You won’t be able to find an easier baked apples recipe. Why? Rather than using the oven, we’re baking apples in the microwave! They’ll come out warm and just soft, scented with cinnamon and topped with your favorite granola and other toppings.
Why wait for the oven when you can make baked apples in the fraction of the time? Baked apples in the microwave is the easiest dessert, snack or even breakfast! It’s a game-changer. Make it single-serve in a mug, or you can double or triple – or even quadruple – the recipe for a crowd.
Start off with your favorite apple(s). Slice them up, add them to your favorite mug, sprinkle them with cinnamon, and microwave them until they’re warm and soft. Sprinkle with granola, add any other toppings you love, toss again, and enjoy. This fall favorite dessert can be made any night of the week!
You’ll love this recipe because it takes 5 minutes to make, is customizable, healthier than your standard baked apples, and is the perfect way to use up some of those fall apples before the season’s out!
We’ve got dessert covered with these baked apples, but how about breakfast? Homemade Apple Fritters are just the thing to close out the fall season.
Baked Apples Video
Baked Apples Recipe Ingredients
- Apple – my favorite type of apple for baked apples is Honeycrisp. Other good apples to use are Granny Smith, Cortland, Braeburn, or Fuji. Make a big batch with a bunch of apples!
- Granola of choice – the best type of granola to use is cinnamon granola, honey almond, maple pecan, coconut, or even a protein granola.
- Cinnamon – a sprinkle of cinnamon adds that classic baked apples fall flavor.
- Optional ingredients – spruce up your microwave baked apples with nuts, nut butter, dried fruit, or a sweetener like brown sugar or maple syrup.
Best Apples for Baked Apples
The best apples to use for this baked apples recipe are ones that hold their shape well during heating and are a good balance between sweet and tart. My favorite apple varieties to use are:
- Honeycrisp (the best option): they are sweet and juicy with a crisp texture.
- Granny Smith: they are tart and firm.
- Cortland: they are a touch tart and crisp.
- Braeburn: they are sweet and tart with a firm texture.
- Fuji: they are sweet and firm.
How to Make Baked Apples
Full instructions in the recipe card; this is just an outline!
- Slice.
Slice apples.
- Layer.
Add half of the apple slices to a mug or bowl. Add half the cinnamon. Add the rest of the apples. Add the rest of the cinnamon.
- Microwave.
Microwave for 40-50 seconds.
- Garnish.
Sprinkle granola over the top and stir if desired.
Variations and Substitutions
Elevate your baked apples with these variations and substitutions:
- Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries
- Additional or different spices: pumpkin pie spice blend, nutmeg, cloves, allspice
- Sweeteners: brown sugar, honey, maple syrup
- Chopped nuts: chopped pecans, walnuts, Candied Pecans
- Nut butter: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter
What to Serve With Baked Apples
These baked apples are great enjoyed as-is or with one of these awesome accompaniments:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped Cream
- Caramel or butterscotch sauce
- Cheddar cheese slices to cut the sweetness
- Shortbread, Oatmeal Cookies, or Oatmeal Cream Pies
Pro Tips
- Mix any dried fruit or spices before microwaving apples.
- Mix granola, sweeteners, nuts and nut butter into the apples after microwaving.
- I like to leave the skin on the apples, but you can peel them if preferred.
- Don’t like cinnamon? Leave it off and substitute with other mix-ins mentioned in this post!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely yes! You can make a big batch of baked apples in a large, microwave-safe dish! It usually takes about 15-20 seconds per additional apple (after 1 apple). Microwave in increments of 20 seconds until apples are warm and just start to soften!
Leave the skin on apples unless you prefer softer baked apples.
Cut apple into quarters by simply cutting 4 slices around the very center of the apple where the stem is, which is the core.
While you can make these baked apples ahead, they are so easy to make last minute and are best served right away!
After they’ve cooled completely, cover and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Apple will brown over time when exposed to air. Sprinkle a bit of lemon juice over the top to prevent browning.
Reheat them in the microwave, in increments of 20 seconds, until warm. Add fresh granola to the top, to rejuvenate, after microwaving!
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love!
Cinnamon Baked Apples Recipe (In Microwave!)
Equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl or mug
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple, I like Honeycrisp
- ¼ cup granola of choice, like cinnamon granola
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional ingredients, like nuts, brown sugar, raisins, etc. listed in notes below
Instructions
- Cut apple into bite-sized slices.
- Add half of the apple slices to a microwave-safe mug or bowl. Add half the cinnamon. Add the rest of the apples. Add the rest of the cinnamon.
- Microwave for 40-50 seconds until apples are warm and just soft (not mushy).
- Sprinkle granola over the top and stir while warm if desired.
Video
Notes
- Optional ingredients to add before microwaving: 1-2 tablespoons of raisins, dried cranberries, or a pinch of pumpkin pie spice blend.
- Optional ingredients to add after microwaving: 1-2 teaspoons brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or 1-2 tablespoons chopped pecans, walnuts, or nut butter.
- You can make a big batch of these apples in a larger microwave-safe dish! Microwave times vary (usually about 15-20 seconds per additional apple). I suggest microwaving in increments of 20 seconds until apples are warm and just soft!
- I like to leave the skin on the apples.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
