Grated Apple Muffins Recipe

An irresistible warm aroma will permeate your entire home as these grated apple muffins bake. Incorporating both diced and grated apples as well as applesauce guarantees a muffin with a soft and moist texture.

Is there anything better than biting into a warm, freshly baked, light, fluffy muffin?

You might think that the only way to achieve that incredible texture is by using a stand mixer. 

But the truth is the only kitchen tools you need to properly mix the ingredients are a couple of bowls, a whisk and a wooden spoon.

More specifically, it would be best if you had a large bowl to whisk together the dry ingredients and a small bowl for the wet ingredients. Once they are gently combined, they are quickly portioned and baked. This approach is often referred to as the muffin method and it yields the best ever muffins! 

This is the exact method we used when we made these incredible blueberry muffins. 

If you have a couple of apples hanging around, let’s make these “apple pie muffins,” appropriately nicknamed as the recipe includes generous amounts of chopped and shredded apples combined with warm spices.

Are you ready to make a big batch of the best apple muffins? 

Instructions

Since we need to bake muffins immediately after combining the wet and dry ingredients, let’s do some prep work. 

The first thing we are going to make is the streusel topping. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar (⅓ cup), flour (2 tablespoons), oats (⅓ cup) and ground cinnamon (⅛ teaspoon).

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 the perfect 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.  Use a non-stick spray on the liner’s inside. As an alternative, avoid using liners and use a 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 them in a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to consume, 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.

Muffins from scratch

If you enjoy making muffins from scratch, you will love these:

• Rhubarb Muffins
• Raspberry Muffins
• Banana Strawberry Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Pumpkin Muffins
• Date Bran Muffins
• Banana Muffins

Recipe inspiration

When my kids were younger, one of our favorite family outings was apple picking, complete with hayrides and ponies during the fall season.

Fast forward to a couple of decades later… would you believe I still look forward to apple season during this time of year?

I probably love baking with fresh apples, and I don’t think I’m the only one who does, as there is no lack of recipes for baked apple desserts.

A few of our favorites include my mom’s apple cake and apple crostata. My family also loves simple apple recipes like applesauce and german pancakes. 

I’ve adapted these apple cinnamon muffins from one I found here.

These are the changes I made: I reduced the total amount of sugar, replaced part of the oil with apple sauce, decreased the total amount of butter used, and finally increased the total amount of apples.

This recipe for the streusel topping is included, but these moist muffins are 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.

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Ciao for now,

Maria

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

Grated Apple Muffins Recipe

An irresistible warm aroma will permeate your entire home as these grated apple muffins bake. They actually taste like apple pie muffins!

5 from 7 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
• ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon ground
• ⅓ cup quick oats
• 1 tablespoon butter

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Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400℉/200°C. Position rack to middle.
• Paper line 18 muffin cups.
• Prepare streusel topping (optional) and set it aside. See the instructions below.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Whisk in the brown sugar.
• Make a well and set it aside for now.
• In another bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla. Set aside.
• Grate and chop the apples. Set aside.
• Add the wet mixture all at once to the well in the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until just moistened.
• Gently fold in the apples (grated and chopped).
• Fill muffin liners ¾ full. Sprinkle streusel topping over muffin batter (if using).
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the tops bounce 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.

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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 can 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 and again on April 6, 2021 with updated content. Thanks for watching and sharing!