This Air Fryer Apple Crisp is an easy dessert made with tender cinnamon apples and a buttery oat topping, all cooked right in the air fryer. Ready in less time than traditional apple crisp, this cozy dessert is perfect when you want a warm treat without turning on the oven. Serve with vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert everyone will love!

A white ramekin filled with apple crisp, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a spoon. Crumbled oats and another ramekin are visible nearby.

Quick Snapshot:

  • Total Time: About 25 minutes
  • Equipment Needed: Air Fryer
  • Best Tip: For the best flavor, try combining one sweet apple with one tart apple.
  • Perfect for: A quick dessert; a fall-inspired treat

Want a warm homemade dessert without heating up your entire kitchen?

This apple crisp in the air fryer is the perfect solution. Made with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery crumble topping, this easy dessert comes together quickly and tastes just like classic apple crisp, but in a fraction of the time.

Whether you’re craving a cozy fall dessert, need a quick sweet treat after dinner, or simply have a few apples to use up, this air fryer apple crisp with oats is simple, comforting, and made with simple ingredients.

Plus, the air fryer gives the topping that crispy texture while keeping the apples soft and perfectly tender! In fact, I tested this recipe three times to ensure the apple cook evenly and the topping gets perfectly crisp.

And if you’re on the hunt for more air fryer apple desserts, these air fryer baked apples are a hit every time I make them.

Four ramekins of apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream, surrounded by oats, green apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and three spoons on a white surface.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith apples work best. Honeycrisp gives a sweet-tart flavor, Gala is naturally sweeter, and Granny Smith adds extra tartness.
  • Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and enhances the caramel-like flavor of the apples.
  • Ground cinnamon: Gives classic warm fall flavor.
  • Ground nutmeg: Adds extra warmth and depth.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
  • Old-fashioned oats: Best for creating a hearty, crisp topping. 
  • All-purpose flour: Helps create a crumbly topping.
  • Light brown sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes slightly while cooking.
  • Unsalted butter: Melted butter helps bind the crumble topping together.
  • Ground cinnamon: Adds extra cozy flavor.
Two green apples, a pat of butter, a small bowl of brown sugar, a bowl of oats, a bowl of flour, and a dish with cinnamon and nutmeg are arranged on a light-colored surface.

Best Apples for Apple Crisp:

The best apples are varieties that hold their shape while cooking and don’t become mushy.

AppleFlavorBest For
HoneycrispSweet-tartBest overall
GalaMildly sweetKid-friendly flavor
Granny SmithTartLess sweet crisp
FujiSweetSofter texture

How to Make Easy Air Fryer Apple Crisp:

This recipe is a breeze to whip up! Be sure to check out the recipe card towards the bottom of the page for a full list of ingredients and directions.

  • Preheat air fryer to 390℉, if your model has a preheat option.
  • Lightly grease 4 small ramekins or an 8×8-inch baking dish that fits inside your air fryer basket.
  • In a medium bowl, combine chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  • Stir well until apples are evenly coated.
  • Spoon mixture evenly into prepared ramekins or baking dish.

Cook the Apples:

  • Cover ramekins or dish with foil.
  • Place into air fryer basket.
  • Cook for 8-10 minutes.
  • Remove foil and check apples for tenderness.
A clear bowl filled with small, diced apple pieces coated in cinnamon, with a white and gold spoon resting inside. The bowl sits on a light-colored surface.
Top view of four small white ramekins filled with spiced apple cubes, arranged in a glass air fryer basket on a light-colored surface.

Make the Topping:

  • While apples cook, add oats, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon to a medium bowl.
  • Stir until mixture becomes crumbly.
A glass bowl with crumbly oat mixture and a spoon, viewed from above, on a light surface.
Four small ramekins filled with crumbly oat topping and apples are arranged in a square inside an air fryer basket, viewed from above on a light background.

Finish the Crisp:

  • Spoon topping evenly over apples.
  • Return ramekins or dish to the air fryer uncovered.
  • Cook for another 5–7 minutes, or until topping is golden and crisp.

Expert Tips for the Best Apple Crisp:

  • Cut apples evenly: Uniform pieces help apples cook at the same rate.
  • Use old-fashioned oats: They create the crispiest topping.
  • Cook apples first: This prevents crunchy apples and keeps the topping from overcooking.
  • Don’t skip removing the foil: Cooking uncovered at the end helps the topping crisp properly.
  • Watch closely during the final minutes: Air fryer cook times can vary depending on model and basket size.

Variations:

  • Apple Pear Crisp: Swap half the apples for chopped pears for a softer, sweeter flavor.
  • Caramel Apple Crisp: Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples before adding the topping or try this oven version.
  • Apple Cranberry Crisp: Mix in ½ cup fresh cranberries for a tart flavor boost.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.
A white ramekin filled with apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A spoon rests in the dish, and there are apples, oats, and spoons nearby.

Why Is My Crisp Soggy?

If your crisp turns out soggy, here are a few common reasons:

  • Too much moisture from apples: Some apples release more liquid than others.
  • Wrong apple variety: Softer apples can become mushy quickly.
  • Topping added too early: Apples need time to soften first.
  • Not cooked uncovered: Removing foil helps the topping crisp.

Make Ahead Instructions:

Want to prep this dessert ahead of time?

  • Chop apples and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  • Mix topping separately and refrigerate.
  • Assemble and air fry just before serving for the best texture.

Storage and Reheating:

  • To store: Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To reheat:

  • Air fryer: Heat at 350℉ for 2–4 minutes to crisp topping again.
  • Microwave: Heat in 20-second intervals until warm.
Mini apple crisps with oat topping in ramekins, one with a spoon inside, served with vanilla ice cream. Green apple slices and cinnamon sticks are nearby on a white surface.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What apples are best for apple crisp?

Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, and Fuji apples all work well. A mix of sweet and tart apples gives the best flavor.

Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling is recommended for the softest texture, but you can leave the skins on if preferred.

Can I make air fryer apple crisp without oats?

Yes! Replace the oats with extra flour for more of a crumble-style topping.

Can I use apple pie filling?

Yes, but reduce the sugar and spices since pie filling is already sweetened and seasoned.

Why isn’t my topping crispy?

Try cooking for an extra 1–2 minutes uncovered and make sure not to use too much butter.

Serving Suggestions:

This dessert is delicious on its own, but even better topped with:

Warm, cozy, and packed with cinnamon flavor, this easy dessert tastes like fall in every bite!

A spoonful of apple crisp hovers over a white ramekin filled with more apple crisp and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below, share a photo with me on Instagram (tag @pumpkin_n_spice), or save this recipe to Pinterest so you can make it again whenever the craving hits!

More Easy Apple Recipes You’ll Love:

A white ramekin filled with apple crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A spoon rests in the dish, and there are apples, oats, and spoons nearby.
Gayle Bialas

Air Fryer Apple Crisp

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This Air Fryer Apple Crisp is an easy dessert made with tender cinnamon apples and a buttery oat topping, all cooked right in the air fryer. Ready in less time than traditional apple crisp, this cozy dessert is perfect when you want a warm treat without turning on the oven. Serve with vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert everyone will love!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large apples, peeled and chopped – see note below (honey crisp, gala, or granny smith work best)
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt
Topping:
  • ½ cup old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Equipment

Method
 

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 390℉ (if your model has this option). Lightly grease 4 small ramekins or an 8×8 baking dish (use a dish that will fit into your air fryer). Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, add the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir well to combine. Spoon mixture evenly into prepared ramekins or dish.
  3. Cover ramekins/dish with foil and place into the air fryer basket; making sure the foil is tucked underneath the bottom of dish(es) to prevent it from flying around the air fryer and possibly burning. Cook for 8-10 minutes, then remove the foil and check to make sure the apples are tender. Then add the topping as listed below.
  4. While apples are in the air fryer, make the topping: in another medium bowl, add the oats, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Stir until mixture becomes crumbly.
  5. Spoon topping evenly between the ramekins and place back into the air fryer, uncovered. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, keeping a careful eye on it, as it's easy to burn the topping in the air fryer, or until topping is crisp. Remove from air fryer and let cool for several minutes, then serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Video

Notes

  • I used 2 large apples, which filled four small ramekins. If you are using an 8×8 dish (or something larger than a ramekin) you may need to use 3 apples.
  • Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • To freeze, store crisp in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to two months.
  • See my tips and tricks for making this above the recipe box.

Did you make this recipe?

Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!