Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large firm apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil)
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel, core, and slice the apples into uniform 'fry' shapes, approximately 1/2-inch thick sticks, ensuring they are all similar in size for even cooking.
- Step 2: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined. Set this dry coating mixture aside.
- Step 3: In a separate large bowl, toss the apple slices with the melted butter until lightly coated, then immediately transfer the slices into the dry sugar mixture, tossing gently until every 'fry' is thoroughly coated.
- Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Place the coated apple fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding), and air fry for 10-12 minutes.
- Step 5: Halfway through the cooking time (around the 5-6 minute mark), open the basket and shake well to ensure even crisping and browning. Continue cooking until the fries are tender on the inside and caramelized/crisp on the outside.
Notes
- For best results, plan to eat these crispy fries immediately after cooking, as leftovers stored in the fridge will quickly lose their texture and become soft due to moisture.
- To revive slightly soft leftover fries, briefly reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 4 minutes until they are warmed through and the coating begins to crisp again.
- Serve these warm fries immediately alongside a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, or offer a simple cream cheese glaze or salted caramel sauce for dipping.
- The key to uniformly crisp results is ensuring all your apple sticks are cut to the exact same 1/2-inch thickness; inconsistent sizing will cause smaller fries to burn while others remain soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American