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Instant Pot Apple Crisp is a very easy Instant Pot dessert recipe made with Granny Smith apples and simple pantry ingredients.
This is the first IP dessert recipe on my site! But I have tons of easy Instant Pot recipes including Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff, Instant Pot Chicken and Rice, and Instant Pot Ranch Chicken Pasta.
Instant Pot Apple Crisp
If you're looking for a quick and easy dessert recipe to throw together in your instant pot, this recipe will hit the spot! We enjoy apple crisp all year long (usually using this recipe) and I love that it uses basic ingredients you hopefully already have on hand!
Who can say no to a warm cinnamon apple dessert with a crumble oat topping? This is one of my favorite flavor combinations!
How to make Apple Crisp in the Instant Pot:
- Add butter, lemon juice, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt to the Instant Pot and stir to combine.
- Add chopped apples and toss to coat.
- Add water.
- Make crumb topping. Combine the crumb topping ingredients in a bowl using a fork or pastry blender until it resembles small crumbs. Sprinkle topping over the apples.
- Cook on high pressure.
- Quick release.
Tips for cooking apples in the Instant Pot:
If you've ever made applesauce in the instant pot then you know how quickly it can turn apples to mush, which is great for applesauce but not ideal for apple crisp! We're looking for tender apple texture, not mushy.
Follow these two steps, and you wont go wrong:
- Cut the apples into large chunks, so they don't cook as quickly. I use a handheld apple slicer, which cuts the apples into about 1 inch slices. From there I chop each slice in thirds, to create about 1 inch chunks of apple.
- Only pressure cook them for 1 minute, and use a quick release when the timer beeps.
What type of apples are best for making Apple Crisp?
Firm, crisp, tart apples are best for baking, and best for this apple crisp recipe. Some good options are Granny Smith, Johnathan, Jonagold, and Pink Lady.
Does Apple Crisp taste as good made in the Instant Pot?
This is the dilemma, and since I try to always keep it real with you all, I'm going to give you my very honest opinion! Apple crisp is BEST, made in the oven. (Just check out the hundred of comments my original Apple Crisp recipe has!). The oven is the best way to get the perfect crumble topping! The apples also cook perfectly and in a delicious sauce that develops and thickens as bakes.
This Instant Pot Apple Crisp uses basically the same recipe, just adapted for the instant pot! It's fast and easy, and the flavor is completely delicious! The biggest difference is that the topping doesn't “crisp” like it does in the oven, which is why I recommend broiling it before eating. I spoon servings into small, oven-safe dishes (don't stick the instant pot pot under the broiler!) and broil them for a minute or two to crisp the topping a little.
Storing and Freezing:
This recipe is best enjoyed warm and fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days. I have not tested freezing it, but I'm sure it would work.
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Instant Pot Apple Crisp
Equipment
Ingredients
For the crump topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- dash of salt
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter , , cut into small pieces
For the Apple filling:
- 4 small Granny Smith apples , , chopped into 1 inch chunks
- 2 Tablespoons butter , , melted
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- dash of salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl combine the crumb topping ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until it resembles small crumbs.
- Refrigerate while you prepare the apple filling.
- Spray IP with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add melted butter, lemon juice, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine. Add apples and toss to coat. Pour in water.
- Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the apples.
- Cook on high pressure (manual for 1 minute).
- When timer beeps, turn the valve to quick release the pressure/steam. Start slowly to be sure only steam comes out, and then fully release it.
- Optional: Spoon servings into oven-proof dish and broil for 1-2 minutes, to crisp the topping, if desired
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I used this recipe as a guide. I did not use Granny Smith apples. I probably used 8 to 10 apples. They were various red apples. I cut them several days ahead. I had put them in lemon juice , water and cinnamon and put them in the frig. As far as the crumb topping: I used 1/2 cup of flour apple cinnamon (2 pkgs) maple (2 pkgs) and added a little more flour maybe a Tab. Used about 8 Tab of Earth Balance soy free buttery spread. When I put started the apples I put one min did not hear the beeper so it was on warm for about 5 mins. I checked the apples and they were still not the texture I wanted so did it again for 1 min. I took the advice that it was neat to put in oven. I melted the butter and put it in the bottom of the glass dish and the poured the apples in then put the crumb topping and then dipped a spoon in and put a little of the juice from the instapot on the top of the crumb topping several dips and drizzled over the top then put it in the oven on 350. Oh I also added a touch of cloves and nutmeg to the apples when I steamed them. It was the best apple crisp I made. Was going to put a picture but not sure how to do that.
Another burn notice victim here – is it all the sugar sitting on the bottom of the pot? Any workaround? I mean I’m eating it 😉 but wishing the recipe would be updated with this pattern from users.
To be fair, I peeled my apples – and I do not see that advice in the recipe. Maybe that caused my failure with this recipe. Personally, I have never had apples WITH the peels on them cooked into a dessert.
I don’t suggest peeling the apples because the peels help the apples hold together while pressure cooking (I mention that in the post).
I never peel apples for any dessert. All the goodness is in the apple peels in my opinion.
I am experienced with my IP, so when I doubled this recipe ( nice big, 1″ chunks of apple,) I did not double the amount of water. I didn’t want to end up with soup. My unit did what I asked it to do (no burn notice at all.) The result was the consistency of mashed potatoes. I love the Instant Pot and I love desserts. But I think I will cook anything apple-y in the oven next time.
I received a burn notice before the instant pot reached pressure. It cut off. I opened the lid & the water was still very visible I guess because the pot never reached pressure. I stirred it so the oats could soak up the water, then topped it with ice cream. The flavor was great! Everyone loved it. I’d definitely try this again. Gotta work on that burn notice.
I have made this several times with excellent outcome. Would like to put in dish to cook so easier to get out
My instant pot read “burn” before it started the 1 minute however…It had reached pressure and released a lot of steam! It worked, and didn’t burn! It was delicious! Wish I could just buy the lid attachment for my 8qt Duo with the broiler option! Would have been even better! Thanks so much!
I just made this with my instant pot duo. Having the option to broil by switching lids is terrific! I broiled for 8 minutes, checking after 5.
Awesome! This is just what I was looking for – a way to crisp the top.
I got an error code the first time I tried to bring it up to pressure. I just shut off and unplugged the canner. When I started it again it worked fine. I peeled the apples. I used quick oats. I tripled this recipe and made two layers of apples and the crumble. Turned out nice and tasty. The apples still had some chew to them. kind of like a crust less pie. wonderful for summer when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen! Thanks
Didn’t work. The Instagram pot never got enough steam to pressurize (it would start to generate steam, then BURN on the display, which shuts off the element). After 20 to 30 minutes I ended up with a burnt pot and a dried bubbly mess.