There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen—especially when dessert is ready in less than 20 minutes! These Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups became my go-to treat last fall when I needed something fast but cozy. I was making a big batch of apple butter (as one does when apples are everywhere) and suddenly craved that classic crumble texture without the wait. The air fryer worked its magic, giving me crispy, caramelized edges and tender apples in no time. Now, when my kids come home from school and that sweet tooth hits, we whip these up together—mixing bowls to table before anyone gets cranky.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups
Let me tell you why these little cups of joy became my dessert obsession:
- Speed demon: From chopping apples to crispy topping in under 15 minutes—faster than preheating my oven!
- Minimal mess: One bowl for the crumble, one quick toss for the apples. My kind of cleanup.
- Perfect portion control: No fighting over the corner piece—everyone gets their own golden-topped cup.
- That magic texture: The air fryer gives the topping an irresistible crunch while keeping the apples tender.
- Pantry-friendly: Basic ingredients you probably have right now (I’ve used pancake mix instead of flour in a pinch!).
Honestly? The hardest part is waiting for them to cool enough not to burn your tongue.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups
Here’s the beautiful part—you only need six simple ingredients to make these cozy little cups of happiness. I’ve made this recipe dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), and here’s exactly what works best:
- 2 medium apples – peeled and diced (Granny Smith are my go-to for that perfect tartness, but Honeycrisp work great too)
- 1/4 cup rolled oats – not quick oats! The old-fashioned kind give that satisfying chew
- 2 tbsp flour – all-purpose does the trick, but I’ve used whole wheat when that’s all I had
- 2 tbsp brown sugar – packed lightly (dark brown sugar adds extra molasses flavor if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon – because apples and cinnamon are soulmates
- 2 tbsp butter – melted (real butter only please—it makes all the difference in that crumble!)
That’s it! No weird pantry ingredients, no special trips to the store. I keep these basics stocked year-round for those “I need dessert NOW” emergencies. Pro tip: measure everything before you start—this comes together so fast you’ll want everything ready to go!
How to Make Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups
Okay, let’s get to the fun part—turning those simple ingredients into golden, crispy-topped cups of apple goodness! I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count (my kids keep requesting it), and here’s exactly how I do it for perfect results every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling
First things first—those apples! I grab my trusty paring knife (though you could use an apple corer if you’re fancy) and peel two medium Granny Smiths. Why Granny Smith? Their tartness balances the sweet crumble topping beautifully. Dice them into small pieces—about the size of corn kernels—so they cook evenly.
Toss those beauties in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix until every piece is coated—you’ll see the sugar start to pull moisture from the apples almost immediately. That’s good! It’ll create a little syrup as they cook. Set this aside while you make the magic topping.
Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping
Now for my favorite part—the crispy, buttery topping! In another bowl (I use the same one after transferring the apples—less dishes!), combine the oats, flour, remaining brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour in that melted butter—hear that sizzle? Mix it all together with a fork until it looks like wet sand with some pebbles. You want it clumpy but not soggy. If it seems too dry, add another teaspoon of melted butter. Too wet? A pinch more flour.
Pro tip: Let this sit for 2-3 minutes—the oats will absorb some moisture and the topping will crisp up better in the air fryer.
Step 3: Assemble and Air Fry
Time to bring it all together! Grab four silicone muffin cups (metal ones work too, but silicone releases like a dream). Divide your sugared apples evenly among them—they’ll mound up slightly, which is perfect. Now take generous pinches of that crumble mixture and press it lightly over the apples—don’t pack it down too hard!
Pop them into your preheated air fryer at 350°F (180°C). No crowding—do two at a time if needed. Set the timer for 10 minutes, but peek at 8—you’re looking for golden brown edges and bubbly apples peeking through. Mine usually take exactly 11 minutes. Let them cool for 5 minutes—that topping gets HOT—then dig in! The smell alone will have everyone hovering in the kitchen.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups
After burning my fingers testing dozens of batches (worth it!), here are my foolproof tricks for apple crumble cup perfection:
- Silicone is your friend: Those little muffin cups save so much frustration! If you only have metal ones, spritz them well with oil—those caramelized edges love to stick.
- Peek but don’t poke: Resist opening the air fryer too often. That blast of cold air slows cooking. Just give the basket a gentle shake at 8 minutes to check progress.
- Sweetness control: Taste your apples first! Tart Granny Smiths need the full sugar amount, but sweeter Fujis might only need half. My kids like when I add a pinch of nutmeg too.
- The butter rule: Melted butter makes the topping crisp, but if you’re out, coconut oil works in a pinch (though the flavor changes slightly).
- Serve warm, but not molten: Wait 5 minutes after air frying—that bubbling apple syrup is like edible lava! Top with vanilla ice cream right before serving so it melts just enough.
Bonus trick: Make extra crumble topping and freeze it in a bag—next time, just grab a handful straight from the freezer over fresh apples. Emergency dessert solved!
Variations for Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups
One of the best things about these little cups? You can dress them up or down depending on your mood (or what’s lurking in your pantry). Here are my favorite ways to mix things up when I’m feeling adventurous:
- Nutty crunch: Toss a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping—that extra texture takes these cups to another level. Just add them when you mix the dry ingredients.
- Spice it up: Sometimes I swap half the cinnamon for cardamom or add a pinch of ginger—so cozy on chilly nights!
- Breakfast mode: Skip the sugar and add a drizzle of maple syrup after baking. Top with Greek yogurt instead of ice cream—totally counts as a healthy start to the day.
- Berry buddies: Toss in a few raspberries or blackberries with the apples for a tart surprise in each bite (reduce apple amount slightly so your cups don’t overflow).
- Caramel dreams: After air frying, poke holes in the topping and drizzle with warm caramel sauce—dangerously good.
The basic Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups recipe is perfect as-is, but play around with these ideas when you want something new. My kids love voting on which variation we’ll try each week—though the caramel version usually wins!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups
Here’s the truth—these rarely last long enough to store at my house! But when we miraculously have leftovers (or when I make a double batch on purpose), here’s how I keep them tasting fresh:
Room temp: If they’ll be eaten within a few hours, just cover loosely with foil. That topping stays crispest this way.
Fridge magic: For next-day enjoyment, store cooled cups in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep for 3 days—though the topping softens slightly (still delicious!).
Freezer hack: These freeze beautifully! Wrap individual cooled cups tightly in plastic, then foil. They’ll stay perfect for up to 2 months. No thawing needed—just reheat straight from frozen.
Reheating pro tip: My air fryer brings them back to life in 3 minutes at 350°F—just until the topping crisps up again. Microwave works in a pinch (20 seconds), but you lose that perfect crunch.
Fun fact: The chilled apple filling makes an amazing yogurt topping—I’ve been known to nibble leftovers straight from the fridge at midnight. No judgment!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating apple crumble cups for their health benefits! But since you asked (or maybe your diet-tracking app did), here’s the scoop on what’s in each warm, delicious serving. Keep in mind these numbers are estimates – your actual results might vary depending on apple size, how generous you are with that crumble topping (no judgment here!), and whether you go wild with the ice cream on top.
- Serving Size: 1 crumble cup (about the size of a standard muffin)
- Calories: 180 (but totally worth every one!)
- Sugar: 18g (mostly from the apples and that lovely brown sugar)
- Sodium: 50mg (pretty low for a dessert!)
- Fat: 6g (thank you, delicious butter)
- Carbs: 32g (apples and oats doing their thing)
- Fiber: 3g (hey, that’s not bad!)
- Protein: 2g (mostly from the oats)
Now, if you’re like me and can’t resist adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream (and why would you?), just know that’s going to change the numbers. But sometimes happiness calories don’t count, right? The way I see it, you’re getting fruit, whole grains, and joy all in one perfect little package.
Frequently Asked Questions
After making these Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups for every potluck and family gathering last fall, I’ve fielded just about every question imaginable! Here are the ones that keep coming up (along with my hard-earned answers):
Can I use frozen apples instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just thaw them first and pat them really dry—otherwise you’ll get soggy cups. I keep frozen diced apples in my freezer for emergency dessert situations (it happens!). Skip the extra sugar in the filling if your frozen apples are pre-sweetened.
Help! My topping isn’t crispy—what went wrong?
Two likely culprits: Either your butter wasn’t fully melted before mixing (cold butter makes dense topping), or you peeked too often during cooking! That blast of cold air from opening the fryer kills the crisp factor. Also—make sure your crumble mixture looks like wet sand with some pebbles before baking.
Can I make these without an air fryer?
You bet! Bake them at 375°F in a regular oven for about 18-20 minutes. They won’t get quite as crispy on top, but they’ll still taste amazing. Just watch them closely after 15 minutes—every oven runs different.
Why silicone muffin cups? Can’t I just put the mixture directly in the air fryer basket?
Oh honey, don’t do it! The apples will caramelize into one sticky mess (ask me how I know). Silicone cups contain the juices and give you perfect individual portions. If you’re desperate, try greased foil liners—but silicone really works best.
My apples are still crunchy after cooking—what gives?
Either your dice was too big (aim for corn kernel size) or your air fryer runs cool. Next time, try a 5-minute pre-cook on just the apples before adding topping. Or switch to softer apple varieties like McIntosh—they break down faster than firm Granny Smiths.
Got more questions? Slide into my DMs anytime—I’ve probably made every mistake possible with this recipe so you don’t have to!
Print
Delicious 20-Minute Air Fryer Apple Crumble Cups You’ll Adore
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy dessert made in the air fryer with apples and a crispy crumble topping.
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
- Mix diced apples with 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, remaining brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
- Divide apple mixture into 4 silicone muffin cups.
- Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over the apples.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
- Adjust sugar to taste.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American