Description
Delight in these crispy, sweet Air Fryer Fried Apples featuring a light, cinnamon-spiced batter coating and a tender, juicy apple center. This quick and easy recipe delivers all the comfort of fried apples with a healthier twist using the air fryer, perfect for a cozy dessert or a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Batter
- ¾ Cup Flour
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar (divided)
- ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ⅔ Cup Whole Milk
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 Tablespoon Butter (melted, divided)
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Cinnamon Sugar
- ½ Cup Sugar (remaining from ¾ cup total)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cardamom (optional)
Fruit
- 3 Granny Smith Apples (or Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored and sliced into ¼” crosswise slices)
- 3 Tablespoons Butter (melted, for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make freezing the apple slices easier.
- Make batter dry mix: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt until smooth and evenly combined.
- Add wet ingredients to batter: Pour in the whole milk, egg, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until the batter is smooth. Set aside.
- Mix cinnamon sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining sugar with cinnamon and optional ground cardamom. Set this mixture aside for coating later.
- Batter the apples: Using a fork or your fingers, dip each apple slice into the batter, letting any excess drip off. Arrange the battered apple slices in a single layer on the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 45 to 60 minutes to help the batter set.
- Air fry the apples: Preheat the air fryer to 425℉ (218℃). Arrange the frozen battered apple slices on the air fryer pan in a single layer without overlapping. Cook in batches if needed for 7 to 9 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Finish and serve: Remove cooked apples immediately from the air fryer. Brush them generously with the remaining melted butter and dredge them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Freezing the battered apples before air frying helps the batter adhere and results in a crispier texture.
- Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet Honeycrisp for optimal flavor and texture contrast.
- The ground cardamom is optional but adds a warm, aromatic note when included.
- Serve these fried apples warm, alone or topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
