These easy air fryer apple halves are filled with a buttery cinnamon oat crumble and cooked until tender in just 20 minutes. They have all the cozy flavor of baked apples and apple crisp, but they're faster and you don't need to turn on the oven.
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Looking for more apple recipes? Try my Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins, Ninja Creami Apple Pie Ice Cream, homemade Canned Applesauce, or this Cinnamon Apple Blondies Recipe next!
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How Long to Cook Apple Halves in the Air Fryer
Air fryer apple halves take about 12-15 minutes at 350°F. Larger apples may need another 1-2 minutes. They're done when you can easily pierce the apples with a fork and the oat topping is golden and crisp.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Fresh Apples: You can use different varieties of apples. My favorites are Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji because they're naturally sweet, hold their shape, and bake up tender without turning mushy. Granny Smith apples have a more tart taste, which is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the brown sugar and oat topping. Soft apples like MacIntosh tend to go soft and mushy, so not the best.
- Rolled Oats: Adds a chewy, crisp texture. I used rolled oats, but quick-cooking oats will work as well. Don't use steel-cut oats; they won't soften properly.
- Melted Butter: Helps the oat mixture brown and adds buttery flavor. I used unsalted butter, but you could use salted butter.
- Brown Sugar: Caramelizes into the apple as it bakes. Sticky in the best possible way. You can use dark brown sugar, light brown sugar, or coconut sugar.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and a little nutmeg go a long way. Apple pie spice works too if that's what you've got.
How to Make Air Fryer Apple Halves
Cut 2 apples in half from stem to base with a sharp knife. Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds, leaving a shallow well in the apple cavity for the filling.
In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup rolled oats, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. It should look crumbly but slightly sticky.
Spoon the oat mixture into each apple half and gently press it down. Overfilling can cause the oats to spill over as they crisp up, so just make a small mound.
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Place the apples cut side up in the air fryer basket in a single layer so they cook evenly. Air fry apples for 12-15 minutes, or until the apples are fork-tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy. TIP: If your apples are on the larger side, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time. Smaller apples may finish in as little as 12 minutes. The topping should look toasted, not burnt.
Cool the apples 5 minutes before serving. Top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce or maple syrup and enjoy!
Oven Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Place the filled apple halves in a parchment-lined baking dish or cast-iron skillet, cut side up.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the oat topping is golden brown.
- Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: If you want an extra crunchy topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them so they don't burn.
Tips from My Farmhouse Kitchen
- Make the filling ahead. You can mix the oat topping a day ahead and store it in an airtight container.
- Don't overcrowd the basket. Give the apples a little breathing room. If you cram them in, the air can't circulate properly, and they won't cook evenly. Cook in batches if cooking more than two apples or if you have a smaller air fryer.
- Watch the time. Air fryers vary slightly in power. Check your apples at the 12-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer baked apples make an easy dessert or afternoon snack.
- Classic: Serve warm with a scoop of Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream, Ninja Creami Apple Pie Ice Cream, or a dollop of whipped cream and a little drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Breakfast: Top with a spoonful of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola.
- Holiday favorite: Serve them alongside cinnamon rolls, Sourdough French Toast, or Sourdough Discard Pancakes for holiday brunch.
- Fancy Dessert: Add a scoop of cinnamon ice cream, Ninja Creami Maple Walnut Ice Cream, or Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
Variations
Maple Pecan: Switch the brown sugar for pure maple syrup and add a sprinkle of chopped pecans to the filling.
Honey Walnut: Drizzle the apples with a little honey and add chopped walnuts to the oat topping.
Vegan and Dairy-Free: Use melted coconut oil or plant-based butter in place of regular butter.
Extra indulgent: Add a few mini chocolate chips or raisins to the oat filling.
If you have more apples to use up, this Apple Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce is another cozy dessert that's perfect for fall.
Storage
Store leftover air fryer apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The oat topping will soften slightly, but you can crisp it back up when reheating.
Reheating
Air Fryer: 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warm and crisp (or on the REHEAT setting).
Microwave: Heat in 20-second bursts until warmed through (topping will be softer).
Oven: If reheating a larger batch, bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
More Air Fryer Dessert Recipes
Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Apple Halves
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or Fuji)
- ½ cup rolled oats (or quick-cooking oats)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. While it's heating, cut the apples in half from stem to base. Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds, leaving a shallow well in the center of each apple half.
- Make the oat crumble. In a small bowl, stir together the oats, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The mixture should be crumbly and slightly sticky.
- Fill the apples. Divide the oat crumble evenly between the four apple halves, gently pressing it into the center of each one.
- Air fry the apple halves. Arrange the filled apple halves, cut side up, in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the apples are fork-tender and the oat topping is golden brown and crisp. Start checking at 12 minutes. Larger apples may need an extra 1-2 minutes.
- Serve. Let the baked apple halves cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup or caramel sauce.
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Notes
- Best apples: Firm varieties such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, Gala, or Granny Smith hold their shape best. Softer apples such as McIntosh can become mushy.
- Don't overcrowd: Leave space between the apple halves so the hot air can circulate. Cook in batches if needed.
- Make ahead: The oat crumble can be prepared up to one day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Air fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through and the topping is crisp again.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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