This air fryer stuffed apple recipe is incredibly simple, yet so satisfying. So the beauty of this dish lies in its ease of preparation. And the fact that baking the apples in the air fryer reduces the cooking time significantly. So it takes about half of the time that it would take in a conventional oven. This means you can enjoy a warm, golden-brown treat in a fraction of the time, saving both time and energy. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert or a light snack, this recipe delivers delicious results in no time.
What I love most about this recipe is its simplicity. With only three ingredients – apples, strawberries, and a sprinkle of sugar or cinnamon – this dish proves that less is often more when it comes to flavour. The air fryer ensures the apples get crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside, creating the perfect contrast in texture. The strawberries add a sweet, slightly tart filling that complements the apple’s natural sweetness, making each bite a delightful treat.
This recipe is also versatile. You can experiment with different varieties of apples to see which one holds up best to air frying. Granny Smith apples are a great choice as they are firm and maintain their shape, but Golden Delicious apples also work well. The stuffing can be customized to your liking, too. Once you’ve mastered the basic combination of apple and strawberry, you can swap in other fruits like blueberries, pears, or even a mix of dried fruits to explore new flavour profiles. It’s a quick, healthy, and fun recipe that you can return to time and time again to suit your tastes and the seasons.
PREP 10 minutes
COOK 20 minutes
SERVES 2 people
KIT you will need an air fryer.
Ingredients for air fryer stuffed apple
2 baking apples, cored
A handful of fresh strawberries, chopped
A drizzle of Maple syrup to serve
Method
I began by preparing the apples. First, I carefully sliced off the tops and set them aside. Then using a spoon or melon baller, I gently scooped out the core and some of the apple flesh. Thus creating a little hollow space in the centre of each apple. Just enough to hold the filling while keeping the apple’s structure intact.
So next, I chopped up a handful of fresh strawberries into small chunks and filled the hollowed-out apples with the juicy fruit. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of the strawberries pair beautifully with the baked apple.
Then with the filling in place, I popped the apples into the air fryer basket, leaving the crisper plates in. Making sure they were stable and upright. I then set the air-fryer temperature to 160°C and cooked them for around 15 to 20 minutes. About halfway through, I checked on them. If you notice the tops starting to brown too quickly, just tent some tin foil over the apples to prevent burning.
So once the apples were soft and lightly golden, I removed them from the air fryer and set them aside to allow to cool slightly before serving.
To finish, I drizzled a little maple syrup over the warm apples for a rich, sweet finish. You could also top yours with a spoonful of Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of cinnamon, crushed nuts, or even a dollop of whipped cream.
Not only is this recipe quick and comforting, it’s also nourishing. Apples are a great source of fibre and vitamin C, while strawberries provide antioxidants and support heart health. It’s a wholesome dessert or snack that feels indulgent without the guilt.
This air-fried stuffed apple is simple, versatile, and endlessly customisable – a perfect treat for cosy evenings or a healthy twist on dessert!
Tips for Air Fryer Stuffed Apple
1. Choose the Right Apples:
Go for firm, sweet-tart apples that hold their shape well when cooked like Braeburn, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. Avoid soft apple varieties like Red Delicious, which can collapse during cooking.
2. Core Carefully:
Use an apple corer or a small knife to remove the core and seeds, leaving the bottom intact to hold the filling. You want to create a hollow centre without cutting all the way through.
3. Get Creative with Fillings:
Classic options for stuffing your apples include a mix of brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins or sultanas. Add chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for crunch. You can even include oats, nut butter, or a little crumble mix for extra indulgence.
4. Don’t Overfill:
Pack the filling just to the top as overfilling can lead to messy spillage as the apple softens and expands while cooking.
5. Add Moisture:
Drizzle a little melted butter or maple syrup over the apples before air frying. This helps to caramelise the filling and keeps everything moist.
6. Cook at the Right Temperature:
Set your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) and cook for around 15 to 18 minutes. The apples should be soft but still holding their shape, and the filling should be bubbling and golden.
7. Use Foil or a Ramekin:
Place apples in foil or a small ramekin to catch any drips and make cleaning up easier.
8. Serve Warm:
Stuffed apples are best enjoyed warm. Serve with vanilla ice cream, Greek yoghurt, or custard for a comforting dessert.
These air fryer stuffed apples are simply the perfect easy treat if you like warm, cosy, and full of flavour with minimal effort!
Similar recipes
If you love this sweet air fryer stuffed apple, you might also like my easy air fryer pancakes, the air fryer peach cobbler or air fryer stuffed butternut recipe.
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