Looking for a healthy dessert that's easy to make? You are going to love these juicy air fryer baked apples with cozy pumpkin pie spice.
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These air fryer baked apples just scream fall! They're juicy and flavorful, and they make your house smell amazing as they cook.
This recipe is incredibly easy to make and works well as breakfast or dessert!
Need more festive apple recipes? Try my air fryer apple fritters, ginger apple slaw, or holiday kale salad!
Important recipe notes
Baked apples are incredibly easy to make in the air fryer!
Start by slicing your apples in half. Cut them from the stem side down, so you'll have four apple halves.
Now, use a spoon or ice cream scoop to gently core the apples. Scoop out the core, so you have a little cup, which will hold the filling.
Brush the halves with maple syrup. This will help the apples stay moist and juicy in the air fryer.
This baked apple recipe uses pumpkin spiced rolled oats as the filling. To make it, simply mix together rolled oats with maple syrup, chopped pecans, and pumpkin pie spice.
Divide the oat mixture between your cored apples, and it's time to air fry!
Before you put the apples into the basket, pour some water directly into the basket. If you have a combo oven, pour the water into the drip tray. The water helps the apples retain that juicy moisture as they bake.
Arrange the stuffed apple halves in a single layer in your air fryer basket, and air fry for around 15 minutes. Depending on your apples and your air fryer, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time to get them nice and tender.
The air fryer baked apples are ready when they're fork-tender. Use tongs to carefully remove them from the air fryer basket.
Variations and substitutions
This recipe is very versatile! In fact, you can even use the same cooking directions to make a baked pear in your air fryer.
You can replace the pecans with other nuts, like walnuts or almonds. For nut-free, simply omit the nuts or use pumpkin seeds instead.
If pumpkin spice isn't your thing, use cinnamon instead.
Serving and storage directions
You can serve these up warm or cold. When I'm serving them as a dessert, I love to top them with vegan vanilla ice cream or vegan whipped cream! But they're also deliciously decadent as-is.
If you do have leftovers, store them in a lidded container in the refrigerator. They will keep for two to three days.
Air Fryer Baked Apples Recipe
Ingredients
For the Baked Apples
- 2 apples - Gala or Fuji are great choices for this recipe!
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ⅓ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice seasoning
- ⅓ cup water
Instructions
- Slice the apples in half and use a spoon or ice cream scoop to make a cup in the center. Brush the cut parts with the tablespoon of maple syrup.
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the remaining ingredients (except the water), and divide the mixture between the apples, stuffing each one generously.
- Pour the water into the bottom of your air fryer basket. If you're using a combo oven, pour the water into the drip tray. Arrange the apples, cut side up, in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 350° F for 15 minutes, or until the apples feel tender when you pierce with a sharp knife. If they're not cooked through after 15 minutes, cook for another 2-3 minutes, and check on them again.
- Use tongs to gently remove the warm, baked apples from the air fryer basket, and serve! Top with vegan vanilla ice cream or vegan whipped cream, if you like!
Equipment
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
I like to use Gala or Fuji apples for this recipe, because they're so sweet and juicy. Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or even Granny Smith apples will all work in this recipe, as well.
Definitely choose an apple that you'd want to eat raw. A mealy apple will yield a mealy baked apple, so go with a quality apple.
You can! Bake these on a baking sheet at 350° F for 20-25 minutes, until the apples are fork-tender.
I get this question often! An air fryer uses hot, circulating air in a small space to cook food more quickly.
Think of it as an even more efficient convention oven. It cuts baking time in half, while a convection oven shaves 25% off of baking time.
Definitely do not peel! The apple peels help them retain their shape during the air frying/baking process.
Yeah you can! Think of an air fryer as a small, efficient convection oven. Most oven recipes take half the time at the same temperature in the air fryer.
Cookin' Momma
I used small gala apples. I also chopped and mixed in the extra apple bits. The apples were perfect after 10 minutes, but the topping was very dark (still enjoyable, but more dark than expected). I really liked the idea of brushing with maple syrup (I used real, organic). Next time I would try just cinnamon, and maybe chop the nuts more finely. p.s. Leftover half was great with breakfast, just sayin'.
Becky Striepe
Yesss I love them for a sweet breakfast! Glad you enjoyed them.
Margaret Carmen
Great recipe! I think making dessert in the air fryer is absolutely brilliant and often overlooked. Thanks for sharing your helpful tips; my family will love these!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Margaret! I can't wait for your family to try them!
Kathy Hester
I didn't think about using the air fryer this way! I bet it ended up tasting amazing and cooked evenly.
Becky Striepe
That is such a huge compliment coming from you, Kathy! Thank you so much!
Cadry
This is so much fun! I know a lot of people are all about pumpkin in the fall, but I'm waaaaaaay more excited about apples. These sound wonderful!
Sarah De la Cruz
We made these last night to go with our breakfast dinner! They were SO good—my kids loved them! And the directions were spot on. Your tips about how to hollow out the apple really helped. And....if you have any extra filling—it's delicious with a spoon! I munched on it while our apples "baked!" We'll definitely be making these all winter long!
Becky Striepe
Oh yay! I am so glad you dug them, Sarah!
Dianne
I've never thought to make baked apples in my air fryer. It's such a great idea! I have all of these ingredients, so I think I'm going to make these tonight.