Air-Frying Fruit: What You Need To Know

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide variety of foods, including fruit. Many fruits can be cooked in an air fryer, including apples, bananas, peaches, pineapples, strawberries, blueberries, and more. Air-frying fruit is a quick and easy way to prepare healthy and delicious snacks or desserts. It enhances the natural sweetness and flavor of the fruit, creating a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft and juicy. The circulating hot air caramelizes the natural sugars in the fruit, intensifying its flavor. The fruit can be seasoned with spices, cinnamon, sugar, or butter to further enhance its taste. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of fruit and the desired level of doneness. Air-fried fruits can be served as a snack, added to oatmeal or yogurt bowls, used as toppings, or incorporated into baking recipes.

Air-fried apples

Air fryer apples are a quick, easy, and healthy dessert that can be made in under 15 minutes. The apples are seasoned with cinnamon, sugar, and butter, and then cooked in the air fryer until soft and slightly crispy. The result is a warm, gooey, and sweet treat that can be enjoyed as-is or with a variety of toppings and sides.

To make air-fried apples, start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples into even-sized pieces. The type of apple is up to your preference, but some recommended varieties include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Cortland, Jonathan, Fuji, or Gala. Granny Smith apples are a good choice due to their firm texture and sweet-tart flavor, which is well-suited for baking.

Next, season the apples. In a small bowl, combine the apple slices with ground cinnamon, light brown sugar or another sweetener of your choice (such as maple syrup or honey), and melted butter. You can adjust the amount of cinnamon and butter to your taste preferences. Additionally, you can add a dash of salt to enhance the flavour. Toss the apples until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.

After the apples are seasoned, it's time to air fry them. Preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F (180-190°C). Line the air fryer basket with aluminium foil or a liner, and then place the apples in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Air fry for a total of 10-12 minutes, tossing the apples halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Once the apples are soft and slightly crispy, they are ready to serve. Air-fried apples can be enjoyed as-is or with a variety of toppings and sides. For a simple dessert, serve the apples plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of butter. You can also get creative and use them as a topping for oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, French toast, or yogurt. They can even be served as a sweet side dish alongside savoury mains such as pork chops, roasted chicken, or stuffed turkey breast.

Air-fried bananas

Ingredients

You will need just four common ingredients to make air-fried bananas: bananas, cinnamon, coconut oil, and salt. Choose ripe bananas that are not overly ripe, with bright yellow peels and perhaps some green striations. Overly ripe or brown bananas will have too much moisture, which will prevent them from caramelizing properly. You will need just two teaspoons of coconut oil for that sweet and nutty flavor, and any high-quality flaky salt will work.

Preparation

Slice the bananas in half lengthwise. If you are making a banana split, you will want to cut them partially, but not all the way through, like a hot dog bun. Brush the banana slices with coconut oil and sprinkle with cinnamon. You can also add a touch of vanilla extract to enhance the natural sweetness of the bananas.

Cooking

Place the bananas in the air fryer basket, leaving at least 1/4-inch of space between each slice. Air fry at 375°F or 180°C for 6 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and crispy. You may need to cook the bananas in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Serving

Air-fried peaches

Ingredients:

• Ripe peaches (one medium-sized peach per person)
• Brown sugar or golden monk fruit sweetener
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• A pinch of nutmeg
• Coconut oil or avocado oil
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. whipped cream, ice cream, granola, honey, nuts, or yogurt)

Method:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, simply run it at 350°F for 2-5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your peaches by washing and drying them. Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits. If you prefer, you can also cut the peaches into quarters, as this will make them easier to eat.

Next, place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket. This will make cleanup easier and catch any drippings from the peaches. Place the peach halves or quarters, skin side up, on the parchment paper. Lightly spray or drizzle the peaches with oil and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Now, it's time to air fry! Place the peaches in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your specific air fryer and the ripeness of your peaches. Riper peaches will take less time to soften, while underripe peaches may take longer.

Once the peaches are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and plate them. Top with your choice of toppings. Some delicious combinations include whipped cream and honey, granola and nuts, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy your air-fried peaches as a tasty and healthy dessert!

Tips:

• If you want to get creative, you can mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, and spread this mixture on top of the peaches before air frying. This will give your peaches a buttery crumble topping.
• You can store leftover air-fried peaches (without toppings) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or microwave for a quick and tasty snack.
• Air-fried peaches can also be used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or even in baking recipes.

Air-fried pineapple

To make air-fried pineapple, you'll first need to prepare your pineapple. It's recommended to use fresh pineapple for the best taste, but frozen or canned pineapple can also be used in a pinch. If using fresh pineapple, start by peeling and coring it, then cut it into your desired shape and size. You can cut it into rings, half rings, chunks, slices, or spears—just make sure the pieces are evenly sized to ensure even cooking.

Next, you'll want to season your pineapple. The most popular seasoning combination is light brown sugar and ground cinnamon, which will give your pineapple a delicious caramelized finish. You can mix these together and sprinkle them over the pineapple, or you can combine them with melted butter and maple syrup and pour the mixture over the pineapple slices, gently mixing to coat them evenly. If you're looking for a refined sugar-free option, you can use coconut sugar or maple sugar instead of brown sugar.

Once your pineapple is prepared and seasoned, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Lightly spray the air fryer basket or tray with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the pineapple from sticking. Place the pineapple in a single layer in the basket, making sure the pieces don't overlap too much. Set your air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and cook the pineapple for a total of 12-16 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, until they are golden brown and caramelized to your liking.

Your air-fried pineapple is now ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it warm or cold, as a snack or dessert. It's delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with ice cream, whipped cream, lime zest, or even blend it into a smoothie or milkshake. If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or up to 5 days.

Air-fried avocado

Air fryers are a great way to cook fruit, creating a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and juicy, enhancing the natural sweetness of the fruit. Avocados are a great fruit to air fry, and avocado fries are a perfect mix of crispy and creamy.

To make air-fried avocado, you will need ripe but firm avocados, preferably Hass avocados. They should give slightly when you press on them but should not be mushy. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and use a spoon to scoop out each half in one piece. Slice each avocado half into five slices, lengthwise.

Set up three shallow bowls for the breading process. In the first bowl, mix flour, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. In the second bowl, beat an egg until it becomes frothy. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are ideal for creating a crispy coating on the avocado fries.

Next, dredge an avocado slice in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip the slice into the egg, allowing any excess to drip off, and then press it into the panko breadcrumbs until both sides are coated. Repeat this process for the remaining slices.

Generously spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or avocado oil spray. Place the avocado slices in a single layer in the basket, making sure they do not touch each other. Spray the top side of the avocado slices with cooking spray or avocado oil spray as well.

Preheat the air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C). Air fry the avocado slices for a total of 6-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden and crispy.

Serve the air-fried avocado fries with a dipping sauce such as garlic aioli, spicy ranch, or a simple mix of ranch dressing and sriracha hot sauce. They can also be served in vegetarian tacos.

Frequently asked questions