Sneak Peek: This quick, single-serving of microwave cinnamon apples is cooked in a bag (or a bowl if you prefer). Takes about five minutes to prepare from beginning to end.
What crazy thing do you eat when you crave something sweet, but there are no obvious desserts in the house?
One of my sisters confessed to eating dry cake mix. She made sure we knew that was a lo-o-o-o-n-g time ago. Doesn’t that make any confession easier when everybody understands it’s ancient history?
Chocolate chips are my straight-out-of-the-pantry sweet. They’re made even better when carefully balanced on top of a graham cracker.
These microwave cinnamon apples are a much better idea for a snack, especially in the fall and winter. Try them with pita chips, oatmeal, ice cream, or yogurt. Read to the end to find out how to make an “Apple Bueno” or Cinnamon-Apple Burrito.
Recipe Inspiration
One night when my sister was visiting from out of town, we had a serious hunger attack.
One of my co-workers mentioned microwaving a sliced apple to use as a quick addition to oatmeal or ice cream.
It sounded like the perfect topping for cinnamon chips similar to the Apple Buenos we used to enjoy at Taco Bueno on Sunday nights after church. I tried it and was instantly smitten. I predict you’ll feel the same.
Is it safe to bake apples in a microwave using a zippered plastic bag?
When this post was first published, many people were concerned about the issue of cooking in plastic. I had already done my research and knew that people who make the rules about this stuff say it’s fine. Now I’m going to refer you to another source that can explain the safety issues concerning zippered plastic bags better than I can.
Basically, they are saying…
“There are a lot of concerns when it comes to reheating food in Ziploc bags. Plastic releases chemicals in the food, which then enters the cells of the consumers’ body. These chemicals, mainly dioxin, increase the risk of cancerous cells in a person’s body.
However, Ziploc bags are safe, because they are manufactured after proper research. The dioxins only release in the food, when the food is heated using a high temperature, like 1,500 degrees F. However, the most powerful microwaves don’t reach this temperature, reducing the risk of harming the food inside the Ziploc bag.“
–Marie S, Sherman
Frequently asked questions about Microwave Cinnamon Apples:
How long does it take you to peel an apple? How long does it take you to gather sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch? Add two minutes to the answers for those questions and that’s how long it takes. Less than 5 minutes for me.
My favorite is the freezer quality pint-size Ziplock freezer bags. If cooking in a plastic bag makes you nervous, see this article about the safety of such a practice. Unfortunately, pint-size bags can be difficult to find.
Absolutely. The only difference is that you will have to wash the bowl instead of throwing it away like you would the plastic bag. It’s a small sacrifice for most people. Warning: Use a MICROWAVE-SAFE bowl, please. Don’t risk shattering Grandma’s favorite candy dish.
Pears make a great substitute.
Only one. That’s why I call it a snack. But it wouldn’t be hard to scale up. Remember that the more apples you use, the longer it will take to cook them in the microwave.
They are fairly low in calories. If you count sugar as unhealthy, substitute something like Stevia, Swerve, or whatever you favor. Leave the sugar out if your apples are especially sweet on their own. This recipe is gluten-free as written.
How to microwave cinnamon apples:
As promised….
How do I make an “Apple Bueno?”
Follow the recipe below to cook the microwave apples with cinnamon. On a flat plate, spread fried flour tortilla chips (also seasoned with cinnamon) in a single layer. Pour cooked apples over all the chips and eat like nachos.
How do I make a Cinnamon-Apple Burrito?
Use a freshly-made flour tortilla for the best burrito. You can even make them yourself. (This homemade flour tortilla recipe is my favorite.)
After cooking the apples, pour them over a flour tortilla. You should be able to make at least two tortillas with this recipe. Roll them up and enjoy.
While you may have a snack habit you want to keep secret, I hope you’ll share the recipe for these quick and easy Microwave Apples and Cinnamon.
Looking for more quick snacks?
Speedy Blackberry Cobbler
A quick-to-prepare berry cobbler that bakes in the time it takes to eat dinner.
25-Calorie Iced Coffee Latte
Hazelnut-flavored coffee latte made with cashew milk and iced coffee concentrate
Microwave Apples with Cinnamon
Apples in a bag are a quick, single-serving of cinnamon-spiced apples cooked in a zip-lock bag or bowl. Pour over pita chips, oatmeal or ice cream.
Ingredients
- 1 small apple (Golden Delicious or Granny Smith are my favorite)
- 1 packet of sweetener (Stevia is my favorite), or a teaspoon of sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Peel or don't peel apple, core and slice or dice. Place in freezer-quality plastic zippered bag along with remaining ingredients.
- Seal the plastic bag and shake well to mix ingredients. (If you prefer, place all ingredients into a small microwave-safe bowl and cover loosely.)
- Reopen bag just a touch to vent. Microwave on High for 2 minutes-- longer if you use a big apple.
- Carefully (it will be HOT and steamy) open bag and pour over plain or cinnamon-sugar pita chips, flour tortilla chips, oatmeal or ice cream.
Notes
(Nutritionals based on no raisins.)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1 servingServing Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 101Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 4gSugar: 20gProtein: 0g
constance washburn
Tuesday 29th of December 2020
Please re-think your relationship to plastic. One use plastics are killing sea life and polluting our bodies as well as oceans. NEVER again recommend cooking anything in Plastic then throwing it away. Washing a dish is not a huge deal. If we have to use a plastic product reuse it and recycle it if possible. Please rewrite is recipe to exclude the plastic bag. Such a really bad idea. Great recipe however and just the snack I was looking for. So thanks for that.
julie
Saturday 20th of March 2021
@Paula, And? Oh, wait, the gimmick is "no fuss," so even 1 dish is too many, am I right? Constance broke it down for you and all you can say is thanks for contributing?
Paula
Wednesday 30th of December 2020
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to the conversation, Constance.
Rebecca
Sunday 27th of December 2020
Holy s#+t. I will eat the hell out of this every day for the rest of my life. I'm ready for a serious relationship.
Paula
Sunday 27th of December 2020
Enjoy!
Vivian
Tuesday 29th of September 2020
Add a tough of maple syrup? Puts cinnamon apples right over the edge! Hmmm...some crispy bacon crumbles on top? You know what they say about bacon.
Paula
Wednesday 30th of September 2020
Oh Vivian, That sounds divine. Will try it as soon as I get some more apples. Thanks a ton for sharing with all of us.
Denise Glover
Friday 24th of July 2020
I really wanted to make this but didn't have cornstarch so tweaked the recipe and melted butter, a little flour,sugar,cinnamon, vanilla and water. I loved the different taste and texture.
Paula
Friday 24th of July 2020
Hi Denise,
Good substitution. Sounds good. Thanks for sharing as this could definitely help another reader.
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