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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Easy Microwave Applesauce Recipe

    Published: Jul 17, 2023 · Updated: Jul 17, 2023 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Easy Microwave Applesauce Recipe

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    Easy Microwave Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe with text overlay
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    Text: Easy Microwave Applesauce Recipe with a small white bowl holding apple sauce that has been made in the microwave.

    This Microwave Applesauce recipe is full of flavor and ready in no time. homemade applesauce is the best and when I figured out you could make it in the microwave it became a go-to snack and side dish for the family! It's an essential treat for fall!

    Close up of a small square dish holding apple sauce.
    Let's make applesauce in the microwave!

    Why you'll love this apple sauce

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this apple sauce
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Microwave Applesauce
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Top Tips
    • Adapted from
    • More easy recipes with apples
    • Easy Microwave Applesauce

    I make extra of this easy Microwave Applesauce so that I have tons to stuff in my face. This is one of my favorite recipes. Ever. It is so easy and fresh and have I mentioned easy?

    This post gets wordy. You can use the 'jump to recipe' button at the top to bypass all my words and get to the printable recipe card.

    I love when fall rolls around! It’s my favorite time of year to make this super delicious and easy Microwave Apple Sauce Recipe! But really this recipe works any time of year!

    While it does take a few minutes to chop up the apples, once you put them in the microwave, your work is pretty much done. My kids LOVE this simple side dish recipe as a snack too! 

    I usually make applesauce in the microwave to serve with Christmas dinner. Well, I make it a day or two ahead so that I don't have to do anything on Christmas day. (It stores and reheats really well!)

    I came across the recipe in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine, years ago, and have been making it ever since (with some minor alterations). Her Cinnamon Applesauce is also delish.

    Printable pages on top of an image of kitchen gadgets with text next to it.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for making applesauce.
    What you need to make apple sauce at home without a stove!

    This recipe calls for Granny Smith apples, which give it a nice tart flavor and have a really nice texture when cooked.

    A little bit of fresh lemon juice brightens everything up. And spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger give it tons of flavor! 

    What I love about making apple sauce at home is that you can control how much sugar you add! I try to get by with the least amount possible.

    How to Make Microwave Applesauce

    Step 1

    Peel and chop the apples. Add them to a 2-quart microwave-safe dish.

    Don't forget to cut two extra apples for your kids. If you don't they will take the ones that are meant for your recipe whenever you turn your back.

    Cutting board with a bowl holding chopped green apples next to an open spice jar and measuring spoon.

    Step 2

    Add the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, sugar and salt.

    I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart. I add a bunch of different spices that I love. Like ginger, and cloves. Not a major change but I'm sure Martha would still clutch her pearls at the mere suggestion. (More on Martha below...).

    Baking dish with cooked applesauce with a kid and Legos in the background.

    Step 3

    Mix everything together then place the covered dish in the microwave. Cook on high for 5 minutes (about halfway).

    Step 4

    Mash the apples with a fork. I like to leave it really chunky though, but this is totally my personal preference.

    Step 5

    Cover then cook in the microwave for another 5-10 minutes. You just want to make sure the apples are tender and cooked through.

    Overhead view of a small bowl with applesauce.

    And then you eat it. It is yummy warm but I think it is even better cold.

    This applesauce is super tasty and aside from a little cutting and stirring is pretty hands-off. It's a great side dish for holiday meals or anytime you're serving pork chops. 

    The flavor is absolutely crave-worthy!

    You'll love this easy Applesauce Recipe. It's a great side dish for dinner or a perfect snack!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What kind of apples are best for applesauce?

    The green apples make it a smidge more tart than normal applesauce which I love. But if you want something sweeter, go with red delicious. The texture of apples can be different between the varieties but for apple sauce, I think you can't go wrong with a Granny Smith!

    Is applesauce served hot or cold?

    I think this is a personal preference! If I make this before dinner, then I will serve it warm. But it's SO tasty cold too! I wouldn't heat up the leftovers for subsequent meals. But you totally could if you think that would taste better.

    Top Tips

    • If you don't love a certain spice, just leave it out! You can truly make this recipe your own.
    • If you want this to be silky smooth, you can use an immersion blender to take care of any chunks.
    • Don't be afraid to use less or more sugar depending on how you like your apple sauce. You could also use a more natural sweetener like honey.

    Pin to save this delicious homemade applesauce recipe for later. 

    Make sure you don’t lose this recipe by saving it for later! Also, for more recipes make sure you’re following me on Pinterest, Instagram and like my page on Facebook. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and tag me in your pictures!

    Adapted from

    Remember when Martha Stewart went all cray cray on bloggers not being all that and they all got in an uproar? I was not one of them. I didn't totally disagree with some of the things she said.

    She was absolutely correct that I don't test my recipes to within an inch of their life. If I had a million dollars, a test kitchen and support staff, then yes, I would test my recipes more.

    But she is wrong that I am not an expert. I am an expert in anything I do within the walls of my home. Because that is where I am free to make whatever I do completely my own and put my spin on it.

    When I choose to share some of those things with my readers it is mostly to inspire them. If they make one of the recipes that I share and then make their own changes to it, that is what it's all about for me.

    In my opinion, there is always room for improvement. This is why I made Martha's Microwave Applesauce Recipe better. OH SNAP! Yeah, I said it. 

    More easy recipes with apples

    • Easy Greek Yogurt Dip for Apples
    • Delicious Honey Apple Dip
    • Apple Cookies with Butterscotch
    • Spiced Apple Cider
    • Apple Juice Mojito Recipe
    • Crockpot Apple Dump Cake
    Close up of homemade applesauce that was made in the microwave.

    Easy Microwave Applesauce

    With tart green apples and warm spices, this quick and easy Microwave Applesauce recipe makes a perfect side dish or snack idea. With just a few ingredients and a few minutes, you can make a big batch!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 57kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Ingredients

    • 6 medium Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and cut into roughly ½" chunks
    • ⅛ cup sugar
    • ½ lemon juiced (approximately)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon ginger
    • 1/16 teaspoon clove use more if you like it, but it is a really strong flavor
    • coarse salt

    Instructions

    • In a 2-quart microwave safe dish with a lid, combine apples, sugar, lemon juice, spices and salt.
    • Cover and microwave on high until very tender, 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
    • Mash apples with a fork (leave larger chunks for an overall chunkier texture).
    • Serve warm or cold.
    • Store covered in refrigerator for up to a week.

    Notes

    *Adapted from Martha Stewart's Cinnamon Applesauce Recipe*
    • If you don't love a certain spice, just leave it out! You can truly make this recipe your own.
    • If you want this to be silky smooth, you can use an immersion blender to take care of any chunks.
    • Don't be afraid to use less or more sugar depending on how you like your apple sauce. You could also use a more natural sweetener like honey.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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    I'm your go-to for easy, no-fuss party recipes. After hosting countless get-togethers and teaching myself to make cocktails at home, I'm sharing my secrets for how to mix drinks with ease (no bartender skills or fancy tools needed!). Plus learn my stress-free party shortcuts and favorite crowd-pleasing recipes. Email me at [email protected]

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