Microwave Baked Apples with cinnamon and brown sugar is a healthy, quick dessert for one. This gluten free dessert can also be breakfast or a snack.
About this Microwave Apple Dessert
The microwave can be your best friend when you are cooking for one and/or you need something quick. Whether it's a microwaved meal or a dessert in the microwave, I highly recommend you don't overlook the microwave.
Speaking of microwave dessert, how about an apple in the microwave? You might think that microwaving apples is strange, but I promise you, it's brilliant. Quick and simple, after only 8 minutes, you are rewarded with a bowl of gooey warm cinnamon-y apple goodness.
I like to microwave apples for dessert when I am craving something sweet but not in the mood to bake cookies or have a bunch of leftover treats sitting in my apartment.
While I think it looks a lot like an apple crisp, we shall call it a baked apple because it doesn't feel like "Apple Crisp" would be an appropriate title since it's not really crispy. It's not really baked either, so ignore it's title and just make it because it's deeeelish!
What are Microwave Baked Apples
This dessert is exactly what it says it is: apples baked in the microwave. It's a simple recipe that is ready in less than 10 minutes and only serves one. It can also be multiplied to serve more. Plus, you can enjoy this for breakfast or snack in addition to dessert.
This recipe for baked apples in microwave is great for when you want a nutritious dessert that isn't too complicated. And if you need a quick treat that'll warm you up, this is it!
Ingredients
Apple: You'll need a small apple... any kind, really. I prefer Honeycrisp, Fuji, Braeburn, Golden Delicious or Green apples. I wouldn't use Red Delicious because it could be a little mealy.
Cinnamon: Regular ground cinnamon is what I used.
Brown sugar: The small amount of brown sugar gives a touch of sweetness to the recipe, but you can also use granulated sugar or maple syrup. Light or dark brown sugar are both good options.
Lemon: The lemon juice brightens the flavor, and it helps keep the apples from turning brown. Fresh lemon juice and bottle lemon juice will taste the same in this recipe.
Oats: Old fashioned and quick oats will both work. Don't use steel cut oats or instant oats with flavoring.
Nuts: Pecans, walnuts and almonds are all great in this microwave baked apple recipe. Seeds are another option. And you can also omit.
Butter: Regular, unsalted butter is the butter I like for these baked apples, and I like it to be cold because I think it's easier to make the topping when it's cold. Salted butter will be fine, and you can also use dairy free.
Cost of recipe
- apple 1 small: $0.48
- cinnamon ½ teaspoon: $0.03
- brown sugar 1 teaspoon: $0.01
- lemon ¼: $0.12
- oats 2 tablespoons: $0.06
- nuts 1 tablespoon: $0.12
- butter 1 teaspoon: $0.04
TOTAL COST: $0.86 (Based on San Diego Sprouts 2019) or $0.86/serving
How to Cook Apples in the Microwave
Time needed: 8 minutes.
It's incredibly simple to make, so here are step by step instructions for how to make a baked apple in the microwave.
- Add the apples to a small baking dish and toss with some lemon juice, brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Put remaining cinnamon and brown sugar along with butter, oats and sliced nuts into a bowl.
- Stir together.
- Sprinkle on top of the apples.
- Microwave.
- Top with ice cream or yogurt, if using.
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Variations
Ingredient Options
Brown sugar: Regular granulated sugar can be used in place of the brown sugar but it might have a little less flavor. Maple syrup is another great option.
Lemon: Orange juice can be used instead of lemon juice.
Nuts: Omit the nuts if desired or use an equal amount of seeds in place of the nuts.
Butter: Dairy free butter can be used in place of regular butter.
How to Make Allergy Friendly
This microwave baked apple is already vegetarian, egg free, soy free and gluten free (if you use gluten free oats). To make this dairy free and vegan, you can use dairy free butter.
Alternative Prep & Cooking
While it defeats the whole purpose of having a microwave version of baked apples, you can easily bake this in the oven. Prepare as directed and bake in a 375*F oven for 10-15 minutes until apples are soft.
Make Ahead Ideas
Honestly, I don't recommend making this in advance. Apples turn brown so easily, so I wouldn't want to cut them too far before making this. However, since you are tossing them with lemon juice, you could prepare the apples then add the topping right before cooking.
Storage Suggestions
The recipe serves one, so I doubt you'll have leftovers. Store in the fridge in an airtight container if you do have any remaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are baked apples healthy?
While dessert usually isn't super nutritious, the nice thing about this baked apple in the microwave is that it is simply apples, cinnamon, oats with a touch of brown sugar and butter.
Thanks to the apple, oats and nuts, you'll get about 6 grams of fiber in this dessert. Plus, the recipe is low in added sugar with only 1 teaspoon of brown sugar in the entire recipe.
Adding the nuts gives heart-healthy fat to the recipe and can help your body absorb the nutrients in this dish.
What to serve with the dish
There's nothing better than topping this with ice cream. I mean it doesn't really need ice cream on top, but it sure is good with that scoop of cold ice cream melting into the gooey warm cinnamon-y apple goodness.
Another option is to add some plain or vanilla yogurt to add a little extra protein and tang; this would be great if eating the baked apple for breakfast or snack.
Final thoughts
If you love dessert and want one that is easy, serves only one person (and can also be multiplied to serve more if needed), and is nutritious & low in added sugar, then you will want to keep this microwave baked apple recipe in mind. In less than 10 minutes, you'll get a tasty, nutritious and filling dessert, snack or breakfast.
MORE MICROWAVE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:
- Microwave Oatmeal Cookie
- Easy Peanutty Pasta
- Microwave Potato Chips
- Four Ingredient Meal
- Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
Microwave Baked Apples
Ingredients
- 1 small apple {about 4-5 ounces}
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon divided
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar divided
- ¼ lemon 2 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoon oats old fashioned
- 1 tablespoon nuts
- 1 teaspoon butter
Instructions
- Slice the apple into bite sized pieces, and place in a small microwaveable baking dish or bowl. [I used a 7x5 shallow baking dish]
- Stir ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon brown sugar into the apples. Squeeze the ¼ of a lemon and stir together.
- In a small bowl, stir together remaining ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoon oats, and 1 tablespoon nuts. Using a fork or you fingers stir in the butter and try to get most of the oat/nut mixture coated with butter. It should feel like wet sand.
- Sprinkle crumb topping over apples. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes until apples are softened. [Mine took 2:35]. Let cool for a minute and enjoy!
Notes
What to Use in This Recipe
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Meme
This post was originally published November 14, 2012. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.
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