Air Fryer Peaches – The Big Man’s World ®

My air fryer peaches remind me so much of grilled peaches, but faster, sweeter, and without all the fuss. They turn out perfectly tender with caramelized edges while still holding their shape. 

Grilled peaches are one of my favorite desserts, but they’ve always felt like a ‘grill-only’ recipe to me. Every time I considered making them in the air fryer, I pictured a basket full of peach mush (lovely).

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Ripe but still-firm peaches air fry beautifully, becoming soft and juicy in the middle while caramelized around the edges. After devouring batch after batch, I can confidently say this is my new favorite way to make them- so much so that my partner and I freeze peach halves so we can enjoy them year-round!

Arman’s tips before starting

Start with peaches cut-side up. Through testing, I found this helps it caramelize faster and develop a sweeter flavor by trapping the juices in the base.

Line the basket for easier cleanup. Peaches can sometimes release juice as they cook. I like using parchment paper or foil to catch drips and prevent sticking without affecting the cooking process.

Use brown sugar if possible. I tested both brown and white sugar, and brown sugar consistently caramelized better. The subtle molasses flavor also pairs beautifully with the peaches.

Don’t overcrowd the basket. Each peach half needs room for the hot air to circulate. If they’re touching, they’ll steam instead of caramelize. My Phillips XXL comfortably fits four peach halves, but smaller air fryers may require cooking in batches. 

Key Ingredients

Here’s what goes into air fryer peaches, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.

• Peaches. Use ripe peaches that still feel slightly firm to the touch. Overripe peaches can be too soft during air frying. I’ve tested both yellow and white peaches, and both work well.
• Brown sugar. Light or dark brown sugar is fine.
• Butter. A little melted butter helps the peaches caramelize and prevents the topping from drying out.
• Cinnamon and vanilla. My favorite flavor combination with peaches. The cinnamon adds warmth, while vanilla enhances the fruit’s natural sweetness.
• Salt. Just a pinch helps balance the sweetness and brings out the peach flavor.
• To serve. I love a mix of Greek yogurt, honey, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1- Mix. In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.

Step 2- Glaze. Add the peach halves to the air fryer basket and brush each one with the brown sugar/butter glaze.

Step 3- Air fry for 8 minutes, or until golden.

Step 4- Serve. Remove the peach halves from the air fryer and serve with yogurt, ice cream, or a drizzle of honey.