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This Instant Pot apple crisp made with organic granola is quick and delicious! It’s a cozy vegan dessert recipe that cooks in minutes in a pressure cooker.

Instant Pot apple crisp with granola

Why we love this recipe

Growing up in Minnesota, my family had an apple tree in the backyard that had the best crisp tart apples. Every year we’d pick them to make them into our “famous” apple butter to give to neighbors and friends. And of course, apple crisp!

This fall Alex and I decided to create a healthy spin on apple crisp, for nostalgia sake. And because we’re obsessed with our Instant Pot, why not try it in a pressure cooker? This Instant Pot apple crisp turned out incredible and cooks in just 2 minutes, featuring organic granola for the topping.

Here’s what a few recipe testers had to say about this pressure cooker apple crisp:

  • “This Instant Pot apple crisp is definitely going into regular rotation, so good! It felt like my first dessert of the fall season. The lemon zest topping was a really nice added brightness. I especially loved that it was so quick and easy!” -Erin
  • “It was easy and quick and even though it was made in the Instant Pot rather than the oven it made my kitchen smell amazing. The apples came out perfectly tender. My 10 year old girls helped me put it together and asked for seconds!” -Lisa
Instant Pot apple crisp dessert

Instant Pot apple crisp ingredients

This Instant Pot apple crisp recipe is quick and easy, and lets the apple flavor to really shine. And here, the pressure cooker isn’t the only time saver. The topping is made with granola! Using granola brings in some seasoning and sweetness. Of course, you’ll want to use a top of the line granola: organic if possible! Here are all the ingredients you’ll need for this Instant Pot apple crisp:

  • Apples
  • Organic granola
  • Brown sugar
  • Coconut oil
  • Maple syrup
  • Cinnamon and ginger
  • Vanilla

What are the best apples for apple crisp?

We recommend using any tart cooking apple for this Instant Pot apple crisp recipe. Granny Smith will do, as will Cameo, Baldwin, Cortland, and Jonagold apples.

Tips for making Instant Pot apple crisp

This Instant Pot apple crisp is quick and simple! The basic steps are that you’ll combine the filling ingredients in the bowl, then top with granola mixed with brown sugar and coconut oil. Then you’ll Pressure Cook on high for 2 minutes and do a quick release. Then you’ll remove the lid and let the crisp sit for 5 minutes to thicken up. That’s it!

A few important notes about this Instant Pot apple crisp before you start:

  • If you use your Instant Pot (pressure cooker) to cook savory items, the sealing ring on the inside of the lid can sometimes pick up flavor. You may want to check the plastic seal on the lid before you make a dessert. If it has an odor, soak it in vinegar for a few hours. We have purchased 2 Instant Pot sealing rings: we use use one for savory recipes and one for sweet recipes.
  • Expect a chewy topping! Since this apple crisp is cooked in a pressure cooker, the granola comes out with a chewy texture.
  • Make sure to garnish! A sprinkle of lemon zest mixed with cinnamon brightens up the darker flavors of the crisp. Then serve with vanilla ice cream, vegan cinnamon ice cream or coconut whipped cream. (Bourbon whipped cream would also be nice!)
Instant Pot desserts

Dietary notes

This Instant Pot apple crisp recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and plant based.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to peel the apples before cooking them in the Instant Pot?

Peeling the apples is entirely optional. Some people prefer the texture and added fiber of leaving the peels on, while others prefer the smoother texture of peeled apples.

Can I adjust the sweetness of the apple crisp?

Yes! You can adjust the amount of sugar or sweetener in both the apple filling to suit your taste. If you’re using a sweeter apple variety or very sweet granola, you may need less sugar.

How do I know when the apple crisp is done?

The apple crisp is done when the apples are tender and the crumble topping is golden brown. You can test the apples with a fork – they should easily pierce through.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the apple filling and measure out the crumble topping ahead of time (saving out the granola) and store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, add the granola to the topping, then assemble the crisp in the Instant Pot and cook according to the recipe instructions.

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Instant Pot Apple Crisp

Instant Pot apple crisp with granola | Instant Pot desserts
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4 from 1 review

This Instant Pot apple crisp made with organic granola is quick and delicious! It’s a cozy vegan dessert recipe that cooks in minutes in a pressure cooker. In this crisp, the oats come out intentionally chewy.

  • Author: Sonja
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups granola
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • ¼ cup organic brown sugar
  • 4 large or 6 small tart apples (like Granny Smith), enough for 5 cups sliced
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus ⅛ teaspoon for serving
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup water
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon, for serving

Instructions

  1. (Before you start, read the note below.) In a small bowl, mix together the granola, room temperature coconut oil and 2 tablespoons brown sugar; you may need to use your hands to bring everything together. (Note: The granola we used was lightly sweet. If using a very sweet granola, you can lessen the sugar in the topping.)
  2. Peel and slice the apples into about 1/4″ slices, enough for 5 cups, and place them in the bowl of the Instant Pot. Stir in 2 tablespoons brown sugar, then the maple, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and water. Smooth the apples into an even layer and pour the granola mixture over the top, covering the apples.
  3. Lock the top of the Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high for 2 minutes. (Note: It takes about 5 minutes for the pot to “preheat” before it starts cooking. During cooking, avoid touching the metal part of the lid.) After the pot beeps, immediately do a Quick Release: vent the remaining steam by moving the pressure release handle to “Venting”, covering your hand with a towel or hot pad. (Never put your hands or face near the steam release valve when releasing steam.)
  4. While the crisp is cooking, prepare the garnish: Zest 1 lemon. Mix it together with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
  5. After the Quick Release, remove the lid. Turn off the pot and let the crisp sit uncovered for 5 minutes (make sure Keep Warm feature is turned off). This lets the sauce thicken; the oats will be intentionally chewy, not crunchy. Zest the lemon. Scoop the crisp into bowls and add a pinch of the lemon zest garnish. If desired, serve with vegan vanilla ice cream or Coconut Whipped Cream.

Notes

Important note: If you use your Instant Pot / pressure cooker to cook strong savory items, the sealing ring on the inside of the lid can sometimes pick up flavor. You may want to check the plastic seal on the lid and smell it before you make a dessert. If it has an odor, soak it in vinegar for a few hours. Typically this shouldn’t be a problem, but we actually ran across it in our first test of this recipe. We have since purchased 2 Instant Pot sealing rings and use one for savory recipes and one for sweet recipes.

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Looking for more Instant Pot recipes?

This Instant Pot apple crisp with granola is our first Instant Pot dessert recipe! We’re working on some more Instant Pot dessert recipes, but in the meantime here are a few healthy Instant Pot recipes:

Looking for more vegan dessert recipes?

Outside of this Instant Pot apple crisp with granola, here are some of our favorite vegan dessert recipes:

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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12 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    hello!
    I am looking forward to making this recipe. I have one question: Is there any other oil I can use besides Coconut oil? I am allergic to coconut oil. I am trying to stay Mediterranean Diet compliant also. Thanks. Making your shrimp oven back tonight! :)






    1. Alex Overhiser says:

      Butter would work fine!

  2. Tina Weir says:

    I usually make apple crisp only in the fall so I don’t heat up the house. Can’t wait to try this and my rhubarb crisp in the Instant Pot.

  3. Marguerite E. Dawson says:

    I’ve made this recipe two times. I served it with vanilla yogurt. Delicious. I did, however, cut back on the sugar the second time I made it. Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I’ve shared it on Facebook IP sites.

    1. Sonja says:

      Oh how wonderful! Thank you so much for making it and we’re so glad it was a hit!

  4. Tessa | Salted Plains says:

    What an excellent idea! I have slowly been breaking in my Instant Pot and this is just the type of recipe I need. Love that One Degree Organic makes sprouted granola too, cannot wait to try!

  5. Elizabeth says:

    This recipe is brilliant! I’m one of three remaining people who do not own a pressure cooker or slow cooker, but I’m really considering getting one – especially knowing I could make dessert magic like this! I also wonder if this wouldn’t be great for breakfast with just a little less sugar? I know my kids would LOVE that.

  6. bella says:

    You two sure have been churning out one amazing Insta-Pot recipe after the other! Pressure cookers sure are changing the game!

  7. Sheenam | thetwincookingproject.net says:

    This looks so good!! Cant wait to try this.

  8. Mikaela says:

    Please consider a stove top version. This sounds so yummy, but I don’t have an instant pot (and haven’t quite decided we need one yet).

    1. Sonja says:

      On it! We really want to do a stovetop version of this!

      1. Mikaela says:

        You guys are the BEST! Can’t wait. Thanks!! :)