If you have a sweet tooth and love a crunchy snack, you are going to fall head over heels for this Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe. These apple fries are a delightful twist on the classic fruit snack, combining the natural tartness of Granny Smith apples with a warm, spiced coating that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. This recipe is quick, simple, and delivers an irresistible snack or dessert that feels indulgent but is surprisingly light. Perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own, these apple fries offer that perfect balance of crisp texture and sweet, aromatic spices.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe manages to create a big impact in flavor and texture. Each component plays an essential role, from giving the fries that crisp coating to balancing the tartness of the apples with sweet and warm spices.
- Granny Smith apples: Tart apples that hold their shape well and offer a lovely tangy contrast to the sweet coating.
- All-purpose flour: Helps create the crunchy outer layer that crisps perfectly in the air fryer.
- Powdered sugar (divided): Adds sweetness and a delicate finish to the fries when tossed after cooking.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings cozy warmth and depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the apples.
- Ground nutmeg: A subtle spice that enhances the overall warm, spiced profile.
- Ground cloves: Intense and aromatic, it rounds out the spice blend with a hint of complexity.
- Cooking oil spray: Essential for helping the fries crisp up evenly without sogginess.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Apples
Start by washing your Granny Smith apples thoroughly and drying them completely. If you prefer, peel the apples for a smoother texture, but leaving the skin on adds a nice color contrast and keeps more nutrients. Slice the apples into thin, fry-shaped sticks, aiming for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.
Step 2: Make the Coating
In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and half of the powdered sugar. This spice blend is what gives your apple fries that signature flavor and a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the tart apples. Toss your apple sticks in this mixture until each piece is well coated and ready for frying.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about three minutes. This step ensures your apple fries begin crisping right away. Don’t forget to spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking and promote a golden finish.
Step 4: Cook the Apple Fries
Arrange the coated apple sticks in a single layer in the basket to allow proper airflow and even cooking. Air fry them for 8 to 10 minutes, making sure to shake the basket halfway through. This shaking helps each fry cook evenly and keeps them from clumping together as they crisp up.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
As soon as your apple fries come out of the air fryer, toss them gently with the remaining powdered sugar. This final dusting not only adds a delicate sweetness but also makes them look irresistible. Serve warm on their own or alongside your favorite dip to elevate this snack into a crowd-pleasing treat.
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a garnish can really make your apple fries stand out. Sprinkle some extra ground cinnamon or a light drizzle of honey for an added touch of sweetness. For a festive spin, a dusting of edible glitter or chopped nuts can add texture and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
These apple fries shine as a standalone snack but also pair wonderfully with vanilla yogurt or a creamy caramel dip. For a breakfast or brunch spread, serve alongside warm pancakes or waffles to complement the fruity, spiced flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe in small mason jars or colorful paper cones for a playful, handheld treat. You can also layer them in a bowl with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chopped nuts for a quick and tasty dessert parfait.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. For best texture, avoid refrigeration as it can make the fries soften and lose their crispiness.
Freezing
While this recipe is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze uncooked, coated apple sticks on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to eat, air fry from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
To reheat apple fries, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 3 to 5 minutes. This will help restore their crisp texture better than a microwave, which tends to make them soggy.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are ideal because of their tartness and firmness, you can try Fuji or Honeycrisp apples for a sweeter taste. Just keep in mind the texture might vary slightly.
Do I need to peel the apples before making the fries?
Peeling is optional. Leaving the skin on adds color, extra fiber, and nutrients, but if you prefer a smoother bite or thinner texture, peeling works well too.
Can I make these apple fries without an air fryer?
You can bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. However, the air fryer delivers superior crispness with less oil and in less time.
What dips go well with Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe?
Sweet dips like caramel sauce, vanilla yogurt, or cream cheese frosting complement the spice-coated apple fries beautifully. For a twist, try a cinnamon honey butter or nut butter dip.
How do I ensure the apple fries come out crispy?
Be sure to coat the fries evenly and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps them crisp up on all sides. Also, spraying the basket lightly with oil is key for that perfect crunch.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe when you want a quick but impressive treat. It’s a fun, flavorful way to enjoy apple slices with a perfectly crunchy coating that’s packed with warm spices. Whether as a snack, dessert, or an unexpected side, these apple fries are sure to become one of your favorite go-to recipes. Give it a try—you might just find yourself craving them all year round!
Print
Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries offer a delightful and healthier alternative to traditional fried desserts. Using tart Granny Smith apples, coated in a spiced flour and powdered sugar mixture, then air fried to golden perfection, they are a perfect sweet and crunchy treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Apples
- 2 pieces Granny Smith apples (Tart apples work best for flavor)
Coating
- 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Powdered sugar (Divided for coating)
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground cloves
Other
- Cooking oil spray (for spraying the air fryer basket)
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Wash and dry the apples thoroughly. Peel them if you prefer a smoother texture. Then, slice the apples into fry-shaped sticks, about 1/2 inch thick to ensure even cooking.
- Coating: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and half of the powdered sugar. Toss the apple sticks in this mixture until they are evenly coated.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Cooking: Arrange the coated apple sticks in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook the apples for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the fries halfway through to ensure even crisping.
- Finish: Once cooked and crisp, immediately toss the hot apple fries with the remaining powdered sugar or serve alongside your favorite dip for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Using tart Granny Smith apples balances the sweetness and adds a nice tang to the fries.
- Peeling is optional and depends on your textural preference.
- Shaking or flipping the fries halfway through cooking is important for even crispness.
- Serve immediately for the best crunchy texture.
- These apple fries are great as a light dessert or a fun snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
