Get ready for the coziest, warmest, and fastest dessert you’ll ever make! These 20-Minute Air Fryer Baked Apples are pure comfort food, featuring tender, cored apples filled with a sweet, spiced cinnamon-oat crumble. The air fryer works its magic, cooking the apples to tender perfection and crisping the topping beautifully in under 20 minutes. It’s a healthy, easy, and naturally vegan dessert that delivers that classic “baked” flavor without heating up your whole kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 20-Minute Dessert Magic: A deeply satisfying dessert that’s ready faster than almost any other baked treat.
- Air Fryer Perfection: Achieve perfectly tender apples and a golden, crispy crumble topping quickly.
- Warm & Cozy Flavor: The cinnamon, oats, and warm apple filling are the definition of comfort food.
- Healthy & Wholesome: A lighter, portion-controlled dessert packed with fruit and fiber.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Baked Apples:
- 2 large firm apples (e.g., Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), cored
- 1 tsp (5ml) fresh lemon juice
For the Cinnamon Oat Crumble Filling:
- 1/4 cup (25g) rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick oats)
- 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp (15g) vegan butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp (2.5g) ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tbsp (15ml) water
For Serving (Optional):
- Vegan vanilla ice cream or non-dairy whipped cream
- Extra cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Apples: Wash the apples. Use an apple corer or a small spoon to carefully core the apples, removing the seeds and tough center while leaving the bottom 1/2 inch intact to create a bowl shape. Rub the inside of the apple cavity with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Make Filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, maple syrup/brown sugar, melted vegan butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until the mixture resembles a thick, sticky crumble.
- Stuff Apples: Spoon the crumble mixture evenly into the cavities of the two prepared apples, pressing it down lightly.
- Air Fry: Place the stuffed apples directly into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Check Doneness & Serve: The apples are ready when they are fork-tender and the crumble topping is deeply golden brown and crisp. Carefully remove and let them cool for 2-3 minutes. Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream if desired!
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: Best served warm, fresh out of the air fryer, with a generous scoop of cold vegan vanilla ice cream or non-dairy whipped cream for the perfect contrast.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat briefly in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes to warm the apples and re-crisp the topping.
Helpful Tips
- Choose Firm Apples: Use a firm apple variety (like Honeycrisp or Gala) that holds its shape well during cooking. Soft varieties can turn to mush.
- Water in the Basket: For extra tender apples, try adding 1 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking. This creates a steamy environment.
- Use Melted Butter: Ensuring the vegan butter is fully melted helps bind the oat crumble and gives the topping a richer, toastier flavor.
- Adjust Cook Time: Cooking time depends heavily on apple size. Use the fork test: if a fork inserts easily into the apple flesh, they are done.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use this recipe with other fruits? A: Yes, you can adapt the filling for halved pears, but adjust the cooking time as pears cook faster than apples.
Q: Is this dessert gluten-free? A: Yes! Use certified gluten-free rolled oats, and the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Q: Can I use a different sweetener? A: Absolutely. Brown sugar, coconut sugar, or agave all work well in the crumble filling.
Q: Can I make this in the oven? A: Yes! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes, or until the apples are tender. The air fryer is much faster.
Conclusion
These 20-Minute Air Fryer Baked Apples are the easiest way to indulge in classic, cozy dessert flavors without the wait! They are warm, spiced, and perfectly tender—a guaranteed winner for a quick, healthy, and satisfying treat!
