Air Fryer Baked Apples With Oats: Perfect Fall Dessert!

If you’re looking for an easy yet delicious dessert that just screams fall, look no further than these air fryer baked apples! Fresh apples are stuffed with warm spices and oats, then baked to perfection in your air fryer, so it’s faster than the oven (but just as tasty) and more convenient than apple pie!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick And Easy. The air fryer makes tender, flavorful baked apples without waiting for the oven to heat up!
• Perfectly Cozy. Warm apples, cinnamon, and sweet filling make this an easy fall favorite
• Simple Ingredients. You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make a comforting dessert. They’re also naturally vegetarian!
• Great For Fall. They’re perfect for apple season, but easy enough to enjoy any time of year!
• Naturally Portion-Friendly. Make just a few baked apples when you want dessert without preparing a whole apple pie or crisp
• Dessert Without The Fuss. You get all the cozy flavors of baked apples with much less work than making a traditional apple dessert
• Easy To Customize. Add nuts, raisins, oats, caramel, or your favorite warm spices to change up the flavor!
• Delicious With Ice Cream. Serve a warm baked apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an especially cozy treat
• Great For Breakfast Or Dessert. They’re sweet enough for dessert but can also make a fun addition to a fall breakfast or brunch

Ingredients List

• 2 apples (medium to large sized)
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar (or maple syrup)
• ½ tsp apple pie spice (or ground cinnamon)
• ¼ cup old fashioned oats
• ⅛ cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)

Step By Step Instructions

1. Wash and dry your apples, and then core them without cutting out the bottom. I use the larger side of a melon baller to do this and it’s perfect, but you can use 1 tsp measuring spoon or another small spoon depending what you have. If coring them is too difficult, cut the apples in half and just scoop out the seeds plus a little extra flesh, and split toppings between two halves

2. Mix the brown sugar, apple pie spice, oats, and cranberries (if using) together until well combined, then divide the mixture evenly between the apples (depending on apple size and how much you cored, you may have a small amount leftover). Then, divide the butter evenly and top the filling in each apple with a butter piece

3. Place the filled apples into your air fryer basket in a single layer, with some air space between them. Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until the apples are tender (the skin will be very wrinkly) and the topping is browned to your liking

4. Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce (pictured), or a scoop or vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

Pairing Suggestions

Air fryer baked apples are warm, tender, and cinnamon-spiced, making them a cozy fall dessert or breakfast treat. Pair them with creamy toppings, crunchy additions, or a warm drink for an easy seasonal spread!

Toppings

• Vanilla Ice Cream: The cold, creamy ice cream melts over the warm baked apple for a classic combination.
• Whipped Cream: A light and creamy topping that adds a little extra sweetness
• Caramel Sauce: Drizzle over the apples for a caramel-apple flavor combination!
• Chopped Pecans: Add buttery crunch that complements the soft apples and warm spices
• Granola: A crunchy topping that makes the baked apples feel a little like individual apple crisps

Breakfast & Brunch

• Pancakes: Dice and spoon the warm baked apples over pancakes for an easy fall-inspired breakfast. Air Fryer Pumpkin Pancakes are a great seasonal accompaniment!
• French Toast: Cinnamon apples make a delicious topping for rich, buttery French toast when sliced or diced up and covered in syrup!
• Waffles: Add diced baked apples and a little maple syrup for a cozy weekend breakfast
• Greek Yogurt: Creamy yogurt provides a tangy contrast to the sweet, warm apples

Savory Fall Meals

• Pork Chops: Apples and pork are a classic combination, making baked apples a natural side for dinner
• Roast Turkey: Their warm cinnamon-apple flavor fits beautifully with a fall or Thanksgiving meal. Try any of my Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for some great options!
• Roast Chicken: A simple roasted chicken pairs nicely with the sweetness of baked apples
• Glazed Ham: The sweet apple flavors complement the salty, savory ham. Try my easy Air Fryer Ham Steaks!

Drinks

• Apple Cider: Keep the fall apple theme going with a warm or chilled glass of cider
• Coffee: A simple cup of coffee balances the sweetness and makes baked apples work beautifully for breakfast
• Chai Latte: Warm spices in chai complement the cinnamon and apple flavors. For a boozy option, try some of my Chai Cocktails!
• Hot Chocolate: A cozy option when you’re serving the baked apples as dessert
• Apple Pie Cocktail: For an adults-only dessert, an apple pie cocktail doubles down on those warm apple and cinnamon flavors!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Baked Apples

• Don’t overcook your apples! They should be tender enough to pierce easily but still hold their shape (otherwise they get overly mushy and fall apart). A minute or two extra for browning is fine; just don’t overdo it
• Make sure to be careful when you remove the core and seeds to leave the bottom intact so the filling stays inside
• Cooking times can vary naturally between variety and size of apples (choose similarly sized ones for best results) and your specific air fryer. I use Honeycrisp in my Ninja air fryer and 15 minutes was perfect (without preheating), but you can adjust as needed in small increments

Storage and Reheating

Storage Tips

• Let baked apples cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
• I do not recommend freezing baked apples, as they become mushy
• Store without toppings (like ice cream, caramel, or whipped cream) when possible so you have the best results when reheating

Reheating Tips

• Air Fryer: Heat at 325°F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through (depends on the size of your apple)
• Microwave: Place an apple on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 20-30 second intervals until warm
• Oven: Place in a baking dish and warm at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through
• Add Toppings After Reheating: For the best texture, add ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or nuts after the apples are warm
• Don’t Overheat: Too much heat can make the apples soft and mushy, so warm them just until heated through

• Air Fryer Blooming Apple
• Air Fryer Apple Chips

Final Thoughts

These air fryer baked apples are such a perfect fall dessert! They’re loaded with warm spices, tender oats, brown sugar for sweetness, and even a hint of fruit. I like using dried cranberries, but raisins or currents are great as well. They’re naturally vegetarian too, so they work for different dietary needs without trying!

The air fryer gets the apples perfectly tender in far less time than the oven, making it great for a last minute dessert, or a sweet treat for you when you get back from the apple orchard! Of course, you can make them in the oven too, but I love the convenience and caramelization of the air fryer.