“Air Fryer Apples: 15 Delicious Recipes to Try Today” was written by Laura Ugwuoke and reviewed/edited by Rivah Goldstein MScFN, RD and Jackie Silver MHSc, RD
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is meant for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be personalized medical or nutrition advice. For a plan tailored to your needs, please consult with a Registered Dietitian or qualified healthcare professional.
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Last updated: October 10, 2023
Explore 15 mouthwatering recipes using air fryer apples for a fresh take on fall favorites. Discover recipes you can experiment with using your air fryer, like crispy apple chips, hearty acorn squash, warm apple fritters, and more! We also provide you with equipment recommendations and tips to streamline your air frying journey. Enjoy apples in an entirely new way this season!
Air Fryer Apples: What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a countertop kitchen appliance designed to replicate the effects of deep frying without using excessive oil. It’s like a small convection oven, which uses a special fan to blow hot air around the food. With an air fryer, you can make all sorts of tasty dishes that would traditionally be made in a deep fryer or oven.
For neurodivergent folks, an air fryer could be an incredibly helpful kitchen gadget. My neurodivergent clients particularly appreciate the air fryer because it allows them to make a variety of different meals in 30 minutes or less with minimal clean up. Essentially, you are streamlining the cooking process by using one gadget instead of multiple to create a balanced meal!
How Do I Use an Air Fryer?
Before you begin using your air fryer, it’s important to check the user manual that comes with it. This will give you instructions for your specific air fryer model.
Most air fryers have a basket or drawer, a removable tray, and buttons for time and temperature settings. Start by placing your air fryer on a flat, heat-resistant surface and plugging it into a power source.
Similar to a traditional oven, you’ll want to preheat your air fryer to get the best results. You can do this by turning it on and setting it to the desired temperature before you start preparing your ingredients. Most recipes will recommend a specific cooking temperature, which typically falls between 300°F (150°C) and 400°F (200°C).
Once you reach the air frying step in your recipe, simply follow the recipe directions along with your air fryer manual to set the temperature and time to get the perfect air fryer apples!
Air Fryer Apples: Benefits of Airfrying
There are so many benefits to air frying. Keep reading to discover the advantages of making air fryer apples!
1. Healthier Cooking Option – Air fryers offer a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, using less oil while still achieving crispy and flavorful results.
2. Sensory-Friendly Cooking Environment – Traditional cooking methods often involve intense heat, sizzling oils, and loud noises from stovetops, grills, and deep fryers, which may be overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals.
Air fryers offer a quieter and less intense cooking experience. The contained cooking chamber reduces the noise, external heat, and smells associated with traditional frying methods, creating a sensory-friendly environment. Additionally, making air fryer apple recipes with the absence of oil splatters and smoke can help minimize sensory overload.
3. Predictable Cooking Results – Most air fryers come with preset temperature and time settings. This reduces the risk of error and increases the chances of cooking your food to your desired texture.
Air fryer apple recipes could be a helpful alternative for neurodivergent individuals who may feel intimidated by traditional cooking methods which often have unpredictable outcomes.
4. Diverse Cooking Techniques – Air fryers can be used to prepare various foods, such as air fryer apples, that might traditionally require various cooking techniques such as frying, baking, roasting, and even reheating.
This helps simplify the process of preparing meals in the kitchen, which can be helpful for neurodivergent individuals who may find the process of cooking overwhelming. Using an airfryer instead of another traditional cooking method can also add more variety to your dishes.
Air Fryer Apples: Health Benefits of Apples
Fall is the perfect time to try some delicious air fryer apple recipes while the apples are crisp and most flavorful, but feel free to experiment with these recipes year-round.
While the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” may not be one hundred percent accurate, apples do contain various nutrients that help in promoting a healthy diet.
Read on to learn more about the incredible health benefits of apples (and air fryer apple recipes)!
- Fiber – Apples are a good source of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Both kinds of fiber aid in digestion and help promote feelings of fullness.
- Antioxidant Properties – Apples are rich in vitamin C and phytonutrients (special substances that give fruits and vegetables their color and promote good health). Both of these are antioxidants! Antioxidants are good for us because they protect our body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Vitamin C and Iron Absorption – Vitamin C also helps in the absorption of non-heme iron, so air fryer apples can be a great choice for individuals looking to increase their iron intake if consumed with a source of non-heme iron!
- Heart Health – The soluble fiber in apples can lower your cholesterol by binding to the bad cholesterol and eliminating it from your body. Lower cholesterol contributes to a healthy heart!
- Gut Health – Apples contain a type of fiber called pectin. This fiber is also known as a prebiotic, which acts as food for the good bacteria in our gut. When the good bacteria in our gut are fed and happy, we have better gut health!
15 Air Fryer Apple Recipes
Continue reading for some delicious and mouth watering air fryer recipes to try!
1. Air Fryer Cinnamon Apple Chips
These yummy air fryer apple chips are a nutritious take on the classic potato chip. All you need are apple slices, sugar, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and some spray oil. With this easy 4 ingredient recipe, you’re all set to enjoy a delightful treat!
2. Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Sausage, Quinoa & Apple
This air fryer apple recipe is a heartier dish perfect for fall. What I love about this recipe is that it can be prepared in just 30 minutes. The air fryer cuts the cook time in half!
If you’re craving fritters but don’t want to deal with the process of deep-frying, these air fryer apple fritters are perfect for you. Prepare the fritter batter with diced apples and spices, then fry using your air fryer. Finally, drizzle with a mouthwatering brown butter glaze for a delicious fall treat!
4. Air Fryer Apple Ring Doughnuts
Did you know that you can make donuts in your air fryer? This air fryer apple donut recipe takes just 30 minutes to make and has minimal ingredients. If you’re craving a fall treat without a lot of fuss, give this one a try!
Warm apple crisp gives all the autumn vibes! This air fryer apple recipe can be made with any kind of apple. Serve with some vanilla ice cream if desired for an easy and scrumptious fall dessert.
6. Air Fryer Cinnamon Apple Rings
Try this recipe for a fun twist on the classic dried apple rings. This air fryer apple recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and uses ingredients you likely have at home. Treat yourself to this yummy caramelized fall treat!
This delightful air fryer apple crumble is a harmonious blend of sweet apples and a crispy topping, all thanks to the magic of the air fryer. In just 35 minutes, you can create a comforting dessert that gives you a warm and cozy feeling with each bite! For an extra dose of sweetness, serve with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
8. Air Fryer Apple Bread Pudding
Treat yourself to a dessert that feels like a warm hug. While this air fryer apple recipe may require more steps, the results are totally worth it. This air fryer apple bread pudding offers a delicious spin on the classic bread pudding. Give it a try – it won’t disappoint!
Get bakery style turnovers in no time! Try this yummy air fryer apple recipe, you’ll be savoring these apple turnovers in a matter of minutes. Enjoy this yummy snack using any apples you have in your kitchen!
10. Maple Glazed Air Fryer Apples
These air fryer apples taste just like apple pie filling! This simple recipe is perfect to use up any extra apples that are getting ripe in your kitchen. These maple glazed air fryer apples can be enjoyed alone as a sweet treat or as a topping for your yogurt or oatmeal.
This handheld pastry makes for a delicious effortless dessert, plus it’s filled with apples! These air fryer apple hand pies can be made in less than 20 minutes. Enjoy them alone or with a scoop of ice cream or yogurt on the side.
12. Air Fryer Apple French Toast
Did you know you can even make French toast in the air fryer? This air fryer apple recipe uses applesauce, eggs, cinnamon, and maple syrup to make the most decadent French toast. Your French toast will be ready in less than 20 minutes. It’s the perfect dish for a cozy brunch!
13. Air Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls
This recipe is a handheld twist on the traditional apple pie. The egg roll wrappers act as the crust and give this air fryer apple recipe a crunchy texture. The air fryer shortens the cook time while giving the egg rolls a golden crisp outside with a sweet juicy apple filling.
14. Air Fryer Cinnamon Tortilla Chips And Apple Pie Dip
There’s nothing like crunchy fried pita chips enjoyed with a dip. Try this delectable recipe and create the ultimate snack to be enjoyed at home or on the go. This air fryer apple recipe is a fun way to use any extra apples and tortillas you might have lying around.
15. Air Fryer Apple Pie Roll Ups
Here’s a recipe that transforms tortillas into irresistible air fryer apple pie roll ups. These rollups make the ultimate fun and easy snack that can be enjoyed on the go or with a side of ice cream for extra sweetness.
Air Fryer Apples – Equipment Recommendations
This air fryer is ideal for larger meal prep and allows you to cook different foods in separate compartments, eliminating the need for multiple air fryers and reducing the time spent on meal preparation.
This unit comes with 6 programmable cooking functions, two 4-quart cooking baskets for an 8-quart capacity, and 2 nonstick crisper plates. If you’re craving some air fryer apples, this versatile air fryer has got you covered!
For a more portable option, try this air fryer complete with a handy 60-minute timer. It offers easy cleaning and storage, and Chefman provides a 1-year assurance, making your purchase worry-free. If you’re looking to whip up one of the air fryer apple recipes I shared above, this device is well-equipped for the task!
These air fryer liners can help create a mess-free air frying experience. Made of silicone, they can be easily washed and reused multiple times. This specific brand is ideal for the Ninja Dual Air Fryer.
These disposable air fryer liners are 7.9 inches square, with 120 individual liners and are suitable for smaller air fryers. The disposable nature eliminates the need for clean-up. These liners are also waterproof and oil-resistant, ensuring safe use in an air fryer.
This cooking utensil set features heat-resistant wooden handles, food-grade silicone, and is BPA-free. These utensils are versatile and suitable for all your cooking needs, plus they’re easy to clean.
These containers are perfect for storing your air fryer apple creations, with an easy modular design that allows for stackable storage. This set is dishwasher safe and clear so you can easily see what’s inside.
These vibrant and colorful mixing bowls are perfect for all your preparation needs, providing convenient storage. The inclusion of lids adds to their practicality. These BPA-free bowls come as a nesting set, ensuring easy storage!
This apple corer is made from durable, high quality stainless steel blades that will smoothly core any apple. It has a level that opens, making this corner easy to clean. It also has a smooth ergonomic handle, giving you a sturdy grip when coring your apples!
Conclusion
There you have it – 15 air fryer apple recipes. These recipes are perfect for fall or all year round. While apples can be a delightful treat to enjoy on their own, experimenting with various air fryer apple recipes can be another creative and fun way to savor this fruit and reap its health benefits! I hope these recipes have inspired you to try incorporating apples into your air fryer dishes this season and utilize any surplus apples you may have.
Which of these is your favorite? We would love to hear about the one you decide to make, and feel free to share additional air fryer recipes in the comments below. Happy cooking!
Looking for more roundup blog posts?
Check out:
- 15 School Breakfast Ideas for Kids
- 15 Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
- 15 Sautéed Chickpea Recipes to Try Today
- 15 Easy High Protein Meal Prep Recipes
- 13 Healthy Smoothies for Picky Eaters
- 15 Easy High Protein Tofu Recipes (Meal Prep Friendly)
- 20 Vegan Recipes with Pumpkin
About Laura
Meet Laura Ugwuoke, a wellness advocate with a deep-rooted passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle. Armed with a BSc in Nutrition from UBC and actively working towards a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, Laura possesses a wealth of knowledge to guide individuals on their path to wellness. Embracing the belief that wellness should be inclusive and available to all, Laura is committed to breaking down barriers and making healthy choices accessible. Beyond the world of nutrition, you’ll often find Laura unwinding and enjoying the latest binge-worthy series on Netflix, finding joy in a well-deserved moment of relaxation.
About Jackie
Jackie is a Toronto-based Registered Dietitian whose mission is to empower and support the neurodivergent and physically disabled communities through nutrition. Jackie runs a virtual private practice and blog which has simple recipes and health information tailored to these communities. She loves cooking, exercising, traveling, journaling, and spending time with family and friends.
About Rivah
Hello! I’m Rivah, a registered dietitian passionate about helping teens and adults with neurodivergence and mental health conditions. Additionally, I support individuals with chronic disease management, plant-based diets, and mindful eating. My counseling approach is weight inclusive, client-centered, and evidence-based where we create realistic nutrition goals, prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional health. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and outdoor activities.