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.
One of my most popular recipes is baked cinnamon apples. That recipe always brings me back to my grandma's kitchen, growing up.
My grandma loved to make microwave cinnamon apples. What I loved about those apples is they literally took 5 minutes to make, and Grandma had a ready-made side dish 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
- It's 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 one.
- 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!
Ingredient Notes
- 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, Jonathan, Jonagold, or Granny Smith apples. I really like Jonagold, a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious. They are so sweet, tart, and crisp. For this recipe, I used Granny Smith apples. Other suitable apples might include Rome, Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, and Empire.
- Salted Butter – Salted 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. 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.
- 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.
Optional Topping 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!
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream– or butterscotch, butter pecan, etc.
- Drizzle some caramel sauce on your apples!
- Try sprinkling some nuts on top. Chopped pecans and walnuts come to mind.
- Sprinkle some quick oats on top!
- 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.
How to Make Microwave Apples
Just follow these steps…
- 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.
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.
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ's
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.
Although a whole apple 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!
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.
More Apple Recipes
If you love microwave apples, you may enjoy these recipes too:
5-Minute Microwave Apples
Ingredients
- 2 large apples *
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar *
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
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 😋
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.
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
That’s awesome, Gloria! Thanks for sharing.
Omg!!! Apple pie vibes without the crust!!! Yummy!!!
I’m so glad you liked it, Kristen!
Delicious
Thank you, Hamish!