Microwave Baked Apples Recipe

This incredibly fast Microwave Baked Apples Recipe delivers the tender, spiced comfort of a slow-baked dessert in under five minutes. By steaming cored apples in their own juices with a core of brown sugar, cinnamon, and melting butter, you create a warm, healthy treat that is perfect for a quick weeknight craving.

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Microwave Baked Apples Ingredients

The Fruit:

• 2 Firm Apples: Golden Delicious or Granny Smith work best. They hold their structure under high heat and offer a tart balance to the sugar. Do not use Red Delicious; they will turn to mush.

The Spiced Filling:

• 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar: Creates a rich caramel sauce inside the apple.
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon: Essential for that “apple pie” flavor.
• 1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth.
• 2 teaspoons Butter: Salted or unsalted. It melts down through the sugar to baste the fruit from the inside out.

How To Make Microwave Baked Apples

1. Prep the Apples: Wash the apples thoroughly. Using a paring knife or an apple corer, carefully remove the core and seeds from the top. Crucial Step: Do not cut all the way through the bottom! Leave about 1/2 inch of the apple base intact to create a cup that holds the delicious juices.
2. Mix Spices: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg together until uniform.
3. Stuff: Spoon half of the spiced sugar mixture into the hollow center of each apple. Pack it down slightly if needed. Top each sugar mound with 1 teaspoon of butter.
4. Steam: Place the stuffed apples upright in a deep, microwave-safe casserole dish or bowl. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (poke a small hole for a vent). The cover traps steam, which cooks the apple evenly.
5. Cook: Microwave on high power for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your apples and the wattage of your microwave. The apples should be tender when pierced with a fork but not collapsing.
6. Rest: Let the apples sit covered for 2 minutes. This resting period allows the super-heated sugar inside to cool slightly and the pectin to set the juices into a syrup. Serve warm.

Recipe Tips

• Skin Score: To prevent the apple skin from exploding or shriveling unsightly, score a shallow line around the equator of the apple with a knife before cooking. This gives the skin room to expand.
• Microwave Wattage: If you have a powerful microwave (1000W+), check the apples at 3 minutes. Overcooked apples will explode into sauce.
• Add Texture: For a crunch, mix a teaspoon of rolled oats or chopped walnuts into the brown sugar filling before stuffing.
• Liquid Addition: If you like extra sauce, pour a tablespoon of apple cider or water into the bottom of the dish before covering.

What To Serve With Baked Apples

• Vanilla Ice Cream: The hot apple melts the cream into a rich sauce.
• Yogurt: Top with Greek yogurt for a healthy breakfast option.
• Granola: Sprinkle over the top for crunch.
• Caramel Sauce: A drizzle of salted caramel makes it decadent.

How To Store Microwave Baked Apples

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in their syrup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Microwave for 30-45 seconds to warm through.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended as the texture becomes very watery upon thawing.

Microwave Baked Apples Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 186 kcal
• Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 1g

Nutrition information is estimated per apple.

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