Air Fryer Apple Tart

This air fryer apple tart transforms simple ingredients into a bakery-worthy dessert right in your kitchen. The combination of flaky puff pastry and tender, caramelized apples creates a perfect balance of textures while requiring minimal effort.

I first made this tart when unexpected guests were coming over and I had zero time to prepare something impressive. The look on their faces when I served these beautiful, golden pastries made it an instant addition to my regular rotation.

Ingredients

• Puff pastry the star of the show that creates beautiful flaky layers without any fuss
• Apple I recommend Gala or Pink Lady for their perfect balance of sweetness and structure when baked
• Caramel syrup adds rich sweetness that complements the fruit beautifully
• Unsalted butter creates richness and helps the apples caramelize properly
• Honey provides natural sweetness and a gorgeous glaze on the apples
• Confectioners sugar for the finishing glaze that adds professional bakery appeal
• Heavy cream thins the glaze to the perfect consistency for drizzling
• Egg for brushing the pastry to achieve that golden brown color and shine

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F and line the tray with parchment paper. This temperature ensures the pastry rises properly while cooking the apples thoroughly.

Prepare the Pastry Base

Slightly thaw puff pastry and cut into two equal pieces. Create a border around each piece by making shallow cuts about half an inch from the edges, being careful not to cut through completely. This border will rise beautifully to contain your filling.

Create Texture

Poke small holes in the center portion with a fork or knife tip. This prevents the center from puffing up too much and creates a perfect nest for your apple slices.

Apply Egg Wash

Beat an egg with a tiny bit of water and brush all sides of the pastry. This ensures a beautiful golden color and helps the border rise and seal properly during baking.

Initial Bake

Air fry the prepared pastry for 10 minutes until it begins to puff and turn light golden. This prebaking step ensures the pastry is partially cooked before adding the moist filling.

Prepare Apples

While pastry bakes, halve the apple avoiding the core and cut into thin, even slices. The thinner the slices, the more tender they will become while baking.

Create Apple Pocket

Remove the partially baked pastry and gently press down the center portion with a wooden spatula to create a hollow area for your filling. Be gentle to avoid cracking through the bottom.

Layer Flavors

Drizzle caramel syrup in the hollow center, then arrange apple slices in an overlapping pattern. The caramel creates a moisture barrier between pastry and fruit.

Add Richness

Brush the arranged apple slices with softened butter and drizzle with honey. These ingredients will caramelize beautifully and prevent the apples from drying out.

Final Bake

Return to the air fryer for 5 to 8 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and apples are tender. Watch closely during the final minutes to prevent burning.

Glaze Preparation

While baking, mix confectioners sugar with heavy cream until completely smooth. This glaze adds the perfect finishing touch.

Finishing Touches

Allow the tarts to cool for a few minutes before drizzling with the sugar glaze. This cooling time allows the pastry to set and the glaze to adhere properly.

Save

The puff pastry is truly the magic ingredient in this recipe. I discovered that keeping it slightly cold rather than completely thawed makes creating that perfect border so much easier. My daughter now requests this as her special birthday breakfast instead of cake!

Perfect Pairings

This apple tart pairs beautifully with so many accompaniments. A scoop of vanilla ice cream creates a wonderful hot and cold contrast that enhances the flavors. For breakfast or brunch, serve with Greek yogurt drizzled with honey for a less sweet option. Even a simple cup of coffee or tea makes this tart shine as an afternoon treat.

Storage Solutions

These tarts are best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer when the pastry is at its flakiest. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day. To revive the crispness, pop back in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 350°F. Avoid refrigerating as this will make the pastry soggy.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your puff pastry becomes too warm while working with it, simply place it in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up. When creating the border, avoid cutting all the way through or your filling will leak. For a deeper caramel flavor, try browning your butter before brushing it on the apples.

Save

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use different types of apples for this tart?

Yes! While the original uses Gala and Pink Lady apples, you can experiment with other varieties. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji would all work well. Sweeter apples need less honey/caramel, while tart varieties might benefit from a bit more sweetness.

→ How do I prevent the puff pastry from getting soggy?

The key is poking holes in the center and pre-baking the pastry for 10 minutes before adding the apple filling. This creates a barrier that helps keep the pastry crisp despite the moisture from the apples.

→ Can I make this without an air fryer?

Absolutely! You can bake this in a conventional oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the apples are tender. The cooking time may vary slightly.

→ What can I substitute for the caramel syrup?

Brown sugar mixed with a tiny bit of butter makes a good substitute. Maple syrup, apple butter, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar would also work well to add sweetness and flavor.

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?

You can prepare the components ahead, but for best results, assemble and cook just before serving. Puff pastry is at its flakiest when freshly baked. If needed, you can reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp it up again.

→ What can I serve with this apple tart?

Vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing, but whipped cream, caramel sauce, or candied nuts also work beautifully. For a breakfast twist, try it with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey.