Easy Microwave Apple Crumble

This easy apple crumble recipe, cooked in the microwave and finished in the oven, is made from scratch and free from refined sugars making a quick, wholesome and delicious desert. Discover my time-saving secret to this quick and easy desert. The perfect way to end a family meal!

Jump to:

• How to make easy microwave apple crumble
• Watch the video tutorial
• Frequently asked questions
• Is apple crumble healthy?
• What is the 'crumble' on apple crumble?
• Which apples are best?
• Can apple crumble be made with eating apples?
• What to serve with apple crumble
• How to store apple crumble
• How long will it keep?
• How to reheat apple crumble
• Recipe variations
• Fun facts about apples
• Comments

One of my favourite ways to embrace seasonal living is by cooking. This warming winter dessert makes the most of fresh new-season apples combining them cinnamon, maple syrup and a crispy crumble topping. Could there be a better way to end a meal on a chilly evening? I think not.

Apples are a delicious low-GI fruit that are readily available and affordable, making them the perfect base for a wholesome family dessert.

This tasty recipe can be made quickly and easily in the microwave and finished in the oven for that traditional extra-crispy crumble topping.

The time-saving secret to this quick and easy desert is steaming the cored apples whole in their skins in the microwave. Cooking the apples this way is a trick my mum taught me. It's also great for making apple puree for babies or apple sauce to go with your Sunday roast.

This recipe is free from refined sugar and sweetened with a minimal amount of maple syrup and rapudura sugar, but nobody will be able to tell the difference!

Pin it for later!

How to make easy microwave apple crumble

Tools you will need

• Apple corer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Microwave safe glass dish with lid
• Microwave safe glass jug
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Table spoon
• Enamel pie dish

Ingredients

• 8 granny smith apples (approx. 1400 grams)
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup wholemeal flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup rapudura sugar
• 75 grams butter, melted

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius/355 Fahrenheit (fan forced).
2. Core the apples and place them in a microwave safe glass dish with 1cm water. My dish only fits 4 apples, so I do this step in two batches. Cover and cook until soft, approximately 6-8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine wholemeal flour, rolled oats, rapudura sugar and 75 grams of melted butter to make the crumble topping. Mix briefly as you want the butter to clump with the flour and sugar (don't separate the clumps). Set aside.
4. Remove the apples from the dish and allow them to cool. Drain the remaining liquid. When cool, squeeze the soft apple flesh back into the dish. Use a spoon to scrape the flesh from the skin. It should come away easily. If it doesn't cook the apples a little longer.
5. Lightly mash the apple to your preferred consistency.
6. Add maple syrup and cinnamon to the mashed apple and stir.
7. Transfer the mixture to the enamel pie dish.
8. Top with the crumble mixture and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.

Watch the video tutorial

Frequently asked questions

Is apple crumble healthy?

I'm not sure any dessert can be categorically described as 'healthy', but we do like to enjoy them occasionally, and as desserts go, I think this one is pretty dang good.

This recipe is definitely a healthier option to store-bought apple crumble because it's free from refined sugar, preservatives and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, uses real food ingredients, and incorporates fruit and whole grains.

What is the 'crumble' on apple crumble?

Let's face it, the crumble is the star of this dish. The sweet crispy crumble is a mixture of sugar, flour, butter and oats which when cooked produces a crunchy crust. I like to think of it as a lazy pie crust.

Which apples are best?

Granny Smith apples are traditionally the preferred apple to use for cooking. This is because they tend to keep their texture when cooking without releasing too much moisture. Their tart flavour pairs well with added sweetener and spice. They are readily available and in season in Autumn and Winter.

For freshness, choose apples that have a firm, taught skin and show no signs of softening. Don't worry about marks on the skin because you will be peeling the apples anyway.

It doesn't matter if your apples are dull, in fact if they are shiny, make sure you wash them well in hot water to remove added wax. Always buy organic local produce if readily available, and you can afford it.

Can apple crumble be made with eating apples?

Aside from the traditional Granny Smith, other all-purpose eating apple varieties could be used in this recipe.

We like to eat Pink Lady apples, so if that's what I have on hand, I will also use them for cooking apple crumble.

What to serve with apple crumble

Our favourite accompaniments to apple crumble are vanilla ice cream or custard.

How to store apple crumble

Store unused portions of crumble covered in the fridge or freezer.

How long will it keep?

If you want to keep it for longer than a couple of days, freeze any unused portions for up to three months.

How to reheat apple crumble

For best results reheat the apple crumble in the oven. If you use the microwave the crumble will loose its crispness.

Recipe variations

Check out which other fruits are seasonally available in Autumn and add them to your apple filling. Why not try a combination of apple and rhubarb (a traditional favourite), strawberry, blackberry or pear?

Fun facts about apples

• In Australia apples are harvested from January to June but are available all year around thanks to cold storage.
• Most apple trees need to experience a frost to start producing fruit, however there are some new low-chill varieties becoming available. I can't wait to put one in my garden!
• Granny Smiths were first grown in Sydney, Australia in 1867 by Maria Anne Smith.
• The Pink Lady variety originated in Western Australia.

If you make this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @pineapplefarmhouse with your delicious creation.

Thanks so much for following along!