Air Fryer Baked Apples

These air fryer baked apples are like individual crumbles and are perfect for breakfast or a healthy dessert. They can also be made in the oven. With whole wheat, gluten-free and vegan options.

Guess who got an air fryer for Christmas! I actually gave it to myself on January 2, but I’m going to call it a Christmas present.

The first recipe I made was these air fryer baked apples. They’re basically cored apples with a crumble filling inside. For another crumble-inspired recipe, try this delicious and healthy Raw Apple Pom Crumble!

I’ve made these baked apples in the oven several times before, and that’s actually how I was originally going to post the recipe but figured I’d share both methods today.

So if you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry, as you can make them in an oven.

Depending on your air fryer, you may need to core and halve the apples so that they fit. It doesn’t make them any less delicious!

And it’s actually easier to halve the apple and remove the core, rather than to keep the apple whole and scoop out the core. You can, of course, also use this method in the oven!

What type of apple to use

I know that Granny Smith is a beloved baking apple, and that’s what you see in the photos, but I usually use a sweeter apple.

I prefer Jonagold, Gala or Golden Delicious apples in this recipe because of their thin skins. They’re also considered baking apples, so the taste and texture are great.

To make the best of these apples, you can also try one of these healthy apple recipes:

• Individual Apple Crisps
• Honey-Ginger Cranberry Apple Crisp
• Healthy Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Add-ins and topping

I like raisins, but dried cranberries or dried cherries are also fantastic. You can also omit them. The pecans can also be omitted or replaced with another type of nut.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you might want to drizzle some maple syrup on top. Or plop on a scoop of ice cream or add some whipped cream (if serving these as a kinda healthy dessert ;))

Gluten-free option

To make this gluten, just use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-free Baking Flour. It’s a direct sub and the result is delicious!

I haven’t tried other brands in this recipe, but as long as it’s a 1-to-1 sub for all-purpose flour, it could work. I just can’t say that the texture would be perfect with it. I find a lot of brands to be gritty or have a funky taste in a lot of recipes.

Also, make sure to use gluten-free oats! Read Are Oats Gluten-free? for more info!

Healthy whole wheat option

You can use regular all-purpose flour or for a healthy whole grain option, use white whole wheat flour.

I don’t recommend regular whole wheat as it’d taste a bit too healthy and whole wheaty.

White whole wheat tastes quite similar to all-purpose flour, so picky kids shouldn’t be able to even tell that it’s whole grain.

Vegan option

Just use coconut oil or vegan butter! Both work great. And make sure any topping you put on the apples is vegan, as well. This Vegan Custard would be amazing on top!

If you give these air fryer baked apples a try, I’d love to know what you think!