All the cozy charm of apple pie, none of the rolling, peeling, or pie drama! These warm, cinnamon-kissed Air Fryer Apples are ready in minutes—perfect for fall cravings, sweet tooth emergencies, or anytime you need a hug in dessert form.
Air frying apples is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to enjoy a naturally sweet treat with just minutes of prep. Use tart Granny Smith or sweet Honey Crisp apples - either way, they’re packed with flavor.
A quick toss in brown sugar and cinnamon gives them that classic apple pie spice feel. Top with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of honey for those delicious, crisp apple vibes any day.
If you're into quick and delicious air fryer desserts, don't miss my Air Fryer S'mores, Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake (Air Fryer), Air Fryer Fried Oreos, Air Fryer Twinkies, Air Fryer Pineapple and Air Fryer Peach Cobbler!
Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples
- Apples. The star of the show! Tart apples like Granny Smith give a tangy bite, while sweet apples like Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, or Golden Delicious bring natural sweetness. Choose your favorite or mix a few for the best flavor.
- Brown Sugar. Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes slightly as the apples cook. For a lighter touch, coconut sugar or maple sugar are great options.
- Ground Cinnamon. Brings that warm, cozy flavor we all associate with classic apple recipes. You can also use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice for a fun twist.
- Butter - Melted (Optional). Tossing your warm apples with melted butter adds extra richness and makes them extra saucy. Swap in coconut oil, olive oil, or even canola oil for different flavor profiles.
- Cooking Spray or Oil Spray. Helps prevent sticking and ensures the apples crisp up just right. Use a light mist of cooking oil spray like canola or olive oil for best results.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Apples
- Start by washing and coring your apples. You can leave the peel on for a little extra texture or peel them if you prefer a smoother bite. Slice them into thin wedges, cubes, or chunky slices - just be sure they’re uniform in size so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Grab a large bowl and toss your sliced apples with brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Let them sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the natural juices start to release and coat each piece in that warm cinnamon-sweet flavor. This step is key to getting that apple pie filling flavor we all love.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and spritz the basket with cooking oil spray. Spread the apples out in a single layer - don’t crowd them! Air fry for 7 to 14 minutes, tossing halfway through. Keep an eye on them in those last few minutes, cooking in 2-minute increments until they’re perfectly tender.
- If you're craving a more decadent dessert-style treat, toss the warm apples with melted butter right after air frying. It creates a rich, saucy coating that takes these cinnamon air fryer apples over the top. Then pile them into a bowl and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even pure maple syrup if you're feeling fancy.
FAQs
Absolutely! Apple pie spice (or even pumpkin pie spice) brings extra depth and makes the flavor even cozier.
Nope! Leaving the peel on adds texture and nutrients, but you can peel them if you prefer a softer bite.
Yes! Sweet apples like Gala, Fuji, or Honey Crisp bring plenty of natural sweetness - just skip the brown sugar and enjoy.
Granny Smith for tartness, Honey Crisp or Pink Lady for sweetness. A mix of tart and sweet apples gives great flavor contrast.
Yes, but make sure it’s perforated or use an air fryer liner to keep the hot air flowing and avoid soggy apples.
Storage & Freezing
Storage: Store leftover air fryer apples in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days and make a great snack or side dish straight from the fridge - or warmed up for that cozy cinnamon-sweet vibe.
Freezing: You can freeze air-fried apples, but know they’ll lose some of their crisp texture. Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: To bring your apples back to life, toss them into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or microwave them in 30-second bursts. They'll taste warm, soft, and just as dreamy as day one.
Make Ahead: Want to prep ahead? Slice and toss the apples with sugar and spice, then refrigerate the mix in a covered bowl for up to 24 hours before air frying. It’s the best way to save time while still getting that just-cooked flavor.
Substitutions & Variations
- Apples. Use Granny Smith for a tart kick, or swap in Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala for sweeter vibes. Mixing varieties? Even better - more flavor, more fun!
- Brown Sugar. Want a twist? Try coconut sugar, maple sugar, or even pure maple syrup to keep it naturally sweet without the extra added sugar.
- Ground Cinnamon. Swap it out for apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice to cozy things up with a little seasonal flair.
- Butter - Melted. Coconut oil or olive oil make great dairy-free options, or skip it completely for a lighter take that still tastes amazing.
- Cooking Oil Spray. Canola oil spray or avocado oil spray work perfectly to keep apples from sticking and help them crisp just right.
- Toppings. Add vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or granola for dessert vibes - or keep it savory and serve with grilled pork, chicken, or fish.
Pro Tips
- Cut Even Slices for Even Cooking. Keep those apple slices uniform in size - whether they’re chunky or thin - so they cook up evenly and stay perfectly tender without turning into a soggy mess.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket. Spread the apples out in a single layer in your air fryer basket. If they’re piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of crisp, and we’re here for crispy edges, not steamed sadness.
- Watch the Time (and the Size). Smaller pieces cook quicker, so start checking at 7 minutes. Larger chunks might need 14 minutes or more, so give them a toss halfway and finish in 2-minute bursts until just right.
- What to Serve With Air Fryer Apples. These cinnamon-sweet apples shine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel - but they’re also amazing with grilled chicken, pork, or even tucked into French toast for breakfast magic.
Have you tried this Air Fryer Apples recipe?
Please leave a comment below if you have tried making this recipe. I love to hear from you and enjoy reading about what you think. Be sure to tag @devourdinner when posting to social media. I can't wait to see your photos!
More Apple Recipes That Taste Like Fall
- Air Fryer Apple Crisp
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Apple Coffee Cake
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Apple Pie Chex Mix
- Caramel Apples
- Instant Pot Applesauce
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Baked Apple in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2-3 Apples
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons Butter - Melted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Wash and core the apples, removing all seeds and the center core.
- Slice, cube, or chop the apples into even pieces - peel them if you’d like, or leave the skin on for extra texture. Use about 2-3 apples.
- In a large bowl, toss the apples with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until evenly coated.
- Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes so the apples release their natural juices - this helps the cinnamon-sugar stick beautifully. Give them a stir halfway through.
- While the apples rest, make sure your air fryer is fully preheated to 375°F.
- Place the apples in the air fryer basket in a single layer - don’t pile them up!
- Air fry for 7-14 minutes, tossing halfway through. Smaller apple pieces will cook faster, while larger chunks may take the full time.
- After the halfway point, continue cooking in 2-minute bursts until the apples are tender and just starting to caramelize. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook.
- (Optional but oh-so-good): Once cooked, toss the warm apples with 2 tablespoons of melted butter to create a rich, saucy coating.
- Serve them up as a dessert with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel - or go savory and plate them alongside grilled chicken, pork, or even fish for a sweet-meets-savory twist!
Notes
Air Fryer Tips:
Smaller Apples will cook in less time where larger chucks or thick sliced apples will take longer to Air Fry. Keep pieces of apples uniform in size for best results and check on apples during Air Fryer cooking process to ensure perfect results. For saucier apples, add 2 tablespoons melted butter to hot cooked apples and stir to combine.What kind of Apples?
With so many varieties of apples, there are many different choices. For a tart apple try a Granny Smith Apple. For sweeter apples, try a Honey Crisp, Pink Lady, Gala, Fuji or a combination of your favorite varieties.How to Serve:
Serve Air Fryer Apples hot. For a more savory options serve with grilled chicken, pork or fish. For dessert options adding vanilla bean ice cream with a caramel drizzle is delicious. The possibilities are endless.Storage & Make Ahead
- Store: Keep any leftover air fryer apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay tasty for up to 4 days and are just as good cold or gently warmed.
- Freeze: Let the apples cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible, then freeze for up to 2 months—just know the texture will soften once thawed.
- Reheat: For best results, pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or microwave in short bursts until warm and tender again.
- Make Ahead: Slice and toss the apples with sugar and cinnamon, then cover and refrigerate the mixture for up to 24 hours. When ready, just toss them in the air fryer—easy peasy and bursting with flavor!
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
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