Air Fryer Baked Apples with Cinnamon Oat Filling – Easy Warm Dessert

Air fryer baked apples cook at 180°C / 355°F for 15–20 minutes. Cored apples are filled with oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter, then soften into a warm, spoonable dessert that tastes like apple pie without the pastry. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoon of yogurt.

Air Fryer Baked Apples Time Guide

Best Apples for Baking

Choose firm apples that keep their shape when cooked. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Braeburn and Granny Smith all work well. Granny Smith gives a tangy result, while Honeycrisp and Gala are sweeter. Avoid soft apples like Red Delicious, which turn mushy and collapse.

Ingredients

Apples

• 4 medium firm apples
• 60 ml (¼ cup) water or apple juice

Oat Filling

• 40 g (½ cup) rolled oats
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg and pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp cold butter, cubed
• 1 tbsp raisins (optional)

How to Make Baked Apples in the Air Fryer

1. Core the Apples

Use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the core from the top, leaving about 1 cm (½ inch) at the bottom so the filling stays inside.

2. Make the Filling

Mix oats, sugar, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until it looks like crumbs. Stir in raisins if using.

3. Stuff

Pack the filling into each apple, mounding a little on top.

4. Air Fry

Place the apples in an air fryer-safe dish or a foil tray and pour the water around them. Cook at 180°C / 355°F for 15–20 minutes. Cover the tops loosely with foil after 10 minutes if they brown too fast.

5. Check and Serve

Air fryer baked apples are ready when a knife slides easily into the side. Rest for 5 minutes, spoon the juices over the top and serve warm.

Easy Variations

• Healthier: replace sugar with honey or maple syrup and use less butter.
• Crumble style: halve the apples and add more topping for a quick crumble.
• Caramel: drizzle caramel sauce over the cooked apples.
• Dates and nuts: swap raisins for chopped dates for a richer filling.

Serving Ideas

Serve air fryer baked apples warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or thick Greek yogurt. They are also lovely for breakfast with a spoon of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola. If you love apple and cinnamon together, also try our Air Fryer Marble Apple Cake.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a soft apple: Apples like Red Delicious turn mushy and collapse. Firm baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn or Granny Smith keep their shape.
• Overpacking the filling: Oats swell as they bake. Fill the apple loosely, or the filling will spill over and burn on the basket.
• Cooking them without a dish: Juices drip and smoke on the bottom of the air fryer. A small oven-safe dish or foil cup catches them, and you can spoon the syrup over the apples later.
• Serving them straight away: The centre is very hot and the filling is still loose. Let them sit for 5 minutes so the juices thicken.

Tips

Air Fryer Baked Apples FAQ

Final Thoughts

Air fryer baked apples are a cozy, simple dessert that fills your kitchen with the smell of cinnamon. Choose firm apples, keep the base intact and add a splash of water to the dish. For another warm cinnamon treat, try our Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls.

Written by

James Wilson

Air Fryer Recipe Creator & Food Writer

James Wilson is an air fryer recipe creator and food writer who loves making simple, crispy, and flavorful meals easier to prepare at home. He focuses on practical air fryer recipes, helpful cooking tips, and easy-to-follow ideas designed for everyday kitchens.