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Crispy Air Fryer Apples with Honey Oat Crumble

These Air Fryer Apples are tender, full of cinnamon and nutmeg, and finished with a crunchy honey-oat topping. Ready in about 20 minutes and easy to make.

Overhead shot of baked apples on a black plate.

Fall is my favorite season — the cool weather, the activities, and especially the flavors. These air fryer baked apples are soft and aromatic from cinnamon and nutmeg, then topped with a crisp oat-honey mixture for contrast. They make a simple, comforting dessert that pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or an extra drizzle of honey.

I test this recipe in a Ninja Foodi air fryer, but it works in most air fryer models and can also be baked in a conventional oven. The full process takes about 20–25 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick and satisfying seasonal treat.

Ingredient Notes

  • Apples: Honeycrisp and Gala are my top picks for texture and flavor. Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or Fuji also work well. Avoid softer varieties like Red Delicious, which can break down during cooking.
  • Spices: A classic mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of sea salt complements the apples. Nutmeg is optional if you prefer a simpler spice profile.
  • Old-Fashioned Oats: Use rolled oats for the best crunchy topping—instant oats will become too soft.
  • Honey: Honey adds sweetness and helps the oats crisp. Maple syrup or a little brown sugar are suitable substitutes.
  • Pumpkin Seeds (Optional): Toasted pumpkin seeds add extra crunch and a nutty note but are not required.

Kitchen Tip
I use a Ninja Foodi air fryer for these apples and often find 15 minutes at 350°F gives perfect results. If your air fryer behaves differently, adjust cook time as needed. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the apples in the oven instead (instructions below).

Close up shot of apple with oat topping on black plate.

How to Make Air Fryer Apples

  1. Preheat and Prep
    Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. While it warms, slice each apple in half through the core and use a spoon or small knife to remove the seeds and core from each half. Be careful not to cut through the bottom.
  2. Make the Topping
    In a small bowl combine the oats, melted butter, honey, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, a pinch of sea salt, vanilla extract, and pumpkin seeds if using. Stir until the oats are evenly coated with honey and butter.
  3. Brush the Apples
    Mix the melted butter with a little cinnamon in a separate bowl and brush each apple half. This adds flavor and helps the topping stick.
  4. Assemble and Air Fry
    Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Place the apple halves in the basket, spoon the oat topping over the cut sides, and air fry at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Depending on your air fryer and the size of the apples, you may need to cook in batches or add a couple of extra minutes if they aren’t tender yet.
  5. Finish and Serve
    The apples are done when they are soft (but still hold their shape) and the topping is golden brown. Use tongs to remove them and serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of honey.
Six image collage showing apples being prepped and cooked.

Pro Tips

Cook Time Variations
Air fryers vary. I use a Ninja Foodi and 15 minutes at 350°F gives ideal results for medium apples. If the apples are still firm, add 1–2 minutes and check again. They should be tender but not falling apart, with the oat topping nicely browned.

Always Preheat
Preheating the air fryer helps the apples cook evenly and yields a crisper topping. If you skip preheating, expect to add 3–5 extra minutes to the cook time.

Prep image showing had pressing buttons on air fryer to cook apples.

Oven Instructions

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these apples in a conventional oven. The method is the same through assembly—then place the prepared apple halves in a small baking dish and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the oat topping is golden. Serve hot with your favorite garnish.

FAQS

How should leftover baked apples be stored?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They are best enjoyed warm; the oat topping will soften after refrigeration.

Can this recipe be frozen?

These baked apples do not freeze well; the texture of the topping and the apples changes after thawing.

Apple with bite out of it and honey being drizzled over.

You May Also Enjoy…

  • Homemade Apple Cinnamon Bread Recipe
  • Pumpkin Crisp Recipe with Pecan Oat Topping
  • Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
  • Grilled Peaches Recipe with Mascarpone & Honey
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Happy Eating!

"Caitlyn" signature in black cursive.
Air fryer apple on a black plate with a bite out of it.

Air Fryer Apples with Honey Oat Topping

Caitlyn Erhardt

Soft baked apples spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a crunchy honey-oat mixture—serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 175 kcal

Ingredients

Baked Apples

  • 3 Apples Gala, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady work great
  • 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter Melted
  • ½ tsp Cinnamon

Honey Oat Topping

  • ½ cup Old-Fashioned Oats
  • 1 ½ tablespoon Unsalted Butter Melted
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 2 teaspoon All-Purpose Flour
  • ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1 pinch Nutmeg
  • 1 pinch Sea Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds Optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. While it preheats, prepare the apples and the topping. In a small bowl, stir together the oats, melted butter, honey, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, vanilla, and pumpkin seeds (if using). Ensure the honey and butter coat the oats evenly, then set aside.
  • Combine the remaining melted butter with ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl and brush this on the cut sides of the apple halves.
  • Slice each apple in half and remove the core and seeds, taking care not to cut through the base. Brush the cinnamon butter onto each apple half.
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket and arrange the apple halves cut side up. Spoon the oat topping over each half. Air fry at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until apples are tender and the topping is golden. Depending on your air fryer or apple size, add a couple of minutes if needed.
  • Remove the apples using tongs and serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or extra honey. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Air Fryer Settings: These instructions are based on a Ninja Foodi. Adjust time and temperature as needed for your model.

Oven Method: After preparing the apples and topping, bake at 350°F in a small baking pan for about 20 minutes or until tender.

Preheating: Preheat your air fryer for best results. If you don’t preheat, add 3–5 minutes to the cook time.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly to restore warmth; the topping will soften after refrigeration.

Apple Choice: Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, or Fuji are recommended for the best texture and flavor.


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Nutrition

Serving: 1Apple Half
Calories: 175kcal
Carbohydrates: 28.6g
Protein: 2.8g
Fat: 6.2g
Fiber: 4.2g
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