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. An easy apple recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Skip all the hard work of making apple pie and try these air fryer apple slices instead! Warm apple slices and sweet cinnamon flavor, but without all the work. Plus, these are healthier than apple pie, too.
These apple slices are sweetened with pure maple syrup and coconut sugar so they are fully refined sugar free. They are also gluten free and dairy free. A perfect and better-for-you way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for enjoying as a delicious snack or dessert.
These are especially good in the fall when apple season is in full wing! If you find yourself with a plethora of 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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Ingredients for Air Fryer Apples
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below. Here are some specific notes and substitutions.
- APPLES - I typically use honey crisp when making these.
- 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 an unrefined 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, but 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 using organic apples.
Clean food tip: Be sure to use a non-inflammatory oil, such as avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, or coconut oil.
What Type of Apples are Best?
Sweet, crisp apples are best for these air fried apples. I used honey crisp, but pink lady, Braeburn, and Fuji are also great options.
You could also use a mix of sweet and tart, such as granny smith, if you'd like. But I don't recommend using all tart apples.
How to Make
These air fryer baked apples are so simple 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 remove 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: If apples are crowded you can stir halfway though... if not, no need to stir.
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!
Serving Air Fryer Apples
From breakfast all the way to dessert, these can be enjoyed so many ways.
Breakfast: They make a delicious topping for your favorite breakfast or brunch items like these oat flour pancakes or gluten free waffles.
Snack: Eat as is or top them with some homemade granola or pumpkin granola. They'd also be great topped with some pecans or walnuts.
Side Dish: They are delicious as a simple side dish for the holidays or alongside some pulled pork.
Dessert: Top off with your favorite ice cream, coconut whipped cream, or regular whipped cream for a better-for-you dessert option.
However you serve them, you just can't go wrong!
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 about 12 minutes to cook these. 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! Or just add more cinnamon if you'd prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor.
If you would like a rich buttery flavor to your apples, add 1 tbsp. melted butter to the maple syrup glaze.
Storage Instructions
Fridge: Leftover air fryer apples should be stored 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.
Freezer: 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. You can easily skip the maple glaze though. Either way, I do consider these a healthy dessert option!
No, you do not need to do this. Most air fryers are made with a non-stick coating already. If you spray the air fryer first it may damage the coating.
More Air Fryer Recipes for you to Try
Eat Clean.Be Healthy!
-Sara
Air Fryer Apples
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Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 vegetable peeler
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 want 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.
Nutrition
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Biana
Yum! What a great recipe for making apples in the air fryer. Such a great fall treat.
Mirlene
This is just too delicious! Had this as a treat with granola and its so good!
Sharon
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.
Gina Abernathy
This recipe screams Fall! Apples are so good and I'm always looking for more recipes using apples.
Kris
Perfectly tender and flavorful! Can't wait to make again!
Sara
Agree and agree 🙂 I hope you are able to enjoy them all fall long!
Linda
These apples are delicious!!!!!!