Craving a cozy apple dessert without all the added sugar? Air fryer baked apples are the perfect solution. They bring all those warm cinnamon-sweet apple pie vibes but in a much healthier package. With a crunchy walnut oat filling and just the right amount of natural sweetness, this easy dessert is a great way to use up leftover apples. Plus, air frying makes them quick and effortless—no need to turn on the oven!
I love a delicious recipe that feels indulgent but is actually a healthy recipe in disguise. (See these baked apple chips, or these carrot zucchini muffins.) These air-fried apples are like soft, baked apples stuffed with an apple crisp topping. They’re warm, naturally sweet, and packed with so much flavor from the cinnamon, pure maple syrup, and toasted walnuts. Not to mention, they’re an easy air fryer apple dessert that can be prepped in just minutes.
Whether you enjoy them as a side dish or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, they’re one of the best apple recipes for fall and are just the thing to satisfy my sweet tooth!
In This Post
Key Ingredients
One of the best parts of this easy air fryer apples recipe is the simple ingredient list. Here's what you'll need
- Apples. There really are no wrong choices here. I used Honey crisp apples (my faves!), but there are lots of great apples for baking. Sweet apples like Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, or Jazz apples are all perfect. Or you could go with more tart apples like Granny Smith apples. Just use what's convenient and in season.
- Walnuts. They add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the filling.
- Walnut oil. I love this extra touch of walnut flavor, but honestly, you don't need to buy a new bottle of this if you don't already have it. Sub it with a neutral oil, like avocado oil or grapeseed oil. (I'd avoid using something like olive oil or coconut oil as those flavors wouldn't work very well with the sweet apple dessert taste we're going for.)
- Honey or maple syrup. Natural sweeteners that keep this a healthy recipe without refined sugar.
- Rolled oats. Using oats makes these stuffed apples feel like a delicious air fryer apple crisp!
- Cinnamon. Because warm cinnamon makes everything better.
- Salt. Just a touch to balance the sweetness.
How To Make Air Fryer Apples
This air fryer apple dessert is a cinch to make. The hardest part is coring the apples.
- Toast the walnuts. Start by toasting the walnuts until they're a nice golden brown and smell delicious. You can do this in the air fryer! Just be careful to not let them burn. Allow them to cool slightly.
- Make the crispy filling. Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until finely ground. Add the walnut oil and maple syrup, then pulse briefly. Stir in the oats, cinnamon, and salt.
- Prep the apples. Remove the cores, being careful not to cut all the way through. I used a paring knife to cut around the core, and then a skinny spoon to scoop it out.
- Stuff the apples. Fill each cored apple with the walnut-oat mixture, gently packing it down.
- Air fry the apples. Place the apples upright in the basket (the size of your air fryer basket will determine how many fit - I was able to fit about 4 medium apples in mine). Air fry for 20–30 minutes until the apples are tender and the filling is slightly crisp. Watch the apples closely as they cook to prevent burning. If the filling starts to become too crispy, lower the temperature a bit.
- Serve and enjoy – Let the apples cool slightly before serving with a drizzle of honey, caramel sauce, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy the cozy apple pie vibes!
Variations And Substitutions
Just like with apple pie, there are lots of ways to customize this delicious treat.
- Try different apples. As I mentioned, you can use whatever kind of apples you like in this simple recipe. Experiment with different varieties to see what you like best.
- Try different nuts. Toasted almonds or pecans are a great sub for walnuts.
- Swap the oil. Don't sweat it if you don't have walnut oil on hand. You can sub in a neutral oil or can even use melted butter instead of the walnut oil.
- Change the sweetener. Substitute white sugar or brown sugar for honey/maple syrup.
- Spice it up. Add apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice for extra cozy flavors.
- Make air fryer apple chips. Slice the apples and toss them with cinnamon for a quicker version similar to air fryer banana chips or potato chips.
- Air fryer sliced cinnamon apples. Slice the apples, then toss them with a little bit of oil, cinnamon and vanilla. Air fry for about 10 minutes, then toss the sliced apples with melted butter and cinnamon sugar for a delicious topping to french toast, ice cream, or pancakes!
Frequently Asked Questions
These delicious treats are fantastic on their own but even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. You can also serve them with French toast. I love them alongside pork chops for a sweet-savory combo.
Yes! Place the stuffed apples in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 375 degrees f for about 40-45 minutes until tender.
Store leftover apples in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to get them warm again.
Yes! You can core and stuff the apples a few hours in advance, then keep them in the fridge until you’re ready for air frying.
If you try these Air Fryer Apples, let me know what you think in the comments below! And don't forget to tag me with a pic on IG so I can see your masterpiece!
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Recipe
Super Healthy Air Fryer Baked Apples
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup walnuts
- 3 ½ tablespoon walnut oil (or neutral oil)
- 3 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 6 tablespoon old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4-6 medium-sized sweet apples (Honey crisp, or your own favorite apples)
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Spread ⅔ cup walnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Toast for 4–5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and fragrant. Remove from air fryer and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the filling. Pulse the toasted walnuts in a food processor until finely ground (about 10 pulses). With the processor running, gradually add 3 ½ tablespoon walnut oil and 3 tablespoon honey or maple syrup. Process for 2–3 seconds until combined. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and stir in 6 tablespoon old-fashioned rolled oats, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- Prepare the apples. Remove the cores from the apples using a sharp knife or apple corer. Be careful not to cut all the way through the bottom of the apples.
- Stuff the apples. Fill each apple cavity with approximately 2 tbsp of the walnut-oat mixture, packing it gently.
- Air fry the apples. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed apples upright in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other (My air fryer fit about four apples). Air fry for 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are tender, the skin is slightly blistered and the filling is browned. (Watch the apples closely and don't let them burn. If the walnut mixture starts browning too quickly, lower the heat to 300 degrees.) Check for doneness by piercing the apples with a fork—if it slides in easily, they’re ready.
- Remove the apples from the air fryer and let cool slightly before serving. Add an extra drizzle of honey if desired.
Notes
- Using rolled oats is important. Steel-cut oats will take longer to cook and will make your filling gritty.
- Watch the apples carefully, and make sure to check on them at the 15 and 20 minute marks to see how they're doing. If they look like they're starting to brown too quickly, reduce the temperature to 300 degrees.
- Store any leftover apples in an air tight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or in the oven to get them nice and toasty again.
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