Air Fryer Baked Apples (Single Serving Apple Crisp)
These air fryer baked apples are halved apples stuffed with a cinnamon oat crumble and air fried until soft and golden. It’s a single-serving apple crisp with no dish, no peeling, and no wait. Gluten-free and vegan.
This is my move when I want apple pie energy but it’s 8pm and I am not making a pie.
Air fryer baked apples are halved apples with the core scooped out, filled with a cinnamon oat crumble, and air fried until the apple goes soft and the topping crisps up. It tastes like a single-serving apple crisp without the dish, the peeling, or the wait.
Mine are gluten-free and vegan, made with five ingredients, and ready in about 20 minutes.
The apple gets jammy and sweet on its own as it cooks, so you barely need to add sugar, and the oat topping goes golden and crunchy on top. Add a scoop of ice cream and it’s a whole dessert from one apple.
I’m an air fryer fruit dessert person in general, so if you’re into this, try my Air Fryer Apple Chips and Air Fryer Bananas next.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- An apple — pick a firm one that holds its shape, like Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, or Fuji. One apple makes one serving.
- Gluten-free oats — the base of the crumble topping. Quick oats stick together best.
- Cinnamon — the warm spice that makes it taste like apple pie. A pinch of nutmeg is nice too.
- Maple syrup — sweetens the crumble and helps it clump. Honey works if you’re not keeping it vegan.
- Coconut oil spray — this is what binds the oat topping so it crisps instead of scattering. Melted coconut oil or butter work too.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Apples
- Halve and core the apple. Wash the apple, cut it in half, and scoop out the core and seeds with a spoon or melon baller. Dig out a little extra flesh to make a cavity for the topping.
- Make the crumble. In a small bowl, stir together the oats, cinnamon, and maple syrup, then spray with coconut oil until it clumps together like a crumble.
- Fill the apples. Spray the apple halves with coconut oil, sprinkle with a little cinnamon, and pack the oat crumble into the cavities.
- Air fry. Air fry at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes, until the apple is fork-tender and the topping is golden.
- Serve. Eat them warm, on their own or with a scoop of ice cream.
Tips for the Best Baked Apples
- Scoop a deep cavity. The more core and flesh you dig out, the more room for the crumble, and the more topping in every bite.
- Use foil to cut the mess. If your air fryer blows the topping around, loosely tent foil over the apples for the first half of cooking.
- Don’t overcook them. Pull them when the apple is fork-tender but still holds its shape. Too long and the halves collapse.
Variations to Try
- Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble for crunch.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom to the cinnamon.
- Swap the maple syrup for honey, or tuck a few raisins into the filling.
Storing and Reheating
These are best warm and fresh, but leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to bring the crunch back to the topping. You can microwave them too, but the topping won’t crisp the same way.
To freeze, store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Air Fryer Baked Apples FAQs
What are the best apples for baked apples? Firm apples that hold their shape are best. Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady all work well. Softer apples like Red Delicious tend to go mushy, so skip those.
Can I make these in the oven instead? Yes. Bake the stuffed apple halves at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, until the apple is tender and the topping is golden. The air fryer is faster, but the oven gives you the same result.
Can I make baked apples ahead of time? They’re best fresh, while the topping is still crisp. If you want to prep ahead, mix the crumble and core the apples in advance, then assemble and air fry when you’re ready to eat.
Air Fryer Baked Apples (Single Serving Apple Crisp)
Ingredients
- 1 apple
- 3 tbsp certified gluten-free oats
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- Coconut oil spray
Instructions
- Wash apple and cut in half. Remove the core and seeds on both halves.
- Mix together the oats, cinnamon and maple syrup in a small bowl. Spray with coconut spray until the mixture sticks together slightly and becomes more like a crumble.
- Spray the apple halves with coconut oil spray, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with the crumble and air fry at 350F for 18-20 minutes, or until softened.
- Serve warm with ice cream and enjoy!
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.
More Air Fryer Fruit Desserts
- Air Fryer Peach Crisp
- Air Fryer Pineapple
- Air Fryer Chopped Apples
- Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
If you make these air fryer baked apples, leave a star rating and a comment below so I know how they turned out. And tag @basicswithbails on Instagram or pin them on Pinterest, I love seeing your fall desserts.
About Bailey
I love to bake, cook, exercise, and document all of the above. Nutrition is not low fat. It is not low calorie. It’s not feeling deprived or being hungry all the time. It’s nourishing your body with real, whole foods so that you are consistently satisfied and energized to live your life to the fullest! Read more…
