Microwave Apple Crisp — This microwave apple crisp comes together in just 5 minutes and generously serves one person. Top it with a scoop or ice cream or whipped cream!
Quick Microwave Apple Crisp
This microwave apple crisp is the best and easiest thing to make with all those apples you bought because they were on sale. You don’t need to turn on your oven and it’s ready in 5 minutes. And it’s single-serve, vegan, and gluten-free. So take that, traditional crisps.
I’m a big fan of crumbles, crisps, and anything with a crumbly or streusel topping. Those buttery, brown sugary nuggets with texture from oats get me every time. But while I like baking crumbles, usually I don’t need or want a whole pan. It’s the type of dessert that’s really best served warm, with a big dollop of whipped cream or ice cream on top, and after the first, warm juicy piece, the leftovers just don’t measure up.
This quick apple crisp serves one generously, or two more modestly if you feel like sharing.
When I posted the 5-minute Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Microwave Mugcake with Vanilla Glaze, I wondered what else I could make easily and successfully in the microwave. Cooking things in the microwave can be a finnicky proposition, but this came out beautifully and quickly.
The apple base layer, comprised of apples, tossed with (vegan) butter, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and a pinch of cornstarch cooks in just a couple minutes after adding the topping mixture. The cinnamon, brown sugar, and oatmeal topping is tossed together in a minute.
The apples retain some slight texture, which is the way I like them. If they were pasta, they’d be al dente. I don’t like my fruit so soft that it turns mushy and these were just right.
I had cookie dough ice cream, but was out of vanilla, and didn’t have any whipping cream. I was getting ready to move and was trying to thin things down, but either would be wonderful on this warm, sweetly spiced, easy little number.
You get all the scent benefits that waft through the house as if you’d baked a traditional apple crisp, except you don’t have to heat up your house and it’s ready in 5 minutes.
Breakfast, snack, dessert, a midnight snack for one. So many ways to go with this microwave baked apples dessert.
What’s in This Microwave Apple Crisp?
To make this quick microwave dessert, you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Old-fashioned oats
- All-purpose flour
- Spices
- Salt
- Apple
- Granulated sugar
- Cornstarch
How to Make Microwave Apple Crisp
First, make the apple crisp topping by stirring the ingredients together until they resemble the texture of fine sand. Then, lay the diced apple in a microwave-safe bowl and top with butter. Microwave 1 minute to soften the apples.
Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir in the remaining apple crisp ingredients. Sprinkle the apple crisp topping over the apple mixture. Return to the microwave for another 2 minutes and cook until done.
Done means juicy, bubbly, rich, and caramely. The brown sugar and butter caramelizes as it cooks, creating a thick sauce which coats the apples. It’s the best part. Well, that and the crumbly bits.
What Are the Best Apples for Apple Crisp?
You can use really any apple variety you’d like for this microwave apple crisp recipe. I used a Fuji apple, but Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Jonagold would all work too.
Can I Omit the Cornstarch?
No, this quick apple dessert won’t turn out right if you skip the cornstarch.
Can I Make This Gluten-Free?
Most likely, yes, although I’ve only ever made this recipe as written. You could try using a gluten-free baking blend in place of the all-purpose flour and see how it turns out.
Can I Use Quick Oats Instead of Rolled?
I’ve only made this recipe with old-fashioned rolled oats before, so I’m not sure if quick oats will work here. They’re not as chewy as rolled oats and might make the apple crisp topping too dry.
Can I Adjust the Amount of Sugar Used?
If desired, you can add slightly more or less sugar than what the recipe calls for, depending on how sweet your apple is. I don’t recommend skipping the sugar altogether though, otherwise I’m not sure this would be a real apple crisp.
Can I Use Other Fruits in This Microwave Dessert?
I’m not sure! I’ve only ever made this microwave apple crisp with fresh apples. You may be able to substitute fresh pears, but I can’t say for certain.
Tips for Making Microwave Apple Crisp
I used a fair amount of both cinnamon (2 teaspoons) and nutmeg (1 teaspoon) because I’m fond them, and like things more boldly spiced. If you don’t like as much pop from cinnamon or are more sensitive to nutmeg, dial down the spices, to taste.
You could also work in pinches of pumpkin pie spice, ginger, cloves, allspice, or other warming spices you enjoy.
Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl or baking dish that’s got enough room for expansion. The apples release a fair amount of juice, the butter melts, and the whole thing puffs and rises as it cooks. Take that into account so you don’t have an overflow situation.
With fruit-based recipes, because of the varying amounts of water released, cooking times may vary. And because microwaves vary as well, you may need to adjust your cooking time. Cook until yours is done.
Pin This Recipe
Enjoy AverieCooks.com Without Ads! 🆕
Go Ad Free
5-Minute Microwave Apple Crisp for One
Ingredients
Crisp Topping
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter substitute)
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons old-fashioned whole rolled oats, use Certified Gluten Free Whole Rolled Oats if necessary
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or Certified All-Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Blend
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- pinch salt, optional and to taste
Apple Base Layer
- 1 medium apple, diced in about 1/4-inch cubes (I did not peel mine, peel if you wish; I used Fuji, use any variety you like)
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter, or vegan butter substitute
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- optionally add pinches ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, allspice based on taste preference
Instructions
- Make the Crumble Topping
- In a small bowl, combine all crumble topping ingredients and stir together with a fork until small pebbles and sandy crumbs form; set aside.
- Make the Apple Base Layer
- In a small to medium-sized microwave-safe bowl or baking dish, add apples and top with butter. Don’t use an overly shallow dish because the apples will release juices, the butter melts, and it will rise and puff in the microwave, and it will overflow if bowl is too shallow.
- Cook for 1 minute on high power to soften apples.
- Remove bowl from micro and add the sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, optional salt, optional other spices, and stir to combine and coat evenly.
- Evenly sprinkle with the crumble topping.
- Cook for about 2 minutes on high power, until juicy, bubbly, and topping is set. Due to variance in microwaves, climate, apples and their variable moisture content, cooking times could range from 1 1/2 minutes to slightly over 2 minutes. Start watching it carefully at 1 1/2 minutes and stop cooking when done; don’t overcook.
- Serve immediately. Optionally serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
More Easy Apple Desserts:
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Crumble Bars — These caramel apple cheesecake bars feature a buttery crust that’s topped with cheesecake and spiced apples. After they’re done baking, the bars are drizzled with salted caramel sauce!
Apple Turnovers — These apple turnovers take just 15 minutes to prep and are filled with the most incredible cinnamon apple filling. These are the ultimate fall dessert!
Caramel Apple Crumble Foil Packs – EASY, zero cleanup, made on the grill (or oven) in record time, and tastes amazing!
Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting — An EASY, one-bowl, no-mixer apple cake that’s to-die-for!! Loaded with juicy apples in every bite, perfectly spiced, and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting!
Cinnamon Roll Apple Crisp – A layer of cinnamon rolls topped with apples and a crunchy oatmeal crumble makes this the ULTIMATE apple crisp!
Carrot Apple Cream Cheese Tunnel Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – If you like carrot cake, you’re going to LOVE this version that includes apples and a tunnel of cream cheese that runs through the center!
Sugar Cookie Apple Crumble Cheesecake Pie – A buttery sugar cookie crust, tangy cream cheese filling, tender juicy apples, and a crumble topping make this pie a total SHOWSTOPPER!! EASY and THE BEST apple pie!
Apple Fritter Bread — The bread tastes as decadent as the apple fritters of my childhood, no deep frying required and it’s more like cake disguised as bread.
Originally published September 12, 2013 and republished with updated text August 14, 2020.
Single-serve, vegan, gluten-free and 5 minutes?! I think everyone is scrambling trying to make one right now!
Thanks Jasline, I hope so :)
Pure genius…yet so dangerous, Averie! I make a “skinny” baked apple (done in 3 minutes in micro) with stevia, lemon juice and spices when I’m watching what I eat but want a snack to satisfy the sweet tooth. LOVE the idea of adding the crumble when the mood strikes! A nice dollop of Greek yogurt or coconut milk ice cream would be divine. Perfect fall treat. Thanks for sharing!
And honestly, I don’t think this one is too bad. I don’t know if it’s ‘skinny’ per se, but it’s better than a Krispy Kreme or a DQ Blizzard :)
Wow, this recipe is so easy – I love it! Finally conquered the apple pie the other day and as happy as I was, it’s great to know there’s simple, easy recipes to make the next day :) This one’s autumn in a bowl!
Nice work on making an apple pie! And yes, simple is good, especially a few days after making a pie :)
You are killing me with all these single-serve recipes, Averie. I have a feeling that my pants are going to be a little tighter these days…
LOL!
This is so perfect, Averie!! Oh my gosh, I do not think this could get any better! That topping just looks like perfection and all those warm apple underneath? Just wow!! Wish this was breakfast!
And you posted apples today too. We are on a streak with apples/pumpkin on the same day!
I’m always skeptical when something is for one… but this recipe actually makes sense. I will give it try … thanks
I think it makes total sense! Sometimes you really only need/want one portion!
I can already see that this is going to be very very dangerous in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
I got really excited because I thought I had all the ingredients for this to make tonight. DANG if I don’t have oatmeal. Oh well, I need to go to the store anyway! :)
I always have a huge container of oats – both quickcooks and old-fashioned -just b/c they’re so versatile for baking. Oh well, you can go to the store later :)
Ok Averie, I’m officially very sad *this is not my breakfast right now! Amazing!!!
Oh Dear Heavens, can I eat this for breakfast? Looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Sure thing – Go for it! :)
I put the last apple in my lunch bag but promptly took it out and started chopping after reading this. It is quick and easy as promised (I was able to make it after only 1/2 cup of coffee)! I’ve already sampled it (excellent–love the thick sauce)!!! I doctored up some greek yogurt with stevia, vanilla, cinnamon and a bit of maple extract to have with it. I’m trying to save it until toward the end of the day–its going to be busy and I will need some sugar and spice to make everything nice! Half of it will probably be gone before I even get to work–but I think I read that this is appropriate breakfast fare too!
Ohmygosh! Leave it to you to make a recipe within a couple hours of going live and already with a field report! love.it.!! And yes to greek yog, stevia, vanilla, cinn, maple ext, wow – sounds great! That alone sounds like the makings of a frozen yogurt pop or a dip of some sorts! And yes, love the thick sauce this gets. Big fan of that myself :) Good luck with your day! Sounds like this will come in handy for you!
Looks so pretty I can smell it. I’m down with the apples and cinnamon for sure. I haven’t made any sort of crumble in a million years. I used to attempt a super simple one back when Jason and I first got together and I tried to appear domesticated!
LOL That is too funny! Well you appear pretty well :)
This is fantastic! One dish and ready in 5 minutes with a streusel topping?! Can’t wait to make thus when I need a quick one person sweet fix. Maybe some ice cream plopped on top?
And like I said in the post, if I would have had any (other than cookie dough – wouldnt really have worked for the pics) I would have plopped it right on! Or whipped cream/cool whip – any and all would be GREAT!
This is the perfect follow-up to your instant chocolate cake! Crumble on demand is going to require a pint of ice cream in the freezer as well…
Good thinking :)
Right now I have a bunch of strawberries about to go south. Do you think i would be able to use it here but add a bit more corn starch or use almond meal to thicken it up? Love this recipe nothing like a meal or dessert for one!
I personally wouldn’t put almond meal in it (that just sounds gross to me at the moment…LOL). I’d use a bit more cornstarch and/or a bit more flour if they’re particularly juicy berries. Yours may be juicier overall by using berries rather than with apples – which is a no-biggie to me :) ENJOY!
Yay recipes for one! Says the single girl:)