Instant Pot Apple Crisp is a perfect fall fruit dessert recipe made with fresh apples and topped with crisp, crunchy oatmeal streusel. Serve with vanilla ice cream and dulce de leche or caramel for an extra treat. If you’re an apple pie or apple cobbler fan, you’ll love this Instant Pot dessert that can be made in less than 30 minutes.
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Instant Pot Apple crisp is a dessert made with Instant Pot apples topped with streusel. The perfect dessert for fall, the inviting aroma of apples and cinnamon in this recipe fills the house and signals the arrival of cool weather.
The sweet and tart flavors combine to create a perfect combination with every bite of this Instant Pot Apple Crisp.
I don’t pressure cook the topping, but rather I add it to the cinnamon apples and brown it either in the oven under the broiler or the Instant Pot air fryer lid.
This recipe can also be used to make an apple pie filling.
➡ I have plenty of other Instant Pot desserts for you to try like peach crisp, cupcakes, Instant Pot lava cakes, and Oreo cheesecake!
Tips and Substitutions
Apples
I use Granny Smith apples. Granny Smith apples are on the tart side. If you like sweeter apple crisp, Honeycrisp apples are a good choice. You can use a mix of tart and sweet apples.
Keep in mind that not all apple varieties stand up to cooking. Some disintegrate easily. So if you’re substituting another variety, find out if the apples are suited for cooking and baking.
The cinnamon apples cook very quickly in the Instant Pot. I’ve accidentally made applesauce instead of apple dessert! Because of this, I cut the pieces into 1 ½ inch to 2-inch cubes for this pressure cooker apple crisp.
Cooking time
The recipe calls for a one-minute cook time. You can pressure cook the apples for zero minutes if you’d like the apples cooked a bit less.
Many Instant Pots allow you to program pressure cooking for 0 minutes. If your Instant Pot doesn’t have this option, program it to pressure cook the cinnamon apples for 1 minute. As soon as the display changes from On to 00:01, press Cancel and release the pressure.
Spices
This recipe is very forgiving. You can increase or decrease the quantity of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom or you can even omit spices that you don’t want.
Sugar
If you want to use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar in the topping or the filling, that’s perfectly okay. I have made it both ways.
If you like a more tart apple crisp, reduce the quantity of crisp topping or reduce the quantity of sugar in the topping.
Thickeners
After pressure cooking, if you find the apples are too runny, add a cornstarch slurry (one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water into a smooth paste) to the apples and heat through on Saute mode before adding the crisp topping.
Tartness
I have a bit of a sweet tooth and like my apple crisp to be more sweet than tart! You can make the apple crisp more tart by adding more lemon juice.
You can also reduce the quantity of sugar in the filling, the topping or both.
Lemon juice can be substituted with apple cider vinegar also.
Crisp Topping
You have two options for the topping:
- Broil it under the Instant Pot air fryer lid
- Broil it under the broiler in the oven
I own an Instant Pot Duo Crisp, which has both pressure cooker and air fryer functionality. I love this model of the Instant Pot. If you don’t want to purchase a Duo Crisp, you can also purchase a stand-alone air fryer lid.
Some people choose to pressure cook the topping too and if you feel like doing that, feel free to do so by adding the topping to the apples before you pressure cook the apples. You can still crisp it up after pressure cooking
[Read more: How to use the Instant Pot Duo Crisp]
Additional Toppings
To really take this Instant Pot apple dessert to the next level, serve it topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with Instant Pot Dulce de Leche.
If you’ve never made dulce de leche in the Instant Pot, check out this recipe from Pressure Cooking Today. It just might be the easiest thing you ever make in the Instant Pot! It has one ingredient: condensed milk.
The only change I make is that I increase the cooking time by 5 minutes.
Burn Message
I’ve made this recipe numerous times in the 6 quart and 8 quart Instant Pots. I haven’t encountered the Burn error. However, every Instant Pot is different. If you get the Burn message, don’t worry.
Wait about a minute and open the lid. Most likely the apples will be cooked. If there’s food stuck to the bottom, transfer the pressure cooker apples mixture to a bowl, scrape off the burnt food, clean the inner pot and then proceed with the crisp topping step.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, you might find it helpful to first read one of the following guides and then come back here to learn how to make this recipe.
- General Instant Pot Instructions for Beginners
- Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
FAQS
It could be the type of apples you used. Some apples disintegrate easily upon pressure cooking.
The size of the apples can also make a difference. I made this with large Granny Smith apples and small ones. The smaller apples were firmer after pressure cooking.
Also, if you leave the apples in the Instant Pot, they will continue to cook. Remove the inner pot from the base unit immediately after releasing pressure.
There are some recipes that call for pressure cooking the topping. Although I haven’t tried to, I think it should work.
It could be your model of pressure cooker or the type of apples you used. Next time, add another minute to the pressure cooking time.
You have a few options. You can reduce the quantity of sugar used in the filling and/or the crisp topping. You can also add more lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
The apples you used may have released more juice upon pressure cooking. To resolve this issue, heat the cooked apples in Saute mode or add a cornstarch slurry to the cooked apples and heat through until thickened.
Since the pressure cooking time is so short for this recipe, the Burn message probably won’t affect the end result. Wait for a minute and open the lid to see if the apples are cooked through. If not, close the lid and let them steam for a bit longer. Transfer the apples to a clean bowl and clean out the inner pot to proceed with the recipe.
Since this recipe doesn’t call for pressure cooking the oats, you can use instant oats or quick-cooking oats.
No, I don’t recommend using steel-cut oats for this recipe. It requires a longer cooking time.
Any Instant Pot model can be used to make this recipe. An Instant Pot Duo Crisp or Pro Crisp is ideal since you can pressure cook and air fry with these models. You can also use an air fryer lid to brown the crisp topping. If you don’t have an air fryer lid, you can use the oven.
I wouldn’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Pressure cook the apples ahead of time, remove them from the inner pot and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Before serving, transfer the cinnamon apples to an oven-proof dish, top with crisp topping, and broil for 10 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
Instant Pot Apple Crisp Ingredients
- Apples
- Brown sugar
- Lemon juice
- water
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Cardamom
- Oats
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Flour
- Pecans
- Butter
More details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Apple Crisp in the Instant Pot (Step by Step Instructions)
- Combine apple filling ingredients
- Pressure cook
- Release pressure
- Make topping and spread on apples
- Broil
- Remove lid after cooking is complete
- Serve into serving bowls
Combine Apple Filling Ingredients
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and allspice.
- Place apple pieces in the Instant Pot and stir in the spice mixture.
- Stir in lemon juice and water.
- Using a large spoon, stir gently to combine ingredients.
Instant Pot Duo Pressure Cook 1 minute
- Close the lid and make sure the steam release handle is in the Sealing position.
- Press Manual (or Pressure Cook) and + or – until the display reads 1 (1 minute).
Instant Pot Ultra Pressure Cook 1 minute
- Close the lid.
- Select Pressure Cook mode and adjust the time to 1 minute (00:01).
- Press Start.
Pressure Cooking Process (Duo and Ultra)
- Instant Pot display will change to On.
- Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the float valve will go up.
- The display will count down to 0; it will then switch to Keep Warm mode and display L0:00 or 00 00 and begin to count up the number of minutes since pressure cooking completed.
How to Quick Release Pressure (QR) on the DUO
- Move the steam release handle to Venting. Steam will come out of the steam release handle.
- When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
How to Quick Release Pressure (QR) on the ULTRA
- Press down on the Steam Release Button until it locks into place, and steam begins to come out of the Steam Release Valve.
- When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
[Find out more about the pressure release methods and how and when to use them. ]
Make Topping and spread on apples
- Remove the Instant Pot inner pot from the base unit to prevent the apples from overcooking.
- Make the streusel topping. Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, pecans, and butter until crumbly.
- Spread the topping over the cooked apples.
- Place the inner pot back into the base unit.
- Place air fryer lid on the Instant Pot. *
* If you wish to crisp the topping in the oven instead, transfer apples to a buttered casserole dish, top with streusel topping, and broil on the middle rack of the oven for 6 to 10 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Check periodically to make sure the topping isn’t burning!
Broil
- Press the Broil Button.
- The temperature will default to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Press the Time + or – until the time says 00:10.
- Press Start.
- The display will start counting down from 00:10 to 00:00.
Remove lid after cooking is complete
- When the timer runs down, the Instant Pot will beep and the display will say End.
- Lift the air fryer lid and place it on the protective pad.
- If the food’s not cooked to your liking, program the Instant Pot to air fry for another few minutes.
Check on the crisp topping about halfway through and if the crisp topping has browned to your liking before the time’s up, press Cancel.
Serve into serving bowls
- Let the apple crisp cool down slightly.
- Serve the apple crisp into a serving bowl and top with vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce or dulce de leche.
Oven Directions for Apple Crisp
- To make this recipe without an Instant Pot, bake it entirely in the oven.
- Combine ingredients for the apple filling and transfer to a greased, oven-safe casserole dish.
- Combine ingredients for the topping and spread evenly over the apple filling.
- Bake until apples are cooked through and the topping is golden brown.
See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Instant Pot Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 7 medium Granny Smith apples cut into 1½ to 2-inch cubes
- ¾ cup brown sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon water
Apple Crisp Topping
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar or granulated sugar
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup pecans chopped
- 6 tablespoon butter – ¾ stick (at room temperature)
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, lemon juice, and water in the Instant Pot inner pot.
- Using a large spoon, stir gently to combine ingredients.
- Close Instant Pot and pressure cook on High Pressure for 1 minute.
- Press Cancel and do a quick release of pressure and open the Instant Pot lid. [Read More: The Different Pressure Release Methods].
- Remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot base unit and place it on a heat-resistant surface. This will prevent the cinnamon apples from continuing to cook.
- Combine flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, pecans, and butter in a medium bowl. Mix by hand or with a pastry blender until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping over the cooked apples. Place the inner pot back onto the Instant Pot base.
- Use an air fryer lid to broil for about 10 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, checking halfway through to make sure it's not burning.If you wish to crisp the topping in the oven instead, transfer apples to a buttered casserole dish, top with streusel topping, and broil on the middle rack of the oven for 6 to 10 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Check periodically to make sure the topping isn't burning!
Oven Instructions
- To make the entire recipe in the oven, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, lemon juice in a medium bowl. Omit the water.
- Transfer the apple filling into a greased casserole dish and spread out evenly.
- Combine flour, brown sugar, oats, salt, pecans, and butter in a medium bowl. Mix by hand or with a pastry blender until crumbly.
- Evenly spread crisp topping over the apple filling.
- Bake for 40 minutes until the filling is cooked and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the apple crisp cool a bit and serve topped with ice cream.
Notes
- Prep time does not include steps that are already accounted for in the ingredient list, e.g. cut fruit, etc.
- The quantity of water in the recipe is correct. The apples release liquid and that should be enough to bring the Instant Pot to pressure. If you get a Burn message, wait one minute and open the Instant Pot. The apples should be cooked through.
- See the blog post for more detailed recipe tips.
Nutrition
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I am not a certified nutritionist. I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers. If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons, I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.
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Katherine S says
Perfect. Thought it wouldn’t be enough liquid so I added 1/4 cup of water.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Katherine, I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe.