baked apples. Okay, that's a lie. If I have chocolate or ice cream in the house, I'm going straight for those, but in this scenario, I don't have any delicious treats lying around.

Enter baked apples. They're made with simple everyday ingredients I always have on hand (you will too) and are ready in just 15 minutes.

I'm not joking around when I say these are ridiculously easy to make. All you have to do is halve an apple, fill it with butter, cinnamon topping, and a simple oat crisp, and bake it in your air fryer. That's it.

Once that timer dings, your house will smell divine with tasty fall flavors, and you'll have a deliciously soft, cinnamon-baked apple with a crunchy, crisp topping. It's enough to make anyone weak at the knees.

You can eat that baked apple as is or top it with ice cream or whipped cream. You do you! These are a simple and satisfying fall treat.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Baked apples have roots in European and early American cooking, often used as a simple dessert when fresh fruit was in season. They show up in 18th-century cookbooks and have remained popular because they're affordable, adaptable, and comforting.

In Germany, for instance, "Bratäpfel" are traditionally served during the Christmas season, often filled with marzipan, nuts, and spices, and accompanied by vanilla sauce. Similarly, in colonial America, baked apples were a staple, with recipes appearing in early American cookbooks.

Today, they've found new life in modern kitchens thanks to the air fryer. They're a favourite fall dessert or a sweet snack when the cravings hit.

WHY I MAKE THESE ALL THE TIME

I've been making baked apples for over a decade. This air fryer version became a regular in my kitchen after I had my kid and needed easy, hands-off desserts during the chaos of bedtime routines.

They've since become a family favourite. Even my kid will eat a whole half, especially if there's a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Whenever I share these with friends, someone always asks for the recipe. A neighbour once told me, "These taste like a cross between apple pie and oatmeal cookies, but lighter!"

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THEM TOO

Super easy to prepare in 15 minutes.
A healthy dessert that will satisfy those sugar cravings.
Fun way to use your air fryer.
No fancy ingredients; pantry staples only

New to air frying? Be sure to get your free printable Air Fryer Cooking Chart filled with cooking times & temperatures for all your favourite foods, plus tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your air fryer.

WHAT APPLES ARE BEST FOR BAKED APPLES?

My hands-down favourite apple for baking is Pink Lady, which I use in all of my apple recipes, including my Easy Apple Cake and Apple Cinnamon Rolls. Pink Lady apples are a nice all-rounder mix of sweet and tart. Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Honeycrisp also work well, so go ahead and get whatever is on sale!

INGREDIENTS

Don't you just love a dessert you can make pretty much anytime with ingredients you always have on hand? I sure do! Here's what you'll need for the air fryer apples recipe (full measurements listed in the printable recipe card below):

Apples
Butter
Cinnamon
Oats
Flour
Maple Syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut the apples in half through the stem, using a knife or a spoon to remove the core, stem, and seeds. Brush a little butter over the cut sides of the apples, then sprinkle with cinnamon.

Mix the topping ingredients in a small bowl and spoon them evenly on top of the apple halves. Carefully place the apple halves into the air fryer basket, then cook on 180°C/350°F for 15 minutes or until softened.

Serve warm with ice cream or cream if desired. You can customize these with your favorite toppings like nuts, raisins, or a drizzle of caramel.

HOW TO MAKE BAKED APPLES IN THE OVEN

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F and place the apples in a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the apples are soft and tender and the filling is crisp and browned. If the top browns too quickly, cover it with aluminium foil.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FROM EXPERIENCE

I've made these air fryer baked apples more times than I can count, usually when I want a healthy dessert without added sugar. Over time, I've picked up a few tricks to help them turn out perfect every time:

Topping falling off? Press it gently into the apple with the back of a spoon so it sticks and crisps up evenly.
Apples too dry? Add a splash of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to create a little steam.
Too mushy? You're likely using a softer apple like Red Delicious. Try Pink Lady or Granny Smith for a firmer bite.
Still firm after 15 minutes? Cook for 2–3 more minutes and check again with a fork.
Topping looks dry before baking? Don't worry. It'll crisp up as the butter and syrup melt. Let it bake before adjusting.

These small tweaks can make a big difference. Once you get the feel for it, this recipe is hard to mess up.

STORAGE, FREEZING, AND REHEATING HACKS

Through trial (and a few soggy reheats), I've figured out the best ways how to store it, freeze, and reheat these baked apples in air fryer, without losing that crisp topping or soft center:

Storing: Let the apples cool completely before storing. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. They'll keep well for up to 2 days, though they're best the day you make them.
Freezing: The texture of the apples may soften further once frozen and reheated. Freeze them in a single layer on a tray until solid, then move to a freezer-safe bag or container. Store for up to 2 months. Skip the ice cream or toppings until serving time.
Reheating: Reheat at 160°C/320°F for 5–7 minutes to bring back some crispness. Or, bake at 180°C / 350°F for about 10 minutes if reheating from frozen.

MORE TIPS FOR THIS EASY RECIPE

This recipe uses melted butter for brushing over the apples and also in the topping. Melt your butter all at once (1 tablespoon + 1 tsp) and use a bit to brush over the apple halves, then mix what's left with the rest of the topping ingredients.
I find 15 minutes is perfect for these baked apples, but if you find the apples are still a bit firm, cook for a few minutes longer.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook these in the oven at 180°C/350°F for 20 minutes or until the apples are soft and the topping is browned.
You can even try air frying fruit other than apples using the same method for a quick, healthy dessert.

Want more great Air Fryer recipes? Be sure to join our Facebook Group - Air Fryer Fun.

NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER APPLE HALF)

As someone who cares deeply about what I feed my family, I always keep an eye on the nutritional value of our everyday treats. These air fryer baked apples are a great example of a dessert that feels indulgent but is still light and made with whole ingredients. Here's the approximate nutrition breakdown per apple half (without ice cream or cream):

Calories: 150
Total Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Sugars: 14g
Fibre: 3g
Protein: 2g
Sodium: 30mg

I recommend using a nutrition calculator like Cronometer or checking labels directly for the most accurate info.

FAQs

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES

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Originally published November 26, 2019. Updated July 02, 2025 with new information, no changes to the cooking instructions.

RECIPE

Air Fryer Baked Apples

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

15 minutes

Total Time

20 minutes

Air Fryer Baked Apples are the perfect quick dessert when you're craving something sweet. These cinnamon baked apples are filled with a delicious oat crisp and can be enjoyed on their own or topped with ice cream or cream. Made with everyday ingredients and ready in just 15 minutes. They can also be made in the oven if you don't have an air fryer.

4.62 Stars (239 Reviews)

servings

2

Scale

Ingredients

2 Apples

1 tsp Butter

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Instructions

Cut apples in half through the stem and use a knife or a spoon to remove the core, stem and seeds. Brush a tsp of butter evenly over the cut sides of the apples, then sprinkle over 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.

Mix topping ingredients together in a small bowl, then spoon on top of the apple halves evenly.

Place the apple halves carefully into the air fryer basket, then cook on 180C / 350F for 15 minutes or until softened.

Serve warm with ice cream or cream if desired.

Notes

TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRYER BAKED APPLES

I love using Pink Lady apples when baking, but Granny Smith, Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp would all work well.
This recipe uses melted butter for brushing over the apples and in the topping. Melt your butter all at once (1 tbsp + 1 tsp) and use a bit to brush over the apple halves, then mix what's left with the rest of the topping ingredients.
I find 15 minutes is perfect for these baked apples but if you find the apples are still a bit firm cook for a few minutes longer.
You can cook these in the oven if you don't have an air fryer - 180C/ 350F for 20 minutes or until the apples are soft & the topping is browned.
If you have any baked apples leftover store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Did you make this? Tell us about it!

Nutrition Facts

Servings:2

Serving Size:1

Amount Per Serving:

calories

247kcal

carbohydrates

43g

protein

fat

saturated fat

polyunsaturated fat

cholesterol

20mg

sodium

65mg

fiber

sugar

25g

That's a shame Sharon. Unfortunately every air fryer can behave a little differently and some are a lot more powerful / cook quicker than others. Were your apples quite close to the heating element? That could cause the topping to burn. I'd suggest if you were going to try the recipe again to do it on a lower temp in your air fryer for longer, but keep a close eye on them while they cook to make sure they don't burn.

Renee

November 9, 2020

I just got an air fryer and want to try this. Do you have to use whole wheat flour? I have a ton of all-purpose.

Cassie

November 9, 2020

Absolutely - you can use all-purpose Renee 🙂 enjoy!

Heidi

January 3, 2021

I have made this recipe twice now, and both times it was amazing! I used the Bake feature on my Ninja XL air fryer at 350 for 12 minutes. I made slightly more topping the 2nd time around and it was great. I served with vanilla ice cream. Such a delicious treat in so little time.

Carolyn Livingston

January 25, 2021

What air fryer do you use? The Ninja Foodi Grill is 1700+ Watts, the Insyant Pot is 1500. Time and temp make a difference.l
Thanks!

Cassie

January 26, 2021

Hey Carolyn - your temp will be the same but your cooking times may very, which is why I say 15 mins, or until apple is softened. My tips are always the same - check your food while it's cooking regularly the first time to find the sweet spot for you, then note down the time so you can it for next time. I never recommend setting and forgetting in the air fryer. Hope that helps 🙂

Sandy Chenot

February 2, 2021

These were not a hit with the family.
They're healthy,, but they need sugar.

Cassie

February 2, 2021

That's a shame Sandy - these baked apples are one of my most popular recipes and get a lot of love, but if you're used to very sugary desserts I understand why it might not be sweet enough for you.