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Air Fryer Apple Fries

Air fryer apple fries are golden, lightly battered apple fry-sticks coated in cinnamon sugar and cooked until crisp. Serve them hot with caramel dipping sauce for an easy churro-style apple fries dessert.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apples
  • 3 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) Peeled, cored, and cut into fry-shaped sticks.
Batter
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 0.25 tsp salt Pinch of salt.
  • 0.5 cup sparkling water or club soda Use 1/2 cup for a smooth batter.
Coating & Finish
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar For the cinnamon sugar coating.
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon For the cinnamon sugar coating.
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted For tossing the hot fries after air frying.
  • 1 caramel sauce for dipping
  • 1 cooking spray

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Preheat & make the batter
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F, so it’s ready when the fries go in. You should see the unit reach temperature before battering.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, salt, and sparkling water until a smooth batter forms. Stop when no dry flour pockets remain.
Batter and air fry
  1. Pat the apple sticks completely dry, then dip them in batter letting excess drip off. Aim for a thin, even coating on each stick.
  2. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then place battered apple sticks in a single layer. Spray the tops with cooking spray so they brown evenly.
  3. Air fry for 10-12 minutes at 380°F, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy. Look for browned edges and a set, crisp coating.
Coat & serve
  1. Immediately toss the hot fries in melted butter. The fries should look glossy right after buttering.
  2. Toss again in cinnamon sugar until evenly coated, then serve hot. Serve with caramel dipping sauce in a small cup beside them.

Notes

For crispier bites, keep the apple sticks as dry as possible before dipping. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 2 days; re-crisp in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Freezing is not recommended because the batter coating softens. For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the batter.