I put together an Air Fryer Apples Recipe using pantry staples and one bowl to offer a quick, low-effort snack.

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I never thought an Air Fryer Apples Recipe would change the way I snack, but here we are. I grab a couple Honeycrisp because they hold up and still get jammy, sprinkle on cinnamon and a bit of something sweet when I’m feeling naughty.

The first time it puffed and bubbled I actually laughed out loud, like why didn’t I try this sooner. It’s not fancy but it feels clever, perfect for when I want one of those Healthy Recipes Using Apples that’s quick and still kinda special.

You’ll want to poke one, see if it’s gooey, trust me.

Ingredients

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Apples add fiber and natural sweetness, a bit tartness if you pick Granny Smith
Oats give chewy texture and whole grain fiber, help keep you full longer
Brown sugar makes it caramel sweet, adds simple carbs and cozy flavor notes
Butter gives richness and helps browning, it’s fat that lifts overall mouthfeel
Walnuts or pecans add crunch, plant protein and healthy fats, little earthiness too
Raisins or dried cranberries bring chewy bursts of sweetness, a touch of tang
Cinnamon adds warm spice and aroma, small calories but big flavor punch

Ingredient Quantities

4 medium apples (Fuji Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

1/4 cup old fashioned oats

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans whichever you prefer

2 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional

1 teaspoon lemon juice optional

pinch of salt

1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey optional

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional

cooking spray or 1 teaspoon neutral oil for the air fryer basket optional

How to Make this

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1. Pick 4 medium apples (Fuji, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), rinse and core them leaving the bottoms intact so the filling wont fall out; optional: rub 1 teaspoon lemon juice inside each cavity to stop browning and add brightness.

2. Preheat your air fryer to 350 F (175 C) for 3 to 5 minutes and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray or brush with about 1 teaspoon neutral oil.

3. In a bowl combine 1/4 cup old fashioned oats, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened or melted), 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, 2 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional), a pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional) and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional); you can also add that extra 1 teaspoon lemon juice here if you like a tang.

4. Mix the filling until it is crumbly and holds together when pressed; if it seems too dry add a little extra melted butter or a drizzle more maple syrup.

5. Spoon the filling into each cored apple, packing lightly and mounding a bit on top; place a small dot of the remaining butter on top of each apple if you have any left.

6. Arrange the apples upright in the prepared air fryer basket with space between them; if youre worried about drips or smoking put a couple tablespoons of water in the bottom of the basket or use a small foil drip tray.

7. Air fry at 350 F (175 C) for about 12 to 18 minutes depending on apple size and your air fryer model, check at 10 minutes, rotate or spoon any juices over the tops, and continue until apples are tender and the filling is golden.

8. Carefully remove the apples (they will be hot) and let rest 3 to 5 minutes; drizzle with extra maple syrup or honey, sprinkle extra chopped nuts or oats if you want, and serve warm with yogurt or ice cream if desired.

9. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer 3 to 4 minutes to revive the crispness.

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer with basket (preheats to ~350 F)
2. Paring knife or apple corer for removing cores
3. Cutting board
4. Medium mixing bowl for the oat-nut filling
5. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
6. Spoon or small spatula to mix and stuff the apples
7. Pastry brush or cooking spray to oil the basket
8. Oven mitts and tongs to safely remove hot apples

FAQ

Q: How long and at what temperature do I cook these in the air fryer?
A: Preheat to 350°F (180°C). Stuffed medium apples usually take 12 to 18 minutes, check with a fork for doneness. Bigger apples might need up to 20 minutes, smaller ones less.

Q: Do I need to peel or core the apples first?
A: Core them, leaving the bottom intact so the filling doesnt fall through. Peeling is optional — I usually leave the skin on for texture and color.

Q: Any tips to stop them from sticking or the basket from getting messy?
A: Lightly spray the basket or brush with 1 teaspoon oil, or use an air fryer-safe liner. Place apples spaced apart so air can circulate, and put a small rimmed tray under them if you expect drips.

Q: Can I make these ahead or freeze them?
A: You can make the filling a day ahead and keep it chilled. Stuffed apples can be assembled and refrigerated a few hours before cooking, but they may brown a bit unless you toss with lemon juice. Cooked apples keep 2 to 3 days in the fridge and reheat 3 to 5 minutes in the air fryer.

Q: What if I need this vegan or nut free?
A: For vegan swap butter for coconut oil or vegan butter, and use maple syrup instead of honey. For nut free, replace walnuts with extra oats or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Q: Which apples work best and can I change the filling?
A: Fuji, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp are great choices. Mix up the filling with different nuts, dried fruit, or a splash of bourbon or rum if you want. Just keep the oats and brown sugar ratio so it binds and gets golden.

Air Fryer Apples Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Apples: swap with firm pears, nectarines or firm peaches. Pears work best if slightly underripe so they dont go mushy; you might need a few more minutes in the air fryer.
Old fashioned oats: use quick oats (finer texture), crushed graham crackers or panko for extra crispness, or equal parts granola for more flavor.
Brown sugar: substitute coconut sugar 1:1, muscovado for a richer molasses note, or use about 3 tablespoons maple syrup and cut back a little on the butter since syrup adds moisture.
Walnuts or pecans: swap with chopped almonds or hazelnuts, or for a nut free option use sunflower seeds or pepitas; you can also just add extra oats and a splash more maple syrup for chew.

Pro Tips

1. Toast the oats and nuts first, even 1 to 2 minutes in a dry pan brings out way more flavor and helps the topping stay crunchy instead of soggy.

2. Dont overpack the apples, leave a little room for the filling to expand or they’ll split; if one looks unstable, cut a tiny slice off the bottom so it sits flat.

3. Add a tiny splash of cold water to the air fryer base or keep a foil drip tray underneath to stop smoking and catch spills, otherwise juices burning on the basket will make the whole house smell.

4. Let the apples rest a few minutes before serving so the filling firms up, and when reheating use the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes to bring back crispness — ice cream on top makes it way better.

Air Fryer Apples Recipe

Recipe by Sammy Hunter

0.0 from 0 votes

I put together an Air Fryer Apples Recipe using pantry staples and one bowl to offer a quick, low-effort snack.

Servings

servings

Calories

290

kcal

Equipment: 1. Air fryer with basket (preheats to ~350 F)
2. Paring knife or apple corer for removing cores
3. Cutting board
4. Medium mixing bowl for the oat-nut filling
5. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
6. Spoon or small spatula to mix and stuff the apples
7. Pastry brush or cooking spray to oil the basket
8. Oven mitts and tongs to safely remove hot apples

Ingredients

4 medium apples (Fuji Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans whichever you prefer
2 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey optional
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
cooking spray or 1 teaspoon neutral oil for the air fryer basket optional

Directions

Pick 4 medium apples (Fuji, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), rinse and core them leaving the bottoms intact so the filling wont fall out; optional: rub 1 teaspoon lemon juice inside each cavity to stop browning and add brightness.
Preheat your air fryer to 350 F (175 C) for 3 to 5 minutes and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray or brush with about 1 teaspoon neutral oil.
In a bowl combine 1/4 cup old fashioned oats, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened or melted), 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, 2 tablespoons raisins or dried cranberries, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional), a pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional) and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional); you can also add that extra 1 teaspoon lemon juice here if you like a tang.
Mix the filling until it is crumbly and holds together when pressed; if it seems too dry add a little extra melted butter or a drizzle more maple syrup.
Spoon the filling into each cored apple, packing lightly and mounding a bit on top; place a small dot of the remaining butter on top of each apple if you have any left.
Arrange the apples upright in the prepared air fryer basket with space between them; if youre worried about drips or smoking put a couple tablespoons of water in the bottom of the basket or use a small foil drip tray.
Air fry at 350 F (175 C) for about 12 to 18 minutes depending on apple size and your air fryer model, check at 10 minutes, rotate or spoon any juices over the tops, and continue until apples are tender and the filling is golden.
Carefully remove the apples (they will be hot) and let rest 3 to 5 minutes; drizzle with extra maple syrup or honey, sprinkle extra chopped nuts or oats if you want, and serve warm with yogurt or ice cream if desired.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer 3 to 4 minutes to revive the crispness.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.