I love a nice bowl of applesauce. It gives you a bit of sweetness without overindulging, and it’s great served with a variety of different dishes. This easy microwave applesauce allows you to make your perfect version right at home! I love making my own flavors that you can’t find in the store!
Making homemade applesauce is so easy thanks to your microwave. The apples cook up perfectly tender in only about 10-15 minutes!
Of course, you can also make your own on the stovetop or slow cooker, but that takes way longer. I always hated having to pay attention to the stove for an hour to get the perfect consistency!
I also appreciate that when you make homemade, you can make any flavor that you like! You control the ingredients, the sweetness level, and even the texture, which is a huge plus compared to store bought options.
Choosing the Right Apples
When it comes to making the perfect microwave applesauce, choosing the right apples is essential. Not all apples are created equal, and the variety you select can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your applesauce.
Best Apple Varieties for Microwave Applesauce:
Gala Apples: Gala apples are an excellent choice for applesauce due to their natural sweetness and mild, slightly floral flavor. They have a tender texture when cooked, making them easy to puree.
Fuji Apples: Fuji apples are another sweet variety that works well for applesauce. They have a pleasant crispness when fresh, and they cook down beautifully in the microwave.
Honeycrisp Apples: Known for their sweet-tart flavor and crunch, Honeycrisp apples lend a unique taste to applesauce. Their flesh remains firm even after cooking, providing a delightful contrast of texture in your applesauce.
McIntosh Apples: McIntosh apples are a classic choice for applesauce. They have a juicy, tender texture and a sweet-tart flavor. They cook quickly and blend into a smooth sauce.
Jonagold Apples: A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples, Jonagolds are sweet and slightly tangy. They hold their shape well during cooking, making them ideal for chunky applesauce.
Granny Smith Apples: If you prefer a tart applesauce, Granny Smith apples are the way to go. Their firm texture and tartness add a zingy element to your sauce.
While these apple varieties are excellent choices, don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavor profile.
You can even mix varieties for a unique blend of tastes and textures! I typically use half Granny Smith and half sweet apples to balance both texture and sweetness.
Whether you prefer sweet, tart, or somewhere in between, there’s an apple variety (or two) that’s just right for your homemade microwave applesauce!
Ingredients List
4 apples (I have 2 Granny Smith and 2 Jazz apples)
¼ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ cup bourbon (optional)
3 Tbsp salted butter
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use any type (or combination) of apples that you like. See my section on choosing the right apples for tips!
The dark brown sugar can be swapped for light brown, regular granulated sugar, or honey if you prefer a natural sweetener. You may also adjust the amounts for more or less sweetness (this recipe is not overly sweet as written, in my opinion)
Feel free to use other spices in addition to or instead of cinnamon. Other good choices include ginger, nutmeg, or apple pie spice
The bourbon is entirely optional. Note that not 100% of the alcohol cooks out in the microwave, so skip it if needed. You can use a small amount of water or apple juice to offset the liquid
You don’t have to add butter if you want a very simple applesauce, but it does add a depth of flavor and creaminess
How to Make Microwave Applesauce
Peel, core, and cut your apples into approximately ½” chunks. Then, place apples, sugar, bourbon, and cinnamon into a large microwave safe bowl, and stir to mix evenly
Cook in the microwave uncovered on high for 10 minutes, pausing after 5 minutes to stir
Check the apples to see if they pierce easily with a fork. If not, cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until apples are tender (there will be liquid in the bottom of the bowl still, that’s normal)
Add the butter, then use a potato masher, fork, food processor, or blender to mash to desired consistency
Applesauce pairs well with a variety of dishes, including replacing syrup at breakfast, paired with smoked meats and any cut of pork, alongside vegetables and breads, and even in baked goods!
You can tailor the flavors of your homemade applesauce to compliment the type of dish and other flavors you’re pairing it with!
Recipe FAQs
What Are the Best Apples For Microwave Applesauce?
The best apples for microwave applesauce are typically sweet and crisp varieties like Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Jonagold, and even Granny Smith if you prefer a tart sauce.
These apples offer a pleasant flavor and texture when cooked.
Can I Make Applesauce in the Microwave Without Sugar?
Yes, you can make applesauce in the microwave without adding sugar. Apples naturally contain sugars that will sweeten the sauce as they cook.
If you prefer unsweetened applesauce, simply skip the sugar or other sweeteners in the recipe.
How Long Does it Take to Microwave Applesauce?
Generally, it takes between 8-12 minutes to cook applesauce in the microwave. The cooking time will vary depending on the quantity of apples, their type, how big the pieces are, and the wattage of your microwave.
Be sure to check and stir the applesauce every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
Is it Safe to Microwave Applesauce?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to microwave applesauce. Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl or container and if you do cover it, do so loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap with a vent.
Covering is optional, but it prevents splattering and ensures even cooking with bigger batches.
Can I Use Frozen Apples For Microwave Applesauce?
Yes, you can use frozen apples to make microwave applesauce. Simply thaw the frozen apples in the microwave or at room temperature prior to cooking.
Frozen apples may release more liquid during cooking, so you may want to reduce or omit adding additional liquids to the mix if you prefer a thicker consistency.
How Can I Make Chunky Applesauce in the Microwave?
To make chunky applesauce in the microwave, choose a variety of apples that hold their shape, like Jonagold or Granny Smith. After slicing and cooking the apples, hand mash them into a chunky consistency as desired.
Using a food processor or blender will typically give you a very smooth consistency. If you do want to use one of these tools, use the pulse function in short bursts to achieve the desired chunks.
Recipe Pro Tips
If you want to chop your apples in advance, toss them in a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning before cooking
This recipe also works great prepared in a Microwave Steamer if you happen to have one!
I made my applesauce in a 1000W microwave. If you have a higher or lower wattage, you may need less or more cooking time accordingly. Make sure to check the apples each time you stir for doneness!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover applesauce in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or you may freeze it for up to 6 months
You may enjoy leftovers cold, at room temperature (I leave it out for 20-30 minutes before I plan to eat), or you may reheat it for a minute in the microwave to have it hot again
Making microwave applesauce at home is so easy, and doesn’t sacrifice any of the flavor from store bought. In fact, I think it tastes even better!
My favorite part about it is that you can easily adjust the size of the batch, the flavors, and the sweetness levels to suit your tastes or the occasion. I love to experiment with different apples all the time!
Applesauce makes a perfect side, a sweet snack, and an excellent topping to a variety of dishes. It’s easy to prepare in advance and enjoy all week, and goes from school lunchbox to holiday table with ease!
Peel, core, and cut your apples into approximately ½” chunks. Then, place apples, sugar, bourbon, and cinnamon into a large microwave safe bowl, and stir to mix evenly
4 apples, ¼ Cup dark brown sugar, 1 Tsp cinnamon, ¼ Cup bourbon
Cook in the microwave uncovered on high for 10 minutes, pausing after 5 minutes to stir
Check the apples to see if they pierce easily with a fork. If not, cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until apples are tender (there will be liquid in the bottom of the bowl still, that’s normal)
Add the butter, then use a potato masher, fork, food processor, or blender to mash to desired consistency
3 Tbsp salted butter
Serve warm or cold (both are delicious)!
Notes
You can use any type (or combination) of apples that you like. See my section on choosing the right apples for tips!
The dark brown sugar can be swapped for light brown, regular granulated sugar, or honey if you prefer a natural sweetener. You may also adjust the amounts for more or less sweetness (this recipe is not overly sweet as written, in my opinion)
Feel free to use other spices in addition to or instead of cinnamon. Other good choices include ginger, nutmeg, or apple pie spice
The bourbon is entirely optional. Note that not 100% of the alcohol cooks out in the microwave, so skip it if needed. You can use a small amount of water or apple juice to offset the liquid
You don’t have to add butter if you want a very simple applesauce, but it does add a depth of flavor and creaminess
If you want to chop your apples in advance, toss them in a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning before cooking
This recipe also works great prepared in a microwave steamer instead of a bowl if you happen to have one!
I made my applesauce in a 1000W microwave. If you have a higher or lower wattage, you may need less or more cooking time accordingly. Make sure to check the apples each time you stir for doneness!
Store leftover applesauce in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or you may freeze it for up to 6 months
You may enjoy leftovers cold, at room temperature (I leave it out for 20-30 minutes before I plan to eat), or you may reheat it for a minute in the microwave to have it hot again
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and type of ingredients, any adjustments made, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
