Air Fryer Apple Pie Recipe

Air Fryer Apple Pie is a delicious way to enjoy a classic homemade dessert without heating up your entire oven. With a flaky golden crust and a warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, this easy recipe is perfect for autumn evenings, holiday gatherings, or whenever you crave a comforting slice of apple pie. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert everyone will love!

The Best Homemade Air Fryer Apple Pie

There is something special about homemade apple pie. The combination of tender apples, fragrant cinnamon, buttery pastry, and a lightly sweet filling makes it a timeless favourite.

This air fryer version brings all those comforting flavours to your kitchen with less effort. You can use homemade pastry or ready-made pie crust to make preparation even easier. A small pie is ideal for couples, small families, or anyone who wants a homemade dessert without making a full-sized pie.

The air fryer circulates hot air around the pastry, helping the crust become golden and crisp. The key is to use an air fryer-safe pie dish, avoid overfilling it, and give the filling enough time to soften without burning the crust.

For the best results, choose firm apples that hold their shape during cooking and balance their natural sweetness with a little lemon juice. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar create a classic apple pie flavour.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Apple Pie Recipe

• Quick and convenient: Make a smaller apple pie without preheating a full-sized oven.
• Classic homemade flavour: Cinnamon, apples, brown sugar, and buttery pastry create a comforting dessert.
• Golden, flaky crust: The circulating hot air helps the pastry brown beautifully.
• Easy to customise: Adjust the spices, sweetness, and pastry topping to suit your taste.
• Perfect for small households: A smaller pie is ideal when you don’t need a large dessert.
• Great for special occasions: Serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, autumn gatherings, or a weekend treat.
• Flexible ingredients: Use homemade pastry or store-bought pie crust to save time.

What You’ll Need

You only need a few simple ingredients to make a delicious air fryer apple pie.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of ready-made pie pastry: Use shortcrust pastry or your favourite homemade pie dough. You may need extra pastry if making a full top crust.
• 2 medium apples: Firm apples such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Pink Lady work well.
• ¼ cup brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a rich caramel flavour.
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar: Optional, for extra sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour: Helps thicken the apple filling.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Gives the pie its classic warm flavour.
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, warming spice.
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice: Brightens the apple flavour and balances the sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter: Cut into small pieces to add richness to the filling.
• 1 egg: Beaten for an egg wash to help the top crust brown. Alternatively, use a little milk.
• A pinch of salt: Enhances the flavour of the filling.
• Optional coarse sugar: Sprinkle over the top crust for a lightly crunchy finish.

Equipment

• An air fryer
• A small, air fryer-safe pie dish that fits inside the basket
• A mixing bowl
• A sharp knife and cutting board
• A pastry brush
• A fork or small knife for cutting steam vents

Important: Check that your pie dish is heat-safe and leaves enough space for air to circulate around it. Cooking times will vary depending on your air fryer and the depth of your dish.

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Pie

Follow these simple steps to make a golden, flaky apple pie with a sweet cinnamon filling.

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Peel the apples if desired, remove the cores, and cut them into thin, evenly sized slices. You can also dice them into small pieces if you prefer a softer, more compact filling.

Place the apples in a mixing bowl. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated.

The flour helps absorb some of the juices released by the apples during cooking, reducing the chance of a watery filling.

Step 2: Prepare the Pie Crust

Lightly grease your air fryer-safe pie dish if necessary.

Roll out the pastry and gently press it into the dish, making sure it covers the base and sides. Trim any excess pastry, leaving enough to create a neat edge.

If you are using homemade pastry, handle it as little as possible to help keep it tender and flaky.

Step 3: Add the Apple Filling

Spoon the seasoned apple mixture into the pastry-lined dish. Arrange the apples evenly so they cook at a similar rate.

Dot the top of the filling with small pieces of butter. Avoid adding too much liquid from the bottom of the mixing bowl, especially if the apples have released a lot of juice.

Step 4: Add the Top Crust

For a traditional covered pie, place a second sheet of pastry over the filling. Trim the edges, then press the top and bottom crusts together to seal them.

Cut a few small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush the pastry lightly with beaten egg or milk. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.

For an open-top apple pie, simply leave the filling exposed and add a few small pieces of pastry on top if you like.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for about 3 minutes, if your model recommends preheating.

Place the prepared pie dish carefully inside the basket. Make sure the dish is stable and does not touch the heating element.

Step 6: Air Fry the Apple Pie

Cook the pie at 320°F (160°C) for approximately 25–35 minutes, depending on its size, depth, pastry thickness, and your air fryer.

Begin checking the pie after about 20 minutes. The pastry should become golden brown, and the apple filling should be tender when pierced through a steam vent or exposed area.

If the top crust browns too quickly before the apples are tender, loosely cover it with a small piece of aluminium foil if your air fryer manufacturer permits this. Secure the foil so it cannot lift into the heating element.

If the crust needs more colour, increase the temperature slightly during the final few minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Step 7: Cool Before Slicing

Carefully remove the pie from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 15–20 minutes before cutting.

The filling will be very hot straight out of the air fryer. Resting also gives the juices time to thicken, making it easier to cut neat slices.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

How Long to Bake an Air Fryer Apple Pie

The cooking time depends on the size of your pie, the type of pastry, the thickness of the apple slices, and your air fryer model.

As a general guide, a small apple pie cooked at 320°F (160°C) may take around 25–35 minutes. A very small hand pie or individual pastry pie will cook much faster, while a deep pie may need additional time.

These times are starting points rather than guarantees. Check the pastry and filling throughout cooking, and adjust as needed.

How Do You Know When Air Fryer Apple Pie Is Done?

Your apple pie is ready when:

• The pastry is golden brown and looks cooked through.
• The apples are tender when pierced with a knife.
• The filling is bubbling gently around the edges, where visible.
• The bottom crust is cooked rather than pale or doughy.

If the top crust is already golden but the apples are still firm, reduce the heat slightly and continue cooking. A deeper pie may require more time for the centre to heat through.

What are the Best Apples for Pie?

The best apples for apple pie are firm varieties that hold their shape during cooking. Apples should also have enough flavour to balance the sugar, butter, and spices.

Here are some excellent options:

Granny Smith

Granny Smith apples are tart, firm, and widely used in traditional apple pie. Their sharp flavour balances brown sugar and cinnamon, making them a great choice if you prefer a less-sweet dessert.

Honeycrisp

Honeycrisp apples have a crisp texture and a sweet-tart flavour. They work well in apple pie and provide a pleasant balance of sweetness and acidity.

Braeburn

Braeburn apples have a rich, sweet-tart flavour and generally hold their shape well. They are an excellent option for a classic pie filling.

Pink Lady

Pink Lady apples offer a refreshing balance of sweetness and tartness. Their firm texture makes them suitable for baked desserts.

Jonagold

Jonagold apples have a sweet, slightly tangy flavour. They are especially good when you want a fragrant, naturally sweet filling.

Should You Mix Different Apples?

Absolutely! Combining two apple varieties can create a more interesting filling. Try Granny Smith with Honeycrisp or Braeburn with Pink Lady for a balance of tartness, sweetness, and texture.

Avoid using apples that become very soft and mushy during cooking if you want distinct slices in your pie.

Common Questions

Can you put apple pie in an air fryer?

Yes! You can bake apple pie in an air fryer as long as you use a suitable, heat-safe dish that fits inside the basket. The air fryer circulates hot air around the pastry, helping it cook and brown.

Do I need to pre-cook the apples?

Not necessarily. Thinly sliced apples can cook directly in the pie, especially when making a small pie. Slice them evenly and allow enough cooking time for the centre to become tender.

For a deeper pie or if you prefer very soft apples, you can briefly cook the filling in a saucepan before assembling the pie.

Can I use store-bought pie crust?

Yes. Ready-made pie pastry is a convenient option and works well in the air fryer. Follow the package instructions where relevant, and check the pie early because different pastry brands brown at different rates.

Can I use puff pastry instead of pie crust?

Yes, but the result will be different. Puff pastry creates a lighter, layered crust, while traditional pie pastry gives you a more classic apple pie texture. Puff pastry may cook faster, so monitor it closely.

Why is my apple pie crust browning too quickly?

Air fryers can brown the top quickly because the heating element is close to the food. Try lowering the temperature, checking the pie more frequently, and loosely covering the top with secured foil if permitted by your appliance’s instructions.

Why is my apple pie filling watery?

Apples release moisture as they cook. Tossing them with flour helps thicken the juices. You can also avoid adding excess liquid from the mixing bowl and allow the pie to rest before slicing.

Can I make apple pie without peeling the apples?

Yes. Apple peels are edible, and leaving them on saves preparation time. However, the filling may have a slightly firmer texture. Peel the apples if you prefer a softer, more traditional filling.

Can I make individual apple pies in the air fryer?

Yes. Cut the pastry into smaller rounds or rectangles, add a spoonful of filling, seal the edges, and cut a small steam vent in each pie. Because they are smaller, individual pies will cook faster than a full pie.

Can I use frozen apples?

Yes, but frozen apples can release more moisture. Thaw and drain them before mixing with the other filling ingredients, or adjust the thickener as needed. The texture may be softer than when using fresh apples.

Tips and Variations

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Apple Pie

• Slice apples evenly: Uniform slices cook more consistently.
• Avoid overfilling: Too much filling can spill over and make the crust difficult to seal.
• Use a thickener: Flour helps the apple juices form a thicker filling.
• Vent the top crust: Steam vents help prevent excess moisture from collecting inside the pie.
• Check the bottom crust: A golden top does not always mean the base is fully cooked.
• Rotate if necessary: If your air fryer browns unevenly, carefully rotate the dish partway through cooking, provided it is safe to do so.
• Let it rest: Allowing the pie to cool slightly helps the filling set and makes slicing easier.

Caramel Apple Pie

Add a tablespoon of caramel sauce to the apple filling before baking, or drizzle caramel over each slice before serving. Avoid adding too much liquid, as it can make the filling runny.

Apple Crumble Pie

Skip the top pastry crust and sprinkle a crumble mixture over the apples. Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter until crumbly, then scatter it over the filling. Check the topping frequently so it does not brown too quickly.

Apple and Cranberry Pie

Add a small handful of dried cranberries to the apple filling for a sweet-tart twist. This variation is especially delicious during the holiday season.

Maple Cinnamon Apple Pie

Replace some of the brown sugar with a small amount of maple syrup. Because maple syrup adds liquid, use it sparingly and ensure the filling has enough thickener.

Mini Air Fryer Apple Pies

Use small pastry rounds, add a little filling, fold over, and crimp the edges with a fork. Cook at around 350°F (175°C) for 8–15 minutes, checking early for golden pastry and tender apples.

Apple Pie with a Lattice Crust

Cut the top pastry into strips and weave them over the filling. A lattice crust looks attractive and allows steam to escape. Arrange the strips carefully, leaving enough space between them for even cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer apple pie is delicious on its own, but the right topping can make it feel extra special.

• Vanilla ice cream: The cold, creamy ice cream melts over the warm cinnamon apples.
• Whipped cream: Add a generous spoonful just before serving.
• Caramel sauce: Drizzle over the pie for a rich, sweet finish.
• Custard: Serve with warm vanilla custard for a comforting dessert.
• Greek yoghurt: Choose plain or lightly sweetened yoghurt for a tangy contrast.
• Chopped nuts: Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts over the top for crunch.
• Powdered sugar: Dust lightly over the crust for a simple presentation.
• Hot drinks: Pair a slice with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

For a cosy autumn dessert, serve warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream and a little cinnamon sprinkled over the top. For a holiday table, add caramel sauce and chopped pecans.

What are the Best Apples for Air Fryer Apple Pie?

For a classic apple pie, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady are all excellent choices. They offer a good balance of flavour and firmness, helping the filling stay delicious rather than turning completely mushy.

If you enjoy a tart apple pie, choose Granny Smith apples. For a sweeter filling, try Honeycrisp or Pink Lady. Braeburn is a great all-rounder with a sweet-tart flavour.

You can also combine varieties to achieve your preferred taste. For example, Granny Smith adds tartness while Honeycrisp brings sweetness. This combination creates a balanced filling that pairs beautifully with brown sugar, cinnamon, and buttery pastry.

Whatever variety you choose, select firm apples without bruises and slice them evenly. This will help the filling cook consistently in the air fryer.

How to Store Apple Pie

Allow your air fryer apple pie to cool before storing it. Do not leave it at room temperature for an extended period.

At Room Temperature

For food safety, refrigerate homemade apple pie within 2 hours of baking. If your pie contains custard, cream, or another perishable filling, it must be refrigerated promptly. Although some plain fruit pies can be stored at room temperature under certain conditions, refrigeration is a practical choice for this recipe.

In the Refrigerator

Once cooled, cover the pie or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days.

For the best texture, reheat individual slices in the air fryer at 300–320°F (150–160°C) for 3–6 minutes, checking frequently. The pastry should become warm and crisp without burning.

In the Freezer

Apple pie can be frozen for longer storage. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in freezer-safe wrapping or place it in a suitable airtight container. Freeze for up to about 3 months for the best quality.

Thaw the pie in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat suitable portions from frozen at a lower temperature for longer, checking that the centre is thoroughly heated.

Can You Make Air Fryer Apple Pie Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can prepare the apple filling in advance and refrigerate it in a covered container for up to a day. For the best pastry texture, assemble and bake the pie close to serving time.

You can also assemble the pie ahead of time and refrigerate it briefly before cooking, provided your pastry and filling have been handled safely. Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if the pie is cold, and check that the apples are tender and the pastry is fully cooked.

Homemade air fryer apple pie is best enjoyed warm, with a flaky crust and a tender cinnamon-apple filling. With a few simple ingredients and the right cooking time, you can enjoy this classic dessert any day of the week.

Air Fryer Apple Pie

Print Recipe

Air fryer apple pie is cooked to perfection. This favorite recipe is just waiting to be served warm, and topped with vanilla ice cream.

• Author: Julia
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box Pre Made Pie Crusts (2 crusts)
• 1 21 ounce Canned Apple Pie Filling
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter melted
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

Instructions

• To begin, unfold the pie crust. Use a rolling pin to flatten it out if necessary.
• Place one pie crust circle into the bottom of the pie plate, lightly pressing it down. Then, pour the apple filling over the crust, and spread it evenly.

• Top with the second crust and trim excess edges. Cut a few slits in the top of the pie to release steam while it’s cooking.
• In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter, then brush the top of the crust with the melted butter. You can also use an egg wash to help the pie turn golden while it’s cooking.
• Combine the sugar and cinnamon together, and sprinkle a dash of the cinnamon sugar on top and place in the air fryer basket. Use the air fry feature and cook at 320 degrees F for about 18-23 minutes. The pie crust should be golden brown on top, and cooked on the bottom.
• Once it is done cooking, you can sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar, white sugar, powdered sugar, or another dash of the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
• Serve chilled or warm, topped with ice cream or whipping cream.

Notes

• To keep the edges of the crust together, you can brush the edges with water, and that helps them stick together.
• If you have a sweet tooth for desserts, you can serve a slice of this cooked apple pie with vanilla ice cream, paired with an optional cup of coffee.
• You don’t have to sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the pie, but I think it just gives it a bakery finished look.