Air fryer apples with cinnamon and maple glaze. These perfectly tender and fragrant apple slices are delicious as a side dish, dessert, or addition to breakfast. This is an easy apple recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
These cinnamon air fryer apple slices with maple glaze are fragrant and perfectly tender. They will leave your kitchen smelling amazing. You get all the flavors and goodness of sweet apple pie, but without all the work.
These are great to enjoy all year round as a snack or an easy dessert, but are especially good in the fall when everything apples are in full swing and there are frequent visits to the apple orchard.
Love apples? Be sure to try my gluten-free apple crisp, apple cinnamon oat muffins, and kale and Brussels sprouts salad (with apples).
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📋Reasons to Love This Recipe
- EASY - These air fried apples take less than 10 minutes to prep and in total take 25 minutes from start to finish. You pretty much just need to peel the apples, mix, and air fry!
- THE GLAZE - The finished apples are tossed in a maple glaze which makes these taste like apple pie, but without all the gluten, refined flours, and carbs.
- DIETARY NEEDS - Gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, Paleo, vegan.
🥘Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below. Here are some specific notes and substitutions.
APPLES - Sweet, crisp apples are best for these air fried apples. I used honey crisp, but pink lady and Fuji are also great options. You could also use a mix of sweet and tart, such as granny smith, if you'd like.
AVOCADO OIL - You'll need to lightly coat the apples in oil before air frying. I used avocado oil for its mild/neutral taste and because it's a clean oil. You can also use extra-virgin olive oil or unrefined coconut oil.
MAPLE SYRUP - Be sure to use pure maple syrup.
COCONUT SUGAR - I use coconut sugar for the caramel flavor and to keep this refined sugar free. Brown sugar can be used as a substitute.
Clean food tip: Apples are on the EWG’s dirty dozen list (meaning they contain the highest amounts of pesticides), so I recommend organic.
Clean food tip: Be sure to use a non-inflammatory oil, such as avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, or coconut oil.
🔪Step-by-Step Instructions
These air fryer baked apples couldn't be any easier to make. Follow the below easy instructions. It's as simple as peel, slice, mix, and fry!
STEP 1: Peel apples, core, and slice into ½" thick slices. You can either use an apple corer, or just peel them, cut them, and then removed the seeds from the slices that have seeds.
STEP 2: Place peeled apple slices in a medium sized mixing bowl and add avocado oil and cinnamon. Mix until apples are evenly coated in oil and cinnamon.
STEP 4: Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F. Place apple slices in air fryer basket once preheated. It's okay if apples are slightly overlapping, but don't crowd too much. If needed, air fry in batches.
STEP 5: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until apples can easily be pierced with a fork and are nice and browned. While apples are cooking, whisk together the maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut sugar.
Note: No need to stir apples halfway though, unless apples are overlapping a ton, then you'll wan to stir at the half way point.
STEP 6: Remove apples from air fryer basket and place in a mixing bowl so you can add the glaze. Drizzle glaze over apples and mix well. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired.
Now you can serve and enjoy these air fryer apples!
💭Recipe Tips & Notes
Not all air fryers are created equal and even though they are set to the same temperature, air fryers may cook differently. My air fryer takes 12 minutes for the perfect apples. Check after 10 minutes and if needed, continue cooking for 1-2 minute increments until soft and golden brown.
Play around with additional spices. Cinnamon is classic, but ginger, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice would all be great to mix in with the cinnamon!
If you would like a rich buttery flavor to your apples, add 1 tbsp. melted butter to the maple syrup glaze.
🍎Storing Leftovers
Leftover air fryer apples should be store in the fridge in an air tight container and will stay good for up to 5 days. You can eat cold, or reheat in the microwave or air fryer. Microwave for 30-ish seconds or air fry at 380 for 2-3 minutes.
You can also store in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
👩🏻🍳FAQs
No, you don't need to. I did when I made these for the photos, but it's not necessary. They will still turn out great and actually most of the nutrients are in the skin, so leaving the skin on has extra health benefits.
That depends on what you consider healthy. These are made with real unrefined ingredients, but the maple syrup glaze does add some sugar, and in my opinion something that should be enjoyed sparingly. You can easily skip the maple glaze though. Either way, I do consider these a healthy dessert option!
Anywhere from 10-12 minutes. The thickness of your apples and your air fryer will determine the exact frying time.
Firm, sweet, crisp apples are best to use. I prefer honey crisp, but pink lady and Fuji are also great options. I haven't tried it, but I think a mix of sweet and tart apples would be good too.
🍽Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy these air fryer apples.
They are delicious as a simple side dish for the holidays or alongside some pulled pork.
Turn them into a dessert by topping them with homemade granola, pumpkin granola, your favorite ice cream, coconut whipped cream, or regular whipped cream.
They also make a great topping for your favorite breakfast or brunch items like these oat flour pancakes or gluten free waffles.
However you serve them, you just can't go wrong!
🍲More Air Fryer Recipes for you to Try
Eat Clean.Be Healthy!
-Sara
Air Fryer Apples
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 4 large, sweet apples
- 1 tbsp. avocado oil
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 tsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp. coconut sugar
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the apples by peeling them, coring them, and slicing into ½" thick slices.
- Place sliced apples in a medium-sized mixing bowl and add avocado oil and cinnamon. Mix until cinnamon and oil are evenly distributed between apples.
- Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F. Once preheated, place apples in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It's okay if apples are slightly overlapping.
- Air fry for roughly 12 minutes, or until apple slices are golden brown and can easily be pierced with a fork. Check apples after 10 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your apple slices and your air fryer.
- While the apples are cooking, whisk together the maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla to create the glaze. Set aside until apples are done.
- Place cooked apples in a small bowl. Drizzle with the maple glaze and stir until apples are coated. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- No need to stir apples halfway through, unless apples are overlapping a ton, then you'll wan to stir at the halfway point. You can also air fry in batches.
- Leftovers should be stored in the fridge and will stay good for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Yum! What a great recipe for making apples in the air fryer. Such a great fall treat.
This is just too delicious! Had this as a treat with granola and its so good!
Once you make apples in the air fryer, you aren't going to go back! They are wonderful on top of vanilla ice cream with a little bit of caramel.
This recipe screams Fall! Apples are so good and I'm always looking for more recipes using apples.
Perfectly tender and flavorful! Can't wait to make again!
Agree and agree 🙂 I hope you are able to enjoy them all fall long!
These apples are delicious!!!!!!