Air-Fried Apple Crisp: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are not just for savoury snacks or quick dinners, they can also be used to make sweet treats like apple crisp. This dessert is a perfect treat when you want a simple taste of your grandma's traditional apple pie. The convection cooking style is great for roasting apples to perfection, and the streusel topping cooks to a golden-brown crunch. This easy-to-make dessert is ready in just 30 minutes and serves two people.

Choosing the right apples

When it comes to choosing the right apples for your apple crisp, it's important to consider the role of apples in this dessert. In an apple crisp, the apples should break down easily and create a gooey, jammy filling. Therefore, it's best to opt for apples that are on the wetter and juicier side. Here are some recommendations and factors to consider:

Recommended Apple Varieties

• Granny Smith apples are a popular choice for baking due to their tartness and ability to maintain their shape and texture when cooked. They add a nice contrast to sweeter apples.
• Honeycrisp apples offer intense sweetness and a crisp snap. They are neither too wet nor too firm, making them ideal for apple crisp. However, they can be harder to find due to their shorter growing season.
• Braeburn apples are an interesting variety as they don't release a lot of juice when sliced or cooked. However, when you bite into a cooked slice, you'll be surprised by its sweet and juicy flavour.
• Jonagold apples are another excellent choice for apple crisp due to their deep, apple-forward flavour and mellow tartness. They have a short growing season and a high sugar content.
• Pink Lady apples are known for their juicy-tart bite and thin skin. Their juice is super flavorful and concentrates beautifully during cooking.
• Golden Delicious apples might not be the best for eating raw, but their soft, mealy texture makes them perfect for apple crisp. They practically melt into a jammy consistency when cooked, so be sure to peel them first as their tough peels won't break down.
• McIntosh apples are also not known for their crispness, but this is exactly what you want for a crisp. They have intense sweetness and soft flesh that easily releases its juice.

Factors to Consider

• Taste and Texture: Consider a mix of apple varieties to add flavour and textural diversity to your crisp. For example, combining a sweeter, softer apple like Honeycrisp with a tarter variety like Granny Smith can create a delightful contrast.
• Availability: Some apple varieties, like Honeycrisp, have a shorter growing season and may be harder to find or more expensive. If you come across them, don't hesitate to use them in your crisp!
• Freshness: Some apples, like Honeycrisp and Braeburn, are known to lose their flavour the longer they are stored. For these varieties, it's best to use them soon after purchasing.

Preparing the apples

Once you've chosen your apples, it's time to start prepping. Begin by peeling, coring, and cutting the apples into small cubes. You want to ensure that the apple pieces are relatively similar in size to promote even cooking. Place the diced apples in a bowl and combine them with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Give the mixture a good stir to ensure everything is well-combined.

Now, you're ready to transfer the apple mixture into your chosen dish. For this recipe, you'll need a small oven-safe dish that fits into your air fryer. Butter the dish or spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil before placing it in the air fryer.

The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, but generally, you'll want to start by cooking the apples for 10 minutes. Then, remove the foil, give the apples a stir, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, still uncovered.

At this point, your apples should be tender and starting to cook through. You can now proceed to the next step of making the topping and finishing off your delicious air fryer apple crisp!

Making the crumble topping

The crumble topping is a key component of an apple crisp, giving it a crispy, crunchy texture and a buttery flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the perfect crumble topping for your air fryer apple crisp:

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients:

• Butter (unsalted)
• Brown sugar
• Rolled oats
• Flour (all-purpose)
• Cinnamon
• Optional: walnuts, coconut flakes, maple syrup, cornstarch, coconut oil, or oat flour

Mixing the Topping

In a small bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter. Mix these ingredients with a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles the size of peas. If you prefer a finer texture, you can use a food processor to blend the oats into oat flour before mixing. Additionally, if you want a sweeter topping, you can add maple syrup to the mixture. For a nuttier flavour, include some chopped walnuts. If you're feeling tropical, throw in some unsweetened coconut flakes!

Topping the Apples

Once your apples have been cooking in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes, it's time to add the crumble topping. Remove the foil from the dish and sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples. Close the air fryer and set the timer for another 5 minutes. This final step will give your crumble that golden-brown, crispy finish.

Serving Suggestions

Your air fryer apple crisp is now ready to serve! For an indulgent treat, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. You can also enjoy it with a dollop of cottage cheese or Greek yogurt for a balanced snack.

Cooking the apple crisp

Now that you have preheated your air fryer to 350°F and prepared your baking dish, it's time to cook your apple crisp!

First, combine your apples with the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix these ingredients well. You can also add a bit of cornstarch to thicken the apple filling. Then, transfer this mixture into your prepared baking dish and cover it tightly with aluminium foil.

Place the dish inside the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the foil and give the apples a good stir. Replace the foil and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.

While the apples are cooking, it's time to make the crispy streusel topping. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, oatmeal, and cold butter. If you prefer a sweeter topping, you can add some maple syrup or more sugar. Mix these ingredients with a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles the size of peas.

Once the apples have finished cooking, remove the foil and scatter the topping evenly over them. Place the dish back into the air fryer, uncovered, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Your apple crisp is now ready to be served! For an extra indulgent treat, serve it with some melted caramel sauce, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Serving suggestions

Apple crisp is a versatile dessert that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Whipped Topping or Ice Cream: A classic way to serve apple crisp is with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, crispy apples.
• Caramel Sauce: Drizzle some melted caramel sauce over the apple crisp for an extra indulgent touch. You can even add a pinch of salt to the caramel for a sweet and savoury experience.
• Cheese: For a savoury twist, try incorporating rich cheeses like Gruyere, goat, sharp cheddar, or gorgonzola into the apple filling. These briny flavours create an unexpected but delightful combination.
• Chocolate Sauce: Take your apple crisp to the next level by drizzling some chocolate sauce over the top. The sweetness of the chocolate pairs wonderfully with the spiced apples.
• Berry or Coffee Ice Cream: If you're feeling adventurous, swap out the traditional vanilla ice cream for something more unique. Try pairing your apple crisp with a scoop of berry or coffee ice cream for an unexpected flavour combination.
• Other Toppings: Experiment with different toppings to find your favourite combination. A crunchy chip topping with brown sugar adds a sweet and salty contrast, or you could try a scoop of your favourite dessert sauce.

Frequently asked questions