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!
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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.
Amirah says
This recipe is amazing I was on a time limit so I made it into a loaf popped it into the oven for 45 minutes and enjoyed it warm.
Wayne hess says
Loved the recipe
Vibha G says
The muffins were a hit at my house.
Williamson says
The muffins are fabulous.! The 10 minute preparation given is a bad joke. Assembling 14 ingredients, pans, 3 bowls, all forms of measurement you own, peeling, coring, chopping apples, crumb topping…
Lupita says
OMG!!! I’ve baked a bunch during this quarantine and these are my favourite thing I’ve baked thus far! I followed the recipe exactly and used Granny Smith apples. I did have to bake it a little bit longer but I think that’s my ovens fault. But wow! These are so yummy! If you love anything apple these are a must try!
Tanya says
My kids love this recipe. I have made it a couple of times now and there are never any left over.
I added some coconut and rolled oats to the crumble top for texture.
I don’t have apple sauce so I substitute for vanilla bean Greek yogurt or cream or sour cream. Still get a great result.
Camille says
I love muffins! My friends love muffins and since I bake big batches to share with them, I thought I’d try these. I made them with the crumb topping. They are delicious! My dear older friends are hoping for more!! Thank you so much! Camille
Alissa Henry says
Followed the recipe exactly and they came out PERFECT! Soooooo good!
Anji Heath says
TI made these yesterday and they were very good! I should have chopped the apples up a little bit more and my husband and I wondered if, in addition to a smaller chop, if I should have sauteed the apples in butter before incorporating them into the dough. We also thought they were a little dry but that could be another misstep with how I chopped the apples. Overall, really great recipe!
Tami says
My family loves this recipe! Shared this goodness with friends!
Haley says
We loved this recipe! Printing it off so we can make it again and again!
Jenn says
Currently have these in the oven and they smell so good! Instead of just cutting up the apples, I caramelized them last night and added them to the dough. Can’t wait to try them. Thanks for the recipe
GEORGE FINCH says
Very good and easy recipe. A quick Sunday breakfast that made everyone smile. I didn’t have applesauce so replaced with approximately the same amount of orange juice instead. Perfect 👌
Susan says
I didn’t have applesauce, but I had pineapple and used that instead. Grated the apple instead of chopping. Great recipe!!
Sally says
These are super good. I did add oat flour for half of the flour and added some raisins. They are REALLY good.
JD says
These were excellent. Only thing I did differently was to use 2/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar in the batter. Yum!