Air Fryer Apple Crisp: A Quick & Delicious Dessert Recipe
Apple crisp is a classic dessert, and making it in the air fryer is a game-changer! It’s quicker, easier, and still delivers that warm, comforting flavor we all love. This recipe will guide you through creating the perfect air fryer apple crisp, complete with a crispy oat topping and tender, spiced apples. Get ready for a delightful treat that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Why Make Apple Crisp in the Air Fryer?
* **Speed:** The air fryer cooks much faster than a traditional oven, perfect for when you’re craving dessert but don’t want to wait an hour.
* **Ease:** It’s simpler to manage than baking in the oven, especially for smaller portions.
* **Crispy Topping:** The air fryer circulates hot air, resulting in an incredibly crispy and golden-brown topping.
* **Portion Control:** Ideal for making individual servings or a small batch, reducing the temptation to overindulge.
* **Less Energy:** Using an air fryer consumes less energy compared to heating up the entire oven.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious air fryer apple crisp:
**For the Apple Filling:**
* 6 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and chopped
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon butter, melted (or coconut oil for vegan option)
**For the Crisp Topping:**
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
* 1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant)
* 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed (or coconut oil for vegan option)
Equipment
* Air Fryer
* Mixing Bowls
* Measuring Cups and Spoons
* Apple Peeler, Corer, and Knife
* 8-inch Baking Dish or Oven-Safe Skillet that fits in your air fryer basket. Alternatively, you can use individual ramekins.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make the perfect air fryer apple crisp:
**1. Prepare the Apples:**
* Peel, core, and chop the apples into small, bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
* In a large bowl, combine the chopped apples, flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and lemon juice. Toss well to coat the apples evenly with the mixture.
**2. Make the Crisp Topping:**
* In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
* Add the cold, cubed butter (or coconut oil) to the dry ingredients.
* Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You should have small clumps of butter distributed throughout the mixture.
**3. Assemble the Apple Crisp:**
* Pour the apple mixture into your prepared baking dish or ramekins, spreading it evenly.
* Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apple filling, covering the entire surface.
**4. Air Fry the Apple Crisp:**
* Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.
* Carefully place the baking dish or ramekins into the air fryer basket.
* Air fry for 18-22 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the apples are tender. Check the crisp after 15 minutes to prevent burning. If the topping is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with foil.
**5. Cool and Serve:**
* Once the apple crisp is cooked, carefully remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
* Serve warm, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A sprinkle of chopped nuts adds extra crunch and flavor.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Apple Crisp
* **Choose the Right Apples:** A mix of sweet and tart apples will give you the best flavor. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith are all great options.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer:** If you’re using a small air fryer, you may need to cook the apple crisp in batches to ensure even cooking.
* **Adjust Cooking Time:** Air fryers vary, so keep an eye on the crisp and adjust the cooking time as needed. You want the topping to be golden brown and crispy, and the apples to be tender.
* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is key to creating a crumbly and crispy topping. Make sure your butter is very cold before cutting it into the dry ingredients.
* **Add Nuts:** For extra crunch and flavor, add chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the crisp topping.
* **Spice it Up:** Experiment with different spices like cardamom, ginger, or allspice for a unique flavor twist.
* **Vegan Option:** To make this recipe vegan, use coconut oil instead of butter and ensure that your sugar is vegan-friendly (some granulated sugar is processed using bone char).
* **Gluten-Free Option:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and certified gluten-free rolled oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
* **Prevent Burning:** If the topping starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil during the last few minutes of cooking.
* **Let it Rest:** Allowing the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving helps the filling to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
Variations and Add-ins
* **Pear Crisp:** Substitute pears for apples for a different flavor profile.
* **Berry Crisp:** Add berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to the apple filling for a mixed fruit crisp.
* **Caramel Apple Crisp:** Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the topping.
* **Chocolate Chip Apple Crisp:** Add chocolate chips to the crisp topping for a decadent treat.
* **Spice Variations:** Experiment with different spices like cardamom, ginger, or allspice for a unique flavor twist.
* **Nutty Topping:** Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the crisp topping for extra crunch and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
* **Vanilla Ice Cream:** A classic pairing that complements the warm apple crisp perfectly.
* **Whipped Cream:** Light and fluffy whipped cream adds a touch of elegance.
* **Caramel Sauce:** A drizzle of caramel sauce enhances the sweetness and richness of the dessert.
* **Chopped Nuts:** A sprinkle of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds adds extra crunch and flavor.
* **Warm Custard:** Serve with a warm custard sauce for a comforting and creamy dessert.
* **Greek Yogurt:** A healthier option that adds a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the apple crisp.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
* **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the apple filling and crisp topping ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Assemble the crisp just before air frying.
* **Storage:** Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes, or in the microwave.
* **Freezing:** While not ideal, you can freeze baked apple crisp. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
* Calories: Approximately 350-400
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 8-12g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Fiber: 3-5g
* Sugar: 30-40g
* Protein: 3-5g
*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
Recipe Card
**Air Fryer Apple Crisp**
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 20 minutes
**Total Time:** 35 minutes
**Servings:** 4-6
**Ingredients:**
**Apple Filling:**
* 6 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and chopped
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon butter, melted (or coconut oil for vegan option)
**Crisp Topping:**
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
* 1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant)
* 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed (or coconut oil for vegan option)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare Apples:** Peel, core, and chop apples. In a bowl, combine apples, flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and lemon juice. Toss well.
2. **Make Topping:** In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. **Assemble:** Pour apple mixture into an 8-inch baking dish or ramekins. Sprinkle crisp topping evenly over apples.
4. **Air Fry:** Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Air fry for 18-22 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
5. **Cool and Serve:** Let cool slightly. Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce.
Enjoy your delicious and easy air fryer apple crisp!