Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries: A Modern, Healthy Twist on a Classic Dessert Treat

Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries

Introduction

If you’re looking to satisfy your craving for something sweet and crunchy without the oil and calories of traditional desserts, these Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries are a must-try. Think classic apple pie flavors in a fun, finger-food form! Perfect as an after-school snack, a healthier dessert, or a party treat, these golden apple fries deliver irresistible flavor with easy prep and cleanup.

Deliciously Unique Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries

What truly sets these apple fries apart is their perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and crunch—all in bite-sized pieces. Thanks to the air fryer, they get a gorgeously crispy coating while the inside remains tender and juicy. This simple treat offers the nostalgic taste of homemade apple pie in a fraction of the time and with a modern, healthy twist.

Preparing the Perfect Apple Fry Coating

For flavorful, crunchy apple fries, the key is a double dip: a light egg wash followed by a cinnamon-sugar panko crumb mixture. The egg helps the coating stick and ensures it crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, while the panko and cinnamon-sugar mixture provides that addictively crunchy shell. For maximum flavor, let the coated apples rest for a couple of minutes before air frying—this helps the crust adhere even better.

Assembling Your Air Fryer Apple Fries

Once your apple slices are coated, arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Don’t crowd the basket—work in batches if needed. Air fry until the fries are golden and crispy, then serve warm with a dusting of additional cinnamon sugar or a dip of your choice (caramel, vanilla yogurt, or a simple honey drizzle are all excellent choices).

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Air Fryer Apple Fries

These fries make a playful, crowd-pleasing dessert on their own, but you can also amp them up for a special occasion. Serve them alongside a small bowl of caramel sauce or whipped cream for dipping, or as part of a “build-your-own” fruit dessert spread. For a more decadent treat, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 servings of crispy apple fries. Each serving contains about 150-170 calories (depending on your choice of dip). Since they’re air-fried and use minimal added fat, these fries offer a lighter dessert or snack option.

Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries (Recap)

Enjoy the comforting flavor of classic apple desserts in a quick, easy, and healthy format. These air fryer apple fries are quick to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and perfectly sweet and crisp—ideal for any time you’re after a fun, fruity treat!

Ingredients

2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well), peeled and sliced into fries
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Non-stick cooking spray
Optional: caramel sauce or vanilla yogurt for dipping

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Peel apples and slice them into evenly sized fries (about 1/2-inch thick).
  2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Place the flour in a separate shallow bowl.
  3. In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
  4. Dip each apple slice first into the flour (shaking off excess), then into the egg mixture, and finally into the cinnamon panko mixture, pressing gently to coat well.
  5. Arrange coated apple fries in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Work in batches if necessary.
  6. Lightly spray the apple fries with non-stick cooking spray.
  7. Air fry at 380°F for 6–8 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping once halfway through cooking.
  8. Let cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy on their own or with your choice of dip.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a great addition to your weekly meal rotation, especially for healthy snacks or light desserts. Save and schedule this recipe to efficiently plan which days to prepare apple fries and generate smart shopping lists that combine ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
  • Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections for easier trips
  • Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
  • Makes weekly meal prep quick and intentional

Pro tip: When scheduling snacks and desserts for the week, add all your recipes to see how ingredients like eggs or cinnamon overlap, streamlining your shopping and reducing waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes

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