A warm, tender filling of sweet-and-tart apples covered in cinnamon sugar and topped with a buttery, crunchy crumble made with wholesome oats, this Single Serve Healthier Apple Crisp is made in less than 30 minutes, either in the air fryer or microwave! Trust me, you’re gonna be hooked on this healthy and easy vegan dessert!
Friends, if you asked me what my favorite dessert is, I’d probably say apple crisp. There’s just something about the delicious, tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a crunchy, buttery sweet topping that seriously can’t be beat!
And really, the only thing that could make apple crisp better is if it were quicker and easier to make, and thankfully, I’ve tested this quick fruit crisp to perfection to figure out how to make that happen!
You’re welcome.
Plus, as a Registered Dietitian, you know I love to share tons of easy and healthy low-sugar desserts, and this healthy apple crisp is no exception!
What Does Single-Serve Apple Crisp Mean?
Do you ever want to whip up a single serve dessert without all the hassle of making, like, 8 servings?! AND without having a ton of leftovers? OR having to preheat the oven?!
Maybe you live alone, or maybe you just don’t feel like sharing (no judgment here!) but that’s what this single-serve apple crisp is PERFECT for.
We basically do the same simple steps to make apple crisp, but in way less time since we’re making a smaller quantity.
I tested the process to make sure it’s seamless! We cook the crisp in a ramekin and pop it into the microwave or the air fryer for just a few minutes, and tada! The perfect single-serve crisp when the craving strikes.
Now, obviously I’m calling these single-serve apple crisps, but one serving actually makes enough to share if you’re feeling generous!
FYI, the ramekin I used hold about ~2 cups. If yours are smaller than that, you may need to use an oven-safe bowl or divide the mixture into two ramekins instead!
The Healthy Apple Dessert Of My Dreams
As a Registered Dietitian, I never want to take away the integrity of a classic, but am always open to adjusting recipes slightly to make them a lil’ more nourishing! So here’s what I did:
Kept the skin on the apples: Apple and cinnamon are a match made in heaven, and we keep the fiber on the apples (just like in my Apple Baked Oatmeal with Rolled Oats!) since they add a ton of extra vitamins, minerals and fiber!
Left in the sugar (duh!) but used less: Listen, I’m not about to tell you that you shouldn’t eat sugar. But I’ve put this recipe to the test against recipes with more sugar, and let me just say, I think this one tastes just as good (maybe even better!). So I reduced the amount of sugar in it while still keeping that delicious sweetness that we all know in apple crisp.
Used large flake oats: For a little extra fiber! I clearly have a thing for recipes that use oats (like my Easy Vegan Breakfast Cookies) because I just love how hearty they are, and this easy apple crisp recipe is no exception!
Looking for a delicious, cozy main dish to pair these with? Why not try my 30-Minute Sweet Potato and Kale Soup with Lentils?!
I Tested These Apple Crisps In the Air Fryer AND Oven!
Okay, I’m gonna be so real with you- I like how this vegan apple crisp turns out better in the air fryer. The top gets slightly crispier, crunchier, and basically exactly the same as ‘true’ apple crisp.
When I tested it in the microwave, it was still DELICIOUS (and actually, the apples got slightly softer!) but we didn’t achieve the same crunchy top as in the air fryer. Because of that, I’ll leave the decision of how to cook this apple crisp up to you!
Now, if you don’t have a microwave OR an air fryer, you can still bake these in the oven, it’s just gonna take longer! I’d recommend at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Okay, Let’s Make Some Crisp!
25-Minute Single Serve Healthier Apple Crisp (Vegan!)
Equipment
- 1 Ramekin Choose one that holds ~2 cups or a microwave safe bowl
- Air fryer optional
- Microwave optional
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 apple chopped, with the skin on, I used honeycrisp*
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt about 1/8 tsp
For the Topping
- 2.5 tbsp large flake oats
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1.5 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp vegan butter softened
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt about 1/8 tsp
Instructions
- Grease your ramekin with some vegan or regular butter.
- Start by adding your chopped apples (with the skin on!) to a bowl with the filling ingredients. Mix well until the apples are fully coated in the cinnamon and sugar.
- Set that bowl aside. Use another small bowl and combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt for the topping ingredients.
- Then, using your fingers cut in the butter until you achieve a crumbly, sand-like texture. It's okay if there are some bigger globs!
- Add the apple filling to the ramekin. Using your hands, crumble the topping mixture over the apples in an even layer.
- Cover the ramekin with tinfoil and place in the air fryer at 400F, cooking for 10 minutes covered, then removing or tinfoil and cooking for another 5 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and CRISP!
- If you're cooking in the microwave, microwave for 3 minutes 30 seconds total. Top with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy!
I was curious, do you have a favorite brand of vegan butter you like?
Hi Lisa, I typically use the Becel vegan butter or President’s Choice one!