Air Fryer Apples with Honey Oat Topping

Name: Air Fryer Apples with Honey Oat Topping
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 3 Apples (Gala, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady work great); 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (Melted); 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon; 1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats; 1 1/2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (Melted); 1 Tbsp Honey; 2 Tsp All Purpose Flour; 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon; 1 Pinch Nutmeg; 1 Pinch Sea Salt; 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract; 2 Tbsp Pumpkin Seeds (Optional)

Recipe Video Discuss

These Air Fryer Apples are soft, loaded with cinnamon flavor and topped with a honey oat topping for the perfect crispy finish. Ready in 20 minutes and super simple to make!

Overhead shot of baked apples on a black plate.

Fall is seriously my favorite season of the year, if you couldn't tell already. I love the weather, activates and of course the food. These Air Fryer Apples are perfectly soft and packed with cinnamon and nutmeg then topped with a crunchy oat and honey topping.

These baked apples are cooked in my favorite air fryer the Ninja Foodi, but can be made in any air fryer or even in an oven. The entire recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and is the perfect fall dessert. Top with honey, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the perfect finish.

Ingredient Notes

Apples: My favorite apple type of apples to use for this recipe are either Honeycrisp or Gala apples. Other good options include Pink Lady, Granny Smith or Fuji. Try to use a firmer apples and not a soft apple like Red Delicious for the perfect baked apples in an air fryer. I find that if you use a softer variety of apple, it can fall apart and split easier.
Spices: I use a simple combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt, but you could leave out the nutmeg if you wish.
Old Fashioned Oats: Otherwise know as rolled oats.
Honey: Alternatives to honey are maple syrup or brown sugar.
Pumpkin Seeds (Optional): I love the additional crunch pumpkin seeds provide, but they are not required.

My Kitchen Go-To
I use my Ninja Foodi Air Fryer for these baked apples, and they come out perfectly. Any air fryer can be used just know that the cook time may vary depending on your air fryer. If you do not have an air fryer you can cook in the apples in the oven as well.

Close up shot of apple with oat topping on black plate.

How to Make Air Fryer Apples

Apple Preparation
Begin by preheating your air fryer. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the apples. Slice the apple in half through the core. Use a knife or spoon to remove the seeds and core from the center of each apple half. Be carful not to cut too deep and break the apple. Brush each apple half with the melted butter combination. Once finished set aside.
Topping Preparation
Add all the topping ingredients to a small prep bowl and stir to combine. Make sure to distribute the honey well so all the oats are coated. Once the topping is combined evenly spoon over each apple half.
Baking the Apples
Spray the basket of your preheated air fryer with cooking spray and carefully place each apple in. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to cook in several batches. Close the lid and press START, then AIR CRISP and set the TEMP to 350 degrees F using the arrows. Next, set the TIME to 15 Minutes then press START. Please note that these instructions are specifically for the Ninja Foodi and your air fryer setting may be different.
Finishing Touches
After 15 minutes check the apples, they should be soft and the oat topping should be browned. Once they are finished remove the apples with tongs and enjoy warm with additional honey, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Six image collage showing apples being prepped and cooked.

Pro Tips

The Perfect Cook
Every air fryer is different, and some will cook the apples faster or slower depending on their size and setting. I use my Ninja Foodi air fryer and find that 15 minutes yield the perfect baked apple.

If they are still firm after the 15 minute cook time, air fryer an additional 2 minutes then check for doneness. The apples will be soft (but not falling apart) and the topping will be browned when they are finished.

Preheat the Air Fryer
When baking apples in an air fryer, I find that they come out best when I preheat it. To preheat your air fryer either use the preheat option if your air fryer has one, or close and start the air fryer for 5 minutes at the temperature you would like it preheat to.

If you choose not to preheat your air fryer, or forget you may need to add an additional 3-5 minutes onto the overall cook time.

Prep image showing had pressing buttons on air fryer to cook apples.

Oven Instructions

If you do not have an air fryer, these apples can be made the traditional way in an oven. The apples turn out great this way, it just requires a longer cook time.

To bake apples in an oven, follow the recipe instructions up until the air fryer instructions. Then, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the apples in a small baking pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the oat topping is browned. Enjoyed with ice cream, honey, or whipped cream.

FAQS

How should leftover baked apples be stored?

Store leftover air fryer apples in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Although, they are best eaten right after air frying while warm. When they sit in the fridge the oat topping will get soft and no longer be crunchy.

Can this recipe be frozen?

No, cinnamon baked apples cannot be frozen.

Apple with bite out of it and honey being drizzled over.

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Happy Eating!