With the perfect amount of cinnamon, little pockets of apples, and a sweet crumb topping, these Apple Cinnamon Muffins are the perfect way to start your day.
Looking for a way to use up those apples? Also try this German Apple Pancake or Apple Crisp.
I have been trying to change up our breakfast routine lately, as the kids are getting bored with eggs or cereal pretty much every morning. So I’ve been having fun making muffins once a week.
The kids asked for apple muffins, so I had to make these Apple Cinnamon Muffins! I have made them a few times now, and love them. I’ve made them both with the crumb topping and without, and they are actually very good both ways. I’m a sucker for a crumb topping, but if you want something a little less sweet, or if you are short on time, you can definitely leave off the crumb. These muffins are perfect for a sweet breakfast!
Tips
Here are a few tips for making the best muffins:
- Don’t overmix your batter. Mix just until everything is combined.
- You can use an ice cream scoop or a spring loaded scoop to fill the muffin tins. This helps you to get even amounts of batter in each tin.
- Don’t overbake your muffins. Dry muffins are not good muffins. Bake them just until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, or once you can touch the top of the muffin and the muffin springs back.
- Let the muffins sit in the tin for about 10 minutes before removing to serve.
- You can either bake muffins in a greased muffin tin or with paper liners.
When using apples in baking, you want to use an apple that will remain crisp. I like using granny smith, but honeycrisp or braeburn are also good choices. You just don’t want an apple that will turn to mush when it is baked.
People have used many different substitutions for the applesauce with great results, including Greek yogurt, crushed pineapple, sour cream, and even orange juice! There are some great substitution ideas in the comments.
This is a personal preference. I usually keep them on because I don’t mind the texture and it’s faster than peeling the apples. I also don’t worry about chopping the apple to fine. But if you don’t like the texture, you can peel the apples. Or many people have shredded the apple, as well!
More Muffins Recipes You Need
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Banana Muffins
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Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Cinnamon Muffins
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Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped apples
Crumb Topping:
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In another bowl, stir together the oil and the sugar. Stir in the eggs, applesauce and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Gently stir in the apples.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan, dividing the batter equally between the cups.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a fork or a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb over the batter in the muffin pan.
- Bake the muffins until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let the muffins sit in the pan before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container.
grace says
mmm, apples AND applesauce, so there must be cinnamon involved. lovely recipe, deborah–i love a quick fix!
ajcabuang04 says
These muffins look great and simple to do!! No need to wait for butter to come to room temp. to make this. Love that!!
Vivienne says
I love all apple treats – this looks so simple and nice! def weird how there are not many recipes out there for apple and cinnamon muffins!
Barbara says
Sometimes the metric conversions online are not accurate. Have you noticed that? I double checked everything the last time.
Love that you are posting muffins, Deborah, because they are a favorite in my house too. Keep them coming!
Miss Meat and Potatoes says
Yes you should start a muffin day or maybe even a separate blog! Cupcakes have had their moment in the sun for far too long!!
Cassie says
We love muffins at our place too. Andrew is a muffin nut! I'm definitely putting these on my (very long) list of muffins to try!
Joanne says
No apple cinnamon! That's crazy talk. And you are more than welcome to post muffin recipes for as long as you like. And I will be more than happy to salivate over them.
Holly says
The best kind of muffins-apple cinnamon:)
Jennifurla says
these look perfect if you ask me!
Susi says
These muffins look delicious! I'm making note of them. I had the same problem with finding a muffin recipe for almond poppy seed muffins. I thought there would be many out there but that wasn't the case. I thought it was actually quite strange.
Pam says
That's one delicious looking muffin! I've never had an apple cinnamon muffin and it will be a great one to try. Thanks for the recipe!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
Muffin day would be awesome! These look great!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
Muffin day would be awesome! These look great!
kat says
Seems like a flavor that should be everywhere
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
A great muffin flavor! Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
Simply Life says
wow, those muffins look great!
Anna says
I made these and they were a big hit. I’m actually going to make another batch this morning. The crumb topping was good but too sweet for my family’s liking so I plan on making the muffins this time without the topping. Thanks for a great recipe!