Warm, tender apples filled with a cinnamon-sugared oat and pecan topping—these air fryer baked apples are a quick, cozy dessert that highlights fall flavors without the effort of a full pie or crisp.
Why this recipe works
These air fryer baked apples are ideal when you want something warm and sweet without heating the whole kitchen or spending hours baking. The air fryer cooks the apples quickly and evenly while crisping the oat topping so you get tender fruit and a toasty, buttery crumble in about 30 minutes total.
The ingredient list is simple: juicy apples, old-fashioned rolled oats, chopped pecans, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and a touch of flour and salt to bind the topping. You can easily adapt the filling to what you have on hand.
Ingredients you will need
Printable measurements and the full recipe appear in the recipe card below. In summary, you will need apples, rolled oats, chopped pecans (or a substitute), light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
Ingredient info and substitutions
Apples: Choose a sweet-tart, firm apple that holds shape when cooked. Good choices include Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Gala, Braeburn or Granny Smith (for a tarter result).
Filling: Pecans are used here, but walnuts or almonds work well. If you prefer no nuts, increase the oats by about 3 tablespoons. For extra spice, stir 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg into the filling along with the cinnamon.
How to make air fryer baked apples
Step-by-step photos and a printable recipe are provided below. The instructions here give a clear overview so you can prepare this dessert quickly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Wash and dry the apples. Cut each apple in half horizontally and use a melon baller, small ice cream scoop, or spoon to remove the core from each half, creating a small cavity for the filling.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, chopped pecans, brown sugar, melted butter, flour, cinnamon and a pinch of salt until evenly mixed.
- Divide the oat mixture among the apple halves, lightly packing it into the scooped cavities.
- Arrange the stuffed apples in the preheated air fryer basket and cook until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown, about 15 minutes depending on apple size and air fryer model.
- Remove and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions & expert tips
Firm apples that hold their shape when cooked are best: Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, Braeburn and Cosmic Crisp are all good options. Tart or sweet-tart varieties balance nicely with the sweet oat and cinnamon filling.
Yes. Whole apples can be baked if they can stand upright in your air fryer. Halving the apples speeds cooking and makes scooping easier. If baking whole apples, pick medium-sized fruit and add about 5 minutes to the cook time, adjusting for size.
Serving suggestions
Serve these baked apples warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra-special finish.
More air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Brownies
- Air Fryer Churros
- Air Fryer Apple Fries
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Air Fryer Baked Apples
IMPORTANT – Frequently asked questions and tips can be found in the post above.
Ingredients
- 2 large apples sweet-tart, like Cosmic Crisp
- 6 Tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3 Tablespoons chopped pecans
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar lightly packed
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Things you’ll need
- Air fryer
- Melon baller, small ice cream scoop or spoon for scooping the core
Before you begin
- Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds, or omit nuts and add extra oats.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg with the cinnamon if desired.
- Topping the finished apples with ice cream or caramel syrup is delicious.
- Choose apples that hold their shape when baked for best results.
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Wash the apples and pat dry. Cut each apple in half horizontally and scoop out the cores from all four halves.
- Combine oats, pecans, brown sugar, melted butter, flour, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
- Divide the oat mixture among the apple halves, gently packing it into the cavities.
- Place the stuffed apples in the air fryer basket and cook until tender and the topping is golden, about 15 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Nutrition
| Calories: 261cal
| Carbohydrates: 33g
| Protein: 2g