Air-Fried Baked Apples: A Quick, Easy Treat

Air fryer baked apples are a quick, easy, and healthy dessert that can be made in under 20 minutes. The perfect sweet treat for apple season, this recipe involves stuffing apples with a cinnamon-oat filling and air-frying them to perfection. The result is a soft, warm, and gooey apple that tastes like apple pie filling. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream, or enjoy it as a healthy snack on its own.

Choosing the right apples

Some good options include:

• Honeycrisp
• Granny Smith
• Pink Lady
• Gala
• Golden Delicious
• Fuji
• Jonagold
• Cosmic Crisp

If you are making a whole baked apple, opt for larger varieties such as Pink Lady or Honey Crisp. For diced or sliced apples, smaller, firmer apples like Granny Smith or Gala are a good choice.

Preparing the apples

Firstly, start by rinsing and drying the apples. You can use any variety of apple you like, but firmer apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady apples are recommended as they hold their shape better during cooking. Once washed, use a cookie scoop, knife, or spoon to carefully remove the core, seeds, and stem. You can also use an apple corer if you have one to make the process easier. Set the apples aside once they are cored.

Next, prepare the filling for the apples. In a small bowl, combine oats, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter. Mix these ingredients together until they form a coarse, crumbly texture. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg or other spices like allspice to enhance the flavour. If you want a sweeter apple, you can add maple syrup or honey to the filling mixture.

Now it's time to stuff the apples with the filling. Generously fill each apple cavity with the oat-cinnamon mixture. Be careful not to overfill, as the filling may spill out during cooking. Place the stuffed apples into the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.

Before air frying, you can optionally sprinkle the tops of the apples with a little extra cinnamon, butter, or brown sugar for added flavour and crunch. You can also cover the apples loosely with foil during the first half of the cooking process to prevent the tops from browning too quickly.

Preparing the filling

For a simple filling, mix together oats, cinnamon, and butter until the mixture has a coarse texture. You can also add brown sugar to this mixture for extra sweetness. If you want to get creative, try adding different combinations of fruits, nuts, spices, and sweeteners to create your own signature baked apple recipe.

For a more complex filling, combine the oats with melted butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and an optional pinch of cayenne pepper in a medium bowl and mix well. You can also add brown sugar to this mixture in place of maple syrup for an even sweeter apple.

If you're looking for a gluten-free option, simply use gluten-free oats in your filling. You can also add raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates for extra sweetness, or walnuts for a little extra texture and flavor.

To prevent the filling from drying out during cooking, mix it with a bit of melted butter, maple syrup, or honey. You can also moisten the filling by precooking it before stuffing the apples. Lightly toasting the filling ingredients, especially nuts or oats, will enhance their flavor and ensure they are fully cooked and crispy.

Filling the apples

Once your apples are prepared, it's time to make the filling. There are several different filling options you can choose from, depending on your taste preferences. Here are some popular options:

Option 1:

Combine oats, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter in a small bowl until it has a coarse texture. This filling option will give your baked apples a crunchy and sweet texture.

Option 2:

Mix together oats, melted butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional), and a pinch of salt. This filling has a similar texture to the first option but includes maple syrup for extra sweetness and cayenne for a subtle kick of heat.

Option 3:

Combine maple syrup, melted butter (optional), cinnamon, and tapioca starch or corn starch. This filling option will result in a softer, chewier texture and a caramel-like flavour.

After choosing and preparing your filling, stuff the apples with the mixture. Be generous with the filling, but be careful not to overfill, as this may cause the filling to leak out during cooking.

Now your apples are ready to be placed in the air fryer! Depending on your desired level of doneness, cook the apples for 12-20 minutes at 350°F (180°C). Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking, and remove them from the air fryer when the filling is toasted, caramelized, and the apples are tender.

Cooking the apples

Now that you've got your apples prepared, it's time to cook them! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Air Fryer Temperature and Timing: Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (180°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of apples and the filling used, but generally, it takes about 15-20 minutes at this temperature, flipping halfway through. Check for doneness with a fork or toothpick; the apples should be tender but still hold their shape.
• Single Layer: Arrange the stuffed apples in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This ensures even cooking and prevents the filling from leaking out.
• Moistening the Filling: To prevent the filling from drying out, mix it with a bit of melted butter, maple syrup, or honey before stuffing the apples. This adds moisture and flavour.
• Cover with Foil: To prevent the tops of the apples from browning too quickly, loosely cover the stuffed apples with foil during the first half of the cooking process. Remove the foil towards the end to allow the tops to caramelize and crisp.
• Check for Doneness: Keep a close eye on your apples as they bake. Use a fork or toothpick to test for doneness. The apples are ready when they are tender but still hold their shape.
• Stirring Halfway Through: If you are cooking apple slices or cubes, remember to stir them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
• Water at the Bottom: Some recipes recommend placing a small amount of water (about 1/2 cup) at the bottom of your air fryer, below the basket, to help with the cooking process. However, check with your air fryer manufacturer before doing so, as some models may not allow it.

Your air-fried baked apples are now ready to be served! Enjoy the delicious, warm, and healthy treat.

Frequently asked questions