Cinnamon spice and apples, so nice! That’s what Air Fryer Apples are made of. This simple air fried apple recipe features your favorite fall fruit in a not-too-sweet syrup with hints of maple, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Give crisp apples the tender treatment in your air fryer in under 15 minutes.
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Three cheers for desserts that somehow became acceptable to eat during dinner. Remember where you were when you first discovered pudding and canned peaches at a salad bar? Or bread served with honey butter?
Sweet potato casserole is probably the reigning champion of this, but that’s a special occasion dish, so – the biggest cheer definitely goes to fried apples.
I don’t know who convinced moms (of all people) that (what amounts to) apple pie filling was an acceptable side dish on like, a random Tuesday, but thank you.
If fried apples are a beloved classic, then air fryer apples are the new classic – be they on top, below, or next to any number of sweet and savory foods.
Fried Apples, Faster!
As with many other recipes, the air fryer is simply a faster cooking method for when you get a hankering for fried apples. And as with most recipes, air fryer apples are just as tasty, if not better than, stovetop or oven roasted apples. (Personal palates notwithstanding.)
Air fried apples also prove you don’t need a lot of butter or fat to get amazing flavor and texture out of a cooked apple (but don’t let me stop you from adding it).
Maybe most importantly, this cooking method is largely hands off – just shake once halfway through. Though if you want to go completely hands free, just let your kids do the work – this recipe is literally that easy.
How to Cook Apples in the Air Fryer
Classic recipes don’t always need a classic cooking method. Air Fryer Apples are a fast and easy way to spice up every meal of the day. Cinnamon, brown sugar, and tender air fried apples add sweet notes to savory pork and chicken dishes. But definitely save some for dessert. Oh, and breakfast too. So many options, so little time – literally!
- Combine peeled and sliced apples with olive oil, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Transfer the apples into the basket of your air fryer, then arranged in an even layer.
- Cook at 370°F for 10-12 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
- Whisk the maple syrup and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the cooked apples to the maple syrup mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Serve warm, right away – enjoy!
Essential Notes and Tips
- Use the right apple – choose apples with a naturally firm, crisp texture. Granny smith are classic, if you like ’em tart! We prefer to go sweeter – honeycrisp – but gala, fuji, and empire also work great.
- To peel or not to peel, that is…personal preference. My kids can be picky about texture, so I peel them. You do you! The presence (or absence) of the peel won’t effect cooking times.
- Use regular olive oil, not extra virgin, for milder flavor. If you’re particularly sensitive to the flavor of olive oil, choose a “light tasting” olive oil.
- Taste an apple to check for doneness – ideally it will be soft and easily pieced with the tip of a paring knife or fork tines, but not completely falling apart. Thicker slices will need closer to 12 minutes to fully cook through.
- If you prefer the buttery flavor of classic fried apples, mix 1 tablespoon melted butter with the maple syrup and brown sugar.
Serving Air Fryer Apples
- Our favorite way? Definitely over (or under) ice cream for dessert!
- Fried apples are a classic side for pork chops and roasted chicken
- Top your favorite yogurt and granola with air fryer apples, or serve over warm oatmeal.
- Try a heaping scoop atop our French toast casserole or whole grain pancakes
Did you make fried apples with your air fryer? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.
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15-Minute Air Fryer Apples
Description
Ingredients
- 4 medium apples (we like gala, honeycrisp, and/or granny smith), cored and sliced
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch kosher salt
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine apples, olive oil, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Arrange the apples in an even layer in the basket of your air fryer.
- Cook at 370°F for 10-12 minutes, tossing once halfway through, or until the apples are soft and golden brown.
- Whisk the maple syrup and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the warm apples to the maple syrup mixture and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately as desired. See notes for serving suggestions.
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