Description
Enjoy a warm, comforting baked apple made quickly and easily in the air fryer. This single-serving dessert combines tender apple with a cinnamon-spiced oat, walnut, and cranberry filling, lightly sweetened with honey and brown sugar, then crisped to golden perfection. Serve it with vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup for an indulgent treat ready in just 21 minutes.
Ingredients
Apple and Filling
- 1 medium apple (Gala or Pink Lady recommended)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon softened unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 teaspoon honey
To Serve
- Vanilla ice cream (optional)
- Caramel syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) and allow it to preheat as you prepare the other ingredients. Set the timer initially to 16 minutes.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a shallow bowl, combine old-fashioned oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and kosher salt. Stir well to distribute the spices and sugar evenly.
- Add Nuts and Fruits: Mix in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries to the dry oat mixture until evenly incorporated.
- Incorporate Butter and Honey: Add softened butter to the oat mixture and press with a spoon or spatula to combine thoroughly. Drizzle honey over the mixture and mix until the mixture is cohesive and holds together well. Set aside.
- Prepare the Apple: Wash and dry the apple thoroughly. Cut off the top portion of the apple, then use a melon baller, knife, or spoon to carefully scoop out the seeds and core, creating a cavity for the filling. Be careful not to puncture through the bottom.
- Butter the Apple: Lightly brush the inside and outside of the apple with softened butter to add flavor and help with browning.
- Place Apple in Air Fryer: Transfer the buttered apple to a parchment-lined air fryer tray. Gently insert the tray into the middle rack, positioning it near the rotisserie catch for even air circulation.
- First Air Fry: Air fry the apple for 10 minutes to soften it slightly before adding the filling.
- Fill the Apple: Remove the tray and place it on a baking sheet. Spoon most of the oat mixture into the apple cavity, reserving 1 teaspoon for topping.
- Second Air Fry: Return the tray to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3 minutes to start crisping the filling.
- Add Remaining Filling: Add the reserved teaspoon of oat mixture on top of the apple’s filling and press down gently to secure it and prevent spilling during final cooking.
- Final Air Fry: Air fry for another 3 minutes or until the oat topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Carefully remove the baked apple from the air fryer. Transfer it to a serving plate and serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel syrup, if desired.
Notes
- For scooping the core, a melon baller works best, but a small knife and spoon can also be used carefully.
- When closing the air fryer door, ensure it does not disturb the apple or the filling to keep the topping intact.
- You can use any sweet apple variety if Gala or Pink Lady is not available.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter and honey with plant-based alternatives.
- Ensure the apple is large enough to hold the filling without cracking.
