Easy Baked Apple Slices

Apple pie without the crust! Easy baked apples will be your favorite microwave apple recipe. Or bake them in the oven. Either way, here’s a simple, satisfying apple dessert you can customize to your linking.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated February 02, 2022
Elise Bauer
baked apples recipe
Elise Bauer

No time to make an apple pie? No desire for a crust? You can get your apple pie fix quickly just with baked apple slices!

My parents have three apple trees on which we grow 15 varieties of apples. So, we are always looking for quick and easy apple recipes.

My mother started baking apple slices this way for an everyday dessert a few years ago, and it is what we have almost every night during apple season.

Mom's Baked Apple Slices
Elise Bauer

How to Make Baked Apple Slices in the Microwave

It's so easy! All you have to do is toss some slices of peeled and cored apples with cinnamon and sugar and put them in the microwave for few minutes.

When the apple slices are cooked through, give them a quick stir with a sprinkle of maple syrup.

We did struggle with what to call it. Mom wanted, "apple pie without the crust", but we nixed that. "Apple pie filling" didn't go over very well either.

"Baked apple slices" is as near as we could get, even though they aren't baked in the oven, but cooked rather quickly in a microwave.

How Long to Bake Apple Slices in the Oven

Don't have a microwave? Put the apples and cinnamon sugar in a baking dish, add 1/3 cup of water to the pan, cover with foil, and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or until the apples are tender.

For more information on which apple varieties are best for baking, check out our Guide to Apples.

Love Apples? Try These Other Recipes!

Swaps for Spices and Sweeteners 

  • Try other spices, like pumpkin pie spice or Chinese five-spice, for a different flavor.
  • Use brown sugar, honey, or more maple syrup in placer of the regular sugar.
  • For a richer taste, drop a pat of butter on the hot apples and let it melt before serving.
  • Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds for a crunchier texture.

How to Bake Whole Apples Instead of Slices

If you don't want to bother peeling and slicing the apples, make our whole baked apples instead! They're hollowed out and stuffed with sugar, spice, and dried fruit.


How to Store and Reheat Baked Apples

Keep baked apple slices in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Cooked apples freeze well, too. They'll keep for up to 5 months in the freezer in a tightly sealed container.

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Easy Baked Apple Slices

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Servings 2 servings

As you slice up the apples, check for their flavor. If they don't taste good raw, believe me, they aren't going to taste good cooked.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups peeled, sliced apples (use apples that cook up well, like Fuji or Jonagold)

  • 3 tablespoons sugar

  • Sprinkle of cinnamon

  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Method

  1. Season the apples:

    Put apple slices in a glass bowl. Sprinkle the apples with the sugar. Add a light sprinkle of cinnamon.

  2. Microwave the apples:

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Be sure to vent the plastic wrap a bit, or poke some holes in it with a fork to let a bit of the steam escape.

    Microwave for 5 minutes on high power. Adjust the time for your microwave and how many apples you are doing. Ours has a powerful high setting, so 4 cups of apples only takes 5 minutes.

    If you use more apples, you will probably need to cook them a little longer. I suggest starting with 5 minutes and testing for doneness with a fork. If they need more cooking time, give them more.

  3. Add maple syrup and serve:

    When the apples are done, toss them, so the sugar coats the apple pieces. Add maple syrup to taste, about 1 tablespoon.

    To serve, add whipped cream on the top or vanilla ice cream on the side, if so desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
236 Calories
0g Fat
59g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 236
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 59g 21%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 50g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 260mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.