Air fryer baked apples are a nutritious and delicious snack. Each bite of this naturally sweetened treat is filled with warm spices, cool yogurt, and a nutty crunch. These granola-filled apples make an easy dessert or a filling snack that will help keep you energized.

So, why the air fryer? Air frying allows the apples to cook quickly and evenly, which helps to caramelize the natural sugars in the fruit. This gives the apples a sweet and slightly crispy filling, which is a delicious contrast to the tender and juicy apples.

WHAT ARE BAKED APPLES? 

Baked apples are a traditional fruit dish where apples are baked until soft. Often they have a filling that consists of brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. The cinnamon oat apple filling is packed into the apples which are then baked in the oven until softened. To serve, they are topped with ice cream and sometimes a drizzle of caramel sauce.

WHY USE GRANOLA INSTEAD OF OATS 

We love using Nutrail granola in place of oats for this recipe. Our granola is flavorful and full of healthy nuts and seeds for an amazing crunch. For those who avoid starch, nut-based granola is an excellent option because it's lower in carbohydrates than oats.

NuTrail granola comes in a variety of flavors so you can customize this dish to your liking. You can stick with the classic flavors and use Cinnamon Pecan or enjoy Blueberry Cinnamon, Vanilla Strawberry, or Cacao.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT 

Simple-This recipe is perfect for a quick meal or snack. It requires simple ingredients and only a few minutes of prep time. Because this recipe is made in the air fryer, it takes even less time to cook than traditional baked apples. It's also perfect for making small batches for one or two people.

Healthy- Air fryer baked apples are a great way to enjoy fruit without adding extra sugar. Choose a sweet variety of apples and let the natural sweetness shine. It tastes amazing with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey but those ingredients aren't required.

Filling- While fruit is delicious, it's not always filling. Our granola is made with nuts and seeds which are full of protein and fiber and can help you feel more satisfied after eating. Protein from the Greek yogurt also will keep you feeling full longer.

INGREDIENTS 

NuTrail Granola- Our delicious granola gives these air fryer baked apples an amazing crunch. Rather than oats, our granola is made with simple clean ingredients such as nuts, seeds, coconut chips, and monk fruit sweetener for a low sugar granola alternative. 

Apples- Honeycrisp apples are known for their perfect balance of tart and sweet making them excellent apples for baking. Gala apples are another excellent choice because they're mild tasting and have a medium firmness. You can use any variety you have on hand, just keep in mind that some varieties will be extra sweet or much more tart, such as Granny Smith apples.

Apple Pie Spice Blend- A blend of spices is a quick way to add lots of flavor to your air fryer baked apple. Apple pie spice is similar to pumpkin pie spice and can be used interchangeably for this recipe. The main difference is that apple pie spice blend often includes cardamom. The blend uses cinnamon as a base, so feel free to use ground cinnamon if that's what you have on hand.

Butter- Use butter to brush over the apple half to keep them from getting dry during baking. Unsalted butter and salted butter both will work great for this recipe and won't make a huge difference in taste.

Greek Yogurt- Plain greek yogurt is ideal for this recipe. It tastes amazing with the granola and won't add excess sugar. There are many brands to choose from or you could make a batch of low-carb yogurt at home. If you do prefer flavored yogurt, look for brands that specifically use low-carb sweeteners, or simply add a splash of vanilla yogurt to plain yogurt.

Water- By adding a little water to the pan, it keeps the apples from drying out by creating a warm moist environment.

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER BAKED APPLES

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.

2. Cut each apple in half and use a paring knife to carefully remove the core and seeds.

3. Use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter over the cut side of each apple.

4. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of Nutrail granola onto the center of each cored apple half. Brush with a little additional butter.

5. Place the two apple halves into a 6-inch round baking pan and sprinkle generously with spices. Pour the water into the bottom of the baking pan, avoiding the apples. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.

6. Cover the pan tightly with foil, tucking the edges underneath the pan. Place the pan into the air fryer for 12-15 minutes. (Add 5 minutes for softer apples) Remove the foil and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes to crisp the granola.

7. Serve warm and top the baked apples with a scoop of greek yogurt and garnish with additional granola, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a drizzle of honey.

TIPS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

For an extra sweet dessert, you can top the baked apples with whipped cream, sugar-free caramel sauce, or low-carb vanilla ice cream. You can also add a sprinkle of your preferred brown sugar substitute.

Store leftover baked apples in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container. For the best results, don't top with yogurt until just before eating.

If you love extra soft baked apples, wait to stuff them with granola and add additional minutes of cooking time until they're your desired texture. Since air fryers vary in strength and apples in firmness, you may need to adjust the cooking time to get that perfect bake for your taste.

FAQ AIR FRYER BAKED APPLES

Can you use the oven to make baked apples?

Absolutely! If you don't have an air fryer, you can easily make these baked apples in the oven. Follow all instructions except bake them for 40-45 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees. 

What apples are best baked?

The best apples for baking are Braeburn, honey crisp, Golden delicious, and pink lady apples. Softer varieties that are not overly crisp will work the best.

How long does it take an apple to soften?

Typically in the oven, it takes about 20 minutes for an apple to soften. This happens faster in the air fryer because the heat is more concentrated.

Do you peel apples for baking?

You can if you'd like but it's not necessary. Apple peels contain lots of great nutrients but ultimately it comes down to personal texture preference. If you don't like the texture of a cooked peel, rather than peel before baking, wait until after it's cooked. The peel will help seal in moisture and the apple will easily scoop out of the skin with a spoon once it's baked.

AIR FRYER BAKED APPLES

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves 2-4

Ingredients

• 4 medium Honey crisp apples
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Nutrail Granola
• 1/2 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice Blend or ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.

2. Cut each apple in half and use a paring knife to carefully remove the core and seeds.

3. Use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter over the cut side of each apple.

4. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of Nutrail granola onto the center of each cored apple half. Brush with a little additional butter.

5. Place the two apple halves into a 6-inch round baking pan and sprinkle generously with spices. Pour the water into the bottom of the baking pan, avoiding the apples. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.

6. Cover the pan tightly with foil, tucking the edges underneath the pan. Place the pan into the air fryer for 12-15 minutes. (Add 5 minutes for softer apples) Remove the foil and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes to crisp the granola.

7. Serve warm and top the baked apples with a scoop of greek yogurt and garnish with additional granola, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a drizzle of honey.