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.
Tonda Oakes says
I love Apple Crisp, but my Insta Pot worked great but after 3 uses no matter what I did my food would not get all the way cooked. I do not know if I am doing something wrong or the pot has something wrong? If anyone knows I would love to hear thank you
Chandice says
Hmm, maybe you can call the manufacturer because it sounds like the pot itself is having problems...
Traci Washburn says
Yum!
Chandice says
Thanks Alyson, I hope you love it!
Jen says
delicious!
Cassidie Webster says
Seriously SO EASY! You can't ask for anything tastier and faster!
Chandice says
Yay, thanks Cassidie, so glad you love it!!
Stefanie says
I love that this is made in an instant pot and the great flavor of the apples!
Cami says
Instant pot is life! I can’t wait to try this.
Nicole says
I love how fast and simple this recipe is! Sometimes GF cooking/baking feels like I need to set aside a ton of hours or buy a bunch of random ingredients. But this recipe is PERFECT for a quick and yummy treat.
Chandice says
Aww thank you Nicole! I like easy and simple. My girlfriends said this is their favorite apple crisp ever so I am thrilled to hear that you are feeling the same way 🙂
Tracie Cooper says
I love that its an apple based instant pot dessert! My hubby loves apple and I would love to make this for him!
Chandice says
Thanks Tracie, I think you will love it!
Alison Gittins says
Yum!
Jen says
I love the topping but the whole recipe sounds delicious.
Ali Celestino says
I love anything that has a crisp to it. And Apples are delicious in a variety of ways.
Emily says
I LOVE crisp topping! I didn't know you could do this in the instant pot.
Ray S says
I like that it has both soft baked apple and a crunchy apple texture too.
Patricia E says
I love how simple this recipe is for me, especially when learning to play or cook I should say on the instant ppt..
Noreen says
I like the options of apples to use, there really are so many options
Chandice says
Thanks Noreen, yes it is all up to your own tastes. I like red but a lot of people like green.
Brianna Wolin says
I love how simple Bare Snack's ingredients are! And then to make a recipe thats just as simple-- yes, please!
Chandice says
Aw thanks Brianna, yes I love simple recipes too. 🙂
Paula Decaria says
It has never occurred to me to use my Instant Pot for apple crisp. What a brilliant idea, I love it!
Chandice says
I love my instant pot for all things! 🙂
Georgiana S says
Apple crisp is one of my favorite desserts with soft baked apples.
Chandice says
Yes, it's so cozy! 🙂
Renata S says
My favorite part about this recipe are the scrumptious baked apples topped with the bare apple chips! Love apples as it is the perfect winter recipe!
Chandice says
Yay, I love the combo of real soft apples and crispy baked apples too 🙂