Easy 5-Minute Microwave Apples Baked in Cinnamon

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Learn how to make the best microwave apples. This quick and easy, 5-minute cinnamon dessert (or sweet snack) is the perfect cure for last-minute sweet tooth cravings. Makes a delicious side dish too!

One of my most popular recipes is baked cinnamon apples. That recipe always brings me back to my grandma's kitchen, growing up.

ivory ramekin full of microwave apples with a spoon

My grandma loved to make microwave cinnamon apples. What I loved about those apples is they literally took 5 minutes to make, a fraction of the time it'd take to bake them in the oven; and Grandma had a ready-made side dish or quick dessert filled with sliced apples and cinnamon.

While my recipe differs just a bit because I chunk the apples, it's still the same flavors, the same textures. And in no time at all, you have a baked apples in microwave recipe you can make for one, for two, or triple/quadruple the recipe to make them for a crowd.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Microwave apple slices are quick and easy. It takes 5 minutes or less to mix up, making it an easy, last-minute side dish for special occasions, like Christmas or Thanksgiving.
  • It's a one bowl recipe. Not a lot of dishes to do with this simple recipe.
  • Since microwave apples and cinnamon are so quick to make, it pretty much qualifies as the ultimate snack to cure a sweet tooth craving.
  • It's a budget-friendly recipe that doesn't break the bank. You can't beat apple pie for less than $3!
  • As for nutrient information and available nutrient data, did you know that foods cooked in the microwave are actually less likely to lose nutrients than foods with extended baking times? Mainly because of that shorter cooking time, so less nutrients tend to break down. So actually, a microwave apple is a win-win!
microwave apples ingredients on white marble background

Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

You'll need to gather just a few simple ingredients to make microwave baked apples…

  • Fresh Apples – It's important to use an apple that has a good balance of both sweet and tart flavors. I love making baked cinnamon apples with Honeycrisp, JonathanJonagold, or Granny Smith apples. I really like Jonagold, a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious; they're one of my favorite apples, because they're so sweet, tart, and crisp. For this microwaved apples recipe, I used Granny Smith apples. Other suitable apples might include Rome, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, Gala apples, Pink Lady, and Empire.
  • Salted ButterSalted butter is better than unsalted because it adds more flavor.
  • Light Brown Sugar – The amount of brown sugar you use really depends on what kind of apple you use and the natural sweetness of that apple. A really sweet apple will need way less sugar, only maybe 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, or it may not require any sugar at all. A tart apple may require as much as 2 tablespoons of brown sugar! It's all up to your own preference.
  • Cinnamon – I prefer to just add ground cinnamon, but if you want it to taste more like apple pie, you can also add a little nutmeg or apple pie spice. You can also use pumpkin pie spice instead.

How to Make Microwave Apples

Just follow these steps to make microwave baked apple slices…

  1. Slice or dice apples into a microwave-safe bowl or baking dish.
  2. Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir to coat the sliced apples well.
  3. Add sliced butter on top.
  4. Microwave for about 3-4 minutes, until tender and easily poked with a fork.
steps for how to make microwave cinnamon apples in white bowl

That's it! Stir and serve alone or with the topping of your choice. I love a scoop of ice cream myself. If you have leftovers, you can always make apple cinnamon French toast or a Crock Pot apple dump cake with the leftovers.

ivory ramekin full of microwave apples and cinnamon, topped with scoop of vanilla ice cream

Optional Topping and Snacking Ideas

To add more texture and flavor to cinnamon apples in the microwave, you can add a little pizzazz with some of these toppings…

  • Top your apples with whipped cream!
  • Better yet, make this quick caramel apple dip, and put a dollop on top of your apples.
  • Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream – or butterscotch, butter pecan, etc.
  • Drizzle some caramel sauce on your apples!
  • Drizzle a bit of maple syrup over your microwave-baked apples.
  • Try sprinkling some nuts on top. Chopped pecans and walnuts come to mind.
  • Sprinkle some quick oats on top of the diced apple for a quick and easy microwave apple crisp!
  • Once it's cooled, try pouring some powdered sugar icing over top the apples. I'm drooling!
  • If you really want it to resemble an apple pie, try adding a homemade brown sugar streusel topping with quick oats and brown sugar mixed together with a little butter. You really can't go wrong.

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ's

How do I know when my apples are done?

You're looking for the apple slices to be soft and tender, easily poked with a fork. It's always best to play it by feel. Don't be afraid to cook them a little bit longer if needed.

Is it safe to microwave an apple?

Although whole apples can be known to, quite literally, explode in the microwave, sliced apples are perfectly safe. It's a much quicker alternative to frying and/or baking, and I think they taste better!

Can I use a zippered plastic bag, or is a glass bowl better?

A microwave-safe glass bowl is perfect for this recipe; it's easier to work with than a plastic bag, and you don't have to worry about toxins leeching into your food from the plastic.

spoonful of microwave baked apples over ivory ramekin full of microwave apple slices on white linen napkin

More Apple Recipes

If you love microwave apples, you may enjoy these recipes too:

If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. And subscribe to my email list too!

ivory ramekin full of microwave apples with a spoon

5-Minute Microwave Apples

How to make the best microwave apples. This quick & easy, 5-minute cinnamon dessert is the perfect cure for last-minute sweet tooth cravings.
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Mel Lockcuff

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Slice or dice apples into a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir to coat the sliced apples well.
  • Add sliced butter on top.
  • Microwave for about 3-4 minutes, until tender and easily poked with a fork.

Notes

* It's important to use an apple that has a good balance of both sweet and tart flavors. For this recipe, I used Granny Smith apples.
* The amount of brown sugar you use really depends on what kind of apple you use. A really sweet apple may only need 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, or it may not require any sugar at all. A tart apple may require as much as 2 tablespoons of brown sugar! It's all up to your own preference.
How do I know when my apples are done?
You're looking for the apple slices to be soft and tender, easily poked with a fork. It's always best to play it by feel. Don't be afraid to cook them a little bit longer if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 472IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
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10 thoughts on “Easy 5-Minute Microwave Apples Baked in Cinnamon”

  1. I am diabetic, can I use stevia to sweeten the apples, with the cinnamon. I know it won’t taste the same, what do you think. I also don’t want to use butter

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    Great alternative to stove top method. I was pressed for time when serving pork chops for dinner. This is my usual side dish. It normally takes about an hour simmering on the stove but these were ready to serve in about 10 minutes (including the prep). I went a little bit heavier on the sugar and cinnamon (by 1/2). Turned out perfect! I wonder if an addition of a sprinkle of flour will make the “sauce” thicker? I will use this recipe again 😋

    Reply
    • Ginger, a little flour would definitely thicken the sauce if desired. I’m so glad you liked the recipe! Microwave apples are absolutely delicious with pork chops. Sometimes my son likes to throw a few onion rings in with the apples. I know, it sounds crazy, but apples n’ onions are very delicious.

      Reply
  3. 5 stars
    Hi, I made this recipe late last night and it was delicious! I have a few jars of cinnamon and used one that pours out but thinking it was the kind you sprinkle. So I dumped in more than expected! Ah well, such is life. I happen to ❤️❤️❤️ Cinnamon so it was still fantastic to my taste! Gloria

    Reply

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