Air Fryer Baked Apples with Crunchy Oat Topping (Vegan Friendly)
Servings: 3
Calories: 199kcal
These vegan-friendly air fryer baked apples are a cozy, wholesome dessert made for real life. Tender apples are filled with a crunchy oat topping and cooked right in the air fryer in under 20 minutes. Super easy with no oven, no pie crust, and no long prep. It’s a small-batch recipe for anyone who wants the comfort of baked apples without going to all the hassle of making a full apple crisp. These air fryer baked apples are perfect for a yummy little treat you share with your bestie, or a lighter, feel-good dessert after dinner.
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Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 3 baking apples I used Honeycrisp
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup old fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup More for drizzling
Instructions
- Prep the air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 350℉. Prepare the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Chop the nuts. Melt the butter.
- Prep the apples: Wash and core the apples, leaving the bottom intact so the filling doesn’t leak out. If the apples wobble, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to help them stand upright.3 baking apples
- Make the crumble topping: Stir together melted vegan butter, brown sugar, oats, flour, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture looks crumbly and slightly sticky. Use extra maple syrup if the mixture is dry like sand.1 tablespoon vegan butter, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon chopped pecans, ⅓ cup old fashioned oats
- Fill the apple: Spoon the oat mixture into the centers of the apples, pressing lightly so the filling is packed but still mounded on top.
- Air fry: Place apples in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch so air can circulate. Air fry at 350°F for 14–18 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced and the topping is crisp.
- Serve warm: Let cool for a few minutes. Serve as-is or top with vegan vanilla ice cream, coconut whip, or a drizzle of maple syrup. Other fun (optional) toppings include: granola, dried fruit (like raisins), ice cream, additional melted butter, whipped cream, and/or additional maple syrup.
Notes
- Best apples to use: Honeycrisp is my favorite because it softens without collapsing and holds its shape beautifully in the air fryer. It also has a natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with a warm crumble topping. Other great options: Pink Lady, Fuji, Braeburn, or Jonagold. Avoid very soft apples like McIntosh or Red Delicious — they turn mushy too quickly.
- Air fryer size matters: This recipe assumes three medium apples. If your air fryer is smaller, use two. If it’s larger, you may fit four. Just make sure the apples stand upright and aren’t cramped — proper airflow gives you that crisp, golden topping.
- For extra crunch: Add a tablespoon of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture.
- Make-ahead tip: Prep the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge up to 24 hours. Core the apples right before cooking to prevent browning.
- Vegan-friendly: Any store-bought vegan butter works, but choose one with a higher fat content for the crispiest oat topping. Also, make sure you like the taste of the vegan butter because the flavor will show through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1apple | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg