How to Cook Apple Slices in the Microwave
Try your microwave as a fast and easy alternative to baking or frying when you want to cook apple slices. You can eat the cooked apples plain right out of the microwave, or use them to make anything from applesauce to microwave apple crisp. Depending on how you plan to use the apples, you can cook them with the skins on or peel them. If you can't microwave the apples immediately after slicing them, toss them with a bit of lemon juice to stop oxidation that leads to brown apples.
Apple slices only take a few minutes to cook in a microwave. (Image: jrwasserman/iStock/Getty Images)Step 1
Wash your apples under cold running water. Apples have been found to have a high level of pesticide residue on the skins, so thorough washing is especially important. Instead of plain water, you can wash the apples with a mixture of 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar to better help strip them of dirt and pesticide residue.
Step 2
Core the apples with a fruit and vegetable peeler. Insert the fruit and vegetable peeler into the core of the apple and give it a few twists. Pull the fruit and vegetable peeler out of the center of the apple and pop the core out of the center if it doesn't come out with the peeler. Peel the skin off of your apples with the fruit and vegetable peeler, if desired.
Step 3
Place the cored apples on a cutting board and slice them to your preferred thickness with a sharp knife. You can save time removing the core and slicing the apples with an apple corer and slicing utensil. It is a round tool with handles on both sides and a series of segmented blades and a round blade at the center. Center the tool over the apple and push down until the blades hit the cutting board.
Step 4
Spray a thin coat of cooking spray oil in a glass baking dish. Spread the apples in an even layer in the baking dish. The vegetable oil prevents sticking and results in more of a fried apple taste, but you can omit the oil and simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the dish.
Step 5
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap. Place the baking dish into your microwave.
Step 6
Cook the apples on the high setting for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the apples are tender. The actual cooking time varies with different microwaves and depends on the thickness of the apple slices.
Step 7
Take the baking dish out of the microwave. Insert a fork in one of the apple slices to test for doneness. If they don't feel soft all the way through, return them to the microwave and cook in 30 to 60 second intervals until done. Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish and add your favorite seasonings, such as cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.
Things You'll Need
Fruit and vegetable peeler
Cutting board
Kitchen knife
Cooking spray oil
Baking dish
Plastic wrap
Tip
If cooking for babies or toddlers, omit the vegetable oil. Instead, place the apples in the dish with about 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. Continue with the rest of the steps to cook the apples. Drain any water remaining in the dish. You can cut them into small pieces for finger food or mash it with a fork for babies who haven't progressed to finger foods.
