Warm, soft and fragrant with cinnamon, air fryer cinnamon apples give you all the comfort of apple pie with no pastry and almost no work. Five minutes of slicing and 12 minutes in the basket leave you with tender fruit in a buttery brown sugar syrup. It is the kind of dessert you can decide to make after dinner has already started.
The recipe scales up easily, and it can be as simple or as fancy as you like. Eat the apples plain, spoon them over oatmeal in the morning, or serve them with vanilla ice cream melting over the top.
Why Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples Work So Well
The air fryer concentrates heat in a small space, so apples soften quickly while their surface starts to caramelize. In a pan, you need to stir them regularly so that they do not catch on the bottom. Here you stir once, and you are free to do something else in the meantime.
Brown sugar is the important ingredient. It melts together with the butter and the juice from the fruit to create a simple syrup. A pinch of salt and a little lemon juice stop the sweetness from feeling flat and help keep the apple flavor bright.
The Best Apples for Cooking
Choose firm apples that hold their shape when heated. Each of these works well, and they differ mostly in sweetness:
- Honeycrisp: sweet, juicy and very good at keeping its texture.
- Granny Smith: tart and firm, which is ideal if you like a less sweet dessert.
- Pink Lady: balanced and firm, with a good sweet-tart flavor.
- Braeburn: a slightly spicy apple that is great with cinnamon.
A mix of sweet and tart apples gives you the most interesting result. If you only have softer varieties at home, you can still use them. Just reduce the cooking time by a couple of minutes and expect a softer, more spoonable texture.
Should You Peel the Apples?
Leaving the peel on saves time, adds a bit of color and helps wedges hold together. Peel them if you are serving young children or want a smoother, more pie-like texture. Whichever you choose, keep the wedges the same thickness so that they soften at the same pace.
Using Parchment Safely
Sugar syrup can stick firmly to the basket, so it helps to line it or to cook the apples in a small oven-safe dish. When you use parchment, always make sure the food is on top of it and that it does not touch the heating element. Loose paper can fly up in the moving air, which is a real fire risk. Check your own machine’s manual, as advice on liners and dishes differs between models.
Delicious Ways to Serve Them
- Classic: with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.
- Breakfast: over oatmeal, pancakes, waffles or a bowl of thick Greek yogurt.
- Quick crumble: topped with crushed granola or oat cookies for crunch.
- Savory: without the extra sugar, they go nicely with roast pork or a sharp cheddar.
If you are planning a full air fryer meal, you could start with air fryer chicken thighs and air fryer vegetables, then give the basket a clean before making these for dessert.
Flavor Variations
Cinnamon is the classic choice, but you can add a little nutmeg, ground ginger or cardamom for a warmer spice blend. A tablespoon of raisins or chopped walnuts works well in the last 4 minutes. For an adult dessert, add a small splash of bourbon to the butter before tossing the fruit. Maple syrup can stand in for brown sugar too, and it gives a lighter, more delicate caramel flavor.
To reduce the sugar, cut it to a tablespoon or leave it out entirely if your apples are naturally sweet. The dessert will have less syrup but will still taste of warm spiced fruit. The NHS guide to sugar in your diet has more information if you are keeping an eye on your intake.
Make Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Allow any leftovers to cool, then refrigerate them in a sealed container for up to four days. Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F (165°C) for 3 to 4 minutes or warm them in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. They also taste good cold on yogurt, so a spare batch makes breakfast easy. The cooked apples can be frozen for up to three months and thawed overnight in the fridge.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples FAQ
Can I make these without butter?
Yes. Coconut oil is an easy swap that makes the recipe dairy-free, and any neutral oil will also work, though with slightly less flavor.
Why are my apples mushy?
They may be a soft variety, cut too thin, or cooked a little too long. Use a firm apple, cut thicker wedges and start checking at 8 minutes.
Can I cook more than two apples?
Yes. Keep them in a shallow layer, stir them more often and add a few extra minutes. If your basket is small, it is better to cook two batches.
This recipe was developed by Chef Crispy, the AI chef at Crispy Fork. Air fryers vary, so check the apples for tenderness near the end of cooking.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Apples: Easy Warm Dessert in 15 Minutes
Description
Soft, caramelized apple slices with brown sugar, butter and warm cinnamon.Ingredients
Instructions
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Core the apples and cut them into wedges about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick. There is no need to peel them.
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Toss the apple wedges in a bowl with the lemon juice, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.
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Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
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Line the basket with a piece of air fryer parchment, or use an oven-safe dish that fits inside. Add the apples and any sugar left in the bowl.
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Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the apples are tender and the juices are syrupy.
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Let them cool for 3 minutes, as the syrup is very hot. Serve warm.
Note
- Never put loose parchment in an empty air fryer, as the fan can lift it into the heating element. Add the apples first to weigh it down.
- Softer apples, such as McIntosh, will break down more and become closer to applesauce.
