Description
Crispy Air Fryer Apple Fries are a delightful and healthier twist on traditional fries, made by coating fresh apple wedges in a cinnamon-spiced breadcrumb mixture and air frying them to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these apple fries offer a crispy exterior with a tender, sweet apple inside, enhanced by optional caramel sauce dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 2 medium apples (such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala)
Dry Coating Mixture
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or use almond flour for a gluten-free version)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for extra crispiness)
Wet Coating Mixture
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Final Coating
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (or panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (optional for extra crispiness)
Additional
- Caramel sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Wash the apples thoroughly and remove the cores using an apple corer or a knife. Cut the apples into “fries” by slicing them into 1/2-inch thick wedges, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Make the Dry Coating Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), sugar, and cornstarch until well combined to create a spiced dry coating.
- Prepare the Wet Coating: In another shallow bowl, whisk the egg and vanilla extract together until fully blended to help the coating adhere to the apple wedges.
- Prepare Breadcrumbs: Place the bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl, ready for the final coating.
- Coat the Apple Fries: Dip each apple wedge first into the dry flour mixture, coating it lightly and shaking off any excess to avoid clumps.
- Dip in Egg Mixture: Next, submerge the coated apple wedge into the egg mixture, guaranteeing the coating sticks securely to the apple.
- Roll in Breadcrumbs: Finally, roll the apple wedge in the breadcrumbs until fully coated for a crispy crust. For extra crispiness, you may lightly drizzle the coated apple fries with melted butter before cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking and a crisp finish.
- Air Fry the Apple Fries: Arrange the apple fries in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow hot air circulation. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through to achieve even golden crispness on all sides.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the crispy apple fries from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar for a delightful extra touch.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp for best texture that holds up well to air frying.
- Substituting almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs makes this recipe gluten-free.
- Lightly brushing melted butter before air frying improves crispiness but can be omitted for a lighter option.
- Cook apple fries in batches if your air fryer basket is small to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Serve immediately for optimal crispiness; leftovers can be reheated briefly in the air fryer to refresh.
