Air Fryer Apple Crisp

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Air fryer apple crisp is a deliciously easy dessert for two. Single servings of tender apples with a crisp topping will satisfy cravings for traditional apple pie without making pie crust. Best of all, this classic dessert takes less than 30 minutes when you bake it in the air fryer.

When you think of air fryer recipes, you might not think about dessert, but why not? The air fryer is really just a mini convection oven, so you can use it for baking up sweet treats as well as savory ones. My air fryer cake is a perfect example!

Air fryer apple crisp in a cast iron pan, drizzled with caramel sauce.

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Fruit crisps are one of the simplest desserts out there. I love to make this delicious dessert with whatever fruit is in season. Apple picking season is the perfect time to make an easy air fryer apple crisp, or this apple blackberry crumble. In the spring, rhubarb crisp is a great way to use the fruit of the season.

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Is it a crisp, a crumble, or a cobbler?
Why you'll love apple crisp in the air fryer
Ingredient notes
How to make it
Helpful Tips
FAQs
More apple recipes
Recipe
Comments

Is it a crisp, a crumble, or a cobbler?

Apple crumble and apple crisp are essentially the same thing, which is fruit topped with a crunchy topping and baked. The difference is that a fruit crisp has oats or nuts in the topping. A fruit crumble has the same topping, only without oats or nuts, so it's a streusel topping. However, the two names are often used interchangeably.

A cobbler, on the other hand, is a fruit dessert as well. But topped with batter or biscuit dough instead of a crumb topping and baked (like with my peach cobbler).

Air fryer apple crisp in two mini cast iron skillets on a dark grey counter top.

Why you'll love apple crisp in the air fryer

Quick and easy: This delicious apple dessert takes less than 30 minutes, so you can satisfy those cravings for a sweet treat fast.
Simple ingredients: Fresh apples, and a few pantry ingredients are all you need to make this easy apple crisp.
Small batch: This air fryer apple crisp recipe makes just two servings. Just right for two (or one for now, and one for later). It's perfect if you don't need a big pan of apple crisp that you'll be eating for a week.

Ingredient notes

Full instructions and ingredient quantities are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Apple Filling

Apples: Really you can use any kind of apples for this. But if you want to be picky, use crisp, sweet apples that hold their texture after cooking. Some of the best apples for crisps are pink lady, gala, golden delicious, fuji apples, or granny smith apples.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a tartness that balances the sweetness.
Sugar: I'm using white sugar for the apple filling. I have tested this recipe using maple syrup, and it's delicious, especially if you have very sweet apples. Brown sugar is for the crispy topping. Substitute coconut sugar if you prefer.
Cinnamon: Because you can't have an apple dessert without a pinch of ground cinnamon. It just belongs.

The ingredients for the apple crisp filling in glass bowls.

Crisp Topping

Oats: Use rolled oats, (also called old fashioned oats) for the oat topping. Don't use quick oats or steel cut oats for this recipe. Use oats that are labelled as gluten-free if that is a concern.
Flour: Use all-purpose flour, or gluten-free all purpose flour blend.
Butter: It really doesn't matter if you have salted or unsalted butter for this quick dessert recipe. Melt the butter in the microwave.

How to make it

In a medium bowl, combine the chopped apples, lemon juice, white sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Divide the apple mixture between the prepared baking dishes.
Cover the baking dishes with aluminum foil.
Air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F.

The first four steps for making the recipe.

In a small bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar and melted butter. The topping mixture should be crumbly.
Open the air fryer and remove the foil. The apples should be fork tender. Spread the oat mixture over the apples.

The final two steps for making this recipe.

Close the air fryer and air fry 5 minutes at 350° The crispy oat topping should be golden brown.
Remove the apple crisp from the air fryer and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and caramel sauce. Enjoy!

A spoon scooping out a bite from a pan of apple crisp.

Helpful Tips

Baking dishes: Any baking dishes that can go in the oven can be used in the air fryer. I am using these cute 5 inch cast iron skillets. I have made this air fryer apple crisp in 4 inch ramekins, and because the ramekins are deeper, I needed an extra 2-3 minutes cooking time before the topping goes on for the apples to become tender. Alternatively, you can use one baking dish instead of single servings. Just as long as it fits in your air fryer, it will work!
Chopped apples: Try to cut the apples into fairly uniform pieces so that they cook evenly. I cut them into ½ inch pieces. If you cut them into larger pieces, you may have to increase the cooking time.
Vegan: You can make this recipe vegan by swapping the butter for coconut oil or vegan butter.
Toppings: Apple crisp is delicious just as it is. But this dessert also loves toppings. Top warm apple crisp with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream. I love a drizzle of salted caramel sauce for a delicious caramel apple treat. Chocolate sauce or any fruit syrup are also great topping choices.
Storage: Let the apple crumbles come to room temperature before covering them with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, use the air fryer on 350°F for a few minutes.
Freezing: To freeze air fryer apple crisp, cover the baking dishes tightly with foil. Put the dishes in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer.

FAQs

Can I use more than one type of apples?

You can combine any variety of apples, just as long as they are fresh. For best results use tart, crisp varieties like golden delicious or honey crisp.

Do I have to peel the apples for apple crisp?

You don't have to peel the apples. However, I find that the texture of the apple crisp is much nicer when the apples are peeled.

Apple crisp in a black pan with a silver spoon.

More apple recipes

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4.96 from 44 votes (27 ratings without comment)