Discover a quick and delicious air fryer apple crumble recipe that’s just as tasty as traditional versions. Lightly spiced apples softened and topped with a crispy oat crumble for a comforting pudding.
*This post may contain affiliate links to products I find useful when making this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Apple Crumble is one of my favourite comforting puddings.
Easy to make, sweet, fruity and fantastically crunchy, apple crumble and custard has got to be one of the most comforting desserts, perfect for a cold evening or after a big family dinner.
Making crumble in the air fryer is perhaps even more wonderful than baking it in the oven!
Why I Love Air Fryer Apple Crumble
I love air frying apple crumble because:
- You can soften the apples and cook the crumble in the same cooking dish, reducing washing up.
- Air fryer crumble is a great way to avoid using the hob and oven and a fantastic alternative if, for any reason, you can’t do that. Another way to cook apple crumble is never bad.
- Air-fried crumble is fantastically crunchy, and the apples are delicious.
- This air fryer apple crumble recipe is easy and tasty—the perfect air fryer dessert.
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Ingredients For Air Fryer Apple Crumble
When I make this air fryer apple crumble recipe, I use:
Bramley Apples – Other apples are fine, too, but I prefer something firm and tart, as opposed to a sweeter, softer apple. Bramley apples are very big, so you may need more if you use eating apples.
Ground Cinnamon – A tsp ground cinnamon, or two, is a great addition, but if you don’t like this flavour, you can skip it.
Ground Nutmeg
Demerara Sugar
Plain Flour
Oats
Light Brown Soft Sugar – I use Demerara for my apples, and to sprinkle on top, but light brown sugar for my crumble. This is just a matter of preference. If you prefer, you can use either Demerara or light brown sugar for everything.
Unsalted Butter – Don’t swap for margarine, which is oil-based and much runnier.
You’ll Also Need
You don’t have to use the same equipment as I do, and the cooking dish you use will depend on the size and shape of your air fryer.
Remember, if your dish is significantly bigger or smaller than mine, you may need to adjust the quantities and cooking time accordingly.
As a guide, for my delicious apple crumble, I use:
- A potato peeler, sharp knife and chopping board to prepare the apples.
- A large mixing bowl to prepare the crumble topping.
- Wooden spoon.
- Silicone cooking dish for the air fryer. I use these (affiliate link). They are deep, have firm bottoms, and long handles, making them ideal. I also use them for cooking things like pasta bake in my air fryer, and I highly recommend something similar.
How to Make Apple Crumble in the Air Fryer – Step-by-Step Instructions
Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One
Preheat the air fryer to 180 degrees C and set for 15 minutes.
If your air fryer has a preheat setting, use this. If not, just heat it at 180 degrees C for 2 minutes before you add the food, increasing the total time to 17 minutes.
Step Two
Place the chopped apples in a suitable heatproof dish that fits comfortably into your air fryer basket or drawer.
I use deep silicone baskets or dishes with long handles and firm bottoms. These are ideal because they hold their shape reasonably well when you lift them out of the air fryer.
Step Three
Sprinkle over the cinnamon, nutmeg, two tablespoons of Demerara sugar and a splash of water.
Step Four
Place in the air fryer basket, on top of the crisper tray if your machine has one and air fry for 15 minutes at 180 degrees C. Stir carefully every 5 minutes, and if the apples are soft before 15, remove them early.
Step Five
While the apples cook, prepare the crumble by placing the flour, oats, sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl.
Step Six
Rub together with your fingers until the crumble mixture resembles breadcrumbs. A few bigger lumps are okay. You don’t get as good a texture if it’s too fine and too even.
Step Seven
When the apples are cooked, sprinkle the crumble liberally and evenly over the top, filling gaps and creating an even layer.
Step Eight
Sprinkle on a tablespoon of Demerara sugar. This is optional but adds crunch and colour.
Step Nine
Set your air fryer to 180 degrees C for 15 minutes.
Step Ten
Return the prepared apple crumble and air fry for 15 minutes until the top is golden brown, checking after 10.
Top Tips
My main tips for the perfect easy air fryer apple crumble are:
- Think about how you like your apples. I like mine to be pretty firm. If you like yours very soft, you might want to air fry them for longer.
- Don’t rub your crumble too fine. I find that leaving a few bigger bits of butter helps you to get the perfect crumble texture.
- Don’t use margarine. You’ll get a sloppy, greasy crumble.
- Use cubed butter. It’s easy, so it needs less rubbing in.
- Make sure the dish that you use is heatproof, suitable for your air fryer, and fits comfortably.
- Use regular porridge oats for your air fryer apple crumble with oats.
Serving Suggestions
I always serve my fruit crumbles with custard.
I love custard and can’t imagine them any other way.
If you prefer, though, cream or ice cream are excellent options.
Variations
Add more fruit! I love crumble with rhubarb, pears and plums. Experiment with different combinations.
Air Fryer Apple Crumble for One
For a smaller recipe, or even a single portion, reduce the recipe so you only use 1/4 of the ingredients (one apple) and use a small dish or bowl to bake. Reduce the time to 5 minutes for the apples and 5 minutes to bake the crumble, and check before air frying for longer.
Skip the Oats
Apple crumble with oats in air fryer is brilliant. I love adding oats to my crumbles. But you can skip and replace it with flour if you prefer.
Leftovers
Reheat leftover apple crumble the next day either at 150 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until the apples are hot, using your air fryer reheat setting, or for a couple of minutes in the microwave.
Storage
Leave your airfryer apple crumble leftovers to cool before covering and storing it in the fridge.
FAQ
Yes, you can make apple crumble in the air fryer.
Air fry apple crumble for 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Air fry apple crumble at 180 degrees C.
Yes, reheat apple crumble in the air fryer at 150 degrees C for 10-15 minutes.
If your crumbly isn’t crispy, you may have used too much butter, your filling might be too moist, or you may have rubbed too fine a texture – some lumps are good!
Crumble is cooked when the top is golden brown, and the apples are piping hot.
Apple Crumble is healthier than some other desserts, but with plenty of sugar and butter, it’s not exactly healthy, and air fryer apple crumble isn’t any healthier than apple crumble cooked in the oven.
Yes, it’s a very easy recipe.
Other Recipes
Other air fryer recipes you might like include:
- Chocolate Cake
- Air Fryer Victoria Sponge
- Cottage Pie
- Fish Pie
- Chilli Con Carne
- Crispy Chicken Burgers
And other crumble recipes:
- Apple and Pear Crumble
- Plum and Apple Crumble
- Mincemeat and Apple Crumble
- Caramel Apple Crumble
- Apple and Raspberry Crumble
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Apple Crumble
Ingredients
- 4 Large Bramley Apples (Peeled, cored and chopped into 1-2cm bites)
- 2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
- 0.5 Teaspoons Nutmeg
- 2 Tablespoons Demerara Sugar (1 Tablespoon to sprinkle on top)
- 2 Tablespoons Water
- 150 g Plain Flour
- 50 g Oats
- 75 g Light Brown Soft Sugar
- 100 g Unsalted Butter (Chopped into cubes)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 degrees C and set for 15 minutes.
- Place the chopped apples in a suitable heatproof dish (I use a deep, hard-bottomed silicone basket) that fits comfortably into your air fryer basket or drawer.
- Sprinkle over the cinnamon, nutmeg, two tablespoons of Demerara sugar and water.
- Place in the air fryer basket, on top of the crisper tray if your machine has one and air fry for 15 minutes. I am carefully stirring every 5 minutes.
- While the apples cook, prepare the crumble by placing the flour, oats, sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl.
- Rub together with your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- When the apples are cooked, sprinkle the crumble liberally and evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle on a tablespoon of Demerara sugar.
- Return to the air fryer and air fry at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- I recommend checking after 10 minutes.
Notes
- Read the post above for more tips and advice and to see the basket I use to cook my apple crumble.
- I use silicone air fryer baskets, but any heatproof baking dish or cake tin will do.
Nutrition
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
In a hurry? If your dish is microwave safe you can soften the apples for about 4 minutes and then add the crumble mix and air fry to finish.