Air Fryer Apple Crisp (Gluten Free & Easy)

This air fryer apple crisp has cinnamon-spiced apples under a buttery gluten-free oat crumble, ready in about 15 minutes. A warm, cozy dessert with no need to heat the whole oven.

Warm apples, a crunchy oat topping, and a scoop of ice cream melting over the top, all out of the air fryer in about 15 minutes. This is the dessert I make when I want something cozy without turning on the oven, which makes it as good in August as it is in October. It’s gluten-free, it’s a handful of ingredients, and the air fryer gets that topping golden in a fraction of the time.

Air fryer apple crisp is cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery oat crumble and cooked in the air fryer until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. The oat topping is what makes it a crisp. A crumble skips the oats, and a cobbler uses a biscuit topping instead, so if your topping has oats, you’re making a crisp.

If you love an easy air fryer dessert, my Air Fryer Peach Crisp and Air Fryer Banana Tortilla Roll Ups are right there with you.

Ingredients You Need

Names and notes here. Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

For the apples

• Apples — peeled and sliced. Use a firm apple that holds its shape (more on which ones below).
• Cinnamon — the warm spice that makes it taste like fall.
• Maple syrup — a touch of natural sweetness that brings out the apples.

For the oat crumble topping

• Rolled oats — the crunch, and the thing that makes this a crisp. Quick oats work too, just a softer texture.
• Gluten-free all-purpose flour — holds the crumble together.
• Brown sugar — sweetness and that caramel edge.
• Cinnamon and salt — to season the topping.
• Melted butter — binds it into crumbs. Use coconut oil for a dairy-free version.

Best Apples For Apple Crisp

Reach for a firm apple that holds its shape after cooking instead of collapsing into mush. Granny Smith is the classic for its tartness against the sweet topping, but Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Braeburn all work well. If you’re using a sweeter apple, a small squeeze of lemon juice balances it out. Skip soft apples like Red Delicious, they go mealy.

How To Make Air Fryer Apple Crisp

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
2. Slice the apples, then toss them with cinnamon and maple syrup.
3. In a small bowl, mix the oats, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Add the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
5. Spread the apples evenly in the air fryer basket or a small dish that fits your air fryer.
6. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
7. Air fry for 10 to 15 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are fork-tender.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little whipped cream.

Tips For The Best Apple Crisp

• Mix the topping just until it forms crumbs, since overmixing packs it down and you lose that light, crisp texture.
• Spread everything in an even layer so the hot air reaches it all, no overcrowding.
• Air fryers run hot and fast, so start checking around the 10-minute mark, and if the topping is browning before the apples are tender, lay a piece of foil loosely over the top and keep cooking until the apples soften.
• Using a small oven-safe dish instead of the bare basket also helps the apples cook evenly and keeps the juices in.

Make-Ahead And Storage

You can prep this ahead: slice and season the apples and mix the topping, then keep them separate in the fridge for up to a few days. When you want dessert, assemble and air fry.

For leftovers of the finished crisp, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a minute or two to bring back the crunch, or use the microwave if you don’t mind a softer topping.

Variations

Swap the apples for peaches, pears, or berries using the same method, adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to the filling. Toss chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping for extra crunch. Warm it up with a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger alongside the cinnamon.

Air Fryer Apple Crisp FAQs

What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple crumble?

The topping. A crisp has oats in the topping, which crisp up for that signature crunch. A crumble skips the oats for more of a streusel, and a cobbler uses a biscuit or dough topping. This recipe has an oat topping, so it’s a crisp.

Can I make this in the oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes. Assemble it in an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.

Is this apple crisp gluten-free?

It is, as long as you use certified gluten-free oats and a gluten-free all-purpose flour. Both are easy to find, and the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes. Rolled oats give a chewier, more textured topping, while quick oats make a finer, softer crumble. Both work, so use what you have.

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Air Fryer Apple Crisp (Easy Dessert Recipe)

Air fryer apple crisp has cinnamon-spiced apples under a buttery gluten-free oat crumble, ready in about 15 minutes. A warm, cozy dessert with no need to heat the whole oven.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 340kcal

Author: Bailey Campbell

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going to sleep

Ingredients 

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APPLES

• 3 apples
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

OAT CRUMBLE TOPPING

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup gluten-free all purpose flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup butter melted

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Start by slicing your apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon and top with maple syrup. Spray with cooking spray.
• In a small bowl, mix together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
• Add the melted butter to the dry ingredients. Use a fork to mix until the topping resembles coarse crumbs.
• Add the chopped apples into the air fryer basket. Spread out evenly. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the apples. 
• Cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
• Let the delicious dessert cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little whipped cream on top. Yum!

Notes

Dairy-Free – Use dairy-free butter or coconut oil.

Oven Option – Assemble it in an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.

Storage – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for a minute or two to bring back the crunch, or use the microwave if you don’t mind a softer topping.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 244mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 32g

The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.

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More Apple Recipes To Try

• Gluten Free Apple Crumb Cake
• Air Fryer Apple Chips
• Baked Apples In The Air Fryer
• Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
• Caramel Apple Overnight Oats

If you make this, leave a star rating and a comment below, I love hearing how it turned out and which apples you used. And tag @basicswithbails or #basicswithbails if you post a bowl.