The Frizzled Leek

  • Chef Services
  • Recipes
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Valentines Day
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Valentines Day
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Add us as a trusted site on Google
Frizzled Leek » Recipes » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Apples (Caramelized Apples)

A profile picture of me standing in a kitchen with a brown apron on.
Modified: Jan 9, 2024 · Published: Jan 3, 2024 by Mike Cleavenger · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
↓ Jump to Recipe

These Air Fryer Apples are so delicious and easy to make! Serve caramelized apples with vanilla ice cream, or top my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes with them.

Two sliced of caramelized apples on a spoon with vanilla ice cream.

Save This Recipe!

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

You can caramelize apples in the oven, cast iron skillet, or the air fryer. We love cooking apples in the air fryer because, it takes only 10 minutes to cook!

To make this recipe, I like to toss the apples with everything but the maple syrup and roast.

After the apples are cooked, I toss them with maple syrup so clean up is a breeze.

You can cut apples into slices, wedges, or diced. For a more traditional look, cut apples into wedges. 

Air fryer apples are perfect for breakfast piled on top of French toast and pancakes. Alternatively, you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a sprinkle of Maple Granola on top.

For more apple recipes, check out my Air Fryer Apple Crisp for a delicious dessert this fall/winter season.

Jump to:
  • ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 📝 Ingredient Notes
  • 🥘 Substitutions & Variations
  • 🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
  • 👨🏻‍🍳 Chef Tips
  • ❓Recipe FAQ's
  • 🍽 Related Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

⭐️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Enjoy perfectly caramelized apples in only 10 minutes when using an air fryer!
  • Top French toast, pancakes, and waffles with this delicious condiment.
  • Clean-up is easy with the use of an air fryer. We add the maple syrup at the end so there is nothing sticky to wipe up.
  • A healthier way to enjoy caramelized apples. There are no refined sugars, just pure maple syrup. Second, this recipe is gluten-free without the use of flour.

📝 Ingredient Notes

Here is a visual overview of the air fryer apple ingredients in this recipe. Scroll to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

Apples, maple syrup, melted butter, vanilla, and cinnamon.
  • Apples - Any apples will work for this recipe, but we recommend Gala or Granny Smith varieties.
  • Maple Syrup - Toss cooked apples with maple syrup in a bowl after cooking for easy cleanup.
  • Cinnamon - Adding a small amount of cinnamon gives the apples a delicious flavor!
  • Butter - Toss apples in melted butter or oil to help caramelize them. Butter just tastes better!

See recipe card for quantities.

Key Takeaways
Make a Checklist
Apply this to Me
Add us as a Google Trusted Source

🥘 Substitutions & Variations

  • Apples - If you're out of a specific apple variety, you can generally substitute with another variety. I recommend using Gala or Granny Smith apples.
  • Sweeteners - Instead of using sugar, you can try natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia.
  • Spices - Play around with spices like allspice, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice.
  • Cooking Fat - Opt for a healthier cooking fat like ghee or coconut oil.

🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions

Learn how to make caramelized apples with these easy-to-follow instructions.

Peeled and sliced apples in a small stainless-steel mixing bowl.

Step 1. Peel, core, and cut apples into wedges. Place into a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.

Peeled apples tossed with cinnamon in a small stainless-steel bowl.

Step 2. Toss apples with cinnamon, vanilla, and melted butter.

Air fried apples inside of an air fryer basket.

Step 3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/204°C. Spread the apples out, making sure to give them space for proper airflow. Cook for 10 minutes or until apples are cooked through.

Caramelized apples on a large round white plate.

Step 4. In a large bowl, toss cooked apples with maple syrup. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a condiment for breakfast or brunch.

👨🏻‍🍳 Chef Tips

  • Choose an apple that is sweet and tart like Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith apples.
  • Don't slice the apples too thin. Fruit loses water when cooked and reduces in size. I like to cut my apples into wedges for the proper size.
  • Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper if you toss apples in sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
  • Place cut apples into a bowl of water and lemon juice after slicing. The acid in the lemon juice will prevent the apples from turning brown.
Air fryer apples on a large round white plate.

❓Recipe FAQ's

How to serve your air-fried apples?

You can enjoy these caramelized apples as dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Serve them for breakfast on top of my Oatmeal With Eggs.

How do you store air fryer apples?

Keep these apples refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. When reheating, microwave for 30 seconds to one minute, or air fry at 350°F for 2-4 minutes.

Freeze your apples in a sealed freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw before reheating.

What can I use instead of melted butter?

If you're looking for an on-dairy alternative to melted butter, try coconut oil, avocado oil, ghee, or plant-based butter.

Are air fryer apples gluten-free?

Yes, apples themselves are naturally gluten-free. However, if you're adding toppings, or seasonings, it's important to check those ingredients for gluten content.

Are air fryer apples vegan?

Yes, air-fried apples are vegan. Avoid using ingredients such as butter, honey, or any other animal-derived products. Instead, consider using plant-based alternatives like vegan margarine or coconut oil. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar as a sweetener instead of honey.

🍽 Related Recipes

  • Chicken stock in quart containers in a row on a wooden cutting board.
    How To Make Chicken Stock
  • Chicken cut up into 10-pieces on a wooden cutting board.
    How To Break Down A Whole Chicken
  • Baked Nisu bread sitting on a wooden cutting board with a slice of bread and butter.
    Finnish Nisu Cardamom Bread Recipe
  • Frizzled leeks on a paper-towel-lined baking pan.
    Crispy Frizzled Leeks (Fried Leeks)

Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @thefrizzledleek on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

📖 Recipe

Two slices of caramelized apples on a spoon with vanilla ice cream.

Air Fryer Apples

Mike Cleavenger
Air Fryer Apples cook in only 10 minutes in the air fryer! Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or on top of your morning oatmeal.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 177 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 4 apples, we used Gala peeled and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Peel, core, and cut apples into wedges. Place them into a bowl of water, with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
  • Strain the apples from the lemon water using a colander. Toss the apples with cinnamon, vanilla, and melted butter.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/204°C. Spread the apples out, giving them enough space for proper airflow. Cook for 10 minutes or until apples are cooked through.
  • In a large bowl, toss cooked apples with maple syrup. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a condiment for breakfast or brunch.

Notes

Storage: Keep these apples refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. When reheating, microwave for 30 seconds to one minute, or air fry at 350°F for 2-4 minutes.
Apples: Choose an apple that is sweet and tart like Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith apples.
Lemon Water: After cutting apples immediately transfer them to a bowl of water and lemon juice (1 lemon).  This will stop the oxidation process. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 0.3mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram. Tag @thefrizzledleek and hashtag it #thefrizzledleek.

SAVE THIS RECIPE!

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • A pasta bowl with cous-cous, white rice, pickled red onions, and turkey feta meatballs.
    Air Fryer Turkey Feta Meatball Bowl with Tzatziki Sauce
  • Air fryer scones stacked on top of each other on a wooden cutting board, showing their golden brown tops.
    Easy Air Fryer Scones (No Oven Needed!)
  • A chicken burger with lettuce, tomato, and chipotle sauce dripping down the edges.
    Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken Burgers
  • A halibut fillet with a green chimichurri sauce over the top on a round plate.
    Air Fryer Halibut with a Chimichurri Sauce

Comments

No Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Wearing a chef jacket standing with my arms crossed in front of floating shelves.

Hey, I'm Chef Mike!

Culinary trained and obsessed with good food, I break down the basics of cooking so anyone can feel confident in the kitchen. Let's get cooking!

About

Valentine's Day

  • Red wine braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and carrots in a light-blue plate.
    Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs
  • Horseradish salmon filets on a oval platter with a parsnip puree.
    Horseradish Crusted Baked Salmon
  • Slice pork tenderloin on a oval platter with a sage cream sauce drizzled over top.
    Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with Sage and Cream
  • Shrimp scampi with lemon slices and pasta in a white dutch oven.
    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine
  • Air fryer filet mignon topped with garlic-herb butter and a sprig of rosemary.
    Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Garlic Herb Butter
  • Sous-vide scallops in cajun cream sauce.
    Sous Vide Scallops With Cajun Cream Sauce

Most Popular

  • salmon stew in large bowl with spoon
    Easy One-Pot Salmon Stew
  • bowl of crispy sweet potatoes
    Air Fryer Crispy Sweet Potato Cubes
  • Three slices of toast with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon garnished with fresh dill.
    Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs
  • Two breaded and crispy chicken breast served with a arugula salad.
    What to Serve with Chicken Schnitzel (19 Best Side Dishes)
  • Frizzled leeks on a paper-towel-lined baking pan.
    Crispy Frizzled Leeks (Fried Leeks)
  • A spoon coated with a demi-glace sauce dripping over a small sauce pan.
    Demi-Glace Recipe (Classic French Sauce)

Footer

↑ back to top

Info

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Website Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Statement

Resources

  • Blogging Resources

Lets connect!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 The Frizzled Leek

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.