Easy Air Fryer Apple Crisp

Name: Air Fryer Apple Crisp
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 cups chopped apples; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons brandy; 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 1/4 cup flour; 1/4 cup rolled oats; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 4 tablespoons salted butter (cold, cut in small pieces); 1/8 cup pecans (finely chopped)

816 Shares

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

This air fryer apple crisp recipe is made with fresh apples sauteed in a rich, nutty brown butter, topped with a buttery brown sugar, oat and pecan topping, then cooked in the air fryer until crisp and bubbly. It's incredibly easy to make and the ultimate "impress your guests" dessert with many 5 star ratings!

a plate of apple crisp with whipped cream and a spoon.

This delicious air fryer apple crisp might just be my all time favorite dessert. It might just be the best baked apple dessert ever.

Not only is it amazingly sweet and buttery, it's ultra easy to make right in the air fryer without having to touch the oven! It's essentially a one-pot dessert.

And this great recipe is super handy during this hectic holiday months where you may be using your oven and stovetop more than ever and just don't have space for ANOTHER dish.

Jump to:

What's the difference between apple crisp and air fryer apple crumble?
More classic Fall desserts (and recipes using apples)
Why this air fryer apple crisp recipe works
Ingredients to make this air fryer dessert
Step by step instructions
How to make the crispy oat topping
Expert tips to make apple crisp in the air fryer
Frequently asked questions
More air fryer recipes
📖 recipe
Recipe
💬 Comments

What's the difference between apple crisp and air fryer apple crumble?

Apple crisp and apple crumble are both incredibly delicious, classic Fall desserts. A crumble topping typically does not have nuts or oats in it and is not a crisp as as crisp topping. A crumble is typically made strictly with flour, butter and sugar.

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Went Here 8 This.

More classic Fall desserts (and recipes using apples)

Why this air fryer apple crisp recipe works

A generous amount of the crunchy topping mixture ensures you aren't stuck with too many apples, not enough topping (because seriously, the topping is the best part right?).
It's perfect for making ahead and bringing to a dinner or potluck - just reheat and serve!
The air fryer makes this homemade apple crisp super simple, and also allows you to free up oven space for cooking other dishes (especially important during the holiday season).
The flavor is like a traditional apple pie with tender apples, without any of the hassle of making pie crust - just a simple crispy streusel topping that is droolworthy.
You can make individual desserts which is perfect for dinner parties or holiday parties. And great for portion control!

Ingredients to make this air fryer dessert

ingredients for apple crisp on a surface with text overlay.

The full list of ingredients and amounts to make this delicious apple recipe is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

What kind of apples are best for baked apple crisp?

A crisp, tart apple works the best for apple desserts. I have a strong preference for Granny Smith, but a sweeter apple like Honeycrisp will also work wonderfully. Or use a mix of whatever type of apples you prefer to cook with.

Feel free to buy whole apples and slice and peel them. However, I totally buy the packages of apple slices for convenience.

The brandy is optional, so if you don't have any you can leave it out. It does add an extra bit of flavor to the apples as they cook.

We used brown sugar, but you can substitute honey or maple syrup for the brown sugar.

Rolled oats are recommended for this recipe as they will have the best texture for the streusel topping. That said, you can also use oatmeal, old fashioned oats or quick oats.

Substitute almonds or walnuts for the pecans if desired.

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds just enough brightness to this easy dessert. If you want a touch more citrusy flavor, add ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest.

Step by step instructions

Mix the chopped apples, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, brandy, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and lemon juice in a bowl and toss to coat the apples.

Pour the apples into a round metal baking dish (or square depending on your air fryer) that will fit in your air fryer basket.

Air fry the apple filling for a cook time of 10 minutes at 350°F, checking periodically to ensure they don't burn. If they start to burn, cover the pan with aluminum foil while they finish cooking. Remove from the air fryer.

Top with the oat topping (see below) and air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and bubbling.

Allow the crisp to cool for 5-10 minutes and serve with vanilla ice cream, chilled Greek yogurt or whipped cream.

How to make the crispy oat topping

While the apple mixture cooks, combine the dry ingredients and mix the ingredients together in a separate bowl.

Cut the cold butter in with a fork - it should be slightly loose and crumbly.

apple crisp topping in a bowl before cooking.

This is amazing served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some creamy Greek yogurt. Drizzle with some store bought caramel sauce and/or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

apple dessert and whipped cream on a plate.

Expert tips to make apple crisp in the air fryer

While unpeeled apples can be used to make this recipe, I recommend peeling the apples for the best results.
Using salted butter helps the flavor of the apples and the sweetness of the topping to shine through.
The pecans can be substituted with almonds or walnuts.
Reheat a crisp in the air fryer (or oven) (350°F for 5-10 minutes) for best results - the microwave tends to make it mushy.
Allow the crisp to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving for the best results.
You can make individual air fryer apple crisps by using small ramekins and dividing the ingredients evenly among them.

apple crisp on a plate with whipped cream.

Frequently asked questions

Is apple crumble the same as apple crisp?

A crumble topping typically does not have nuts or oats in it and is not a crisp as as crisp topping. A crumble is typically made strictly with flour, butter and sugar.

Why is my apple crisp topping not crispy?

If the crisp topping is not getting crispy, you may need to add more butter. Butter is what helps crisp the topping. You may also need to increase the heat in your oven.

What are the best apples for apple crisp?

The best apples to make apple crisp are a tart, firm apple like a Granny Smith, Golden Delicious or Honey crisp apple. You can also use a mix of them.

Can you freeze apple crisp?

Apple crisp can be frozen either before or after baking. To freeze before, assemble the apple crisp in an airtight oven safe container (or wrap it in freezer safe plastic wrap) and store in the freezer for up to one month. To cook the apple crisp from frozen, bake in a 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes, until browned and bubbly.

To freeze after baking, let the apple crisp cool for 2-4 hours at room temperature. Place in a freezer safe air tight container or wrap it in freezer safe plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to one month. To cook it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then bake according to the recipe instructions.

How to store and reheat apple crisp.

Leftovers will keep in a covered container for up to 5 days in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Place the leftovers in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes, until heated through. If heating from frozen, follow the instructions above.

To make this apple crisp in advance, ,make the apples and oat topping and store them separately in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to cook, spread the topping over the apples in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, until browned and bubbly.

More air fryer recipes

If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below and let us know your favorite thing about it. We'd also love to connect on Instagram! Follow us at @went_here_8_this for awesome recipes and all sorts of fun food stuff 🙂