Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs Recipe
You know that moment when you want dessert but don’t want to spend two hours in the kitchen? Yeah, that’s exactly why I started making these Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs. They’re basically all the goodness of apple pie wrapped up in bite-sized perfection, and they cook in like 10 minutes. I made these for a party once, and people literally asked if I’d been secretly attending culinary school. Nope—just got an air fryer and some common sense. 🙂
These little bombs of joy will change your dessert game forever, and I’m not being dramatic.
What Makes Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs So Addictive
Okay, real talk—regular apple pie is amazing but also kind of a commitment. You need a pie crust, filling, proper baking time, and the patience of a saint. Apple pie bombs? You wrap some biscuit dough around spiced apples, toss them in the air fryer, and boom—instant gratification.
The air fryer creates this perfectly crispy, golden exterior while keeping the inside warm and gooey. The apples get tender and sweet, the cinnamon sugar coating adds crunch, and honestly, it’s dangerous how easy these are to eat. I’ve demolished half a batch before they even cooled down.
Why you’ll love these:
- Ready in under 20 minutes total
- Uses store-bought dough (no judgment here)
- Perfect portion control (or lack thereof—your call)
- Way less messy than traditional pie
- Kids go absolutely nuts for them
Ever wonder why something so simple can taste so incredible? It’s because we’re not overthinking it.
Ingredients That Won’t Break the Bank
Listen, I’m all about fancy ingredients when they matter, but these apple pie bombs work perfectly with basic grocery store staples. No need to hunt down heirloom apples or artisanal butter.
For the Bombs:
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8 count, the flaky kind works best)
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are my favorites)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
Optional but Awesome:
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Vanilla ice cream (because why not?)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
FYI, I usually keep canned biscuit dough in my fridge specifically for these. They’ve saved me during impromptu guest visits more times than I can count.
Step-by-Step Instructions (Even Your Teenager Could Follow)
Prep Your Apples
Peel and dice your apples into small cubes—about 1/2 inch pieces work perfectly. You want them small enough to fit inside the biscuit dough but big enough to actually taste like apple and not mush.
Toss those apple chunks in a bowl with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix it all and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This helps release some of the apple juices and gets all those flavors mingling. The lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and adds a nice brightness that cuts the sweetness.
Prep Your Dough
Pop open that biscuit can (you know, the satisfying pop that always makes you jump a little). Separate the biscuits and flatten each one into a circle about 4-5 inches across. I just use my hands—no need for a rolling pin unless you’re feeling fancy.
Don’t make them too thin, or they’ll tear when you stuff them. Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness. Think of it like making a little dough pocket.
Stuff and Seal
Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the apple mixture in the center of each flattened biscuit. Don’t overstuff—I learned this the hard way when my first batch exploded in the air fryer. Not a cute look. :/
Fold the edges up and pinch them together, making sure you seal it completely. Roll it gently between your palms to create a ball shape. The seam should disappear as you roll. If you’ve got gaps, just pinch and seal them—these bombs need to be airtight.
Prep for the Air Fryer
Brush each bomb with melted butter. This isn’t optional—the butter helps them brown beautifully and creates that bakery-style golden crust. I use a pastry brush, but honestly, you can just drizzle and spread it with your fingers.
Mix your cinnamon and sugar coating in a shallow bowl. Roll each buttered bomb in this mixture until it’s completely coated. The combo of butter and cinnamon sugar is what gives you that irresistible crispy coating that shatters when you bite into it.
Air Fry These Bad Boys
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper (the kind with holes for air circulation).
Place your bombs in the basket with some space between them—don’t let them touch. Air needs to flow around each one for even cooking. Depending on your air fryer size, you might need to work in batches.
Cook for 8-10 minutes, checking at the 8-minute mark. You want them golden brown and crispy on the outside. If they need more time, add another minute or two. Every air fryer is slightly different, so keep an eye on them the first time you make these.
Finishing Touch
Let them cool for about 2-3 minutes before serving. I know it’s torture to wait, but that filling is molten lava straight out of the air fryer. Trust me—I’ve burned my tongue enough times to learn this lesson.
Drizzle with caramel sauce, dust with powdered sugar, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. IMO, the ice cream is non-negotiable, but you do you.
Pro Tips from Someone Who’s Made These Probably 50 Times
Use tart apples. Granny Smith apples are perfect because they hold their shape and provide a nice contrast to the sweet coating. Honeycrisp works too if you want something a bit sweeter. Avoid Red Delicious—they turn to mush and taste like sadness.
Don’t skip the sealing step. Seriously, seal those edges like your life depends on it. Any gaps and you’ll have apple filling leaking everywhere, creating a sticky mess in your air fryer basket.
Make extra cinnamon sugar. You’ll want more for sprinkling on top after they’re done. It’s never enough. I usually double the coating mixture because I like to be generous.
Try different fillings. Once you master the apple version, experiment with cherry pie filling, Nutella and banana, or even cream cheese and strawberry. The technique stays the same—just swap the filling.
Reheat them in the air fryer. If you have leftovers (big if), reheat them at 300°F for 3-4 minutes. They crisp right back up. Microwaving makes them soggy, and nobody wants that.
What Makes These Better Than Store-Bought
Look, I’ve bought those frozen apple pies from the grocery store. They’re fine in a pinch, but they taste like cardboard compared to homemade apple pie bombs. The texture is always off—either too soggy or weirdly dry.
These bombs give you fresh apple flavor, customizable sweetness, and that crispy-gooey contrast that frozen stuff just can’t match. Plus, you control the ingredients. No weird preservatives or mystery additives—just apples, dough, and sugar.
The cost difference is minimal, too. A can of biscuits and a couple of apples cost maybe $4-5 total, and you get 8 servings. Those fancy frozen desserts run $8-10 and taste like freezer burn. Easy choice.
Common Mistakes You’ll Want to Avoid
Overstuffing the bombs. More filling seems like a good idea until it’s oozing out everywhere and your bombs are falling apart. Less is more—you can always make more bombs.
Not preheating the air fryer. This step matters. Cold starts lead to uneven cooking and pale, doughy exteriors. Three minutes of preheating saves you from disappointment.
Crowding the basket. I get it—you want them all done at once. But cramming 8 bombs into a basket meant for 4 gives you steamed dough bombs instead of crispy perfection. Be patient and work in batches.
Using the wrong dough. The flaky layered biscuits work way better than the homestyle or buttermilk ones. They create more of that crispy, pie-crust texture we’re going for.
Forgetting to check the seal. Before air frying, give each bomb a once-over. Any weak spots? Seal them up. An ounce of prevention, you know?
Variations to Keep Things Interesting
Once you nail the basic recipe, switch things up:
Caramel Apple Bombs: Add a small cube of caramel candy inside with the apples. Mind-blowing.
Spiced Chai Version: Mix in some cardamom, ginger, and cloves with your cinnamon for a chai-spiced twist.
Maple Pecan: Toss some chopped pecans with the apples and drizzle with maple syrup instead of caramel.
Cranberry Apple: Add dried cranberries to the apple mixture for a tart kick. Perfect for fall.
The basic technique works with almost any fruit filling you can dream up. Get creative and make them your own.
Why Your Air Fryer Is Perfect for This
Traditional oven-baked versions of these take forever to heat up and cook. We’re talking 20-30 minutes total. The air fryer cuts that time in half and gives you better, crispier results with way less energy.
The rapid air circulation creates an even golden crust that’s honestly better than baking. No hot spots, no burnt bottoms, no soggy middles. Just consistent, beautiful results every single time.
Plus, you’re not heating your entire kitchen. In summer, this matters. I’ve made these in July without breaking a sweat—try that with a conventional oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are air fryer apple pie bombs made of?
Apple pie bombs are made with biscuit dough, apple pie filling, cinnamon, and sugar. They’re air fried until golden and crisp.
Q2. How long do apple pie bombs take in the air fryer?
They usually cook in 7–9 minutes at 180°C (360°F). Cooking time may vary by air fryer model.
Q3. How do I keep apple pie bombs from leaking?
Seal the dough edges tightly and don’t overfill. Pinching and rolling the seams helps prevent leaks.
Q4. Can I use homemade apple filling for pie bombs?
Yes, homemade apple filling works great. Just make sure it’s thick and not too watery.
Q5. Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating helps apple pie bombs cook evenly and get crispy. A few minutes is enough.
Q6. Can I store or reheat apple pie bombs?
Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer to keep them crisp.
Final Word on Apple Pie Bombs
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs are the dessert hack you didn’t know you needed. They’re quick, delicious, and impressive enough to serve to guests but easy enough for a random Tuesday night sweet tooth situation. I’ve converted so many people to the air fryer life with this recipe alone.
The combination of flaky dough, spiced apples, and crispy cinnamon sugar coating hits every dessert note you could want. Texture? Check. Flavor? Absolutely. Convenience? You bet. It’s the trifecta of dessert perfection.
Whether you’re making these for a party, a family dinner, or just yourself at 10 PM on a Wednesday (no judgment), they deliver. The best part? Once you get the technique down, you can pump these out in your sleep. They’re that straightforward.
So grab your air fryer, hit up the grocery store, and get ready to become everyone’s favorite person. These apple pie bombs are about to become your signature move, and honestly? You deserve the credit. Happy cooking! 🙂
