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These Air Fryer Baked Apples are the best quick and easy healthy dessert that you can make in just 15 minutes when you’re craving something sweet! Baked apples taste like apple crisp but are made in much less time and are slightly healthier, with a wonderful caramel oat filling. These apples are seriously so good!
Apple season is so close I can feel it and these air fryer apples will be the first fall recipe I am going to make! They are very simple and easy and require only a few ingredients that you likely have on hand.
This air fryer baked apples recipe can be whipped up in minutes and enjoyed straight up or or a la mode, with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. They taste like apple pie or apple crisp but with much less effort.
The oat crisp filling in these stuffed apples is crunchy, and perfectly sweet, plus gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan! Yes!!!
These easy-baked apples made in the air fryer remind me of an apple crisp mixed with an apple pie but ready in a fraction of the time! You may also love these air fryer apples for another sweet fall treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy dessert – ready in 15 minutes
- Healthy and simple – dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan
- Amazing use of the air fryer – great beginner recipe!
- Perfect for apple season!
If you are new to air fryer cooking then you are going to love this 20-minute air fryer cookbook that has over 30 easy recipes that are all healthy and delicious!
What apples work best for baked apples?
My favorite apples to use are Gala apples. I use them in a lot of my recipes like apple chips and apple muffins. They are just the right size and are nice and bright red. You can also use Pink Lady, Fuji, or even golden delicious apples. You just don’t want the apples to be too large or they will take longer to cook.
Ingredients you will need
- Apples: The star of this apple dessert recipe. Opt for vibrant, flavorful whole apples. While I prefer Gala apples, many other types are suitable. Alternatives: Pink Lady Apples, Golden Delicious, or even pears.
- Oats: These add a delightful crunch and enrich the filling with fiber and nutrients. All oat types work, except for steel-cut oats. If you wish, almond flour is an acceptable substitute for oats.
- Coconut Sugar: It sweetens our oat crumble. If needed, you can replace it with brown sugar.
- Butter: I’ve chosen vegan butter, but feel free to use your preferred variety. It’s essential for creating a delectably crunchy, caramelized core within the apples.
- Pecans: These lend a crunchy texture and a rich nuttiness to the filling. Other options include almonds or walnuts.
- Apple Pie Spice: This imparts that classic apple pie essence to the filling. If unavailable, a blend of ground cinnamon and nutmeg serves as a good substitute.
- Salt: A touch enhances all flavors but is optional.
*Check out the complete list of recipe ingredients, instructions, and nutrition in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How to make baked apples in the air fryer
You can make these incredible baked apples right in your air fryer with only 6 ingredients and 15-20 minutes for a fun, healthy delicious fall dessert.
Step one: Make the filling. Add the butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl along with the sugar and mash and mix that all up until creamy. Then add in the oats, apple pie spice, pecans, and a pinch of salt.
Step two: Prep the apples. Use a paring knife to cut around the top of each apple and then use a spoon to pull and lift to the stem and clean out the core and seeds. Hollow out the apples but leave a border around the top that is about 1.5 inches and about 2-2.5 inches at the bottom. You can use an apple corer, melon baller, or a small spoon to do this.
Step three: Fill and cook the apples. Preheat the air fryer to 350° F. Divide the filling between the apples, filling each one to the top.
Step five: Close the air fryer and cook the apples for 15-20 minutes until soft and tender.
Step six: Let cool and serve. Let the apples cool for a few minutes then serve them with your favorite ice cream or whipped cream.
These baked apples are so good! Wonderfully sweet with an amazing caramelized outer layer. The oat crumble adds that warm, crunchy salty, and sweet vibe that reminds you of the perfect fall day!
Tips for the best air fryer-baked apples
- Uniformity is Key – When selecting apples, opt for those that are uniformly round and of similar size. This ensures that they all cook evenly in the air fryer. Apples that can stand upright on their own are ideal, as this prevents them from tipping over during the cooking process.
- Prep Your Apples Well Before filling – core the apples, ensuring you create a wide enough cavity for the oat mixture without piercing through the bottom. This will allow for ample filling while keeping the apple’s structure intact, preventing any leaks during the cooking process.
- Monitor the Cooking Time – Air fryers can vary in terms of heat distribution. Start by checking your apples a bit earlier than the recommended time to ensure they don’t overcook. You’re aiming for a tender apple that retains its shape and a golden-brown, crispy oat filling.
- Don’t Overpack the Filling – When adding the oat mixture to the cored apples, press down gently to ensure it’s packed but not overly so. This allows the filling to expand slightly while cooking and ensures an even, crispy texture throughout.
Do I need to peel the apples before I cook them?
No, it is not necessary or recommended to peel the apples since the peel not only helps the apples hold their shape but adds a nice bright ruby-red color and great flavor to this apple recipe.
How do you make baked apples in the oven?
- Prep the Apples: Core your apples, ensuring a cavity wide enough for filling without piercing the bottom.
- Prepare the Filling: Mix the filling.
- Fill and Bake: Stuff each apple with the oat filling, place it in a baking dish, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the filling is golden-brown.
- Serve: Allow it to cool slightly, then enjoy with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired!
Storing and reheating instructions
- Storing: Place cooled baked apples in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Air Fryer Reheating: Place the baked apples in the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re spaced apart. Reheat at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes or until thoroughly warmed. Make sure to check their temperature halfway through to avoid overcooking.
- Microwave reheating: Place the baked apple(s) on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to ensure even reheating and to avoid overcooking. Allow to sit for a minute before enjoying, as the filling can be very hot.
- Oven reheating: Place apples in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Baked Apples
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 baked apples 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Air Fryer Baked Apples are the best quick and easy healthy dessert that you can make in just 15 minutes! They taste like apple pie but are made in much less time and are slightly healthier, which means you can enjoy them more often.
Ingredients
- 3 medium size apples – I used gala apples
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter
- ¼ cup packed coconut sugar or dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup old fashioned rolled oats – Gluten free
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add the butter to a medium size mixing bowl along with the sugar and mix and mash it up with a fork until creamy. Add in the oats, pecans, apple pie spice and a pinch of salt and mix to fully combine into a chunky, wet oat filling.
- Use a paring knife and a spoon or apple corer to cut an opening in each apple, pull out the stem and remove the core and seeds. Then use a spoon to hollow out the inside of the apples, leaving a 1.5 inch border around the edge of the apples and about 2 inches in the bottom.
- Divide the oat filling evenly between the apples, filling them to the top.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350° F, spray the basket with cooking spray, and place the filled apples into the air fryer basket. Lightly spray each apple with more cooking spray as this will help them steam as they cook. Cook the apples for 15-20 minutes at 350° F, checking them at about 12 minutes, and then continue cooking as needed. The apples should be soft with slightly pruney skin with a golden brown topping when they are ready.
- Once the apples are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer, carefully since they will be hot, and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Cut them open and add a nice scoop of your favorite dairy-free ice cream or a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- Select apples that can stand upright on their own are medium in size and are nice and ripe. Galla apples are best but pin lady or golden delicious apples will also work.
- To clean out the apples you can either use an apple corer and a spoon or a paring knife and a spoon (which is what I used). Make sure you remove the whole stem, core, and seeds before filling the apples.
- I recommend making the filling first before you prep the apples since they get brown pretty quickly so once you clean them out you want to add the filling to them right away.
- Cooking times will vary based on the size of the apples you are using. I tested this recipe with medium-sized apples and apples that were medium-large. The medium-sized apples (as shown in the photos) took about 15 minutes to cook and the larger apples took about 20 minutes. I would check them for around 12 minutes and then go from there.
- Spraying the apples with cooking spray (non-aerosol) before you cook them will help them steam and cook.
- These baked apples are best if eaten right away and do not really store that well although you can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes but I recommend enjoying them right after you cook them for the best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Healthy Desserts
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
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