I love using my air fryer to make cobblers because I find it way more convenient than my big conventional oven. If you’re interested but don’t know where to start, I’ve compiled 7 delicious and easy air fryer cobbler recipes to get you started.
Why Use the Air Fryer For Cobblers
As I mentioned before, there are a lot of advantages to using an air fryer to bake your cobbler instead of a traditional oven. In short, though, those reasons are mostly around speed, efficiency, texture, and convenience.
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Speed & Efficiency
An air fryer cooks food faster than a traditional oven due to its rapid air circulation technology. This means you can enjoy your cobbler in less time, making it a great option for quick desserts!
On average, I find that the cooking time is usually around half compared to my regular oven, and that doesn’t even take the preheating time into consideration (which is substantially longer for a conventional oven).
Air fryers also use less energy than conventional ovens, which can save on electricity bills and make them a more environmentally friendly option for cooking.
Lastly, the air fryer generates less heat than using a traditional oven, keeping your kitchen cooler, especially during the warmer months.
Crispier Topping Texture
The intense heat and air circulation in an air fryer create a perfectly crisp and golden topping for your cobbler, which can be harder to achieve in a regular oven.
While this is largely personal preference, I find something delightful about digging into a golden brown crust on top of sweet fruit or savory fillings.
Convenience
Air fryers are generally easier to use and, as I mentioned before, require less preheating time than ovens. They are also perfect for small batches, making them ideal for individual servings or smaller families.
It’s also a great alternative if you have a very small apartment or dorm (where a regular oven isn’t an option), or even an RV!
Now that I’ve covered why you might want to make your cobblers in the air fryer, let’s get to all the great cobbler recipes!
Kicking it off with a classic, there’s air fryer peach cobbler to try! It’s packed with fresh peaches and a sweet cobbler topping.
Since peaches are freshest in the summer, when it’s also the warmest outside, it’s a great time of year to use the air fryer! Though, speaking of, you can also check out my collection of air fryer peach recipes for other great recipes using peaches in your air fryer.
Anyway, peach cobbler bakes up perfectly in ramekins in just 15 minutes, for a dessert in under 30 minutes if you factor in prep time (mostly peeling and dicing peaches, I admit). You can always sub canned peaches if you want to cut down there!
Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a perfect sweet treat! You could also pair this easy dessert with my tasty peach cobbler cocktail for the ultimate complimentary drink choice!
For another classic filling choice, I present to you: air fryer blueberry cobbler! Fresh or frozen blueberries make up the base of this fruity dessert, which is great for spring and summer.
The cobbler topping here boasts some cinnamon notes that go so well with fresh, juicy blueberries.
Just like the peach version, you can make ramekins in just 15 minutes. Plus, since there’s no peeling berries required, the prep goes a lot faster here too.
If you’re a big fan of blueberries, make sure to also check out my collection of amazing air fryer blueberry recipes to see what else (besides cobbler) you can make!
If blueberries aren’t your thing, how about an air fryer blackberry cobbler recipe instead? Different juicy berries, but still equally delicious cobbler option.
Fresh blackberries meet sweet cobbler in this delicious dessert. I like to add a nice sprinkle of coarse demerara sugar on top of the topping before baking for a little extra crunch and visual appeal too!
Much like the others, yep, it’s just 15 minutes to make some cute ramekins that are the perfect individual portion sizes for an easy summer dessert.
Now, my only complaint with blackberries are the seeds! Not much you can do about those, so be prepared for a little crunching. Alternatively, you can opt to drink your cobbler instead, with my blackberry cobbler cocktail (no seeds in this version, I promise)!
Ditch the berries and go for cherries instead with this easy air fryer cherry cobbler! Fresh (or frozen) sweet and juicy cherries make a great cobbler filling for your air fryer.
Now, I usually cut mine in half, which I think makes them a little easier to eat and work with generally (plus you can look for missed pits, assuming you’ve gotten pre-pitted fruit).
Unlike the vanilla in the batter of the other flavors, I think almond extract is the way to go with cherry to provide perfect complimentary notes.
Cherry is another great summer flavor option, and it pairs well with a refreshing, easy 3-ingredient cherry vodka lemonade for a drink! You can throw any leftover cherries in for a garnish too!
Can’t decide what flavor to try? How about a mixed berry cobbler in your air fryer instead! The beauty with this recipe is that you can use any assortment of mixed berries that you like!
I opted for a frozen blend with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries, which makes for a delicious combination. The bright berry flavors are perfect for summer (but you can enjoy them any time of year thanks to frozen fruit)!
This cobbler is perfect paired with a spring spritzer cocktail which is bubbly and refreshing, and has mixed fruit juice as a base. You can also throw leftover fruits from making your cobbler in as a garnish for your drink – win win!
When fall and apple picking season rolls around, you know I’m making air fryer apple cobbler too! Of course, that means back to peeling and dicing fruit, but it’s so worth it.
I love the combinations you can make using different types of apples, like tart Granny Smith or a middle of the road apple like the Jazz variety. I like mine to still have a little texture after cooking, so I usually skip mushy apples like the Macintosh.
This cobbler also has cinnamon in the filling, for those warming notes that add the perfect balance of spice to your sweet dessert.
Pair it with an apple cobbler cocktail made with Crown apple whisky and creamy RumChata for the perfect accompaniment!
Now, if you were thinking all cobblers were sweet, you’d be wrong! Chicken cobbler is basically a chicken pot pie base with a cobbler topping, and in this case it’s Red Lobster’s cheddar bay biscuits.
Yeah, it’s as good as it sounds, and a reason why it’s a super trendy recipe on TikTok as well!
But, I prefer to make it in my air fryer instead of the oven because it halves the cooking time, and I don’t need to make a full 13×9 pan. That’s always my biggest complaint with anything casserole-like.
This cobbler recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken, and you can adjust the seasonings and vegetables in it to taste, making it a highly customizable meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight thanks to your air fryer!
If you’re feeling bold, pair air fryer chicken cobbler with a chicken soup martini for a unique dinner drink!
What’s the Difference Between a Cobbler and a Crisp?
The main difference between a cobbler and a crisp lies in the topping. Cobblers have a biscuit or cake-like topping, while crisps have a crumbly, oat-based topping.
Both desserts feature a sweet, juicy fruit filling and can be made with a wide range of fruits.
If you’re interested in having oats instead of just the regular dough of a cobbler, check out my air fryer blueberry crisp, air fryer apple crisp, or air fryer pear crisp instead!
Pairings and Serving Suggestions For Cobblers
Ice Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The classic pairing that complements the warm, fruity filling and the crispy topping of the cobbler
- Cinnamon Ice Cream: Adds a warm, spiced flavor that enhances the taste of fruit cobblers like apple or peach
Whipped Cream
- Homemade Whipped Cream: Light and fluffy, it adds a creamy texture that balances the tartness of the fruit
- Flavored Whipped Cream: Try adding a hint of vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor based on what you used in the cobbler. Alternatively, add some fruit flavoring using extracts or powders to create a complimentary flavored whipped cream, such as strawberry
Custard
- Vanilla Custard: Smooth and creamy, custard pairs well with the texture of the cobbler
- Lemon Custard: Adds a zesty contrast, particularly good with berry cobblers. You could also try some of my easy microwave lemon curd if you want the flavor but dislike custard
Yogurt
- Greek Yogurt: Provides a tangy contrast and a creamy texture, and it’s a healthier option than whipped cream. You can use flavored Greek yogurt as well, to match the flavor of the fruit in your cobbler, or add a variation (like peach yogurt with cherry cobbler for instance)
- Honey Yogurt: Adds a touch of sweetness that complements the fruit filling
Cheese
- Mascarpone Cheese: Rich and creamy, it pairs well with the sweet and tart flavors of the cobbler
- Cream Cheese: Especially good with berry cobblers, adding a tangy and creamy note. You can always whip it with a little powdered sugar if you prefer a more “cheesecake” flavor instead of the tang of plain cream cheese (or try a fruit version like strawberry or blueberry cream cheese)!
Sauces
- Caramel Sauce: Adds a rich, buttery sweetness that pairs beautifully with apple or peach cobblers
- Berry Coulis: A fresh berry sauce that enhances the flavor of mixed berry cobblers
- Chocolate Sauce: Makes for a more decadent and heavy dessert, but it pairs nicely with cherry and strawberry based cobblers in particular. Try my microwave chocolate sauce for a quick and easy recipe!
- Barbecue Sauce: Not a topping for cobblers like the other options, but barbecue sauce compliments the flavors of a fruit cobbler very well. Try it on your smoked or grilled meats as a main course option when serving fruit cobblers for dessert!
Drinks
- Coffee: The bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness of the cobbler
- Tea: Herbal or black tea provides a light and refreshing accompaniment
- Wine: Sweet dessert wines like Moscato or a light, fruity red wine pair well with fruit cobblers
Nuts
- Toasted Almonds: Add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor
- Pecans: Especially good with peach or apple cobblers for added richness. Try some air fryer honey roasted pecans here!
Salads
- Side Salad. A green side salad is the perfect pairing for chicken cobbler, especially with a vinaigrette or other vinegar-based dressing which helps balance the richness
- Dinner Salad. For a dinner entree before a fruit cobbler dessert, try a full sized salad instead. Feel free to add some toasted nuts, fresh berries, and a protein of your choice, and this will pair perfectly with your sweets. I especially like air fryer burnt ends as a protein, since the BBQ sauce pairs well with fruit
Air Fryer Cobbler FAQs
Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Fruit in Air Fryer Cobblers?
Yes, both fresh and frozen fruit can be used in air fryer cobbler recipes.
Adjust the cooking time slightly if using frozen fruit to ensure it cooks through properly.
What Type of Dish Should I Use to Make an Air Fryer Cobbler?
Use a baking dish like a casserole dish or cake pan, or around 4 ramekins that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket.
Ensure whatever you choose is oven-safe and has enough depth to hold the cobbler filling and topping.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Cobblers in an Air Fryer?
Cooking times can vary, but generally, most fruit cobblers take about 15-20 minutes in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C). Check for a golden brown topping and bubbly filling.
For a chicken cobbler, when making the cheddar bay biscuit topping, it will need closer to 30 minutes usually to set correctly.
Can I Make Individual Servings of Cobbler in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make individual servings using small ramekins or baking dishes.
This method is perfect for portion control and allows for customization of each serving.
How Do I Prevent the Topping from Burning in the Air Fryer?
Generally, the cobbler will be cooked before the topping burns. However, if you run into an issue, cover the cobbler with aluminum foil halfway through the cooking process.
Remove the foil for the last few minutes to allow the topping to crisp up. Note that this can extend the overall cooking time though, as it slows down air flow.
What Types of Toppings Can I Use for Air Fryer Cobbler?
Common toppings include biscuit dough, cake mix, or a simple crumb topping made of flour, sugar, and butter. Each provides a different texture and flavor to the cobbler. I always make homemade, which you’ll find in each recipe.
For savory cobblers, you can use pre-made dough like puff pastry, biscuit dough or mix, or Red Lobster cheddar biscuit mix like my chicken cobbler recipe.
How Do I Store Leftover Cobblers?
Store leftover cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat individual servings in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crispy topping. Generally 350°F for 3-5 minutes is sufficient, depending on the size of your portion.
Can I Make Gluten Free Cobblers in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make gluten free versions by using gluten free flour or a gluten free cake mix instead of all purpose flour for the topping. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.
It will, however, change the texture (usually more crumbly and drier) and the cooking times make change slightly for different flours, so adjust as needed.
- Air Fryer Cherry Crisp
- Mixed Berry Crisp in the Air Fryer
Final Thoughts
There are so many great reasons to make cobbler in your air fryer, whether you opt for a sweet dessert version, or a savory one for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
The air fryer makes it easy to make smaller portions, cut down on cooking time, reduce heat output in the summer, and it’s great for those in small spaces who don’t have access to an oven.
These air fryer cobbler recipes are all very easy to make, taste great, and are perfect for using up fresh fruit in a simple dessert. Top it up with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate treat (unless you’re eating the chicken one – then skip the ice cream until dessert)!
