Air Fryer Fruit: Healthy, Tasty Treats?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods, including fruit. By using both radiation and convection, air fryers can produce a similar texture to frying without the need for oil. This makes them perfect for preparing healthy and delicious snacks or desserts.

Air-fried fruit has become a popular trend, with people experimenting with various fruits such as apples, bananas, pineapples, peaches, and strawberries. The air fryer's ability to caramelize the natural sugars in fruits enhances their natural sweetness and flavour, resulting in a tasty treat.

In addition to fresh fruit, frozen fruits can also be used in an air fryer, although cooking times and temperatures may need adjusting. Air fryers offer a convenient and quick way to prepare fruit, and the finished product can be enjoyed as a snack, added to oatmeal or yoghurt, or even used in baking.

Air fryer fruit recipes

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of foods, including fruit. Here are some delicious air fryer fruit recipes to try:

Cinnamon-Sugar Fried Apples

Slice an apple of your choice into small pieces and roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar. Leave the skin on for more texture or remove it if you prefer. Place the apple slices on parchment paper in the air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, or until soft. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or get creative with other toppings like homemade granola or à la mode.

Air Fryer Caramelized Stone Fruits

This recipe is perfect for stone fruits like peaches, plums, nectarines, or apricots. Halve the fruit, brush with maple syrup, and sprinkle with coconut sugar (optional). Place the fruit in the air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, or until caramelized. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon and salt to taste. Serve with oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, or enjoy them on their own!

Air-Fried Bananas

Slice bananas in half lengthwise and top with butter or coconut oil, and your desired seasonings. A classic combination is brown sugar and cinnamon, but you can also experiment with a drizzle of chili lime seasoning for a savory snack. Place the bananas in the air fryer and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about eight minutes, or until golden brown. For unripe bananas, you may need to increase the cooking time.

Air-Fried Pineapple

Cut pineapple into chunks and place them in the air fryer. You can also add a layer of brown sugar and butter for a confectionery flavor. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 10 minutes. The pineapple will have a firm exterior and a soft, juicy interior. Enjoy as a snack or add some yogurt, granola, or nuts for a more filling option.

Air-Fried Blueberries

Air-fried blueberries can be a unique treat. Place fresh blueberries in the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes. The blueberries will have a firm skin and a soft, squishy interior. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert. You can even make an entire blueberry pie in your air fryer!

Air-Fried Strawberries

Slice strawberries into thin pieces, about ⅛ inch wide, and place them in the air fryer. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about eight minutes for a dehydrated texture. For a slower dehydration process, cook at a lower temperature (180-200 degrees Fahrenheit) for an hour, flipping the berries halfway through. These dehydrated strawberries are perfect for road trips or adding to homemade trail mix.

Dehydrating fruit in an air fryer

Air fryers are a versatile appliance that can be used to dehydrate fruit. The process is simple and requires minimal preparation. Air fryers use convection heating, which is ideal for removing moisture from fruit. This method is faster than traditional dehydration techniques and is perfect for small batches of dried fruit.

How to Dehydrate Fruit in an Air Fryer

Firstly, if your air fryer has a 'dehydrate' setting, simply pop your fruit into the basket and turn on the setting. If your air fryer does not have this setting, you can still dehydrate fruit by following these steps:

• Set your air fryer to its lowest temperature setting, ideally 80°C or 125°F-145°F.
• Cut your fruit into thin, consistent slices, around 5-6mm or 1/4-inch thick.
• Pat the fruit dry with a clean cloth. You can also soak the fruit in various liquids to enhance preservation or add flavour.
• Place the fruit in the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces aren't stacked.
• Check the fruit every hour and shake the basket to prevent sticking.
• The dehydration process can take anywhere from 1-12 hours, depending on the fruit.
• Once dehydrated, remove the fruit and let it cool for at least 6 hours, or up to 24 hours, to continue the drying process.
• Store the fruit in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Fruit to Dehydrate

Most fruits can be dehydrated in an air fryer, but some popular choices are apples, bananas, strawberries, peaches, pineapples, blueberries, mangoes, oranges, lemons, apricots, and grapes.

Tips

• You can add flavour enhancers such as cinnamon, sugar, honey, or lemon juice to your fruit before dehydrating.
• Parchment paper can be used to line the air fryer to prevent sticking.
• Dehydrating fruit is a great way to add healthy snacks to your diet and can be more cost-effective than buying dried fruit.

Air frying fruit without oil

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of foods, including fruit, without the need for oil. Here are some tips and tricks for air-frying fruit without oil:

Choosing the Right Fruit

Not all fruits are created equal when it comes to air frying. Some fruits that work well in the air fryer include apples, bananas, pineapple, peaches, mangoes, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, oranges, grapefruit, kiwis, grapes, lemons, limes, persimmons, and star fruit.

Preparation

The preparation of your fruit will depend on the type of fruit you are using and the desired outcome. For example, when air-frying apples, it is recommended to slice them into small pieces and roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar. On the other hand, when air-frying bananas, it is best to slice them in half lengthwise and top them with butter or coconut oil and desired seasonings.

Cooking Time and Temperature

The cooking time and temperature will vary depending on the fruit you are air-frying. For example, apples and bananas will typically cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, while pineapple chunks will cook at the same temperature for up to 10 minutes. Mango chunks can be air-fried at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, while blueberries and strawberries are best cooked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-8 minutes.

Adding Flavour

You can add flavour to your air-fried fruit in a variety of ways. Some popular options include using spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, or toppings such as honey, brown sugar, or granola. For a savoury snack, you can even try drizzling your fruit with chilli lime seasoning.

Dehydrating Fruit

In addition to cooking fruit, your air fryer can also be used to dehydrate fruit. To dehydrate fruit, set your air fryer to a low temperature (around 125-145 degrees Fahrenheit) and prolong the cooking time to slowly draw out the moisture. This technique works well for fruits such as strawberries, apples, mangoes, apricots, oranges, lemons, and cherries.

Tips for Success

When air-frying fruit without oil, it is important to shake the basket a few times during cooking to prevent sticking. You can also line the basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup. Additionally, be sure to cut your fruit into even sizes to ensure even cooking.

Air fryer fruit desserts

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook fruit and create desserts. The hot air in the fryer caramelises the natural sugars in the fruit, enhancing its sweetness and creating a slightly crispy texture on the outside, while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Fruit Chips

Slice apples, bananas, or pears thinly and air fry them to make crispy fruit chips. You can dust them with cinnamon or other spices for extra flavour.

Fruit Crisps

Top sliced fruit with oats, sugar, and butter, then air fry until golden and bubbling.

Fruit Salsa

Dice watermelon, mango, and strawberries, mix them with lime juice and herbs, and serve as a refreshing salsa with grilled dishes.

Fruit Kabobs

Thread chunks of fruit onto skewers, air fry until they have a delightful char, and serve with a dipping sauce or yogurt.

Fruit-Stuffed French Toast

Fill air-fried French toast with fresh fruit and drizzle with syrup for a satisfying breakfast.

Fruit Turnovers, Tarts, or Hand Pies

Create a variety of desserts with air-fried fruit fillings.

Fruit Cobbler

Top mixed berries with a biscuit-like topping and air fry to create a fruity cobbler.

Cinnamon Apples

Slice apples and toss them in cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar. Air fry and serve with a scoop of ice cream.

Caramelized Bananas

Caramelize a whole banana in the air fryer—leave the peel on for a gorgeous presentation.

Air Fryer Banana Split

Caramelize a banana and then make a banana split.

Air Fryer Cranberry Apple Crisp

When cranberries are in season, make an air fryer cranberry apple crisp.

Air Fryer Pears

Air fry pears with a touch of fall spices.

Air Fryer Grapefruit

The grapefruit gets juicy in the air fryer and is topped with brown sugar for a nice balance of bitterness and sweetness.

Air Fryer Strawberry Crisp

Top strawberries with an oat crisp topping and a scoop of ice cream.

Air Fryer Peach Cobbler

Top fresh peach slices with a cobbler topping and cook to perfection in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pear Slices

Pear slices are dusted with cinnamon sugar and air-fried until tender.

Air Fryer Pineapple Rings

Caramelize and slightly char fresh pineapple rings in the air fryer, enhancing their tropical flavour.

Air fryer fruit snacks

Air fryers can be used to cook fruits to make simple snacks or complex desserts. Here are some ideas for air fryer fruit snacks:

Cinnamon-Sugar Fried Apples

Slice apples into small pieces and roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar. You can leave the skin on for more texture, or remove it if you want to make apple puree. Place the slices on parchment paper in the air fryer basket and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until the apples are soft. You can top your dessert with homemade granola or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Air Fryer Bananas

Slice bananas in half lengthwise and top with butter or coconut oil, and your desired seasonings. You can use brown sugar and cinnamon for a classic sweet taste, or a drizzle of chili lime seasoning for a savoury snack. Place the bananas in the air fryer for about eight minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're using an unripe banana, it may need extra time to soften. You can also brush the cooked bananas with your favourite liqueurs or extracts, or spices like pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cloves. Enjoy hot or cold, or with peanut or almond butter.

Air Fryer Pineapple

Add plain pineapple chunks to your air fryer or add a layer of brown sugar and butter for a confectionary flavour. Bake the chunks at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 10 minutes. The pineapple will have a firm exterior and a soft, juicy interior. You can eat the pineapple cubes on their own, or add some yogurt, granola, or nuts for extra protein and healthy fats.

Air Fryer Peaches

Place peach halves or quarters on a piece of parchment paper and air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for five to 10 minutes. Top with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of brown sugar, or get inventive with other toppings. For a peach cobbler taste, add butter, graham cracker or oatmeal, and brown sugar to the peaches before taking them out of the air fryer. Cook for another seven minutes to crisp up the topping. Top with ice cream or honey whipped cream before serving.

Air Fryer Mango Chunks

Cut mango into small cubes and toss in a bit of neutral-flavoured oil to promote browning. You can also use frozen mango chunks, but be sure to cook them at a lower temperature (around 350 degrees Fahrenheit) and ensure that the pieces don't touch, or they will stick together. Air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for eight to 10 minutes, or until you notice caramelisation on the edges. Add a bit of salt to your mango slices before eating for a more pronounced sweet taste, or use cumin and chili powder for a savoury kick.

Air Fryer Blueberries

Air fry blueberries at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes. The blueberry skin will be firm and the inside very squishy. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or use pre-cooked blueberries to make an entire blueberry pie in your air fryer.

Air Fryer Strawberries

Cook strawberries at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about eight minutes. If you want a more dehydrated texture, slice the strawberries thinly and air fry at a lower temperature (180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit) for about an hour, flipping them over mid-way through. The dehydrated berries are perfect for a road trip snack or adding to a homemade trail mix.

Air Fryer Cherries

Use a cherry pitter to prepare your cherries, then slice them in half and place them skin-side down in your air fryer. Dehydrate at 130 degrees Fahrenheit for nine hours, then use the cherries in a trail mix or chop them up and add them to a carrot cake.

Frequently asked questions