This single-serve apple crisp is the coziest little treat that can be made completely in the microwave, and is ready in 5 minutes!
How To Make This Apple Crisp for One in the Microwave
This recipe is pretty straightforward, but I love walking through the steps to make sure it turns out as amazing as possible.
Step 1: Mix Together the Apple Filling
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix together 1 large apple that’s been peeled, cored, and thinly sliced with 1 Tbsp packed brown sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon.
In a separate small bowl, make a cornstarch slurry by combining 1 1/2 tsp of water or lemon juice with 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch.
Pour this into the apple mixture and stir until fully combined. You want to have a little bit of room in the bowl so that you can easily stir the apples as they cook.
Step 2: Cook the Apples
Microwave the apples in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Repeat until the apples are fork-tender.
This usually takes me about 2 minutes total, but it will vary based on the power of your microwave, the size of your apple slices, and the type of container you use.
Step 3: Top the Apple Crisp
Once the apples are nice and soft, make the topping! In a separate small bowl, melt 1 1/2 Tbsp of butter on medium power setting (you don’t want it to explode as it melts – but I recommend covering the bowl too just to be safe).
Add 2 Tbsp of oats, 1 Tbsp flour of your choice, 1 Tbsp packed brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon into the bowl with the butter and stir until combined. Then pour it on top of the apples into an even layer.
Place the apple crisp back into the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t bubble over. Then let it cool for a couple of minutes (I know it’s hard to wait, but you will absolutely scald your mouth if you don’t, trust me), then enjoy!
I like to add a big scoop of ice cream on top before digging in.
Apple Crisp – Ingredients and Substitutions
- Apples – Any type of fresh apple can be used in this recipe, and I recommend using your favorite! I love eating Fuji and Honeycrisp apples, and usually make this recipe with them since they’re what I have on hand.
- Brown Sugar – Light or dark brown sugar can be used. I prefer this recipe with light brown sugar. You can also use granulated sugar in its place.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch helps thicken the filling and gives it an almost pie-like consistency. If you don’t have any on hand, it can be omitted, but the texture won’t be quite the same. If you need this to be gluten-free, you can use arrowroot powder. If you go this route, you will need to use about twice as much arrowroot as you do cornstarch.
- Fresh lemon juice – These really brighten the flavor of the filling, but water can be used in its place.
- All-Purpose Flour – Flour helps bring the topping together, but it can be omitted if needed, or you can use gluten-free flour in its place.
- Oats – Rolled/old-fashioned or quick oats both work in this recipe. I don’t recommend using steel-cut oats, though!
Tips for Making the Best Single-Serve Apple Crisp
- Use your favorite type of apple to make this! It’s delicious with just about every type.
- Top it with a scoop of ice cream to really take it to a new level.
- Be sure to test the bowl with your fingertip before trying to grab it out of the microwave as you heat the apples. It can get pretty hot as the apples cook, and you may want to use an oven mitt or kitchen towel to comfortably grab the bowl.
Let Me Know What You Think
If you try this single-serve apple crisp recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a rating below.
Single Serve Apple Crisp
Equipment
- Microwave-safe bowl or ramekin
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 1 large apple – peeled, cored, and thinly sliced I like to use Honeycrisp
- 1 Tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or water
- pinch fine salt
Apple Crisp Topping
- 1 1/2 Tbsp butter, cold
- 2 Tbsp rolled or quick oats (not steel cut oats)
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour or GF baking flour
- 1 Tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Apple Filling
- In a microwave-safe bowl, mix together 1 large apple that's been peeled, cored, and thinly sliced with 1 Tbsp packed brown sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon.
- In a separate small bowl, make a cornstarch slurry by combining 1 1/2 tsp of water or lemon juice with 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch. Pour this into the apple mixture and stir until fully combined. You want to have a little bit of room in the bowl so that you can easily stir the apples as they cook.
- Microwave the apples in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Repeat until the apples are fork-tender. This usually takes me about 2 minutes total, but it will vary based on the power of your microwave, the size of your apple slices, and the type of container you use. At this point, I like to scoop the apples into a ramekin to make it feel fancy, but that's optional!
Apple Crisp Topping
- Then make the topping! In a separate small bowl, melt 1 1/2 Tbsp of butter on medium power setting (you don't want it to explode as it melts – but I recommend covering the bowl too just to be safe). Add 2 Tbsp of oats, 1 Tbsp flour of your choice, 1 Tbsp packed brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon into the bowl with the butter and stir until combined. Then spoon it on top of the apples into an even layer.
- Place the apple crisp back into the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't bubble over. Then let it cool for a couple of minutes (I know it's hard to wait, but you will absolutely scald your mouth if you don't, trust me), then enjoy! I like to add a big scoop of ice cream on top before digging in.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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