Looking for a cozy autumn dessert? Try our warm cinnamon-spiced Air Fryer Baked Apples. This vegan apple dessert is so healthy - you could eat it for breakfast! They taste just like a slice of apple pie but are ready to eat in only 30 minutes.
Stuffed with pecans, gluten-free oats and sweetened with date paste instead of sugar. Add a little dollop of Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream for a decadent dairy free treat.
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The Difference
There’s nothing like crisp autumn air and biting into a crisp apple. These apples retain their structure, not like those baked apples so soft that you could suck them through a straw. These air fryer apples are different.
- Crisp but tender in texture just like taking a bite of Grandma’s Apple Pie.
- Sweetened with date paste instead of refined sugar to help prevent those sugar spikes.
- Gluten-free
- Vegan because we swapped out butter with coconut oil
- Did we mention that unlike oven baked apples that takes upwards of 45 minutes to bake – air fried apples only take about 15 minutes. (we’ve included oven baking instructions too)
Ingredients and Substitutions
Apples – We chose the Gala apple because they are sweet, crunchy, and happened to be on sale. You can also use Granny Smith, Fuji, Tango, Honey Crisp, or any apple that is crunchy, sweet and holds its texture during the cooking process. Try to avoid the soft apples like Macintosh, unless you like your baked apples mushy.
Got extra apples? Make a batch of Instant Pot Apple Cider either spiked or plain. We will leave that up to you.
Oatmeal – Cinnamon spiced air fryer baked oats baked inside an apple is like taking a bite of a delicious apple crisp. We chose to use gluten-free instant oats. However, you can also use regular old fashion oats.
Date Paste – is a delicious way to sweeten baked apples. We like to make our own and you can learn How to Make Jujube Paste and Medjool Date Paste in our Ultimate Guide or use store-bought. Alternatively, feel free to swap date paste with maple syrup or brown sugar to keep it vegan.
Coconut Oil – Keeping it vegan with virgin unrefined coconut oil. Alternatively, you can swap with a little butter or margarine.
Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg are warming and delicious. You could also add a little pumpkin spice or all spice as well.
Pecans – We had a few pecan nuts over from making a batch of Healthy Pumpkin Muffins. However, walnuts, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, etc. are all delicious in air fryer baked apples. Feel free to leave them out if your family does not like nuts.
Lemon juice – optional but is used to prevent browning or oxidation of the apples after cored. Also, it adds a little sparkle to the flavor profile of the stuffed apples.
Step by Step
Here is a quick overview of the steps to make our air fryer baked apples. Please read our recipe with tips and a video below for the full recipe.
- Make the Oatmeal pecan filling. In a medium bowl add the coconut oil and date paste. Microwave for just about 30 seconds to soften.
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, dried oats, chopped pecans and raisins. Stir well and set aside.
- Choose your medium size apples that will stand upright while baking. Cut off the top off the apple with a knife. We used a melon scooper to remove the seeds and core. Drizzle with a little lemon to prevent browning.
- Stuff the apples with the oatmeal pecan apple filling. Air fry stuffed baked apples at 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) for about 15 minutes or until a knife can pierce the baked apple easily.
Equipment
We used a COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven style, 12-in-1 Convection Oven to make these healthy baked apples. Don’t have an air fryer? No worries! We have also included baking instructions in the recipe notes below.
A melon baller is helpful for removing the core and seeds from the apple. Try using a a sturdy metal ice cream scooper, like we did with our Asian spiced roasted pears, or a sharp knife. You can also cut the apples in half to make it easier to remove the core. However, you get style points if you leave the apples whole.
Recipe Tips
Here are some hints for making the delicious dessert in the air fryer.
- Line your air fryer basket or baking tray with either parchment paper or aluminum foil to reduce cleanup time.
- Spray the parchment or aluminum foil with a little spray oil to prevent sticking.
- Microwave your coconut oil and date paste for just about 20 to 30 seconds to soften. This makes it easier to stir the cinnamon spice oats filling mixture.
- Choose apples that stand upright on their own and do not tip over.
- Pack the pecan date oatmeal stuffing mixture well into the cavity of the apple. Press it down with your fingers or a spoon. This makes sure there are no gaps.
- Do not let your apples touch in the air fryer. Make sure there is space between each so that the convection oven can do its thing.
- If you have a toaster oven style air fryer, place the apples in the middle tray. Make sure the tops of the apple are not touching any of the cooking elements.
- Air fry at a 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) not at 400 degrees F! This is very important as the filling will burn before your apples have a chance to cook through. We have already tested this theory for you.
Variations
- Try sweetening with maple syrup if you do not have dates or date paste.
- Add a little pumpkin spice or all spice to the filling.
- Exchange the raisins with dried cranberries.
- Serve them as stuffed “half “apples instead of “whole”.
- Fabulous a part of Holiday meal or as a sweet side to our savory Rosemary Pork Chops with Shallot Wine Sauce.
- Turn your stuffed whole air fryer apples into an apple crisp or crumble. Slice your apples and toss with the rest of the ingredients and air fry. Check your air fryer apple crumble at the 10-minute mark. Sliced apples take will take less time to cook compared to a whole apple.
How to Serve?
We love serving our air fried baked apples hot out of the oven but you can also serve them at room temperature, like we do with our Asian Spiced Pears. Try them as part of a decadent breakfast with our Panettone Air Fryer French Toast sticks for the ultimate treat.
Delicious with a swirl of vegan homemade coconut whipped topping. We even added a little cinnamon in the topping too.
Try with a little dollop of vanilla ice cream or even Greek yogurt, if you don’t need to keep it dairy free.
Serve it as a dessert or even as a part of a healthy Gluten Free and Dairy Free Breakfast for any Occasion.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Air fried baked stuffed apples can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) and air fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until warm. Alternatively, you can also preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) and reheat in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until toasty warm.
Peel and toss apple slices with cinnamon, lemon juice and a sugar alternative of choice. Air fry apple slices for about 10 minutes or until a knife pierces the flesh of the apple easily.
More EASY Apple Recipes
Meat Lover’s Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Apple Pecan Spring Roll Mooncakes
Chewy Caramel Apple Pie Cookies
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Air Fryer Baked Apples
Equipment
- air fryer We used the Cosori toaster oven style air fryer
- melon baller scoop
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ cup date paste
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon dried ground
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg dried ground - optional
- ⅓ cup oatmeal dried plain ( we used gluten free instant oats or can use old fashion oats)
- 2 tablespoons pecans chopped
- 1 tablespoon raisins optional
Apples
- 4 medium apples whole
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (to prevent your apples from browning or oxidizing)
- spray oil to prevent sticking
- 4 tablespoon Coconut whipped cream as a garnish (optional) - or regular whipped cream, ice cream or a dollop of yogurt.
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C)
- Assemble the filling. In a medium microwavable bowl, add coconut oil and date paste. Microwave for approximately 20 to 30 seconds on high power just to soften. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, dried oatmeal, chopped pecans and raisins and stir until incorporated. Set aside.
- Prepare apples. Wash, cut a circle around the stem and core apples. Be careful not to puncture the sides or poke holes on the bottom of the apple. (Hint: Use a melon baller to remove the seeds and core) Drizzle the inside of the apple with lemon juice to prevent browning. Repeat this process with the remaining apples.
- Scoop the oatmeal date nut filling into each prepared apple. Be sure to pack the filling with your fingers or a spoon so there are no gaps.
- Line your air fryer basket or air fryer baking tray with either parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with oil. (Makes clean up faster and prevents sticking) Place your stuffed apples in the lined air fryer basket or air fryer baking tray. Leave space between each apple so the air fryer can work its convection magic. (If you have a toaster oven style air fryer, place the tray in the middle section so that the apples and filling are not touching the cooking elements.
- Air fry baked apples for approximately 15 to 18 minutes or until you can easily pierce a knife into the apple. The goal is to have a "crisp but tender apple". If you like your apples softer, continue to cook for a few minutes longer to your desired tenderness.
- Top with coconut cream whipped topping or topping of choice, dust with a little ground cinnamon. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Line your air fryer basket or baking tray with either parchment paper or aluminum foil to reduce cleanup time.
- Spray the parchment or aluminum foil with a little spray oil to prevent sticking.
- Microwave your coconut oil and date paste for just about 20 to 30 seconds to soften. This makes it easier to stir the cinnamon spice oats filling mixture.
- Pack the pecan date oatmeal stuffing mixture well into the cavity of the apple. Press it down with your fingers or a spoon. This makes sure there are no gaps.
- Do not let your apples touch in the air fryer. Make sure there is space between each so that the convection oven can do its thing.
- If you have a toaster oven style air fryer, place the apples in the middle tray. Make sure the tops of the apple are not touching any of the cooking elements.
- Air fry at a 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) not at 400 degrees F! This is very important as the filling will burn before your apples have a chance to cook through. We have already tested this theory for you.
Liz says
I haven't made baked apples in years!!! You've inspired me to add them to our menu this fall!! So yummy!
HWC Magazine says
Thanks so much Liz! Celebrating all the fall vibes with these easy cozy air fryer baked apples.
mjskitchen says
These do look absolutely delicious. My husband has come across a couple of recipes for air fryers recently and now wants me to buy one. Between those recipes and this one as well as your fried zucchini, I make just have to give in. You certainly seem to be enjoying yours.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you MJ. We usually are not big on appliances but can say that we use our air fryer every day. It's life changing and we do not say that about anything but it really is. Saves so much time. Hope you give our air fryer baked apples a try soon.
Liz says
I haven't made baked apples in years!! What a delicious version for the fall. Your filling sounds perfect!!! xo
HWC Magazine says
We are so going to have to change that up, right? Glad you are enjoying a little healthier version of air fried apples.
Valentina says
What a gorgeous apple recipe, and a delicious way to welcome fall! 🙂 ~Valentina
HWC Magazine says
Thanks so much Valentina, delighted you enjoyed our air fryer backed apples. One of our favorite fall recipes. Take Care
John / Kitchen Riffs says
It's been a couple of years since I've made baked apples. These look great! And we're starting to get really good looking apples in our market, so your timing is perfect. Thanks!
HWC Magazine says
Oh gosh we are going to have to break that 2 year no baked apple streak. As I recall, you have a convection oven so you are good to go. Baked apples are so healthy you could serve on the side of a pork chop or as breakfast.
Hannah says
All about the ease of this recipe! It's still crazy hot out in Texas so I'll do anything to avoid turning on the oven. The air fryer really comes in clutch here. Gotta try this ASAP!