Microwave Baked Apples

A quick and tasty dessert that’s as sweet as apple pie.

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Who doesn’t like the taste of a fresh apple pie? The only problem is that most of us don’t have a lot of free time to prepare and bake a whole pie, unless it’s for a special occasion. Plus, what if you suddenly start craving a piece of pie one night and there is no pie to be found? Well, for such occasions, I may have found the perfect substitute. These baked apples have few ingredients, come very close to the taste of that perfect slice of apple pie, and are cooked in the microwave for added convenience. The best part is: they can be prepared in a few short minutes, so whenever you crave apple pie, a baked apple is just a few minutes away.

If you can successfully remove the core without damaging the bottom of the apple, you can make baked apples—it really is that easy. Once the core is out, just replace it with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg—all of the warming, fall flavors you would find in an apple pie. The microwave does the rest, and you end up with tender and sweet cooked apples. For a finishing touch, put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and enjoy.

Are Baked Apples in the Microwave Healthy?

Apples are naturally high in vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients. Any way to get more apples into your diet is usually a good thing, as long as they’re in moderation. This dessert is a good way to add another serving of fruit to your 5-a-day.

That being said, the butter and brown sugar increase the amount of calories in this dessert. If this is a concern, you can reduce the amount of butter and brown sugar you use, or use a natural sweetener like stevia.

The Right Apple…

Perhaps the toughest part of making baked apples is choosing the right variety. I would recommend either Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples because they tend to hold their shape well when cooked. You may also want to consider apples like Fuji and Gala because they will have plenty of apple flesh leftover after taking out the core. Taste-wise, tart apples like Jonagold or Pink Lady can also work well when making baked apples as the brown sugar will sweeten them. Unfortunately, there isn’t one clear answer when it comes to choosing an apple variety, so try experimenting with a few different varieties to find the one you like the best.

INGREDIENTS

2 medium apples, cored
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare

Core apples and mix fillings.

Fill

Spoon sugar mixture and top with butter.

Microwave

Cook until tender, then cool slightly.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Once cooked, these baked apples can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days. To keep them from browning too quickly, squeeze some lemon juice over the flesh of the apples and store them in an airtight container.

What else can I put in baked apples?

Small fruits like raisins and cranberries will often fit inside a cored apple. Granola, oats, nuts, and honey are also common additions to baked apples.

Serving Suggestions

As mentioned, ice cream is always my first choice for serving with baked apples. If you want to make homemade ice cream, I would recommend this Healthy Ice Cream with Chocolate and Pomegranate, or this Homemade Frozen Yogurt recipe.

If you like this dessert, I would also recommend this Vegan and Gluten-Free Apple Crisp, which takes a little longer to make but is just as tasty. Finally, if you love the taste of apple pie first thing in the morning, you should make these Apple Pie Overnight Oats.