Microwave Baked Apples

Microwave Baked Apples will satisfy your sweet tooth in 5 minutes or less. I love them because they have all the rich flavor of apple pie without the hassle. 

All you need are a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen- apples, butter, and cinnamon. Plus, the sweetener of your choice.

Warm and comforting, they're a cozy, cool-weather snack or dessert, and they smell fantastic. But the best part might be the time you save by microwaving instead of baking in the oven.

Microwave Baked Apples are a staple in my kitchen. I enjoy them as a sweet snack, dessert, and sometimes breakfast! And the littles in my family cannot get enough. 

Since it's all made in one dish, cleanup is a breeze- no baking dish or extra pots to wash!

Ingredient Notes

• Apple: Choose an apple variety with a firm texture. Sweet-tart and tart apples are the best flavor-wise. Honeycrisps are my favorite. But Gala, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith apples are fantastic options.

• Ground Cinnamon: Apples and cinnamon go together like peanut butter and chocolate. I think a little cinnamon makes this sweet snack taste like apple pie!

• Butter: Butter adds richness and helps create the sauce. 

• Your Favorite Sweetener (Optional): Maple syrup, honey, sugar, brown sugar, agave- pick your favorite, and sweeten to taste! Or skip the sugar altogether and let the apple’s natural sweetness shine.

How to Make Apples in the Microwave

Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have microwave apples in no time! 

1. Prep the apples. Core and chop your apple into bite-size pieces or slices. Firm apples like Gala, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, or Granny Smith work best.

2. Toss in sugar mixture. Place apples, 1-2 teaspoons butter, and sweetener together in a microwave-safe bowl. Toss to combine. Sprinkle the cinnamon on top.

3. Microwave. Cook the apples for 2 to 4 minutes depending on how soft you want your apples to be.

4. Enjoy Top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Tips for the Best Microwave Baked Apples

Follow these guidelines, and your microwave apples will be perfect every time. 

• Core and cut the apple. Whole apples can explode in the microwave. So, you definitely want to cut your cored apples. I recommend apple slices for that apple pie experience. 

• Cook the whole apple. While I think apple slices or cubes are best (no explosions), you can cook the whole apple. Core each apple and poke it with a fork to let steam escape. I find that leaving the skin on helps the apple keep its shape. Fill the core with cinnamon, sugar, and any other spices. Then, bake it for 5-6 minutes until soft.

• Adjust the cooking time. I prefer my apples to still have a bit of crunch. So, I usually stop after 2 minutes. For softer apples, 3 to 4 minutes should do the trick. These times will depend on your microwave's wattage, so check early and adjust as needed.

• Add lemon juice. This keeps the apples from unattractive oxidation. Just a splash is all you'll need.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Microwave baked apples are delicious as is. But there are several ways to customize this easy recipe. 

• Add more fruit. Add raisins for a more Dutch apple pie feel. Or try it with dried cranberries for a bit of tartness. I like pear slices for a slightly floral flavor- and they microwave just as nicely as apples. 

• Go nutty! Add chopped pecans or peanuts for a delicious crunch and nutty flavor.

• Try different spices. Apple pie spice, of course, but pumpkin pie spice works nicely, too. I love a mixture of ground cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger. I think it tastes like French toast. 

• Get saucy. Try it with caramel sauce, apple dip, vanilla icing, chocolate sauce, peanut butter, or cookie butter. Salted caramel sauce is my favorite!

• Make it more like apple pie. I like adding crumbled graham crackers or Lotus Biscoff cookies to the top for a bit of “crust.” You can also use baked pieces of puff pastry.

• Add them to breakfast. These apples taste amazing on pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and more!

• Make it truly decadent! When I’m feeling indulgent, I add a big scoop of ice cream, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. Go big or go home, right?

How to Store Microwave Baked Apples

We don’t often have leftover cinnamon baked apples in my family, but on rare occasions, we need to store extras. Here’s the best way to do it!

To Store: Let the apples cool and place them in an airtight container. I prefer to use a glass container, so I can reheat them without dirtying another dish.

Store leftover apples in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To Reheat: Heat leftovers in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warm. Add a splash of water before microwaving if the apples seem dry.

More Apple Recipes To Love

Apple Fritter Bites
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake
Apple Cobbler
Peanut Butter Apple Crisp