Crispy Cinnamon Air Fryer Apples Recipe

These air fryer apples are tender, warmly spiced with cinnamon, and taste like an easy apple pie filling. They make a delicious topping for oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

air fryer apples over a bowl of ice cream

Air Fried Apples

This simple recipe yields tender, buttery apples tossed with cinnamon and maple syrup—perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a quick snack. They’re easy to customize and store well for meal prep.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Simple – Only four common ingredients and minimal prep: toss, air fry, then finish with butter, syrup, and cinnamon.
  • Versatile – Use as a topping for ice cream, oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, or as an addition to baked goods and savory dishes.
  • Convenient – Keeps 5–7 days in the fridge and can be frozen for longer storage. Naturally gluten-free and nut-free.

Air Fryer Apple Ingredients

ingredients for air fryer apples

Quick ingredient overview—see the recipe card below for exact amounts.

  • Fresh apples – Sweet varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji work well; Granny Smith is good if you prefer tart. Peel, core, and slice about 1/4-inch thick.
  • Unsalted butter – Melted; adds rich flavor and helps the spices adhere.
  • Maple syrup and ground cinnamon – The classic pairing for cooked apples. Use sugar-free syrup if desired.

You’ll also need a mixing bowl and an air fryer.

overhead shot of air fried apples on staged table
closeup shot of air fried apples on ice cream

How to Cook Apples in the Air Fryer

This is a low-effort air fryer recipe that yields soft, flavorful apples. Follow the steps below for the best results.

Coat

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, toss the sliced apples with half of the melted butter so they’re evenly coated.

sliced apples and melted butter in a bowl

Cook

Lightly oil the air fryer basket, add the apples, and air fry for 14–16 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. The apples should be softened but not mushy.

buttery apples in air fryer basket
cooked buttered apples in air fryer

Season

Return the apples to the bowl, add the remaining melted butter, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon, and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

cooked apples in air fryer
seasoned apples in bowl

How to serve air fryer apples

These apples are delicious on their own or as a topping. Try them with whipped cream, ice cream, yogurt, or stirred into oatmeal. They also make a great filling for parfaits or a complement to pork dishes.

air fried apples with ice cream in a bowl

More ways to use cooked apples

  • Top pancakes or waffles – Spoon warm apples over pancakes or waffles for a fall-inspired breakfast.
  • Add to baked goods – Use the apples in muffins, cupcakes, cheesecake layers, or crumble bars.
  • Serve with pork – Warm, sweet apples pair especially well with roasted or spiced pork.
air fryer apples on ice cream in a bowl
closeup overhead shot of apples and ice cream

Store

Store cooled apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–7 days. The syrup may thicken over time—briefly microwave and stir to loosen it before serving.

Freeze

To freeze, cool fully, transfer to a freezer-safe container, remove excess air, and freeze up to six months. Thaw in the fridge or reheat directly from frozen.

air fryer apples on ice cream

Reheat

Reheat in 30-second microwave intervals, stirring between blasts, or warm gently in a skillet or covered dish in the oven. Add a little butter or syrup if needed.

air fried apples on ice cream in a white bowl
air fried apples spooned over ice cream

If you love this apple recipe, you’ll love these fall favorites!

  • Cranberry Apple Kale Salad – A fresh autumn salad with great texture and flavor.
  • Slow Cooker Spiced Apples – An easy alternative for hands-off cooking with fall spices.
  • Easy Apple Butter – A spreadable apple preserve great on toast or biscuits.
  • Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal – A crowd-pleasing breakfast for holidays or busy mornings.
  • Apple Bacon Cheddar Panini – A savory-sweet sandwich with apples, bacon, and cheddar.
5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Apples

By: Annie Holmes
Servings: 2 servings
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 20 mins
air fryer apples over a bowl of ice cream
These air fryer apples are the perfect topping for oatmeal, ice cream, or yogurt—tender and full of warm cinnamon flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium red apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
  • Toss the sliced apples with 1 tablespoon of melted butter in a medium bowl.
  • Spray the air fryer basket with oil, then add the apples. Air fry 14–16 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes.
  • Return the apples to the bowl and toss with the remaining melted butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji provide a sweet result; Granny Smith is good for tartness.
  • Serve on oatmeal, yogurt, with granola, or over ice cream.
  • These apples soften and resemble apple pie filling rather than becoming crispy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 apple
Calories: 207 kcal
Carbohydrates: 27.8 g
Protein: 0.6 g
Fat: 11.7 g
Cholesterol: 30.5 mg
Sodium: 2.8 mg
Fiber: 2.4 g
Sugar: 22.3 g

Nutrition information is an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Air Fryer Recipes, Dessert
Cuisine: Dessert
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