So I made these crispy air fryer apple fries last weekend and my kids literally ate the entire batch in like 10 minutes. Then asked if I could make more. Which I did. Because apparently I can’t say no when they’re eating actual fruit without complaining.
I think I first saw apple fries at Legoland a few years ago? Or maybe it was Six Flags. Honestly can’t remember. But I do remember thinking “why are people paying $8 for sliced apples with cinnamon sugar?” And then I tried them and was like… oh. THAT’S why.
Fast forward to last month when I got an air fryer (finally joined the club, I know, I know), and one of the first things I wanted to try was making these at home. First attempt? Soggy disaster. Second attempt? Better but still not quite right. Third time though? Absolutely perfect and crispy and everything I wanted them to be.
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Why These Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe Actually Work
Here’s the thing about making crispy air fryer apple fries—it’s all about the double coating. I learned this the hard way after my first batch came out limp and sad-looking. The secret is coating them in flour, then egg, then flour AGAIN before air frying.
Sounds like extra work, right? But trust me on this one. That double coating is what gives you that crispy, almost churro-like exterior while keeping the apple soft and sweet inside. It’s basically the difference between “meh” and “holy cow these are amazing.”
My neighbor Sarah, who’s super into healthy snacking, was skeptical when I told her these were made in an air fryer. She thought they’d taste diet-y and boring. Then she tried one and immediately asked for the recipe. Success.
What Makes This Easy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe Special
Most air fryer apple recipes I found online were either too complicated (who has time for that on a Tuesday afternoon?) or way too simple and ended up with mushy apples. This recipe hits the sweet spot.
The cinnamon sugar coating is non-negotiable. And I use graham cracker crumbs in mine because it adds this extra layer of flavor that reminds me of apple pie. My mom always said graham crackers make everything better, and honestly? She wasn’t wrong.
Also—and this is important—you HAVE to serve these immediately. Like, fresh out of the air fryer immediately. They lose their crispiness pretty fast, which is why my kids hovering around the kitchen waiting for them to be done is actually perfect timing.
Ingredients for the Best Air Fryer Apple Fries
What You’ll Need:
- 3-4 large apples (I use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp—tart works best)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (or regular breadcrumbs if you don’t have graham crackers)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice (optional but highly recommended)
- Cooking spray or oil in a spray bottle
- Optional: caramel sauce for dipping
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Speaking of apples—the type really does matter. I tried making these with Red Delicious once because that’s what I had in the fridge and they were just… watery and weird. Granny Smith apples hold up way better in the air fryer and the tartness balances out all that sweet cinnamon sugar perfectly.
Don’t use pre-made apple slices from those bags at the store. They’re already coated in that weird preservative stuff and won’t crisp up properly. Fresh apples only for this recipe.
How to Make Homemade Air Fryer Apple Fries
Step 1: Prep Your Apples
Peel your apples (I know some people leave the skin on but I think it gets chewy in the air fryer). Core them and cut into wedges—aim for about ½ inch thick. Too thin and they’ll burn, too thick and they won’t get crispy.
I use one of those apple slicer tools that cuts everything into wedges in one push. Life changing. Costs like $10 at Target and saves so much time.
Step 2: Set Up Your Coating Station
This is where things get a little messy but it’s worth it. You need three shallow bowls or dishes.
Bowl 1: All-purpose flour (just plain flour, nothing fancy)
Bowl 2: Beaten eggs (I add a tiny splash of vanilla extract but that’s optional)
Line them up in order because you’re gonna be moving fast once you start coating.
Step 3: Double Coat the Apples
Here’s where the magic happens. Take an apple wedge and coat it in flour. Shake off the excess—you don’t want it caked on there.
Dip it in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then roll it in the graham cracker/sugar mixture until it’s completely covered.
And here’s the key—do it again. Back in the flour for a light dusting, then egg, then graham crackers. This double coating is what makes them extra crispy. I skip this sometimes when I’m lazy and always regret it.
Place the coated apple fries on a plate as you work through all of them.
Step 4: Air Fry Those Babies
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Spray the basket with cooking spray—don’t skip this or they’ll stick and you’ll be sad.
Arrange the apple fries in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd! You’ll need to do this in batches. I know it’s tempting to cram them all in there but resist. They need space for the air to circulate.
Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray. This helps them get that golden color.
Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip them over carefully (I use tongs). Spray again and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they’re golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: The Cinnamon Sugar Magic
Mix together your brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. As SOON as the apple fries come out of the air fryer—like immediately while they’re still hot—sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture all over them.
The heat helps the sugar stick and creates this amazing caramelized coating. If you wait until they cool down, the sugar just falls off. Learned that lesson the hard way on batch number one.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Apple Fries
Temperature matters. I’ve tried these at different temperatures and 375°F is the sweet spot. Lower and they get soggy. Higher and the coating burns before the apple cooks through.
Spray, spray, spray. Don’t be stingy with the cooking spray. That’s what makes them crispy. I use one of those refillable oil sprayers filled with avocado oil because it handles high heat better.
Work in batches. Yes, it takes longer. But overcrowded apple fries = soggy apple fries. Just accept it and put on a podcast while you wait.
Make extra coating. You’ll probably have leftover flour mixture and that’s fine. Better to have too much than run out halfway through and have to stop and make more.
Serve with caramel. I just buy the jar of caramel sauce from the store and warm it up in the microwave. Some people make homemade caramel dip but honestly, the Smucker’s stuff works perfectly fine and I’m not trying to be a hero here.
What to Serve With These Fall Air Fryer Apple Recipe
These are perfect as a snack obviously. But they’re also really good as a dessert after dinner. I’ve served them at parties with multiple dipping sauces (caramel, vanilla icing, even chocolate) and people go crazy for them.
My kids like to eat them with vanilla yogurt for an after-school snack. Technically healthier than actual fries? I’m gonna say yes and not think about it too hard.
Also amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Just saying.
Why This Healthy Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe Works
Okay so “healthy” is relative here because we’re coating them in sugar and graham crackers. BUT they’re air fried instead of deep fried, so that’s something. And they’re made with actual fruit. That counts for something in my book.
My 7-year-old who normally picks out every piece of fruit from her lunchbox literally asks for these. She calls them “apple french fries” and I’m not correcting her because at least she’s eating apples voluntarily.
These are also way cheaper than buying them at an amusement park. I can make like 30 apple fries for the price of one serving at Legoland. The air fryer basically paid for itself just with this recipe.
The Honest Truth About This Quick Air Fryer Apple Fries Recipe
Are these as fast as the title “5 minute air fryer apple fries” that you see online? No. Because those recipes are lying. Between prep time and cooking in batches, this takes about 30 minutes start to finish. Still quick, just not 5 minutes.
But are they worth it? Absolutely yes. They taste like fall and happiness and that one time you went to an amusement park and had the best snack ever.
The coating gets crispy and slightly caramelized. The apple inside stays tender and juicy. The cinnamon sugar adds that perfect sweetness without being overwhelming. They’re just… really, really good.
Make these this weekend. Your family will love you. Your house will smell amazing. And you’ll feel like you accomplished something because you made a thing that actually turned out well.
Let me know how yours turn out! And if you try any different apple varieties, tell me which ones work best because I’m always experimenting. 🍎✨
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