Sometimes you just want dessert. Not a cake. Not a pie. Just something warm, sweet, and quick. That’s where this single serving apple crisp steps in like a cozy little lifesaver.
It’s the kind of thing you can whip up in under ten minutes. One apple, a microwave, and a handful of pantry basics. No oven. No cleanup mess. No sharing required.
So if you’re scrolling at midnight looking for a fast treat, or need something warm and comforting after a long day, this is the one. It’s like your own personal slice of fall… without the work.
And best of all—it’s so easy, you’ll remember it by heart after the first time.
Why This Apple Crisp for One Works
There’s a reason this has become one of the most searched microwave apple desserts out there. It’s not just quick… it works. It satisfies.
Here’s why people love it:
- No oven needed—just one microwave-safe mug or bowl
- It’s made for one—no leftovers, no waste
- Easy to customize—make it gluten-free, vegan, or low-sugar
- No fancy tools or ingredients—basic pantry stuff
- Total comfort—warm cinnamon apples and a buttery oat crisp topping
Single Serving Apple Crisp for One Serving Recipe
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Single Serving Apple Crisp for One Serving Recipe
Ingredients
The Apple Part
- 1 medium apple (about ¾ to 1 cup diced) – sweet or tart, up to you
- 1 to 1½ teaspoons maple syrup or packed brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A tiny pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice (or a light squeeze)
- 1 teaspoon water
Any apple works here. Fuji, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala… even one of those half-bruised ones in the back of your fridge.
Want a more intense flavor? Mix sweet and tart apples. Want it sweeter? Use a naturally sugary apple like Ambrosia or Pink Lady.
The Crisp Topping
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats (or quick oats)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or almond/oat flour for GF version)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or maple sugar)
- ½ tablespoon cold butter (or coconut oil, chilled — about 1½ teaspoons)
- A small pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
If you’re making a single serve apple crisp no oats, just leave them out and sub in extra flour or crushed nuts.
Want it vegan? Use coconut oil. Watching calories? Dial back the butter and sugar a bit.
This topping is easy to tweak depending on what you’ve got in your pantry—and your mood.
Instructions
Step one – Prepping the Apple
Peel the apple if you want. Some folks like the texture with skin on, others prefer it soft and smooth.
Chop it up into small cubes. Smaller pieces cook faster and soften better in the microwave.
Toss the apple into a small microwave-safe bowl or ramekin. Add your cinnamon, maple syrup or sugar, nutmeg, lemon juice, and a splash of water.
Mix it up so everything’s evenly coated. That warm apple pie aroma? It starts right here.
Now microwave the apple mix by itself for about one minute. This softens it a little and gets the juices moving before you add the topping.
Step two – Making The Crisp Topping
You want something that adds crunch, a lil sweetness, and that golden finish that makes apple crisp… well, crisp.
In a small bowl, combine your:
- oats
- flour
- brown sugar
- a pinch of salt
- and butter or coconut oil
Use your fingers or a fork to mix it up. You’re looking for crumbly bits, not a paste. The butter should coat the dry stuff without melting in. Cold butter is the trick here.
Add a few chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture. Or toss in a sprinkle of cinnamon to match the filling.
Step three– Assemble & Microwave
Spoon your oat mixture right on top of those warm cinnamon apples. Don’t stir it in—this is a topping, not a mix. Just press it gently so it settles a little over the apple layer.
Microwave the whole thing for about 1 minute 30 seconds. Stop and check. Is the fruit bubbling? Is the top kind of golden and set?
If it still looks pale or soft, give it another 15 to 30 seconds. Just don’t overdo it or the topping goes soggy.
Once it’s done, let it sit for a minute. It’ll be lava hot straight out of the microwave. Letting it cool slightly also helps the crisp firm up a bit more.
Want Try It in the Air Fryer? Here’s How
If you’re not feeling the microwave vibe, you can still make a single serve apple crisp air fryer version. It takes a few more minutes, but gives a crispier top—especially if you’re oat-heavy.
Just layer the apple and topping in a small ramekin or oven-safe dish. Pop it in the air fryer at 350°F for around 8 to 10 minutes. Check halfway through to make sure it’s not burning.
What you’ll get is a golden, crunchy topping with bubbling apple underneath. Totally worth the wait.
Microwave vs. Air Fryer Apple Crisp
| Method | Cook Time | Texture | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave | ~1.5 min | Soft, moist | Quick craving, late-night snack |
| Air Fryer | ~8–10 min | Crispy top | Classic feel, crunch lovers |
Tip: Air fryer version is great if you want a more oven-style crisp, but the microwave wins for convenience and speed.
Custom Apple Crisp Ideas
What’s cool about this recipe is that you can switch it up depending on your mood, your pantry, or your diet.
Here’s how to change it up without messing it up.
Healthy Single Serve Apple Crisp
- Use coconut sugar or maple syrup instead of brown sugar
- Swap butter for coconut oil
- Cut down the sugar in the apples altogether
- Use almond flour instead of all-purpose
Low Calorie Version
- Skip the sugar in the filling
- Use less butter or oil in the topping
- Add extra apple chunks to make it bulkier without more topping
Vegan Version
- Use plant-based butter or coconut oil
- Maple syrup is your best sweetener
- Toss in chia seeds or crushed almonds for crunch
No Oats? No Problem
Some folks aren’t into oats—or can’t have them. In that case:
- Use extra flour (almond or oat flour works too)
- Add ground nuts for texture
- Use granola as a crunchy topping alternative
This is a single serve dessert, not a test. So experiment, tweak, and trust your tastebuds.
Topping Ideas
Once your crisp is out off the microwave, don’t stop there. It’s dessert. Dress it up if you feel like it.
- Vanilla ice cream – always classic
- Drizzle of caramel or honey
- Greek yogurt and granola– for a healthier twist
- Whipped cream – store-bought or homemade with a pinch of cinnamon
- Peanut butter swirl or almond butter drizzle
- A few roasted nuts on top
- Dash of cinnamon sugar to finish
- A sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweet
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Even though it’s meant for one, you might want to prep ahead or save it.
Freezing:
- Not ideal. Apples can get mushy and topping loses texture. Stick to fresh.
Make Ahead (Uncooked):
- Mix apples + topping, store separately. Assemble and microwave when ready.
Fridge Storage (Cooked):
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 24 hours. Reheat 30 sec in microwave.
Troubleshooting Your Apple Crisp
Too soft? Your microwave may be overcooking it. Try less time or more topping.
Not crispy? Add less liquid to the apples, or more oats/nuts to the topping.
Apples undercooked? Cut them smaller next time or give them an extra 20 seconds before adding topping.
Too sweet? Use tart apples or skip the sugar in the filling.
Too dry? Add a teaspoon more water or maple syrup to the apples before cooking.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
No butter? Use coconut oil, vegan butter, or even mashed banana (for a softer top).
No oats? Try almond flour, crushed graham crackers, or granola.
No maple syrup? Use honey, agave, or brown sugar.
Need it gluten-free? Use certified GF oats + almond or oat flour.
Want more crunch? Add walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds to the topping.
Want a protein boost? Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt or nut butter after cooking.
FAQ – Apple Crisp For One Edition
Let’s tackle the questions everyone Googles…
Can I use any kind of apple?
Yep. Tart, sweet, red, green—it all works. Just know sweeter apples (like Fuji or Gala) don’t need as much added sugar. Tart ones (like Granny Smith) give more contrast.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Sorta. Chop your apples and mix the topping in advance. Store them separately in the fridge. Then assemble and microwave when you’re ready.
Can I bake it instead of microwave?
For sure. Just use a small ramekin and bake at 350°F for about 15–20 minutes. The topping gets a bit more browned than in the microwave.
Is this really healthy?
It depends how you make it. With fresh fruit, a little maple syrup, and whole oats? It’s a way better option than most desserts. And it’s portion controlled.
What if I don’t have oats?
No stress. Make a little streusel topping with just flour, butter, and sugar—or even granola for crunch. That’s basically a single serve apple crumble at that point.
Before You Go – A Note on Sharing
Honestly, you probably won’t want to share this. But just in case…
Double the ingredients and use two ramekins if someone else is around. Or don’t tell them you made it. That’s between you and your microwave.
Either way, now you’ve got a reliable go-to recipe that you can pull off anytime with stuff you already have. And that’s a win in every way.