These air fryer apples are warm, tender and lightly caramelized with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. They take just 10 to 12 minutes to cook and are delicious served with creamy Greek yogurt for an easy snack, breakfast or dessert.
Air Fryer Apples At A Glance
🗒️ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Apples (With Cinnamon and Brown Sugar)
⏰ Prep time: 5 minutes 🧑🍳 Cook time: 10 to 12 minutes
🍴 Servings: 2
🍎 Nutrition: 221 calories | 10 grams protein | 3 grams fiber per serving
🥣 Main Ingredients: Apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and Greek yogurt
📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian, gluten free
⭐ Why You'll Love It: The apples turn tender and lightly caramelized in 10 to 12 minutes, and the Greek yogurt makes them creamy whilst adding protein too. Can be enjoyed as part of breakfast, dessert or a snack.
My favorite version of this recipe uses butter and brown sugar, which may surprise some people because I'm a dietitian but nutritious eating is not about making every ingredient as “healthy” as possible.
You are still getting the nutritional benefits of apples, and a small amount of butter and sugar can 100% play a part in an overall healthy diet. More importantly, they make these apples taste incredible!
If you prefer, olive oil and maple syrup also work very well. They offer different nutritional benefits, but I would not call one version “good” and the other “bad.” Choose the one you enjoy and have available.
For this recipe, I serve the apples with Greek yogurt to make a more balanced snack but they’re also delicious as a topping for my high protein ninja ice-cream, vanilla ninja creami ice-cream, overnight oats or high protein pancakes. To finish, I love drizzling over some of my date and peanut butter caramel.
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Recipe Nutrition Highlights
- Apples provide fiber. Apples contain pectin, a type of soluble fiber. Keeping the skin on provides a little more fiber, but you can peel the apples if you prefer a softer texture.
- Greek yogurt adds protein. Serving the apples with Greek yogurt brings each serving to approximately 10 grams of protein. The cool, creamy yogurt also adds a nice contrast to the warm cinnamon apples.
- Butter and sugar can fit into a healthy diet. The natural sweetness of the apples does most of the work, so you only need one tablespoon of brown sugar and one tablespoon of butter for the entire recipe. You are still eating nutritious apples, and a small amount of butter and sugar can 100% form part of an overall healthy eating pattern.
Nutrition information was calculated using Cronometer, a nutrition tracking tool that uses the USDA FoodData Central database and verified brand data for accuracy. Estimates are based on the exact ingredients and amounts listed, so your numbers may vary slightly depending on the brands and measurements you use. Food is much more than just numbers though, so use these as a guide rather than a rule.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- Apples: Use two medium, crisp apples. Pink Lady is my favorite, but Honeycrisp, Fuji and Gala also work well. Firmer apples hold their shape better than very soft varieties.
- Butter: Melted salted butter gives the apples the richest flavor and helps the edges caramelize. Olive oil, coconut oil or avocado oil also work if you prefer to use those.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar gives the apples a warm caramel flavor. Maple syrup is a good alternative.
- Cinnamon: Half a teaspoon adds some warmth without overpowering the apples. You could also add some ground ginger or nutmeg if you like.
- Greek yogurt: I serve the warm apples with Greek yogurt. This makes for a more balanced snack by adding some protein.
How To Make Air Fryer Apples
- Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 375°F or 190°C.
- Prepare the apples. Core the apples and cut them into even slices. You can leave the skin on.
- Coat the apples. Toss the slices with the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla, if using.
- Air fry. Arrange the apples in the basket or an air fryer-safe dish. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking or stirring halfway through.
- Check for doneness. They should be tender with lightly caramelized edges.
- Serve. Divide between two bowls and top each serving with 100 grams of Greek yogurt.
Video For How To Make Air Fryer Apples
Below is a video of me in action making these air fryer apples that I hope will inspire you to make them too.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
Cut the apples into similar-sized slices so they cook evenly.
Do not overcrowd a very small air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
Check the apples after 10 minutes because air fryer models vary.
Stir or shake halfway through so the slices brown more evenly.
Serve immediately for the best warm-and-creamy contrast with the yogurt.
Storage
Fridge: Allow leftover apples to cool, then store them separately from the yogurt in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended because the apples can become very soft and watery after thawing.
Reheat: Warm the apples in the microwave or briefly in the air fryer at 350°F or 175°C. Add the Greek yogurt only after reheating.
Air Fryer Apple Recipe FAQs
Apples naturally release juice as they cook, and maple syrup produces a looser coating than brown sugar. Stir the apples and serve the flavorful liquid with them, or use an air fryer-safe dish to contain it.
Yes. Bake them on a lined baking sheet at 400°F or 200°C until tender, stirring halfway through. Oven timing will be longer than the air fryer, so begin checking after 20 minutes.
Olive oil would be my first choice because it has the strongest evidence behind its heart-health benefits. Avocado oil is also a great option because its neutral flavor won’t take away from the apples. Use one tablespoon in place of the melted butter.
If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat option, just let it run for a few minutes before adding the apples.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Apples (With Cinnamon and Brown Sugar)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium crisp apples cored and evenly sliced
- 1 tablespoon salted butter melted; or use olive, avocado, or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
To serve
- 200 grams Greek yogurt ¾ cup divided
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F or 190°C.
- Prepare the apples: Core the apples and cut them into even slices. Leave the skin on or peel it if preferred.2 medium crisp apples
- Coat: Add the apples to a bowl with the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla, if using. Toss until every slice is evenly coated.1 tablespoon salted butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Arrange: Place the apples in the air fryer basket or a small air fryer-safe dish. Avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Air fry: Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket or stirring the apples halfway through.
- Check: The apples are ready when tender and lightly caramelized around the edges. Air fryer models vary, so check them at 10 minutes.
- Serve: Divide the apples between two bowls and serve each portion with 100 grams of Greek yogurt.200 grams Greek yogurt ¾ cup
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Video
Marias Notes
- Fridge: Cool the apples and store them separately from the yogurt in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended because the apples can become very soft and watery after thawing.
- Reheat: Microwave until warm or briefly air fry at 350°F or 175°C. Add the Greek yogurt after reheating.
Sean says
Really nice in porridge. thanks
Camille says
These are delicious with Nora's cashew cream (the sweet version) for dessert. Thank you!
Maria Lucey RD says
Amazing! Thank you for trying 💚
Ruth says
Lovely, easy recipe. Perfect for autumn. Definitely make it again.
Maria Lucey RD says
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed them Ruth! And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a positive review, I really appreciate it xx