Quick and Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples Recipe

by Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN | Sep 8, 2023 | Desserts, Recipes | 0 comments

This Air Fryer Baked Apple recipe is simple, easy, and delicious. The star ingredient is apples with an oat pecan topping.
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples with a Oat Pecan Topping 

September brings farmer’s markets brimming with apples, apple picking, apple bobbing, and apple butter festivals. So naturally, my kitchen creations started to showcase apples like with this Air Fryer Baked Apples recipe. 

From Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Apples, and Brussels sprouts to Kale Apple Walnut Salads to Chicken Salads loaded with bits of apples and dried cranberries, I love to use apples in the fall especially in this Air Fryer Baked Apples recipe. 

A grey speckled dessert plate with 2 halves of baked apples with pecan oat topping and a scoop of creamy ice cream and a bite taken from the plate.

 

Why I Made This Air Fryer Baked Apples Recipe

After a trip to the apple orchard, I think of various ways to use up my apples. From easy snacks with cheese or peanut butter to tart apple crisps, there are many wonderful ways to use up my fall haul of apples. 

But, when I’m craving something sweet, yet easy to make, I like to whip up a batch of baked apples with a simple pecan oat topping. What makes this recipe super quick? I use an air fryer for these Air Fryer Baked Apples. 

 

A Pie plate with baked 7 baked apples with pecan oat topping and two scoops of creamy ice cream. To the left of the pie plate is a sage linen napkin.

 

Equipment

  • Paring knife
  • Cutting board
  • Air fryer – I use an older model of this Ninja Air Fryer. I got it a few years ago as a Christmas gift and it still works great!

 

 

 

A grey speckled dessert plate with 2 halves of baked apples with pecan oat topping and a scoop of creamy ice cream and a silver and blue handled spoon cutting into the baked apple.

 

Ingredients

  • Apples (such as Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady)

 

8 halved green apples with brown sugar sprinkled over top. Some are cut side up and others cut side down, laying over a wooden two-tones cutting board.

 

Baked Apple Topping

  • Old fashioned Oats
  • Brown Sugar
  • Butter
  • Pecan pieces
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Kosher Salt

 

Oat Pecan Topping with apples and cinnamon surrounding the topping bowl.

 

How to Make This Recipe

Prepare the Apples: Wash and cut the apples in half. Then, remove the seeds and inner core to create a small crater for the crumble to sit in. 

Combine the 1 tbsp of brown sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the prepped apples. 

Mix the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients. Use the warmth of your hands to work the butter in with the other topping ingredients. The goal is to create a crumbly texture. 

 

Prepped Baked apples in a cutting board with oat pecan topping stuffed into the crevasses of the halved apples.

 

Place in Air Fryer: Top evenly with the baked apple topping. Place the apples in the air fryer.

 

Air fryer with 6 unbaked apples and the oat pecan topping

 

Air Fry/Bake: Place in the air fryer, and crumble side up. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for ~15 minutes. Timing may vary depending on the size and type of apples used. 

 

Air fryer with 6 baked apples and the oat pecan topping

 

Serve: Remove the baked apples from the oven. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. For extra indulgence, you may serve the baked apples with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

 

A grey speckled dessert plate with 2 halves of baked apples with pecan oat topping and a scoop of creamy ice cream and a silver and blue handled spoon cutting into the baked apple.

 

FAQ (Ask A Dietitian!)

Do you have to peel apples to bake?

No, you do not have to peel apples to bake. It is per the cook’s preference, but I prefer to keep the peel on. Not only does it make my prep easier, but the peel has fiber, vitamins, and minerals in it, too!

Are baked apples better?

Baked apples are a wonderful way to enjoy apples however, to get the most nutritional benefit from apples, it is best to eat them raw. Some of the apple’s vitamins and minerals are lost during baking. 

Additionally, baked apples in crisps, cobblers, and this Air Fryer Baked Apple recipe include additional ingredients like brown sugar and butter. For most individuals, foods with large amounts of butter and brown sugar should be enjoyed in moderation, because these ingredients are high in calories, fat, and sugar. 

 

A grey speckled dessert plate with 2 halves of baked apples with pecan oat topping and a scoop of creamy ice cream.

 

What apples can be baked?

Technically all apples can be baked. However, some apples are considered “baking” apples. Baking apples are firm and keep their shape when baking. They also have a flavor profile that compliments ingredients often paired with apples when baking. 

Some baking apples include Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Cortland, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gala. 

More Fall Recipes

Kale Apple Walnut Salad

Roasted Veggies – Sweet Potatoes, Apples, and Brussel Sprouts

 

A grey speckled dessert plate with 2 halves of baked apples with pecan oat topping and a scoop of creamy ice cream.

Air Fryer Baked Apples

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
Air Fryer Baked Apples are an easy apple dessert recipe for fall.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 serving
Calories 282 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 1 paring knife

Ingredients
  

  • 4 apples firm and flavorful such as gala, honeycrisp, or granny smith.
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt

Instructions
 

Prepare the Apples

  • Wash and cut the apples in half. Remove the seeds and inner core to create a small crater for the crumble to sit in. Combine the 1 tbsp of brown sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl.
  • Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the prepped apples.

Mix The Topping

  • In a small bowl, mix together the topping ingredients. Use the warmth of your hands to work the butter in with the other topping ingredients.

Place in Air Fryer

  • Top the apples with the Oat Pecan topping/crumble. Gently place the apples in the air fryer.

Bake/Air Fry

  • Place in air fryer, crumble side up. Set air fryer to 350°F and cook for ~15 minutes. Timing may vary depending on the size and type of apples used.

Serve:

  • Remove the baked apples from the oven allowing them to cool slightly before serving. For extra indulgence, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 2apple halvesCalories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 243mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 5gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 453IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Keyword apple, baked apple, fall, winter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sarah Harper in her kitchen with a cutting board, broccoli, carrots, and a fruit bowl.
Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Sarah Eating for food on a stick

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from The Addy Bean!

You have Successfully Subscribed!