There’s something magical about the smell of warm cinnamon and maple wafting through the kitchen. These Cinnamon Maple Air Fryer Apples are everything you love about apple pie — sweet, cozy, comforting — but without the crust, butter, or refined sugar. It’s a lighter, faster, and more wholesome way to enjoy the flavors of fall.
Perfectly tender and caramelized, these apples make a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in so many ways. Eat them warm right out of the air fryer for a quick snack, or get creative — spoon them over vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert, wrap them up in a crepe, or pile them on top of your morning oats, pancakes, or waffles. They even taste amazing on a toasted bagel with cream cheese for a sweet breakfast twist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy: Ready in minutes with minimal ingredients.
- Healthier dessert option: Naturally sweetened with maple syrup — no refined sugar needed.
- Gluten-free & vegan-friendly: Simple, wholesome, and allergy-friendly.
- Perfect fall flavor: Warm cinnamon spice meets sweet, caramel-like maple syrup.
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Apples
- Batch size matters: If your air fryer is on the smaller side, cut the recipe in half or cook in two batches. Larger oven-style air fryers can handle about 2 pounds of apples at once.
- Choose the right apples: Firm varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Braeburn hold up beautifully in the air fryer, keeping their texture while becoming soft and caramelized.
- Don’t skip the oil: A touch of oil helps the apples from sticking and also keeps the edges from getting too crispy. Liquid coconut oil is a great choice but light olive oil or canola work perfectly too.
- Use real maple syrup: Pure maple syrup brings a rich, natural depth that’s hard to beat — though pancake syrup in a pinch or even sugar-free alternatives can work if you’re watching carbs.
- Cinnamon choice: Opt for Ceylon cinnamon if you can find it — it’s softer, more complex, and lower in coumarin (a plant compound that creates potential liver toxicity in higher amount) — making it a better choice for regular use.
Whether you’re craving a guilt-free treat, need a quick dessert for guests, or just want your kitchen to smell like fall, these air fryer apples will hit the spot every time.
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- 2 lbs* small apples cored and sliced 1/3” thick
- 1 tbsp oil of choice
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
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Remove apple cores and slice into 1/3” inch slices. Toss apples in oil and cinnamon.
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Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Add apples to air fryer basket, spreading out in a single layer (there will be some edges that overlap, but just try not to overfill the tray and pile slices up on each other).
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Air fry for about 10-14 minutes or until soft and tender, stirring up apples halfway through for even cooking.
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Once apples are cooked, transfer to bowl and drizzle with syrup, stirring in to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
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A great addition to pancakes, waffles, oatmeal – or serve as a dessert with ice cream.
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Leftovers: Keep leftover cooked apples for up to 5 days in the refrigerator in an air tight container (reheat in microwave).