This apple crisp with oat topping is an easy apple crisp recipe made with tender cinnamon apples and a buttery oat and walnut topping. Cooked in ramekins in the air fryer, it turns golden, crisp on top, and perfect served warm.
Why You'll Love It
- It is an easy apple crisp recipe made with simple ingredients.
- The oat topping bakes crisp and golden in the air fryer.
- The ramekins make it easy to portion and serve.
- It gives you classic cinnamon apple flavor with very little effort.
I like this recipe because it gives you everything you want from a homemade apple crisp without needing a large baking dish or a long oven bake. The apples soften beautifully, the juices thicken just enough, and the topping stays crisp and golden. Making it in ramekins keeps things simple and makes serving feel a little more special.
Another reason I come back to this apple crisp with oats is how balanced it feels. The cinnamon apples are soft and warm, while the oat and walnut topping adds texture and a slight crunch. It's the kind of easy dessert that works any time you have apples on hand. If you enjoy baking with apples, you might also like my apple fritters, apple loaf cake, or a simple batch of applesauce for something lighter.
Key Ingredients in Apple Crisp
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- Apples, Lemon Juice, Water, and Cornstarch: I like this combination because it keeps the apples soft and slightly glossy without making the filling heavy. The lemon juice adds brightness, and the cornstarch helps the juices thicken gently.
- Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, and Salt: This is what gives the apples their classic flavor. I keep it simple here so the apples stay the focus, with just enough cinnamon for warmth.
- Rolled Oats, Flour, and Walnuts: I use these for the topping because they create that crisp, crumbly texture. The oats add bite, the flour holds everything together, and the walnuts give a nice contrast to the soft apples.
- Melted Butter and Vanilla Extract: I like how the butter brings the topping together and helps it brown, while the vanilla adds a soft background flavor that rounds everything out.
How to Make Apple Crisp
You can find the complete printable Apple Crisp recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Prepare the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and cut the apples, then mix with lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, melted butter, and water until coated.
2. Cook the Apples: Transfer apples to ramekins, cover with foil, and bake in the oven or air fryer for 10 minutes.
3. Make the Topping: In a bowl, mix flour, oats, walnuts, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, melted butter, and brown sugar until crumbly.
4. Finish and Bake: Remove foil, stir apples, sprinkle topping, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes until golden. Cool slightly before serving with ice cream.
Variations
- Apple Crumble: Similar to apple crisp, but with a simpler crumbly topping made from flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Nutty Apple Crisp: Add a satisfying crunch by mixing in pecans, walnuts, or almonds with the topping.
- Spiced Apple Crisp: Try adding spices like nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom to bring warm, cozy flavors beyond just cinnamon.
Tips for Success
Use a Mix of Apples: I like combining two types of apples, one slightly tart and one sweeter. It gives the filling a more balanced flavor and prevents it from tasting too flat.
Don't Skip the Foil Step: Covering the ramekins at the start helps the apples soften properly before the topping goes on. If you skip this, the topping can brown too fast while the apples stay firm.
Let the Topping form Naturally: When mixing the crumble, I stop as soon as I see small clumps. Those little clusters bake into a more textured, bakery-style topping.
Storage
Store any leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. I like reheating it briefly so the apples warm through and the topping regains some of its crisp texture.
Try These Apple Recipes Next!
Recipe
Apple Crisp With Oat Topping
Ingredients
Apples Filling
- 4 apples - peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon water
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Topping
- 45 g rolled oats
- 60 g all-purpose flour
- 40 g light brown sugar
- 30 g chopped walnuts
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 60 g melted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Brush four ramekins lightly with oil.
- Place the peeled and chopped 4 apples in a large bowl. Add 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp light brown sugar , 2 tsp cornstarch, ½ tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp salt, 1 tbsp melted butter, and 2 tsp water. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated, then divide the mixture between the prepared ramekins and cover them tightly with aluminum foil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F / 175°C. Place the ramekins in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes.
- While the apples are cooking, make the topping. In a bowl, combine 60 g all-purpose flour , 45 g rolled oats , 40 g light brown sugar, 30 g chopped walnuts, ½ tsp cinnamon , and ⅛ tsp salt. Add 60 g melted butter and ½ tsp vanilla extract, then mix until the mixture is crumbly.
- Remove the foil from the ramekins and sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples. Return the ramekins to the air fryer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are tender.
- Let the apple crisps rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This took me back to childhood, my mom used to make this in Autumn, and I can still vividly remember the aromas in the kitchen, thanks for the recipe.
Estefania says
Hi Sandra, Thanks for your comment, yes totally agree the aroma in the kitchen is just nostalgic.