Apple Muffins Recipe [Intoxicating Aroma]

Resisting the urge to open the oven door is the hardest thing about this Apple Muffins Recipe as the intoxicating aroma permeates your entire home. Including diced and grated apples ensures a soft and moist texture.

I absolutely love apples.

There is something so special about biting into a freshly picked, tart, juicy Mac. They truly are unique in their ability to provide such a flavor burst! 

Baking with apples is also nothing short of amazing. I don’t think I’m the only one who thinks so, as there is no lack of recipes for baked apple desserts.

Two of my favorite recipes are my mom’s apple cake and this apple crostata. My family and friends just love these simple apple recipes.

Also requested are these muffins. They are often referred to as “apple pie muffins” since this recipe includes generous amounts of both chopped and grated apples combined with cinnamon.

You won’t believe how easy they are to make! 

Instructions

As you probably know, muffins need to be baked immediately after the wet and dry ingredients have been combined.

We, therefore, need to get some prep work done.  The first thing we are going to do is prepare the streusel topping by combining brown sugar (1/3 cup), flour (2 tablespoons), oats (1/3 cup) and cinnamon (1/8 teaspoon) in a small bowl. 

Add butter (1-2 tablespoons) and with fingertips blend until crumbly. Set aside.

Next, we need to grate 2 medium apples and finely chop 1 medium apple.  Set aside.

Tips

• Whisk the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls. This prevents the batter from being over-mixed. 
• Finely chop the apple. This ensures the apples will cook properly and provide a softer texture.
• Transfer muffins to a cooling rack once baked. If left in the muffin tins, the bottoms will become soggy.

Why did my muffins stick to the paper?

Sometimes this happens depending on the quality of the muffin liner.  Can use a non-stick spray on the inside of the liner or simply avoid using liners and use the nonstick spray directly on the muffin cups.

Freezing muffins

Muffins freeze well for up to one month. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or container. When ready to consume, simply thaw overnight at room temperature and if desired heat up in the oven. 

Using whole wheat flour

Yes, you can replace up to half the amount of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and still get great results.

Easy muffin recipes we love

• Rhubarb Muffins
• Raspberry Muffins
• Banana Strawberry Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Blueberry Oat Muffins
• Date Bran Muffins
• Banana Muffins

Recipe origins

When my kids were younger, I used to plan a whole day of activities supporting my obsession with apple picking, hayrides and all.  As my kids got older, I realized I was more eager than they were about our yearly pilgrimage to the apple orchards.

Fast forward a couple of decades… would you believe I still look forward to this time of the year?  

I never get tired of being in total awe of nature’s bounty. I feel very fortunate to experience these beautiful orchards and grateful to my husband who still supports my fascination with apples after all these years.

This year, we plan to go apple picking with my granddaughter… 

I’ve adapted the recipe for these apple muffins from one I found here. Here are just a few of the changes I made: reduction of the total amount of sugar used, replaced part of the oil with applesauce,  decreased the total amount of butter used; and finally, I increased the total amount of apples.

This recipe for the streusel topping is included, but these apple cinnamon muffins are just as good without it.

Go ahead and try the best muffin recipe ever, your whole house will smell like apple goodness!

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for the best Apple Muffins, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Apple Muffins Recipe

Resisting the urge to open the oven door is the hardest thing about this Apple Muffins Recipe. Including diced and grated apples assures a soft texture.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Brunch

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 18 servings

Calories: 200kcal

Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

Apple Muffins Recipe:

• 2½ cups flour all-purpose
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed
• 1 egg
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup homemade chunky applesauce can also use commercial
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups apples grated
• 1 cup apples diced

Streusel Topping:

• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour all purpose
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅓ cup quick oats
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400℉/200°C. Position rack to middle.
• Paper line 18 muffin cups.
• Prepare streusel topping (optional) and set aside. See the instructions below.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Whisk in the brown sugar. Set aside.
• In another bowl,beat egg, oil, applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla. Mix well. Set aside.
• Grate and chop the apples. Set aside.
• Add the wet mixture all at once to the dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened.
• Gently fold in the apples (grated and chopped).
• Fill muffin liners 3/4 full. Sprinkle streusel topping over muffin batter (if using).
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until top bounces back when lightly touched.

To make Streusel Topping:

• In a small bowl, combine the sugar, flour, oats and cinnamon.
• Cut in butter until crumbly.
• Set aside (to be sprinkled over muffins prior to baking.

Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Video

Notes

• Whisk the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls. This prevents the batter from being over mixed. 
• Finely chop the apple. This ensures the apples will cook properly and provide a softer texture.
• Transfer muffins to a cooling rack once baked. If left in the muffin tins, the bottoms will become soggy.

Can I freeze these muffins? Yes, they can! 

Can I replace the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour? Yes, you an replace up to half the amount of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and still get great results.

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1.1mg

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This post was originally published on October 17, 2014 and republished on May 26, 2019 with updated content, photos and a video. Thanks for watching and sharing!