You know that 4 PM slump? When everyone in the house is hungry and a little grumpy, and you’re just staring into the pantry waiting for inspiration? That was me last Tuesday. On a whim, I chopped up an apple, tossed it with some cinnamon sugar, and threw it in the air fryer. They were… okay. But then I tried it again, and this time I added a spoonful of cornstarch. Total. Difference. These Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries are now the official snack of our house. They have this amazing crunchy coating and the apple inside gets all soft and warm.
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries
The shopping list for these air fried apples is laughably short. You’ve got all this stuff.
- Apples: 2 big ones. Use something that won’t turn to applesauce when it gets hot. Fuji or Honeycrisp are my go-tos. My son swears by the Granny Smith ones because they’re a little tart. Honestly, any firm apple works, making them the best apples for air frying.
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon. This is the thing. It’s what makes them crispy instead of just… warm. Don’t leave it out.
- Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons. Or less, if your apples are already super sweet.
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon. Obviously.
- Salt: Just a tiny pinch. It wakes up all the other flavors.
- Oil Spray: A quick little spritz so they don’t stick and get that nice golden color.
How to Make Apple Fries in the Air Fryer
This whole process is faster than finding something to watch on TV. Before you know it, you’ll have a bowl full of warm cinnamon sugar apple slices.
Step 1: Chop ‘Em Up
Give the apples a good rinse. I don’t bother peeling them—the skin has a nice little chew to it. Just cut the core out and slice them into sticks, like french fries. Just try to get them all about the same thickness so they cook at the same speed. Nobody wants a mix of crunchy and mushy fries.
Step 2: The Shake-and-Bake Part
Get a bowl and dump in the cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Give it a quick stir with a fork. No need to be fancy.
Step 3: Get Them Coated
Throw the apple slices into the bowl. I find it’s best to just get your hands in there and toss everything around to make sure every single slice gets a good coating of the sweet, dusty mixture.
Step 4: Air Fryer Time
Crank your air fryer up to 180∘C (350∘F). Give the basket a quick spray of oil. Lay the apple slices in a single layer. I’m serious about this part—if you crowd them, they just steam and get soggy. It’s a tragedy. So if you have to, do it in two batches. It’s worth it. Let them go for about 8-10 minutes, and make sure to pull the basket out halfway through and give it a really good shake.
Step 5: Eat Them Immediately
The best way to eat these is standing right in front of the air fryer while they’re still hot. That first bite is the best. If you have more self-control than I do and are wondering what to serve with apple fries, they’re pretty great dipped in caramel sauce. A spoonful of yogurt works too.
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Why These Are On Repeat in My House
Look, they taste like a dessert from a fall festival, but they’re mostly just apple. My kids think they’re getting a huge treat, and I feel good about it. It’s a win-win. This healthy apple dessert recipe is less a recipe and more of a life hack for happy afternoons. These Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries are just so simple and weirdly addictive.
Anyway, if you end up making them, I’m actually dying to know what you think. Drop a comment below and tell me how it went.
Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries
Warm, tender apple wedges with a ridiculously crunchy cinnamon-sugar shell, all made in the air fryer. The perfect easy and healthy-ish snack!
Ingredients
- 2 large firm apples (like Fuji or Honeycrisp)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A small pinch of salt
- A little oil spray
Instructions
Step 1
wash the apples and cut em into fry shapes. no need to peel them or make them look perfect.
Step 2
mix the sugar cinnamon cornstarch and salt in a bowl. just get it all blended together.
Step 3
toss the apples in that coating until they're all covered. using your hands works best.
Step 4
air fry at 180 C or 350 F for about 10 mins. put them in a single layer and shake the basket halfway through.
Step 5
take them out when they're golden brown. just make sure you eat them while they're hot.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 170Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 69mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 6gSugar: 36gProtein: 1g