There’s something undeniably magical about the scent of apple muffins baking in the oven. It’s like a warm hug from autumn itself—crisp apples, a hint of cinnamon, and that golden, buttery goodness wafting through the air.
I still remember the first time I baked apple muffins with my mom; we’d argue over who got to lick the spoon, and somehow, the kitchen always ended up dusted with flour.
Whether you’re a baking pro or just dipping your toes into the world of homemade treats, apple muffins are the perfect canvas for cozy vibes and creative twists.
1. Cinnamon Apple Muffins
These muffins are the poster child for classic comfort. Picture biting into a tender crumb laced with cinnamon and sweet apple chunks—it’s like a cozy sweater in muffin form.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
- Apples (peeled and chopped)
Process:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners—or grease it if you’re old-school.
- In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and a generous shake of cinnamon.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and melted butter until they’re best friends.
- Pour the wet mix into the dry, stir until just combined (don’t overdo it!), then gently fold in those apple chunks.
- Spoon the batter into the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Make It Unique:
- Toss in a mix of apple varieties—Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness. It’s like a flavor party in every bite.
- Sprinkle a quick streusel (flour, sugar, butter, and more cinnamon) on top before baking for that extra crunch.
2. Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins
If you’re a sucker for texture, these crumb-topped wonders are calling your name. The topping’s a little messy to make, but oh-so-worth-it when you crunch into it.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Apples (chopped)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
- Crumb topping (flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon)
Process:
- Fire up the oven to 375°F and prep your muffin tin.
- Mix your flour, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl for the base.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry, fold in apples, and scoop into the tin.
- For the topping, mash together flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon with a fork until crumbly, then sprinkle it over the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Make It Unique:
- Sneak some chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumb topping for a nutty twist.
- Swap white sugar for brown in the topping—it’ll give you that deep, caramel-y vibe.
3. Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
New to baking? This one’s your new bestie. Simple ingredients, no fuss, and muffins that still taste like you slaved away all morning.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vegetable oil
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat oven to 400°F and grease your muffin tin.
- Stir flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- In another, whisk eggs, milk, and oil until they’re smooth as silk.
- Mix wet into dry—just until it comes together—then stir in apples.
- Fill the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes until they pass the toothpick test.
Make It Unique:
- Swap half the oil for applesauce to lighten things up without losing moisture.
- Dust the tops with cinnamon sugar before baking for a sweet, crackly finish.
4. Apple Muffins
These are the muffins you tweak to your heart’s content. They’re reliable, delicious, and begging for your personal flair.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Get that oven going at 375°F and line your muffin tin.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- In another, mix eggs, milk, and melted butter until happy.
- Combine the two, fold in apples, and scoop into the tin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and irresistible.
Make It Unique:
- Toss in raisins or dried cranberries for little chewy surprises.
- After they cool, drizzle with a glaze (powdered sugar + milk) for a sweet finish.
5. Apple Muffins
Southern charm in muffin form—think rich buttermilk and a texture that’s pure comfort. These are the ones you bake to impress.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Butter
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat to 375°F and prep your muffin tin.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Whisk eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter in another.
- Stir wet into dry until just mixed, then add apples.
- Fill the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.
Make It Unique:
- Stick with full-fat buttermilk—it’s the secret to that tender crumb.
- Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top for a crunchy, bakery-style touch.
6. Healthy Apple Muffins
Guilt-free and packed with wholesome goodness, these muffins use maple syrup and whole wheat flour to keep things real.
Ingredients:
- Whole wheat flour
- Baking soda
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Eggs
- Maple syrup
- Coconut oil
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line your muffin tin.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together.
- In another bowl, mix eggs, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and applesauce.
- Combine wet and dry, fold in apples, and spoon into the tin.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Make It Unique:
- Toss in some oats or chia seeds for a fiber boost—your body will thank you.
- Keep it unsweetened with the applesauce to let the maple shine.
7. Healthy Apple Muffins
Another healthy hit, this time with Greek yogurt and oats for a breakfast-worthy treat that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Ingredients:
- Whole wheat flour
- Rolled oats
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Honey or maple syrup
- Greek yogurt
- Apples (chopped)
- Nuts (optional)
Process:
- Preheat to 350°F and get your muffin tin ready.
- Mix flour, oats, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- In another, whisk eggs, honey (or syrup), and Greek yogurt.
- Combine, fold in apples and nuts if you’re feeling fancy, then fill the tin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and set.
Make It Unique:
- Greek yogurt’s your protein-packed MVP here—don’t skip it.
- Scatter a few extra oats on top before baking for that rustic charm.
8. Magic Stay-Fresh Apple Muffins
These muffins are a game-changer—they stay soft and fresh for days. Brown sugar and apples work some serious magic here.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs (just one!)
- Milk
- Butter
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease your muffin tin.
- Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Whisk one egg, milk, and melted butter in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry, fold in apples, and scoop into the tin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.
Make It Unique:
- Stick to one egg—it’s the trick to keeping them moist without drying out.
- Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll taste fresh for up to 5 days (if they last that long!).
9. Moist Apple Muffins
These babies are all about that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Yogurt or sour cream is the hero here.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Yogurt or sour cream
- Vegetable oil
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat to 375°F and line your muffin tin.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, mix eggs, yogurt (or sour cream), and oil.
- Combine wet and dry, fold in apples, and fill the tin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick’s clean.
Make It Unique:
- Go full-fat with the yogurt or sour cream—trust me, it’s worth it.
- Don’t overbake; pull them out when they’re just done for max moisture.
10. Quick and Easy Apple Muffins
Short on time? These muffins come together in under 30 minutes, and they still taste like a million bucks.
Ingredients:
- Self-rising flour
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vegetable oil
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat oven to 400°F and prep your muffin tin.
- Mix self-rising flour, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Whisk eggs, milk, and oil in another.
- Combine, fold in apples, and scoop into the tin.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes—fast and fabulous!
Make It Unique:
- Use pre-chopped apples or even apple pie filling to shave off prep time.
- Start preheating while you mix—every second counts!
11. Apple Strudel Muffins
Channeling the vibes of a classic apple strudel, these muffins bring a fun twist with a layered topping or filling.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
- Apples (chopped)
- Strudel topping (breadcrumbs, nuts, sugar)
Process:
- Preheat to 375°F and grease your muffin tin.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon for the base.
- Whisk eggs, milk, and butter in another bowl.
- Combine, fold in apples, then layer batter with a mix of apples, breadcrumbs, nuts, and sugar. Fill the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Make It Unique:
- Spread that strudel layer evenly—nobody wants a soggy muffin.
- Dust with powdered sugar after baking and serve warm for full strudel vibes.
12. Gluten-Free Apple Muffins (BEST EVER!)
Labeled “best ever” for a reason, these gluten-free muffins nail texture and taste—perfect for everyone at the table.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free flour blend (with xanthan gum)
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- Vegetable oil
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line your muffin tin.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, mix eggs, milk, and oil.
- Combine wet and dry, fold in apples, and fill the tin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Make It Unique:
- Stick with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for foolproof results.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to help them rise like champs.
13. Gluten-Free Apple Muffins
A solid gluten-free pick that leans on applesauce for extra moisture and flavor. Simple and satisfying.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Vegetable oil
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat to 350°F and prep your muffin tin.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon.
- Whisk eggs, applesauce, and oil in another bowl.
- Combine, fold in apples, and scoop into the tin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.
Make It Unique:
- Unsweetened applesauce keeps it balanced—let the apples shine.
- Check early; gluten-free goodies can dry out if you’re not careful.
14. Easy Gluten-Free Apple Muffins
New to gluten-free baking? This one’s your stress-free ticket to apple muffin bliss.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free flour blend
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease your muffin tin.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Mix eggs, milk, and melted butter in another bowl.
- Combine, fold in apples, and fill the tin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Make It Unique:
- Room-temp ingredients mix better—don’t skip this step.
- Use silicone liners for easy removal (and less cleanup!).
15. Gluten-Free Apple Muffins
Proof that gluten-free can be downright delicious, these muffins use yogurt for a tender, springy crumb.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Xanthan gum
- Ground cinnamon
- Eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Vegetable oil
- Apples (chopped)
Process:
- Preheat to 350°F and line your muffin tin.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, xanthan gum, and cinnamon.
- Mix eggs, yogurt, and oil in another bowl.
- Combine wet and dry, fold in apples, and let the batter sit for 10 minutes. Fill the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Make It Unique:
- Greek yogurt’s the key to that perfect texture—go for it.
- That 10-minute rest? It’s magic for hydrating the flour. Don’t rush it.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks—15 apple muffin recipes to fill your kitchen with warmth and your heart with joy. Whether you’re craving a classic, a healthy twist, or a gluten-free delight, there’s something here to spark your baking spirit.
Play around with these ideas—add your favorite nuts, tweak the spices, or top them with whatever makes you happy. Here’s to flour-dusted counters and the sweet reward of homemade muffins. Happy baking!