Air-Fried Apple Crumble: A Quick, Easy Dessert

Yes, you can make apple crumble in an air fryer! It's an easy recipe that yields a delicious golden brown crumble without having to heat up your kitchen or tie up your oven. The quantity of apple crumble you can make depends on the size of your air fryer. The ingredients include apples (preferably sweet or tart), sugar or granulated sugar, cinnamon, butter, and all-purpose flour. The apples are peeled, diced, and mixed with sugar and cinnamon before being cooked in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes. The crumble mixture is made separately and then added on top of the apples for another 10-15 minutes of cooking. The final product can be served cold or warm, and pairs well with ice cream, custard, or cream.

Choosing the right apples

If you're looking for a very sweet and juicy apple, go for Fuji. Gala and Pink Lady are also sweet options that work well for baking. For a less tart flavour, try Crispins (also known as Mutsus). Jonagold is another sweet variety, but it doesn't store well, so be sure to use them quickly. McIntosh apples offer a tender and juicy texture with a sweet-tart flavour. If you prefer your apples slightly softer, they can work in a crumble since the fruit falling apart is acceptable in this dessert.

You can also mix and match different varieties of apples to add depth of flavour to your crumble. Just remember to pick apples that will hold their shape when cooked and consider the overall flavour profile you want to achieve.

Preparing the apples

Next, peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks. You can boil the apples first if you prefer a softer texture, but this step is optional. Place the chopped apples in an air fryer-safe baking tin or liner. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of water over the apples to add a bit of moisture to the cooking process.

Now, it's time to cook the apples. Set your air fryer to 180°C and cook the apples for 15 minutes, or until they are softened. Some recipes suggest shaking the air fryer basket a couple of times during cooking to ensure even cooking.

While the apples are cooking, you can prepare the crumble mixture. Different recipes vary in their specific ingredients and methods for preparing the crumble, but generally, it involves mixing flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes cinnamon until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Once the apples are softened, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to an oven-proof dish, if necessary. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the cooked apples, levelling it with a fork if needed. Now, your apple crumble is almost ready to be served!

Making the crumble mixture

The crumble mixture is made with flour, butter, and cinnamon. Some recipes also include sugar and baking powder. The ingredients are mixed together until they resemble breadcrumbs. This can be done by hand or using a food processor. It is important not to over-process the mixture, as this will make it too fine and affect the texture of the crumble.

To make the crumble mixture by hand, simply add the butter cubes, flour, and cinnamon to a bowl and mix everything together with your hands until it reaches the desired consistency.

If using a food processor, add the flour, cinnamon, and butter chunks to the processor and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Be careful not to over-process, as this will make the mixture too light and it will fly about the air fryer during cooking.

Once the crumble mixture is ready, it can be added to the cooked apples in the air fryer and cooked until crispy and golden.

Some people also like to add a little extra sugar to their crumble mixture for a sweeter taste. This is a matter of personal preference and can be adjusted to suit your taste.

Cooking the apples

Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks. You can use between two and four large apples, depending on their size—a mix of sweet and tart apples, such as Granny Smith and Bramley, is ideal. If you want to reduce the amount of sugar in your crumble, opt for sweeter apples.

Place the apples in an air fryer-safe baking tin or liner. Sprinkle with two tablespoons of water—this helps create a soft, jam-like texture. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt at this stage.

Air fry the apples at 180°C for 15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times to prevent sticking. You can also boil the apples first if you prefer a softer texture.

After 15 minutes, the apples should be soft. Remove the basket and set it aside while you prepare the crumble mixture.

Adding the crumble and cooking the dish

Now that you have prepared your apples, it's time to add the crumble and cook the dish.

Firstly, prepare your crumble mixture. If you are making the crumble by hand, add the butter cubes, flour, and cinnamon to a bowl. If you are using a food processor, you can also add the sugar to the mix. Then, using your hands, mix everything together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Be careful not to over-process the mixture, as it will become too fine and may fly about the air fryer. If you are adding sugar to the crumble, stir it in after you have achieved the desired breadcrumb consistency.

Next, add the crumble to your apples. Depending on your preference, you can either add the crumble to the apples directly in the air fryer, or transfer your apples to an oven-proof dish and then add the crumble. If you are using ramekins, add some crumble to the bottom, followed by a layer of apples. Repeat this process two more times, ending with a layer of crumble on top. If you are using an oven-proof dish, simply pour the crumble over the apples and level it out with a fork if necessary.

Finally, it's time to cook your apple crumble. If you are using ramekins, cover them with foil and air fry for 16 to 20 minutes, or until the apples are tender. Then, remove the foil and air fry for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown. If you are using an oven-proof dish, close the air fryer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crumble has crisped up. Keep an eye on your crumble to ensure it doesn't burn, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer.

Once your crumble is golden and crispy, it's ready to serve! Apple crumble can be enjoyed hot or cold and is delicious served with custard, ice cream, or cream.

Frequently asked questions