Perfect Air Fryer Apple Crisps

Craving a warm, comforting dessert that’s both quick to prepare and a little on the healthier side? Look no further than these delightful Individual Air Fryer Apple Crisps. Perfectly portioned and ready in a flash, they are the ultimate solution for satisfying those late-night sugar cravings without the guilt. Each crisp features tender, spiced apples nestled under a gloriously crunchy, refined sugar-free topping made with wholesome oats and whole-wheat flour. Serve them warm, perhaps topped with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a cloud of whipped cream, for a dessert experience that’s simply irresistible.

As an avid home cook and a passionate air fryer enthusiast, I’ve discovered that this versatile kitchen appliance is an absolute game-changer, especially when it comes to baking apple desserts. My collection of air fryer delights already includes beloved recipes like Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Rolls, crispy Air Fryer Apple Turnovers, and perfectly soft Air Fryer Baked Apples. It was only natural that I needed to add the classic apple crisp to my growing repertoire of air fryer recipes.

While I’ve enjoyed making mini apple crisps in the oven for many years, I must confess that the ease and speed of preparing them in the air fryer truly won me over. Not only did they cook faster, but the air fryer also delivered a consistently golden and wonderfully crisp topping that’s hard to beat. When you’re faced with an urgent craving for something sweet and comforting, we can all agree that the sooner that delicious dessert is ready, the better!

This particular apple crisp recipe stands out because it leans towards the healthier side. We’ve meticulously crafted it to be free from refined sugars, opting instead for natural sweeteners. Additionally, it’s packed with wholesome ingredients that you can feel good about. That being said, a little indulgence never hurts! I highly recommend elevating these warm, spiced crisps with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The combination of warm, tender apples and cold, creamy ice cream is truly a match made in heaven, proving that healthy choices can still be incredibly delicious.

Are you just starting your air frying journey or looking to maximize your appliance’s potential? Be sure to get your free printable Air Fryer Cooking Chart. It’s packed with essential cooking times and temperatures for all your favorite foods, along with invaluable tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your air fryer.

INGREDIENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL AIR FRYER APPLE CRISPS

Crafting these delicious individual apple crisps requires just a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. Below, we’ll delve into each component, explaining its role and offering helpful tips for selection and potential substitutions. You’ll find the full, precise measurements conveniently listed in the printable recipe card further down this page.

• Apples: The heart of this dessert! I personally adore using Pink Lady apples for their excellent balance of sweetness, slight tartness, and firm texture, which ensures they hold their shape beautifully during cooking. However, any good baking apple will work wonderfully here. Granny Smith apples are a fantastic choice if you prefer a tarter crisp, while Honeycrisp offers a delightful crunch and robust flavor. Feel free to use your favorite variety or a mix for added complexity.
• Old Fashioned / Rolled Oats: These are essential for creating that signature chewy and crumbly texture in our topping. Traditional rolled oats, often referred to as old-fashioned oats, are perfect as they retain their form and don’t turn mushy like instant oats. They also add a good amount of fiber to the dessert, making it even more wholesome.
• Butter: Melted butter is crucial for binding the topping ingredients together and contributing a rich, golden flavor. It helps create the perfect crisp texture when baked. You can use either salted or unsalted butter; if using salted, you might slightly reduce any added salt in the topping, though typically none is needed in this recipe.
• Maple Syrup: Our chosen natural sweetener for both the apple filling and the crisp topping. Maple syrup not only provides a lovely sweetness but also imparts a complex, caramel-like flavor that beautifully complements the apples and cinnamon. If you don’t have maple syrup, high-quality honey or brown rice syrup (also known as rice malt syrup) are excellent alternative natural sweeteners.
• Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple desserts, cinnamon adds warmth, depth, and an irresistible aroma that truly defines the “apple crisp” experience. It enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and blends harmoniously with the maple syrup.
• Wholemeal / Whole Wheat Flour: Incorporating whole-wheat flour into the topping adds a pleasant nutty flavor and boosts the nutritional profile of the crisp, increasing its fiber content. If you prefer, you can easily substitute white all-purpose flour for a lighter texture, or almond meal for a gluten-free option with a richer, slightly denser topping.
• Lemon Juice: A small amount of fresh lemon juice in the apple filling serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it helps prevent the diced apples from browning too quickly before cooking. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it brightens the apple flavor and adds a subtle, refreshing tang that perfectly balances the sweetness of the syrup and the warmth of the cinnamon.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFECT AIR FRYER APPLE CRISPS

Creating these delightful individual apple crisps in your air fryer is surprisingly simple. Follow these detailed steps to achieve a perfectly tender apple filling and a gloriously crisp topping every time.

1. Prepare the Apple Filling: Start by carefully dicing your chosen apples into small, uniform pieces. Aim for about half-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and tender results. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the diced apples with the ground cinnamon, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice. Toss all these ingredients gently until the apples are thoroughly coated in the spiced mixture. Divide this flavorful apple filling evenly between two 4oz (or 12cm x 5cm) ramekins. This specific size is ideal for individual portions. After the apples are in, add one tablespoon of water to each ramekin, directly on top of the filling ingredients. This crucial step helps create steam within the ramekin, ensuring your apples become perfectly tender and juicy without drying out in the air fryer.



2. Craft the Crumb Topping: In a separate, smaller bowl, combine all the topping ingredients: the old-fashioned rolled oats, melted butter, the second portion of maple syrup, whole-wheat flour, and the remaining cinnamon. Using your fingertips or a fork, mix these ingredients together until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms. The butter should be fully incorporated, creating a texture that resembles wet sand with distinct oat clusters. Once the topping is ready, divide it evenly and generously sprinkle it over the apple filling in both ramekins. Gently press down on the topping to help it adhere to the apples, ensuring it won’t scatter during air frying.





3. Initial Air Frying (Covered): Carefully place the two filled ramekins into the basket of your air fryer. Ensure there’s a little space between them for air circulation if your basket allows. Cover the top of each ramekin snugly with aluminum foil. This initial covering is essential; it helps to steam the apples inside, ensuring they become perfectly tender and cooked through, while simultaneously preventing the oat topping from browning or burning prematurely. Air fry at 180°C / 350°F for 15 minutes.



4. Final Air Frying (Uncovered for Crispness): After the initial 15 minutes of covered cooking, carefully remove the air fryer basket and gently peel off the aluminum foil from both ramekins. This is the stage where we achieve that irresistible golden-brown, crispy topping. Return the uncovered ramekins to the air fryer basket and continue to cook at 180°C / 350°F for an additional 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on your crisps during this phase, as air fryer models can vary, and the topping can brown quite quickly. The apple crisps are ready when the topping is a beautiful golden color and the apple filling is tender when pierced with a fork.



5. Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove the hot ramekins from the air fryer basket. Be cautious, as they will be very hot. Allow the apple crisps to cool for a few minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the filling to set slightly and prevents you from burning your tongue. These individual crisps are absolutely divine served warm, either on their own for a simple, satisfying treat, or enhanced with your favorite accompaniments like creamy Greek yogurt, a scoop of your preferred ice cream, or a light dollop of whipped cream.

EXPERT TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST AIR FRYER APPLE CRISPS

Achieving air fryer apple crisp perfection is easy with a few insider tips. Here’s how to ensure your individual crisps turn out amazing every time:

• Ramekin Size Matters: I recommend using a 4oz (approximately 12cm x 5cm) ramekin for these individual crisps. This size is ideal for portion control and ensures the apples cook through evenly while the topping gets perfectly crisp. If you use a slightly larger or smaller ramekin, you might need to adjust your cooking times accordingly. Larger ramekins may require a few extra minutes, while smaller ones might cook a bit faster.
• Preventing Over-Browning: While that golden-brown topping is highly desired, it’s crucial to be careful once you remove the foil during the second cooking phase. Air fryers circulate hot air very efficiently, and the oat topping can brown (or even burn!) surprisingly quickly. Keep a close eye on your crisps during the last 5-10 minutes. If you notice the topping browning too rapidly, you can loosely cover the ramekins with foil again for the remaining cook time to protect them.
• Choosing the Best Apples: As mentioned, Pink Lady apples are a personal favorite for their balanced flavor and firm texture. However, feel free to experiment with your own preferred baking apples. Granny Smith apples are excellent if you love a tart crisp, providing a wonderful contrast to the sweet topping. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples are also fantastic choices that hold their shape well and offer great flavor. A mix of sweet and tart apples can also create a more complex flavor profile.
• Ramekin Alternatives: Don’t have ramekins on hand? No problem! You can easily use other oven-safe dishes that fit in your air fryer basket. Small glass jars (like mason jars), ceramic mugs, or even small cast-iron skillets (check your air fryer dimensions) can make excellent substitutes. Just ensure whatever you use is heat-safe and can withstand the air fryer’s temperatures.
• Storage and Reheating: If you miraculously have any leftover apple crisps (it’s rare, I know!), they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Simply cover the ramekins with the foil you used for baking or with plastic wrap. To reheat, place them back into your air fryer for about 5-7 minutes at 160°C / 325°F, or until warmed through and the topping has re-crisped. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it will make the topping soggy.
• Customize Your Topping: While delicious as is, feel free to get creative with your crisp topping! A pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or a tiny dash of ginger can add extra warmth and depth to the flavor. For added crunch and a nutty flavor, fold in a tablespoon or two of finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds with the oats and flour.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: For optimal results, ensure there’s enough space around your ramekins in the air fryer basket for hot air to circulate freely. If you’re making more than two crisps, it’s better to cook them in batches rather than cramming them into the basket, which can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results.
• Oven Baking Option: No air fryer? No worries! You can still enjoy these delicious individual apple crisps. Prepare the crisps exactly as instructed, then bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are fork-tender. This healthy individual apple crisps recipe is versatile enough for either method.

EXPLORE MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES

If you love the convenience and delicious results from your air fryer, be sure to check out some of my other favorite recipes:

• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Apple Pies
• Air Fryer Brownies
• Air Fryer Scones
• Air Fryer Banana Bread
• Air Fryer Banana Muffins
• Air Fryer Roasted Almonds
• OR see all Air Fryer Recipes for more inspiration!

I genuinely hope you enjoy making and savoring these Air Fryer Apple Crisps! If you’ve given this recipe a try, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience. Please take a moment to leave a comment and a star rating below to let me know how you enjoyed them!

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📋 RECIPE

Air Fryer Apple Crisps

Yield:
2 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
30 minutes

Individual Air Fryer Apple Crisps are a super easy dessert that will satisfy your late-night sugar cravings. These apples crisps are on the healthier side with no refined sugars and a tasty crumb topping made with oats and whole-wheat flour. Serve warm and top with Greek yogurt, ice cream or whipped cream.

Ingredients

FILLING INGREDIENTS

• 1 Apple, diced (e.g., Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)
• ½ tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• ½ tbsp. Maple Syrup
• ½ tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice

TOPPING INGREDIENTS

• ⅓ cup Old Fashioned / Rolled Oats
• 1 tbsp. Butter, melted
• 1 tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp. Wholemeal / Whole Wheat Flour (or all-purpose)
• ½ tsp. Ground Cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare the Apple Filling: Dice your apple into small, uniform pieces. In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples with ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tbsp maple syrup, and ½ tbsp lemon juice. Toss gently to coat. Divide this mixture evenly between two 4oz (12cm x 5cm) ramekins. Add one tablespoon of water to each ramekin on top of the filling ingredients; this helps the apples steam and soften.
2. Craft the Crumb Topping: In a separate small bowl, combine ⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 tbsp melted butter, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp whole-wheat flour, and ½ tsp cinnamon. Mix with your fingers or a fork until a coarse, crumbly topping forms. Divide evenly and sprinkle over the apple filling in both ramekins.
3. Initial Air Frying (Covered): Place the ramekins into your air fryer basket. Cover the top of each ramekin snugly with aluminum foil. Cook in the air fryer at 180°C / 350°F for 15 minutes.
4. Final Air Frying (Uncovered for Crispness): Remove the foil from the ramekins. Continue to cook at 180°C / 350°F for another 5-10 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the apple filling is tender when pierced with a fork. Monitor closely to prevent burning.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove the hot ramekins from the air fryer. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving warm, either on their own or with Greek yogurt, ice cream, or whipped cream.

Notes

• I use a 4oz (12cm x 5cm) ramekin; feel free to use the next closest oven-safe size.
• Be careful once you remove the foil, as the topping can brown very quickly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
• While Pink Lady apples are my favorite, any good baking apple (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala) would work well here.
• Don’t have ramekins? Use an oven-safe glass jar or mug instead, ensuring it fits in your air fryer.
• Leftover apple crisps can be stored in the fridge for a few days (cover with the foil used for baking). Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C / 325°F for 5-7 minutes until warm and re-crisped.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, you can make these healthy individual apple crisps in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 243Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 51mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 7gSugar: 28gProtein: 3g