Air Fryer Vegan Apple Crisp
Add Preferred SourceAir Fryer Vegan Apple Crisp is one of those easy desserts I reach for as soon as the weather turns cool and I want something warm, comforting, and filled with cinnamon-spiced apples. They get tender and bubbly with ginger and nutmeg, while the oat and walnut topping bakes to a golden perfection. Add a scoop of ice cream, and it’s pure bliss from the very first bite.
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I make this for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dessert tables, and weeknight treats because it’s cozy, deeply flavorful, and always the first to go at any table. The air fryer makes the whole thing faster than the oven and frees up the oven for everything else on a busy holiday cooking day. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the air fryer to keep that crumble perfectly crispy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Vegan Apple Crisp with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Let’s walk through each step of the air fryer version so your crisp comes out perfectly delicious, golden with soft, jammy apples underneath.
Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by lightly greasing an 8-inch air fryer-safe baking dish with coconut oil. I always use this cooking oil spray because it delivers a light, even nonstick coating that prevents sticking and helps everything release cleanly every single time.
Season the Apple Filling
Add your sliced fresh apples to a large mixing bowl along with the lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Golden Delicious or Granny Smith apples are great choices, with Golden Delicious giving a sweeter, tender bite and Granny Smith providing a slightly tart flavor with a firm texture that holds up well during cooking.
Toss everything until the sweet apples are evenly coated, allowing the cornstarch to do its job as the mixture cooks by thickening the juices into a glossy, jammy filling rather than a watery one.
A large mixing bowl like this one gives me plenty of room to toss the apples and spices evenly without spilling, making prep faster, cleaner, and stress-free every time.
Make the Crumble Topping
In a separate medium bowl, combine the gluten-free rolled oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted coconut oil and stir until the mixture comes together into a crumbly texture that clumps slightly, which is exactly what creates those chunky, crunchy bits on top.
Assemble the Crisp
Spread the apple mixture evenly in your prepared dish, then scatter the topping mixture over it in an even layer. Cover the dish tightly with this heavy-duty foil before placing it in the air fryer basket. The foil traps steam in the early stages, so the apples cook through properly before the top gets a chance to brown.
Air Fry Covered
Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes with the foil on. Use a good pair of silicone-tipped tongs to handle the dish safely when removing it from the basket, since it will be hot.
Finish Uncovered Until Golden
Remove the foil and return the dish to the air fryer for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. You’re looking for a deep golden brown crumble on top and bubbling apples around the edges. That bubbling is your sign that the filling is fully cooked and jammy underneath.
Cool and Serve
Let the crisp cool for a few minutes before serving. Scoop it warm into small bowls and top with a generous portion of vegan vanilla ice cream, so you can enjoy the full contrast of the warm spiced apples and cold creamy ice cream. Enjoy!
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 4 to 5 red apples sliced
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup walnuts chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup coconut oil melted
Instructions
- Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) air fryer-safe baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.4 to 5 red apples, 1 lemon, ½ cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- In another bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted coconut oil and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined.1 cup gluten-free rolled oats, ½ cup whole wheat flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup walnuts, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¾ cup coconut oil
- Spread the apple mixture evenly in the dish, then top with the crumble mixture. Cover the dish with foil and place it in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and air fry for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, until the top is golden and the apples are bubbling.
- Let cool slightly before serving with a scoop of vegan ice cream.
Notes
- Slice your apples evenly: Aim for slices that are roughly the same thickness so every piece of apple cooks at the same rate, and you don’t end up with a mix of mushy and undercooked bites.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch: It thickens the apple juices as they cook and gives you that glossy, jammy filling rather than a watery, soupy base under your crumble.
- Melt your coconut oil first: Make sure the coconut oil is fully melted before mixing it into the oat topping so every bit of the crumble gets coated evenly and crisps up properly.
- Keep the foil on for the first 30 minutes: Covering the dish traps steam and ensures the apples cook through completely before you expose the topping to direct air fryer heat. Pulling it off too early can leave you with crunchy apples under a burnt crumble.
- Watch the last few minutes closely: Every air fryer runs a little differently, so start checking the crumble at the 5-minute mark after removing the foil. Pull it when the top is deep golden, and you see bubbling around the edges.
- Freeze with the crumble on top: Let the fully baked crisp cool completely, then freeze it uncovered for an hour before wrapping tightly to keep the crumble intact and prevent clumping.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Once cooled completely, transfer any leftovers into an airtight glass storage container at room temperature for up to 2 days and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, pop individual portions back into the air fryer at 325°F for 3 to 5 minutes until the topping crisps back up and the filling is warm again, avoiding the microwave if you can, since it softens the crumble topping.
For longer storage, the baked crisp freezes well for up to 3 months. Wrap the dish tightly or portion it into freezer-safe containers, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the air fryer to bring the crumble back to life.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Vegan Apple Crisp
A scoop of plant-based vanilla ice cream right on top while it’s still warm is the obvious move. The cold cream melts into the spiced apples and pools around the crumble in the best way. A drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of coconut whipped cream works beautifully, too, if you want to keep it simple.
For a slightly more filling fruit dessert spread, serve it alongside a warm mug of spiced apple cider or chai tea. The cinnamon and ginger notes echo the classic fall flavors in both drinks, making the whole thing feel intentional and cozy without any extra effort.
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