These easy Air Fryer Apple Muffins are soft, fluffy, and full of cozy cinnamon spice. Packed with fresh apple chunks, they use a wholesome touch with a significantly lower amount of sugar (just 50g!), and they cook beautifully in your Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer, making them a convenient option when you want freshly baked muffins without turning on the oven.
The batter comes together quickly by hand. Air frying gives the muffins beautifully baked tops while the fresh diced apples keep the centre perfectly soft and moist. Made without the heavy sugary crumb topping for a lighter, everyday bake, they are ideal for breakfast, an afternoon snack, lunchboxes, or a simple weekend treat, and the individual muffins are easy to store or freeze for later.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Made with fresh diced apples for the perfect texture
✔ Lower in sugar (just 50g in the whole batch!) for a healthier treat
✔ No sugary crumb topping required
✔ Spiced perfectly with warm cinnamon
✔ No oven needed
✔ Soft and moist inside with beautifully baked tops
✔ Ready in just 20 minutes in the air fryer
Air Fryer Apple Muffins
Course: Dessert, Breakfast, SnacksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy9
servings20
minutes18
minutesIngredients
- Dry ingredients
240 g all-purpose flour (2 cups)
1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
- Wet ingredients
113 g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (or 110 ml olive oil)
50 g sugar
60 ml milk (¼ cup)
2 large eggs, room temperature
- Mix-Ins
220 g diced apple (about 2 medium firm apples, peeled and cored)
Directions
- Prepare the Air Fryer Set your air fryer to the Bake mode at 170°C (340°F). If your particular model requires preheating, let it warm up for about 3 minutes. Arrange muffin liners in an air-fryer-safe muffin pan or silicone muffin cups. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as the hot air needs room to circulate around the muffins.
- Prepare the Apples Peel, core, and dice the apples into small chunks. For the best texture, keep the pieces small so they soften perfectly during the quick air fryer cooking time.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients Add the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk briefly until everything is evenly distributed. Toss the diced apples into the flour mixture and stir until they are well coated. (This is a handy trick to prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom of the muffins!)
- Prepare the Wet Mixture In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter (or oil), sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine the Batter Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and apples. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together just until the flour has disappeared. The batter will be quite thick, which is exactly what you want to keep the apples suspended. Do not overmix the batter.
- Fill the Muffin Cups Divide the batter between the muffin liners, filling them almost all the way to the top.
- Air Fry Place the muffins carefully into the air fryer. Air fry on the Bake setting at 170°C (340°F) for 20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If your air fryer is small, cook the muffins in batches.
- Cool Allow the muffins to rest for 5 minutes before carefully removing them from the muffin cups. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Cooking Instructions
Recommended Method: Air Fryer (Bake Mode)
Temperature: 170°C (340°F)
Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 9 muffins - Best Apples for Baking Firm baking apples work best for this recipe so they hold their shape without turning to mush. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are all fantastic options.
Storage Allow the muffins to cool completely before storing them. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place the cooled muffins in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the muffins for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to peel the apples? It is highly recommended! Peeling the apples ensures a much softer, melt-in-your-mouth texture inside the muffin. Apple skins can become a bit tough and separate from the fruit when baked.
Why did my muffins turn out dense? The most common reasons are overmixing the batter or measuring too much flour. Mix just until the dry ingredients disappear into the wet ingredients.
Can I add nuts to this recipe? Absolutely! Feel free to gently fold in 50-80 g of chopped walnuts or pecans at the same time you combine the wet and dry ingredients.
Final Thoughts
These Air Fryer Apple Muffins are a fantastic, lower-sugar option that brings the flavors of autumn straight into your kitchen. Skipping the traditional heavy crumb topping makes them the perfect light and fluffy everyday snack. Enjoy them warm from your Cosori air fryer with a cup of coffee or tea!
