Air Fryer Apple Fries Cinnamon

Turning crisp tart apples into sweet golden fries is a game changer for dessert or snack time. These Air Fryer Apple Fries are the definition of fun comfort food with cinnamon sugar coating and a dreamy vanilla icing dip. All you need are simple pantry staples plus the right apples. Whether I am making these for a party or an after school treat they disappear faster than I can restock the bowl.

The first time I made these I was looking for a sweet bite without a long oven wait. My kids were circling the air fryer and tasted them piping hot sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Now it has become a weekend tradition they look forward to every fall.

Ingredients

• Granny Smith apples: Choose firm apples with vibrant green skins and no bruises These hold up best for frying and give a tangy balance to the sweetness
• All purpose flour: Go for unbleached flour for a cleaner taste and better texture in the batter
• Apple pie spice: Provides a warm blend of cinnamon nutmeg and allspice you can make your own or buy premixed for convenience
• Eggs: Fresh large eggs act as the binding agent so your coating sticks for maximum crunch
• Cinnamon sugar: Use a fine grain sugar mix so it sticks instantly to the fries while hot
• Cooking spray or oil spray: Ensures frying crispness without excess oil use a high smoke point spray such as canola
• Confectioners sugar: For the icing dip sift it if clumpy for the smoothest glaze
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla really elevates the dip and rounds out the sweetness
• Whole milk: Adds creaminess to the glaze start with a splash and thin as needed

Instructions

Prepare the Apples:

Peel the Granny Smith apples with a vegetable peeler then slice them into fry like strips using a sharp chef knife or fry cutter Uniform size ensures even air frying

Mix the Dry Ingredients:

Whisk all purpose flour and apple pie spice in a small bowl Blend thoroughly so every fry gets seasoned well

Whisk the Eggs:

Beat the eggs in a wide bowl until completely smooth This helps the breading stick in the next step

Coat the Apple Fries:

Toss apple strips into the flour spice blend making sure every piece is coated Shake off excess flour Dip each strip into the whisked eggs then back into the flour mixture for a second coat Tap gently to remove loose flour

Prepare for Air Frying:

Line a wire rack with parchment and set the coated fries on top This will keep your counter tidy while you work in batches

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Start your air fryer preheating to three twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit This ensures instant sizzle and crispness

Arrange and Spray Fries:

Spray the air fryer basket liberally with cooking oil Place apple fries in a single layer and spray their tops to encourage browning

Air Fry the Fries:

Cook for five minutes then flip and spray again Cook another five minutes until golden hued and crispy edges form

Sugar the Fries:

Move fries straight from the air fryer onto a cooling rack then immediately dust with cinnamon sugar so it clings

Cook Remaining Batches:

Repeat the air frying and sugaring with any leftover strips Keeping the sugar ready lets you coat quickly while fries are piping hot

Prepare the Vanilla Glaze Dip:

Mix confectioners sugar vanilla extract and milk in a bowl Whisk until thick but pourable Adjust milk for the smoothness you like

Serve:

Serve apple fries fresh and warm either with the vanilla glaze as a dip or drizzled over top for extra decadence

I absolutely love how the apple pie spice transforms plain flour into a warm aromatic wrap for each fry. Every time I pull out the air fryer my family gathers in the kitchen waiting for the cinnamon sugar cloud to fill the air and it always reminds me of autumn carnival treats.

Storage Tips

Keep leftover apple fries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day but for best texture enjoy immediately. If you want to reheat simply pop them back into the air fryer for a couple minutes to restore crispness. The vanilla glaze should be stored covered in the fridge and stirred before serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap Granny Smiths for any firm tart apple if you prefer a sweeter taste Honeycrisp or Pink Lady both work beautifully. To make these dairy free use a non dairy milk like oat or almond for the glaze. You can mix your own cinnamon sugar with two parts sugar to one part cinnamon.

Serving Suggestions

Pile these on a platter for kid parties or family movie night. They are perfect with warm caramel dip in addition to the vanilla glaze. Try dusting with powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar if you want a snowy finish.

Cultural and Seasonal Context

These apple fries echo the fairground classic but in a lighter easy to make form. Apples and cinnamon are a signal that fall has arrived and this treat is naturally festive for back to school or Halloween parties. You can decorate with colored sugars or sprinkles for extra fun.

Seasonal Adaptations

Choose apples at peak season in fall for best flavor and crunch Substitute pumpkin or chai spice for the apple pie spice for a twist Serve warm with spiced cider or vanilla ice cream for cozy vibes

Success Stories

My neighbor brought these to our last block party and everyone wanted the recipe After sharing I heard they are now the hit at two more family gatherings. Several friends have told me their picky eaters beg for these by name.

Freezer Meal Conversion

If you want to freeze these for later coat the apple fries up to the breaded step then flash freeze in a single layer Once solid move to a freezer bag and air fry straight from frozen just add two extra minutes to cook time.

Serve these apple fries fresh with plenty of glaze and enjoy every warm crisp bite. They are guaranteed to bring smiles and become your new family favorite for fall snacking.

FAQs about Recipes

→ What type of apples work best for apple fries?

Granny Smith apples are ideal thanks to their tart flavor and firm texture, holding shape during air frying.

→ Can I use another type of flour?

All purpose flour works best, but you can experiment with gluten-free or whole wheat flour for different results.

→ How do you make the apple fries extra crispy?

Double-coating in the flour-spice mixture and spraying the fries generously with oil before air frying help maximize crispiness.

→ Is there a substitute for vanilla glaze?

You can serve the fries with caramel sauce, chocolate dip, or simply enjoy them with the cinnamon sugar coating.

→ How should the fries be served?

Serve them hot and fresh for best texture, either dusted with cinnamon sugar or dipped in the silky vanilla icing.

→ Can the fries be stored and reheated?

For best results, enjoy right away, but brief reheating in the air fryer will help revive crispiness if needed.