You’re just 10 minutes away from dessert with this Instant Pot Apple Crisp. This recipe combines sweet apples, caramelized brown sugar, crumbly oatmeal, and fragrant cinnamon to create a delicious treat that’s so easy, you’ll want to make it all the time. The Instant Pot does the hard work so you get to sit back and enjoy the smell of your house as it cooks. And after that first warm bite, you will be sharing it with others.
What's not to love...
Instant Pot does the heavy lifting - I love making anything I can in the Instant Pot! It means I don't have to heat up my house with the oven and almost always, I get to save time. From meals like Instant Pot hamburger soup and instant pot broccoli cheddar soup to sweets like cinnamon roll French toast casserole, everything can be done in the Instant Pot. This keeps your house from heating up while still making oven delicious meals.
Couldn't be easier - This pressure cooker apple crisp is so dang easy! Really truly, it only cooks for 3 minutes before a quick release and then a 2 minute sauté. Could that be any easier?! It's an incredible dessert especially when served up in a small bowl with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of maple syrup!
the best apples to use for apple crisp
Any variety of apple will do to make this apple crisp. Traditionally, firm tart apples like granny smith apples are what people use and provide the best results especially when making instant pot desserts as they hold up under the high pressure really well. However, any of them will work. It really depends on how sweet you like your filling.
I love using fuji apples myself because they are both firm and sweet. Granny Smith in my opinion just aren't quite sweet enough.
Here are some of the most common apples used in this instant pot apple dessert:
- Granny Smith
- Golden Delicious (softer apples)
- Jazz
- Fuji
- Jona Gold
- Pink Lady
If you are looking for a delicious apple drink, crockpot apple cider is a fantastic and easy beverage that will warm any soul and goes great with this dessert.
How to make Instant Pot apple crisp (aka the perfect dessert)
- I love using a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor. If you want a little more brightness, add about ½ teaspoon of lemon juice to the apples before cooking.
- Slice the apples as evenly as you can so they all become perfectly tender at the same time. *I personally recommend cutting the apples into bigger chunks so they don't get too soggy
- For the crisp topping, keep your butter nice and cold. That's what gives you those irresistible buttery crumbles. If you're making it dairy free, use cold butter substitute or solid coconut oil instead, avoid anything already melted.
- Don't overmix the topping. You want lots of little clumps because those become the best crunchy bites.
- The Instant Pot makes the apples perfectly tender in just a few minutes, so don't be tempted to increase the cook time.
- After the quick release, gently sprinkle the topping over the apples rather than stirring it in. The goal is to keep that crisp layer sitting on top.
- The final sauté is just enough to warm and lightly crisp the topping while letting all those cinnamon apple juices bubble together. Stir as little as possible so you don't lose that beautiful layered texture.
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10-Minute Instant Pot Apple Crisp (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 6 apples, large
- 3 tablespoon butter
- ½ C brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 C water
- ⅔ C brown sugar
- 1 bag Bare Snacks apple chips
- ⅔ C gluten-free oats
- 6 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Start by cutting the apples into slices (I recommend bigger chunks so the apples don't get too soggy)
- In a bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch
- Toss the apple slices with brown sugar mix and top with butter cut into pats
- Pour water over top and seal the lid then cook on manual for 3 minutes
- Meanwhile, make the crisp topping by chopping 1 bag of Bare Snacks apple chips up
- Combine in a bowl with ⅔ cup brown sugar, ⅔ cup certified gluten-free oats, 1 tsp. cinnamon and 6 T cold butter butter and mix until crumbly
- Do a quick release once the apples have cooked and top with oatmeal mixture
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté and cook for 2 minutes (only stir gently to keep the crisp mostly on top)
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published December 2, 2019 but has since been updated with more thorough instructions. It was updated again in July of 2026 with more helpful information.
Amber Bourland says
I just got an instant pot a few weeks ago and love it!
Apple crisp is one of my favorite desserts, but I never thought I could do it in the IP. It sounds easy!
Chandice says
super easy and so delicious 🙂
Cassandra D says
I really like: Turn Instant Pot to sauté and cook for 2 minutes (only stir gently to keep the crisp mostly on top).
cathy truman says
We like cinnamon and apples and oats this will be delicous
samantha says
I love apple crisps and I love gluten free! What is not to love?
Molly says
I love any recipe with apples.
Heather says
I would love to try
Elicia P says
I would have never thought to put the ships with it. But overall its a iP recipe right up my alley.
LynneMarie says
I love how quick and easy it is.
cyndi br says
easy to make and you can eat it anytime of the day
Eileen Boyce says
I love apples and oats together. So yummy! Thanks
Azeem Isaahaque says
I would love to make this recipe! So good!
Eileen Boyce says
I love apples and oats together. So yummy!
Kayla Klontz says
Anything with apples is amazing to me.
Rachel B says
I would love to try this recipe looks great
Lisa says
I like that it is easy to make!
Erin says
I would love to try something similar but with peaches.
Karen D says
I like the combo of fresh and dried apples to prevent it from being soupy
Kristy Wolfgang says
I love crisp topping on my apple desserts.
heather says
I love that I have never made this recipe before and I love apples so much always looking for new recipes like this one.
Sonya Morris says
I love how easy it is to make! I love apples and oats together.