An easy air fryer apple crumble recipe combining tart Bramley apples with a buttery oat crumble topping!
This classic British dessert is ideal for air fryer cooking and is a great way to use seasonal cooking apples. You might also like my air fryer flapjacks too!
Thinly sliced cooking apples are coated in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon and air-fried with a tablespoon of water to soften them.
The flapjack-style crumble topping is then sprinkled on top and air-fried until golden brown, resulting in a delicious apple crumble dessert.
The best part about this air fryer crumble recipe is that the crumble topping is made by simply pouring melted butter onto a mixture of flour, oats, and sugar, eliminating the need for tedious rubbing-in. This means the dessert can be assembled in just a few minutes!
When it comes to desserts like apple crumble, the air fryer provides a unique advantage too - it crisps the topping to perfection while keeping the apple filling tender and juicy.
👩🍳 Love air fryer desserts? Try my easy air fryer baked apples or air fryer brownies next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- An easy air fryer dessert recipe.
- The apples are softened in the air fryer, so there is no need to use a saucepan.
- The air fryer gives the crumble a lovely crispy texture on top.
- Quick and easy - the crumble cooks in just 35 minutes.
- Easily customisable recipe with different fruits and add-ins.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Bramley Apples - or another type of cooking apple. The apples are tart with a sourness that goes well with the sweet crumble topping. You could also use a tart eating apple like Granny Smith.
Caster Sugar - adds a little sweetness to the apples. You can also use granulated sugar.
Cinnamon - ground cinnamon adds warmth and spice to the dish. Use nutmeg or mixed spice instead.
Water - 1-2 tablespoons of water helps to soften the apples in the air fryer.
For the crumble topping:
Flour - plain flour helps to achieve a light and crispy crumble topping.
Oats - rolled oats or porridge oats are best. Jumbo oats don't absorb the melted butter very well, so avoid using these.
Brown Sugar - adds a caramel-like flavour to the crumble topping. You could also use caster sugar or demerara sugar.
Butter - melted unsalted butter binds the crumble topping together and gives it a lovely buttery flavour.
🔪 How to make apple crumble in air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat the air fryer to 170°C (320°F) and butter a 1.5 litre baking dish. The shape of the dish can vary depending on the size and shape of your particular air fryer. Any dish that is safe to use in an oven can also be used in an air fryer.
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Pro Tip - Every air fryer is different, so adjust the cooking time as needed. Check the crumble regularly to ensure that it's cooking evenly and adjust the time or temperature accordingly.
Top Tips
- Use an air fryer-safe baking dish that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket.
- For the best results, choose tart cooking apples such as Bramley apples. These apples provide a nice tart contrast to the sweetness of the crumble topping.
- Cut the apples into even-sized pieces. This will ensure that they cook evenly and prevent some pieces from being overcooked or undercooked.
- If your crumble topping starts to brown too quickly, cover it with a piece of foil to prevent burning.
- Letting the crumble cool for a few minutes after air frying will allow the juices to settle and make it easier to serve. Additionally, the crumble topping will have a chance to crisp up further as it cools.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Here are some serving suggestions for your air fryer apple crumble:
- Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (honeycomb ice cream is good too).
- Drizzle with a warm caramel, maple syrup, or butterscotch sauce for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Serve with a side of custard on cold winter days.
- Top with a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a dusting of icing sugar.
- For a breakfast twist, serve the apple crumble with a dollop of thick Greek yogurt.
📖 Variations
- Get creative by incorporating a variety of fruits like pears, berries, or rhubarb alongside apples for a mixed fruit crumble.
- Enhance the crumble topping's texture and taste by adding chopped nuts such as pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
- Add a touch of warmth and aroma by experimenting with different spices in the crumble, such as nutmeg, allspice, or ginger.
- Make the crumble suitable for those with gluten intolerance by using gluten-free oats and flour in the topping.
- Substitute the butter in the crumble topping with a vegan-friendly alternative like coconut oil or margarine.
- Use my slow cooker stewed apples recipe as the fruit filling and simply spoon the crumble topping on top.
🥡 Storage
Store - Leftover air fryer apple crumble can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat - In the microwave until hot.
Freeze - Allow the crumble to cool then wrap the baking dish in foil or cling film and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating and serving.
❓ Frequently asked questions
This recipe has been specifically developed for cooking in an air fryer. Follow my recipe for cinnamon apple crumble if you would like to bake your crumble in the oven.
You can prepare the crumble mixture and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days before assembling and cooking.
Yes, you can use other types of apples for the crumble such as Granny Smith, but keep in mind that different types of apples may have different levels of sweetness and tartness, which can affect the overall taste of the crumble.
Absolutely, you can cook an apple crumble in an air fryer! The air fryer essentially works like a highly efficient convection oven, circulating hot air around the food to cook it evenly and quickly.
More air fryer dessert recipes
- Air Fryer Creme Egg Croissant
- Air Fryer Mini Egg Dessert Pots
- Air Fryer French Toast
- Air Fryer Baked Apples
- Air Fryer Scones
- Air Fryer Brownies
- Air Fryer Flapjacks
- Air Fryer Banana Bread
More crumble recipes
- Blackberry Crumble
- Toffee Apple Crumble
- Mixed Berry Crumble
- Strawberry Crumble
- Cinnamon Apple Crumble
- Rhubarb and Ginger Crumble
- Apple and Blueberry Crumble
- Apple and Pear Crumble
- Biscoff Apple Crumble Bars
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Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Apple Crumble
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Equipment
- Chopping Board
- Vegetable Peeler
Ingredients
- 700 g Bramley Apples roughly 3 large Bramleys (unpeeled weight)
- 25 g Caster Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1½ tablespoon Water
For the crumble topping
- 100 g Plain Flour
- 100 g Oats
- 100 g Light Brown Sugar
- 100 g Butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 170°C (320°F) and butter a 1.5 litre baking dish. The shape of the dish can vary depending on the size and shape of your particular air fryer. It's important to note that any dish that is safe to use in an oven can also be used in an air fryer.
- Place the flour, oats, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and stir in the melted butter until crumbles form. Set aside.100 g Plain Flour, 100 g Oats, 100 g Light Brown Sugar, 100 g Butter
- Peel and thinly slice the apples and place them into the baking dish with the caster sugar, cinnamon, and water. Give it a mix and then air fry for 12-15 minutes until the apples have softened.700 g Bramley Apples, 25 g Caster Sugar, ½ teaspoon Cinnamon, 1½ tablespoon Water
- Sprinkle over the crumble topping and air fry for a further 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling underneath. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use an air fryer-safe baking dish that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket.
- For the best results, choose tart cooking apples such as Bramley apples. These apples provide a nice tart contrast to the sweetness of the crumble topping.
- Cut the apples into even-sized pieces. This will ensure that they cook evenly and prevent some pieces from being overcooked or undercooked.
- If your crumble topping starts to brown too quickly, cover it with a piece of foil to prevent burning.
- Instead of using just apples, try mixing in other fruits such as pears, berries, or rhubarb for a delicious mixed fruit crumble.
- Add chopped nuts such as pecans, almonds, or walnuts to the crumble topping for a crunch and texture.
- Experiment with different spices in the crumble such as nutmeg, allspice, or ginger for a warming and aromatic twist.
- Use gluten-free oats and flour for the crumble topping to make it suitable for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
⭐Air Fryer Recipe eBook⭐
With easy-to-follow recipes & instructions, you'll be able to master the art of air fryer cooking in no time. Buy now for £2.99!
veenaazmanov says
Sounds like an healthier option of making this delicious dessert. A must try method.
Anna says
Must cover apples with foil in first fry - very dry and slightly burnt otherwise
Ned says
This speaks to me! I love a good apple crumble and cooking it in the air fryer was so awesome!
Tara says
Oh yum! This looks absolutely amazing! I love that crumble topping and how easily it comes together in the air fryer.
Wanda says
Making a crumble in the air fryer is brilliant! Such a cool idea and another reason I need to buy an air fryer stat!
Kushigalu says
WHat a healthy and delicious dessert recipe to try! Thanks for sharing.