Everyone loves a good apple crumble – and this one can be made in the microwave! It’s perfect for anyone who loves apple desserts, but can’t justify making 4 portions or doesn’t have an oven – hence the creation of a single-serving, microwave apple crumble!
After all, when you think of cold rainy days you’ll always also think of cinnamon-spiced desserts, cups of hot chocolate, fluffy socks and blankets – that’s how Autumn is! And to make the most of the season, I recommend eating as much apple crumble as physically possible. After all, it’s fruit, right? So surely it’s healthy?
Of course, there are plenty of ways that you could serve this recipe. I chose to use a single-serving casserole dish, but you could also use a mug or small bowl. If you are using a mug, though, then I’d recommend layering half the apple then half the topping and then repeating it. Otherwise, you’ll get to the end and have no topping left and that’s just no good.
Personally, I never ate my crumble with ice cream or creme fraiche. However, feel free take your picks of creams, custard and ice cream – no need to stick to just one, either! I also prefer to eat my crumble warm, which is why I’ve written to serve it immediately in the instructions. Personally, I just prefer it that way and so do most people I know. Of course, if you do like cold apple crumble then feel free to let it cool before eating!
One thing that is important to mention is that to get a completely golden, crispy topping you do need to grill/broil it. The microwave can get it hot and lightly crispy. However, for the real apple crumble texture, broiling is definitely the best way to go. Of course, you can microwave it just fine and it’ll still be great so don’t worry if you can’t grill it.
A couple of ingredients are actually optional too – the rolled oats and the cinnamon. I like the oats for the texture, but if you aren’t a fan then leave them out – no substitution needed. The same goes for the cinnamon, too. Of course, if you do like a more flavourful apple crumble then a pinch of nutmeg wouldn’t go amiss either.
To make this apple crumble, you don’t need anything complicated – here are the basics:
- a knife for cutting the apples (I recommend getting a knife set like this one if you don’t have a decent one already), as well as a simple wooden cutting board
- a microwave-safe bowl – ideally a set like this one so that you have another one for mixing the topping
- weighing scales for the crumble topping ingredients
- a set of measuring spoons for the cinnamon
- a 900 watt microwave – if yours is different then timings may vary, but it’s still fine to use.
Microwave Apple Crumble for One
This apple crumble takes under 10 minutes start-to-finish with the help of the microwave! It's completely made from scratch, full of flavour and delicious - a perfect dessert for cooler weather!
Ingredients
- 1 bramley apple, or other variety of cooking apple, thinly sliced
- 35 grams (1/4 cup) plain flour
- 15 grams (1 tbsp) cold, salted butter, cubed
- 10 grams (2 tbsp) rolled oats, optional
- 15 grams (1 heaped tbsp) light brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Place the sliced apple in a bowl of water and microwave for 3-4 minutes or until soft.
- Meanwhile, rub together flour and butter to form breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, oats and cinnamon.
- Remove the apple from the water and place into a small dish. Cover with a layer of the flour and butter mixture. Microwave or broil/grill for 3 minutes until lightly crispy and golden brown.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Serve hot with ice cream or creme fraiche.
Other varieties of cooking apple can be used. Alternatively, you could try using pears or other similar fruit.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 batchAmount Per Serving: Calories: 520Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 106mgCarbohydrates: 99gFiber: 11gSugar: 53gProtein: 6g
All nutrition values are an estimate and will vary.
If you’re looking for more single-serving dessert recipes then try my brownie in a jar – it’s just divine! I also happen to have a giant chocolate chip cookie that happens to be eggless too. Both of those are so good that I know I’d struggle to choose between them!
As for more microwave recipes, I do happen to have a single-serving risotto that’s a family-favourite recipe! I also have a pesto pasta with peppers for another herby Italian recipe.
With so many lovely apples around this time of year this is a very welcome recipe. I love crumble- ice cream for me!
I’m glad you like the look of it – the apples this time of year really are incredible! (and ice cream is definitely the best choice!)
This is a great idea – never knew you could make apple crumble in the microwave! Lovely seasonal recipe.
I’m so happy that you like the idea – it’s so quick, easy and delicious that I can’t believe more people don’t know about this little trick!
What a fab idea! I actually have all the ingredients in right now…….. would it be wrong to eat for breakfast?!!
it’s definitely not wrong to eat it for breakfast – after all, there’s fruit and oats in it so it’s partially traditionally breakfast food anyway!
Such a great article. For all of us that we are busy microvawe will save some time. Perfect autumn deset. I love it.
I’m very glad you like it – it’s always good to save time where you can!
I love apple crumble being able to make it just for one could be a bit dangerous for me, I could sneak one in during the day and everyone else would be none the wiser.
it’s definitely dangerous – I’ve caught my mum trying to do exactly that before! Just make sure you keep the doors shut or the smell of the apples and cinnamon wafts through the whole house!
Could I replace the flour with Oats? And if so what would you recommend regarding the quantity. Thank you!
Hi! I’m afraid that you couldn’t replace all of the flour with oats without massively changing the texture of the crumble topping, but you could experiment by blitzing oats in the food processor until they reach a sandy consistency and then using that instead of flour! I have no idea if it would work or how it would change the texture, but it could be a good little experiment! As for the quantity, I’d say that if you’re blitzing them in the food processor then you’d probably want approximately the same volume in cups as you would use of flour (1/4 cup).