Air Fryer Apple Crisp With Oatmeal Streusel Recipe
This Air Fryer Apple Crisp With Oatmeal Streusel Recipe is the perfect fall dessert, combining the warmth of spiced apples with a crunchy, sweet topping. To make it, start by peeling and slicing your apples, then toss them with cinnamon, sugar, and a hint of lemon juice to bring out their natural sweetness. For the topping, mix together oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter until the mixture forms a crumbly texture. The beauty of this recipe lies in using the air fryer, which gives the apple crisp a golden, caramelized finish in less time than a traditional oven. Simply layer the apples in a baking dish that fits your air fryer basket, sprinkle the streusel on top, and cook for about 15-20 minutes. The result is a warm, perfectly cooked Air Fryer Apple Crisp With Oatmeal Streusel Recipe that’s perfect when paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Air Fryer Apple Crisp With Oatmeal Streusel Recipe
Apple crisp is a classic fall dessert that combines warm, tender baked apples with a crispy, golden topping. Traditionally baked in the oven, the air fryer offers a quicker and equally delicious alternative, producing a crispier topping and juicy, flavorful apple filling in less time. In this Air Fryer Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel recipe, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to make this cozy dessert using your air fryer. It’s a perfect treat for chilly autumn nights, holiday gatherings, or whenever you crave something sweet and comforting.
The addition of oatmeal to the streusel topping adds texture and a rich, nutty flavor that perfectly complements the tart sweetness of the apples. This recipe is easy to make and customizable to suit your preferences. Whether you’re an air fryer pro or just getting started, this recipe will give you a warm, irresistible dessert in no time.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thicker filling)
For the Oatmeal Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (cold, cut into small cubes)
Nutrition (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 115mg
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Cuisines: American, Fall Desserts
Course: Dessert
Servings: 4-6 servings
Equipment Needed
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Spoon or fork for mixing the streusel
- Aluminum foil (optional, to prevent over-browning)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
- Peel and Slice the Apples: Peel the apples and cut them into thin slices. Aim for about ¼-inch thickness. If you prefer a chunkier filling, you can cut the apples into cubes. The thinner the slices, the quicker they will cook in the air fryer.
- Toss the Apples: In a large mixing bowl, combine the apple slices with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Toss well to ensure the apples are evenly coated.
- Optional: For a thicker filling, sprinkle the cornstarch over the apple mixture and toss again. This will help thicken the juices as the apples cook.
Step 2: Prepare the Oatmeal Streusel Topping
- Mix the Streusel Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a fork or your hands, work the butter into the dry mixture until it forms small crumbs. The butter should be evenly distributed but not fully melted, giving the streusel its signature crumbly texture.
Step 3: Assemble the Apple Crisp
- Arrange the Apples in the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly grease the bottom of your air fryer basket with a cooking spray or brush with a small amount of melted butter. Layer the seasoned apples evenly in the air fryer basket or tray. If needed, you can stack them slightly, but ensure they are spread out to promote even cooking.
- Top with Streusel: Evenly spread the oatmeal streusel topping over the apples, ensuring that each apple slice is covered with a generous amount of crumble. You may want to press it lightly to help it stick during cooking.
Step 4: Air Fry the Apple Crisp
- Set the Temperature: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook the Apple Crisp: Place the assembled apple crisp into the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry the apple crisp at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the streusel topping is golden brown and crispy. Check the crisp halfway through cooking; if the topping is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Check for Doneness: The apple filling should be bubbling, and a fork should easily pierce the apples when they are cooked through.
Step 5: Serve
- Cool Slightly: Let the apple crisp cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This gives the juices time to set slightly, so it won’t be too runny when served.
- Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, serve the air fryer apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips and Variations
- Apple Variety: You can mix different apple varieties for a more complex flavor. A combination of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp works wonderfully.
- Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for an extra crunch and flavor boost.
- Spices: Feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg or allspice to enhance the flavor.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free butter in the streusel topping to make the recipe vegan and dairy-free.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the apple filling and streusel topping ahead of time, then assemble and air fry when you’re ready to enjoy.
Why Make Apple Crisp in an Air Fryer?
The air fryer is an excellent tool for making apple crisp for several reasons:
- Quick and Convenient: Air fryers cook faster than traditional ovens, making them perfect for a quick dessert fix.
- Crispy Topping: The circulating hot air in an air fryer ensures that the streusel topping becomes perfectly crispy without burning, giving you a beautiful golden finish.
- Even Cooking: The air fryer ensures even cooking of the apple slices, so you’ll have a tender filling with a perfectly browned topping.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel is the ultimate fall dessert made simple with the help of your air fryer. With a delightful combination of tender spiced apples and a crunchy, buttery streusel topping, this dessert is sure to be a hit with friends and family. It’s quick, easy, and customizable, making it the perfect choice for any occasion. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy a warm, comforting dessert without the wait or mess of traditional baking.
I am Ashley Doyle, Senior Specialist in Food & Policy at The Humane Society of the United States and editor at airfryermama.com. I am passionate about transforming our global food system by promoting delicious, climate-friendly, plant-based foods. After transitioning from law to food and public policy, I now work with major food service companies to develop plant-based initiatives and animal welfare policies. My goal is to drive institutional change to combat climate change and improve our food system.