Have you ever been ambushed by your sweet tooth at the weirdest hours? Then aple crisp in a mug is perfect – swooping in to save the day with just a few simple ingredients in less than 10 minutes from start to finish.
This is ideal not just for sudden cravings but also when you’ve promised your kids a treat, and then life happens. The trick to making this so fast is making just one serving and using the microwave. Yes, sometimes the microwave is useful for something other than making popcorn or melting butter!
And don’t be fooled by its lightning speed; this sweet treat is packed with the rich flavors of caramelized apples and a crunchy oat topping. So, ditch the dessert drama with this quick mug magic.
In this post, I’ll walk through the easy-peasy steps to make this dessert in a mug. I’ll also discuss the ingredients needed and tips for a perfect apple crisp.
Looking for more apple dessert recipes? Try apple fritter bread, apple galette, and apple upside-down cake. Or make apple crisp in the air fryer for a dessert that takes a little longer but feeds more than one!
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🍎Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Apples: I always say, use whatever apple variety you’ve got. However, tart apples like Granny Smiths work exceptionally well. They balance out the sweetness of the topping. But hey, if you have a sweet tooth, go ahead and use a Red Delicious.
- Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter here. But if salted butter is all you have, don’t sweat it; it won’t ruin the recipe.
- Cinnamon
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark, it doesn’t matter.
- Oats: Old-fashioned oats are my preference, but instant oats work fine, too. Don’t use steel-cut oats. They won’t cook properly in this recipe.
- Flour
🥣How to Make Apple Crisp in a Mug
- First, peel, core, and slice your apple. I use my trusty apple peeler and corer for this task. If you don’t have one, a simple knife will do. Just be careful with your fingers.
- Put the apple slices in your mug and add 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Microwave it for 30 seconds, stir and then microwave for another 30 seconds.
- For the topping, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, and the rest of your cinnamon in a separate bowl. Use a fork to mix in the remaining butter. You’re looking for a crumbly texture here.
- Once you’ve got your topping ready, spread it over the apples. Then back into the microwave it goes for another 2 minutes.
- If you prefer your apples a little softer, feel free to microwave the apple crisp for an extra minute.
🍴Serving Ideas
You’ve just taken a bite of your warm, cinnamon-scented dessert, and your eyes are probably rolling back in delight. But wait, there’s more.
Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of the cold creaminess with the warm, spiced apples and crisp topping is nothing short of amazing.
And if you’re a nut for nuts, sprinkling toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top will add a satisfying crunch and a protein boost, too! And if you love single serving desserts try this chocolate mug cake.
💭How to Store
Half the point of this dessert is to just make a single serving size! But if you want to save some for later, let it cool first. Once it’s cooled, cover your mug with plastic wrap or transfer the apple crisp to an airtight container.
Your apple crisp will be quite happy in the fridge for up to two days. And in the improbable scenario that you have leftovers at the two-day mark, I’d say eat it. Life’s too short for an uneaten apple crisp.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- My kids have a sweet tooth, so I use a lot of sugar for them. But, if you prefer your desserts on the less sweet side, feel free to cut back on the sugar. Remember that the sweetness of your apple will also affect the overall taste.
- Don’t stress about the kind of apples to use. Sure, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are probably the “best” for this recipe, but once you cook the apples and add the sugary crisp topping, no one will care what type of apples you use.
- Make sure your mug is microwave-safe.
Like microwave mug cake recipes? Try Nutella mug cake and mocha mug cake for more single-serving desserts.
📝FAQ
No microwave? No problem! You can still enjoy this recipe using a conventional oven. Preheat it to 375°F and bake your apple crisp for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it, though, as oven times may vary.
Yes, there is! Replace the regular flour with a gluten-free version, and make sure your oats are gluten-free.
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Apple Crisp in a Mug Recipe
Ingredients
Apple filling
- 1 medium apple
- ½ tablespoon butter
Crisp Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oats
- 1-3 tablespoons brown sugar *see notes
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter softened but not melted butter
Instructions
- Peel, core, and slice your apple.1 medium apple
- Put the apple slices in your microwave-safe mug or ramekin and the ½ tablespoon of butter.
- Microwave the mug for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Pull the mug out and stir to mix the butter and apples. Sprinkle a little of the cinnamon on top.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, and the rest of the cinnamon.2 tablespoons oats, 1-3 tablespoons brown sugar *see notes, 2 tablespoons flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Use a fork to mix the remaining butter until the crisp mixture is crumbly.1 ½ tablespoons butter
- Put the topping on the apple mixture and microwave for another 2 minutes.
Notes
- I like 1 tablespoon of sugar, my kids like 3 tablespoons. Adjust the sweetness to your preferences, and remember that some apples are sweeter than others.
- You can use either old fashioned oats or quick oats. Don’t use steel cut oats.
- Microwave the apple crisp for another minute if you want your apples softer.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
