Easy & Healthy Air Fryer Apples with Cinnamon Maple Glaze (30-Minute Recipe!)
Air fryer apples coated in a warm cinnamon and sweet maple glaze are a truly delightful treat. These perfectly tender, fragrant apple slices are incredibly versatile, making them a fantastic addition to breakfast, a wholesome snack, a simple side dish, or a satisfying dessert. Best of all, this incredibly easy apple recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu cravings.
If you love the sweet, comforting flavors of apple, be sure to explore more delicious apple recipes like my healthy apple cinnamon bread and apple oat muffins.
Imagine enjoying all the warm, sweet apple goodness of an apple pie, but without all the fuss and extensive baking time. These air fryer apple slices deliver that delightful experience effortlessly. They’re not only quicker and simpler to prepare, but they’re also a much healthier alternative to traditional apple pie, making them a guilt-free indulgence.
Our air fryer apples are naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and coconut sugar, ensuring they are entirely refined sugar-free. Furthermore, this recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, catering to various dietary needs without compromising on flavor. It’s truly a perfect and better-for-you way to satisfy your sweet tooth any time of day.
These delectable apples are especially fantastic during the autumn months when apple season is in full swing and local orchards are brimming with fresh, crisp fruit. If you find yourself with an abundance of apples, you might also want to try my gluten-free apple crisp or a refreshing kale and Brussels sprouts salad (featuring apples) for a savory option.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Apple Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with these air fryer apples. Here’s what makes them an absolute favorite:
- Quick & Easy: Forget long baking times! This recipe is incredibly fast, requiring less than 10 minutes of prep and about 12 minutes of cooking. From start to finish, you can have a warm, comforting apple dish on your table in under half an hour.
- Healthier Indulgence: Sweetened with natural maple syrup and coconut sugar, these apples are free from refined sugars. Plus, they are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, making them a fantastic choice for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking for a wholesome dessert or snack.
- Incredibly Versatile: Whether you need a quick breakfast topping, a healthy afternoon snack, a simple side dish for a holiday meal, or a warm dessert, these apples fit the bill perfectly.
- Perfect Texture: The air fryer works magic, producing apple slices that are beautifully tender on the inside with a delightful hint of caramelization and browning on the outside.
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you achieve a complex, comforting flavor profile that tastes like it took hours to make.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Apples
A complete list of ingredients and precise amounts can be found in the detailed recipe card further down this page. Here are some specific notes and potential substitutions to help you achieve the best results:
- APPLES: The star of our show! I typically reach for Honeycrisp apples when making this recipe due to their excellent balance of sweetness, tartness, and crisp texture that holds up well during air frying.
- AVOCADO OIL: You’ll need just a light coating of oil to help the cinnamon adhere and prevent sticking while promoting browning in the air fryer. Avocado oil is my preference because it has a very mild, neutral taste and a high smoke point, making it ideal for air frying. It’s also an unrefined oil, aligning with cleaner eating principles. You can also use good quality extra-virgin olive oil (though its flavor is more pronounced) or unrefined coconut oil for a subtle tropical note.
- MAPLE SYRUP: Essential for the sweet glaze! Always opt for pure maple syrup. Its natural sweetness and rich flavor are far superior to artificial syrups and it’s an unrefined sweetener.
- COCONUT SUGAR: I incorporate coconut sugar for its wonderful caramel-like flavor, which complements the apples beautifully, and to ensure the recipe remains refined sugar-free. If you don’t have coconut sugar on hand, brown sugar makes an excellent substitute and will provide a similar depth of flavor.
- CINNAMON: The ultimate spice pairing for apples. Ground cinnamon adds warmth and a classic autumnal aroma. Feel free to adjust the amount to your preference or even experiment with other spices.
- PURE VANILLA EXTRACT: Just a touch of vanilla enhances the overall sweetness and aroma of the maple glaze, adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
Clean Food Tip: Apples are consistently featured on the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list, indicating they often contain higher amounts of pesticide residues. For this reason, I highly recommend using organic apples whenever possible to ensure a cleaner, healthier dish.
Clean Food Tip: When selecting oils for cooking, especially at higher temperatures, choose non-inflammatory options. Avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, and unrefined coconut oil are excellent choices that are better for your health.
What Type of Apples are Best for Air Frying?
The key to perfect air-fried apples lies in choosing the right variety. You want apples that are sweet, crisp, and firm enough to hold their shape during cooking without becoming mushy. My top recommendation is Honeycrisp, as they offer an ideal balance of sweetness and tartness, along with a satisfying crunch that softens beautifully in the air fryer.
Other fantastic options include:
- Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): Known for their sweet-tart flavor and firm texture, they air fry wonderfully.
- Braeburn: These apples are aromatic and slightly tart, maintaining their shape well.
- Fuji: Exceptionally sweet and crisp, Fuji apples become incredibly tender and flavorful when air-fried.
You can also experiment with a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as adding a Granny Smith to a batch of sweeter apples. This combination can create a more complex flavor profile with a pleasant tang. However, I generally advise against using only tart apples like Granny Smith unless you prefer a very sharp flavor, as they can sometimes be a bit too sour on their own.
Avoid apples that are too soft or mealy, as they tend to break down too much and can become mushy in the air fryer. Look for firm, blemish-free apples that feel heavy for their size.
How to Make Air Fryer Apples: Step-by-Step
These air fryer baked apples are incredibly simple to prepare, making them a go-to recipe for quick and delicious apple goodness. Just follow these easy instructions: it’s as simple as peel, slice, mix, and air fry!
STEP 1: Prepare the Apples. Begin by thoroughly washing your apples. Then, peel them using a vegetable peeler. Once peeled, core the apples. You can use a dedicated apple corer for this, or simply cut the apples into quarters, remove the core and seeds from each quarter, and then slice those pieces into ½-inch thick slices. Aim for consistent slice thickness to ensure even cooking.
STEP 2: Season the Apples. Place your freshly peeled and sliced apples into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Drizzle them with the avocado oil and sprinkle generously with cinnamon. Toss everything together thoroughly until all the apple slices are evenly coated in the oil and cinnamon. This step ensures maximum flavor and helps the apples brown nicely.
STEP 3: Preheat and Air Fry. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C). Once it’s preheated, carefully arrange the seasoned apple slices in a single layer within the air fryer basket. It’s perfectly fine if the apples are slightly overlapping, but avoid overcrowding the basket too much. If necessary, work in batches to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
STEP 4: Cook Until Tender. Air fry the apples for approximately 10-12 minutes. The exact cooking time can vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your apple slices. Cook until the apples can be easily pierced with a fork, are beautifully tender, and have achieved a lovely golden-brown hue. While the apples are cooking, take a moment to prepare the luscious glaze: in a small bowl, whisk together the pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, and coconut sugar until well combined.
Note: If your air fryer basket is particularly crowded, you might want to give the apples a gentle stir halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly. Otherwise, if they’re in a relatively single layer, stirring isn’t strictly necessary.
STEP 5: Glaze and Serve. Once the apples are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a clean mixing bowl. Drizzle the prepared maple glaze generously over the warm apples and mix well, ensuring every slice is coated in that sweet, fragrant goodness. For an extra touch of cinnamon flavor, sprinkle with additional ground cinnamon if desired.
Now, your perfectly tender and flavorful air fryer apples are ready to be served and enjoyed!
Serving Air Fryer Apples: Versatile & Delicious
The beauty of these air fryer apples lies in their incredible versatility. From morning meals to late-night desserts, they can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Here are some delicious serving suggestions:
- Breakfast Boost: Elevate your breakfast or brunch by using these apples as a delectable topping. They’re amazing on a bowl of oatmeal, creamy Greek yogurt, or alongside your favorite oat flour pancakes or gluten-free dairy-free waffles.
- Healthy Snack: Enjoy them simply as is for a warm, satisfying snack. For added texture and nutrients, top them with some crunchy homemade honey and oat granola or gluten-free pumpkin granola. A sprinkle of pecans or walnuts also adds a lovely crunch and healthy fats.
- Simple Side Dish: These cinnamon-glazed apples make a surprisingly delicious and easy side dish, perfect for holiday meals or to accompany savory dishes like slow-cooker pulled pork or roasted chicken. The sweet and savory combination is truly a winner.
- Wholesome Dessert: Transform these tender apples into a delightful dessert. Serve them warm with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream (dairy or non-dairy), a generous dollop of coconut whipped cream, or traditional whipped cream. They’re a “better-for-you” alternative that doesn’t skimp on satisfaction.
No matter how you choose to enjoy them, you simply can’t go wrong with these flavorful air fryer apples!
Expert Tips for Perfectly Air-Fried Apples
Achieving perfectly tender and flavorful air fryer apples is simple with a few helpful tips:
Understand Your Air Fryer: Not all air fryers are created equal. Even when set to the same temperature, cooking times can vary significantly between models. My air fryer typically cooks these apples in about 12 minutes. I recommend checking your apples after 10 minutes, and if they’re not yet fork-tender and golden brown, continue cooking in 1-2 minute increments until they reach your desired doneness.
Experiment with Spices: While cinnamon is a classic and universally loved pairing for apples, don’t hesitate to get creative with other spices. A pinch of ground ginger, nutmeg, or even a dash of pumpkin pie spice would all be fantastic additions to mix in with the cinnamon. For a bolder cinnamon flavor, simply add a little extra!
Add Buttery Richness: If you’re craving a richer, more indulgent flavor profile for your apples, consider adding 1 tablespoon of melted unsalted butter to the maple syrup glaze. This will give them a luxurious, buttery essence reminiscent of classic apple desserts.
Slice Consistency Matters: Try to slice your apples into uniform ½-inch thick pieces. This consistency is crucial for ensuring that all the apple slices cook evenly at the same rate, preventing some from being undercooked while others are overdone.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: For the best results and proper air circulation, avoid piling too many apple slices into the air fryer basket. If your basket is small, it’s always better to air fry in two smaller batches rather than one large, crowded one. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around each slice, leading to better browning and more even cooking.
Peel or Not to Peel?: The recipe suggests peeling, but it’s completely optional! Leaving the skin on provides additional fiber and nutrients. If you prefer the convenience and added health benefits, feel free to keep the skin on your apples.
Storage Instructions
These air fryer apples are delicious fresh, but they also store well, allowing you to enjoy them for days to come.
- Fridge: Any leftover air fryer apples should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze air fryer apples. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, ensuring as much air is removed as possible. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Air Fryer Apples:
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or until heated through.
- Air Fryer: To bring back some of that delicious texture, reheat the apples in your air fryer at 380 degrees F (193 degrees C) for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed and slightly crispy again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, you absolutely don’t need to peel them! While I peeled them for the photos in this recipe, it’s not a mandatory step. The apples will still turn out great with the skin on. In fact, most of the apple’s nutrients and fiber are concentrated in the skin, so leaving it on offers additional health benefits and can save you prep time.
The healthiness of air-fried apples depends on your definition, but generally, yes! This particular recipe uses real, unrefined ingredients like pure maple syrup and coconut sugar instead of highly processed sugars. While the maple glaze does add some natural sugars, it’s a much healthier alternative to many traditional apple desserts. You can also easily adjust the amount of glaze or skip it entirely if you prefer. I consider these a wonderful, healthy-ish dessert or snack option.
It’s generally not recommended to use aerosol non-stick sprays directly on your air fryer basket. Most air fryer baskets come with a non-stick coating already, and aerosol sprays can contain ingredients that may damage this coating over time. Instead, if you need to ensure extra non-stick properties, you can brush or lightly spray the apples themselves with a little oil before placing them in the basket.
While fresh apples are always preferred for their crisp texture, you can use frozen apple slices. However, they may release more moisture during cooking and result in a slightly softer texture. There’s no need to thaw them first; simply toss them with the oil and cinnamon, then air fry as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if needed.
Yes, you can! These apples hold up well when stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. While they are best enjoyed warm and freshly made, they are still delicious cold or reheated. Making them ahead can be a great time-saver for meal prep or busy mornings.
More Air Fryer Recipes for You to Try
If you’ve discovered the magic of air frying with this apple recipe, you’ll love how versatile this appliance is! Here are some other fantastic air fryer recipes to add to your repertoire:
- Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Easy Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
- Crispy Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken (gluten free)
Eat Clean. Be Healthy!
-Sara
Air Fryer Apples
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Equipment
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1 Air Fryer
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1 Mixing bowl
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1 vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 4 large, sweet apples
- 1 tbsp. avocado oil
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 tsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp. coconut sugar
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
Instructions
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Wash, peel (optional), core, and slice apples into ½” thick slices. Aim for uniform thickness for even cooking.
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Place sliced apples in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add avocado oil and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until apples are evenly coated.
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Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Once preheated, arrange apple slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s okay if they slightly overlap, but avoid severe overcrowding. Air fry in batches if necessary.
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Air fry for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the apple slices are golden brown and can easily be pierced with a fork. Check apples after 10 minutes, as cooking time will vary based on your air fryer model and slice thickness.
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While the apples are cooking, prepare the glaze: whisk together the pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, and pure vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
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Transfer the cooked apples to a mixing bowl. Drizzle the prepared maple glaze over the warm apples and stir gently until all slices are well coated. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired for extra flavor.
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Serve immediately and enjoy your warm, tender air fryer apples!
Notes
- No need to stir apples halfway through if they are arranged in a relatively single layer. If apples are overlapping significantly, stirring at the halfway point (around 5-6 minutes) will help them cook more evenly. You can also air fry in batches to prevent overcrowding.
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition