The sweet smell of warm cinnamon and apples will fill your kitchen with nostalgic joy as you whip up these irresistible Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs. With their crispy golden crust and gooey apple pie filling, they’re everything you love about traditional apple pie made easier, faster, and crispier with the magic of an air fryer.
Perfect for dessert, brunch, or an afternoon snack, these little bombs of delight are quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear. Whether you serve them solo, with vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels both homey and indulgent.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 can (8-count) refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands)
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1 cup apple pie filling (chopped into small pieces)
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
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2 tablespoons melted butter
Directions:
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Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
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Separate the biscuit dough and flatten each piece into a disk with your fingers or a rolling pin.
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Spoon about 1 tablespoon of chopped apple pie filling into the center of each dough round.
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Carefully fold the dough over the filling and pinch the seams tightly to seal, forming a ball.
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Lightly grease the air fryer basket or line it with parchment paper.
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Place the apple pie bombs in the air fryer, seam-side down, ensuring they don’t touch. Work in batches if needed.
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Air fry for 7–9 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
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Meanwhile, combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
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Once the bombs are done, brush them with melted butter and immediately roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
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Serve warm and enjoy the gooey, crispy, apple-cinnamon goodness!
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 8 minutes | Total Time: 18 minutes
Kcal: 230 kcal per bomb | Servings: 8 bombs
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs are everything you love about traditional apple pie, wrapped up in a fun, poppable, golden package. These bite-sized treats are warm, sweet, and cinnamon-kissed, with a perfectly flaky outer layer and a gooey apple center. Made conveniently in an air fryer, they capture the essence of classic apple pie without the mess or the long bake times. Whether you’re prepping a quick dessert for guests, a cozy treat for fall evenings, or a creative way to use up leftover biscuits, these little bombs are the answer.
These sweet apple pie bombs take inspiration from old-fashioned apple pie recipes but make the process more efficient with modern kitchen tools. You don’t need a pie crust or a rolling pin just a can of biscuit dough, some cinnamon sugar, and a delicious apple filling. Pop them in the air fryer and within minutes, you’ve got golden brown pastry bites that smell like your favorite bakery. They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and just the right size to pop into your mouth with a smile.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs
There are dozens of reasons why this easy dessert has become a favorite among home cooks and food bloggers alike:
- Quick and Easy – Using store-bought biscuit dough means there’s no need to fuss with pastry making. In under 15 minutes of prep and cooking, dessert is ready.
- Minimal Clean-Up – Since the apple pie bombs are air fried, you skip greasy frying pans and oily splatter. Everything cooks evenly and crisply with just hot air.
- Customizable Flavors – Want to mix it up? You can swap the apple filling with cherry, blueberry, or even pumpkin for a seasonal twist.
- Kid-Friendly – These little apple bites are perfect for small hands and make a fun after-school snack or lunchbox treat. Kids also love helping shape and roll them.
- Perfect for Entertaining – Serve a platter of warm apple pie bombs at your next gathering, dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with caramel. They’ll be gone before you know it.
The Secret Behind the Magic: Biscuit Dough and Air Frying
The key to this recipe’s simplicity lies in the use of refrigerated biscuit dough. Pre-made doughs are easy to work with, reliable, and bake into perfectly fluffy textures. When flattened, filled, and sealed properly, each dough ball crisps up in the air fryer to form a pocket of caramelized apple delight.
Air fryers create an ideal baking environment. Unlike deep frying, which soaks your food in oil, air fryers circulate hot air at high speeds, mimicking the effects of convection ovens. The result? Evenly cooked pastries with a crispy golden exterior and a moist interior—without the excess calories or the greasy mess.
The Filling: Classic Apple Pie Flavor in Every Bite
At the heart of these little pastry bombs is the apple pie filling. Whether you use canned filling for speed or make your own from scratch, the result is the same: juicy, tender apples spiced with cinnamon and just enough sugar to feel indulgent.
If you’re going the homemade route, Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice. Their tartness balances beautifully with the sweet cinnamon-sugar blend. A pinch of nutmeg or a splash of vanilla can add an extra layer of complexity, making each bite taste like autumn in dessert form.
Serving Ideas That Take It Up a Notch
While these treats are incredible straight out of the air fryer, you can serve them in a few ways to elevate the presentation:
- Drizzle with Caramel Sauce – A light drizzle of warm caramel adds richness and visual appeal.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar – For a snowy, elegant look and a touch of sweetness.
- Serve with Ice Cream – A scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream alongside a warm apple pie bomb creates the ultimate contrast of hot and cold.
- Dip into Whipped Cream or Vanilla Yogurt – A fun idea for parties, where guests can dip their bombs and enjoy.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
These pie bombs are best enjoyed warm and fresh, but you can prep them ahead of time too. Assemble and store them in the fridge up to a day before air frying.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore that signature crispiness. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pastry soggy.
They also freeze well! After frying, let them cool completely, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top bag. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer.
Tips for the Best Results
- Seal Them Well – Make sure to pinch the dough completely shut around the filling. Any openings can cause the filling to leak out while cooking.
- Don’t Overfill – A heaping teaspoon is usually plenty. Overstuffing can cause bursting.
- Grease the Air Fryer Basket – Lightly coat the basket with cooking spray to avoid sticking and to encourage a golden crust.
- Check Doneness – Every air fryer is different. Start checking at the lower end of the cook time range to avoid overbaking.
Popular Variations to Try
- Cheesecake Apple Pie Bombs – Add a small dollop of cream cheese with the apple filling for a rich twist.
- Pumpkin Spice Bombs – Use pumpkin puree mixed with pumpkin pie spices for a fall-friendly alternative.
- Cherry or Berry Bombs – Sub the apple filling with cherry pie filling or mixed berries for fruity variety.
- Savory Versions – Try a savory version with cream cheese and herbs or sausage and cheddar.
When to Serve Apple Pie Bombs
These treats are the perfect choice for:
- Holiday gatherings
- Fall parties
- Potlucks
- Brunch buffets
- Tea time
- Thanksgiving dessert platters
They’re versatile, easy to transport, and incredibly crowd-pleasing. Whether you serve them as a fun finger food or dress them up for a plated dessert, they’ll always deliver a “wow” factor.
Healthier Dessert Alternative
Because these bombs are air fried and not deep-fried, they’re a better-for-you alternative to traditional fried donuts or pies. Air frying reduces oil content significantly while still giving you that crave-worthy crunch. You can even swap the standard biscuit dough for a whole wheat or low-sugar variety to keep things lighter.
Conclusion: A Must-Try Dessert for Every Season
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs combine the nostalgia of classic apple pie with the convenience of modern cooking. They’re quick to make, endlessly adaptable, and loved by kids and adults alike. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet and comforting or need an easy crowd-pleaser for your next event, these pie bombs deliver.
With just a few ingredients and an air fryer, you can create a dessert that rivals any bakery treat crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside, and made with love in your own kitchen. Once you try them, they’re bound to become a recurring favorite on your dessert rotation.