Go Back

Air Fryer Cinnamon Apple Rings

Air Fryer Cinnamon Apple Rings are caramelized apple rings tossed in a cinnamon-sugar butter coating and air-fried until golden with crispy edges. Serve them right away with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce for a warm, ring-shaped dessert.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apples
  • 3 large apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji) cored and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp vanilla extract
  • vanilla ice cream for serving
  • caramel sauce for serving

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Method
 

Make the cinnamon butter coating
  1. Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until smooth and evenly combined. The mixture should look thick and glossy like a cinnamon butter glaze.
Coat the apple rings
  1. Toss the apple rings in the cinnamon butter coating until each ring is well covered. Make sure the coating reaches the edges and any ring center openings.
Air fry the rings
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380F. Let it fully heat before cooking for better caramelization.
Cook in a single layer
  1. Arrange the rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches so the rings aren’t crowded and can crisp at the edges.
Air fry until golden
  1. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and caramelized. Watch for deep golden color and bubbling caramel tones on the surface.
Serve immediately
  1. Serve the warm apple rings immediately with vanilla ice cream and caramel dipping sauce. Add the caramel at the table so the rings stay crisp.

Notes

For best crispness, slice apples into true 1/2-inch rings and keep them in a single layer (batch if needed). Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 2 days, then reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 3-4 minutes to re-crisp. Freezing isn’t recommended because the ring texture softens after thawing. For a dairy-free swap, use a plant-based butter substitute in place of the unsalted butter.