Healthy Air Fryer Apple Crisp
Craving a warm, comforting fall dessert but don’t want to spend an hour baking an entire pie? This Healthy Air Fryer Apple Crisp is the ultimate solution. By utilizing the intense, circulating heat of an air fryer, you get perfectly tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a phenomenally crunchy oat streusel topping in just 15 minutes!
Love this? You should also try our Easy 20-Minute Beef and Broccoli!
Why Air Frying is Better for Small Batch Desserts
- Lightning Fast: Traditional ovens take 15 minutes just to preheat, and another 45 minutes to bake a crisp. The air fryer requires zero preheating and bakes this recipe in a fraction of the time.
- Incredible Texture: The rapid air circulation of the air fryer crisps up the oat and almond flour topping far better than a conventional oven ever could.
- Portion Control: This recipe makes exactly two perfect portions, so you aren’t left with an entire pan of dessert tempting you all week.

Choosing the Right Apples for Baking
The secret to any great apple dessert is selecting an apple variety that holds its shape under heat rather than turning into applesauce. Honeycrisp and Granny Smith are the absolute best choices. Honeycrisp provides a natural, vibrant sweetness (allowing us to use less added sugar in the recipe), while Granny Smith offers a tart bite that beautifully balances the sweet streusel topping. For the best flavor profile, try using half Honeycrisp and half Granny Smith!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special baking dish for the air fryer?
Any oven-safe dish (ceramic, glass, or metal) that fits inside your air fryer basket will work perfectly! Ramekins or small 6-inch cake pans are ideal. If you don’t have one that fits, you can fold a piece of parchment paper into a sturdy boat shape and build the crisp inside that directly in the basket.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Because we use almond flour instead of all-purpose wheat flour for the topping, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure that the rolled oats you purchase are specifically certified gluten-free, as standard oats are often cross-contaminated during processing.


Ingredients
Method
- In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and vanilla extract until the apples are well coated.
- Transfer the coated apples to a small baking dish or ramekin that fits inside your air fryer basket. (Alternatively, you can place them directly on a piece of parchment paper shaped like a bowl inside the basket).
- In a separate small bowl, prepare the crisp topping. Combine the rolled oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour the melted coconut oil (or butter) into the oat mixture. Use a fork to mix it together until it resembles coarse, wet sand.
- Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the diced apples in the baking dish.
- Place the dish into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the apples are tender and bubbling, and the oat topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Carefully remove from the air fryer and let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or Greek yogurt!
