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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Muffins » Apple Muffins

    Apple Muffins

    Published: August 29, 2022 · Modified: Aug 29, 2022 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Moist and flavorful, these Apple Muffins are a delightful way to start your day. Full of apple and cinnamon flavors with a crispy brown sugar topping, these muffins are so easy to make from scratch. They make for a simple and delicious breakfast or snack.

    A plate with an apple muffin with a glass of milk in the back with a platter of more muffins in the background.
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    Pinterest graphic of an apple muffin cut open on a plate.
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    Pinterest graphic of an apple muffin on a plate with a glass of milk behind it along with a platter.

    These apple muffins are a great way to use up any apples you have lying around the house. They’re flavorful, cozy, and easy to make. Filled with diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, each bite is full of warm apple flavors.

    I love how moist and tender these muffins are which pairs so well with the crispy crumb topping. I can eat them every day! Luckily, they come together in a few quick steps, so they can definitely be an everyday treat. If you want more breakfast recipes using apples then try my apple cider donuts recipe, apple turnovers recipe, and apple fritters recipe.

    What You Need to Make This Recipe

    Ingredients needed to make apple muffins.

    Brown sugar — this adds a delicious molasses flavor to the muffin toppings and batter. If you do not have brown sugar on hand, then you can make some by following my guide on how to make brown sugar.

    Flour — you don’t need anything fancy for the muffins. All-purpose flour is all you need for the topping, batter, and coating of the diced apples!

    Butter — I highly recommend using unsalted butter. Salted butter has a varying amount of salt between different brands, so it’s more consistent to use unsalted butter and add your own measured salt.

    Baking powder — always double-check that the baking powder is fresh and not expired.

    Cinnamon — cinnamon is a delightful warm spice that makes your muffins that much more delicious.

    Milk — I suggest you use milk instead of water for more flavorful muffins. Milk also adds sweetness and a creamy texture to the muffins.

    Apples — you want apples that will hold up when you bake them in the apple muffins, as some can get mushy or grainy in the oven. Try using Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.

    How to Make Apple Muffins

    Set of two photos showing the topping ingredients needed to a bowl and dry ingredients whisked in another bowl.

    1. Prepare the muffin topping by stirring the brown sugar, flour, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter with a fork until the mixture is combined but still clumpy. Set aside.

    2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In another medium mixing bowl, toss the apples with two tablespoons of the flour mixture until the apples are well coated.

    Set of two photos showing sugars added to creamed butter and then eggs added.

    3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed until creamy.

    4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined. Scrape down the bowl and beat in the vanilla.

    Set of two photos showing dry ingredients mixed into the batter.

    5. Add a third of the flour mixture, followed by half of the milk.

    6. Continue alternating between the flour and milk, mixing just until combined. Fold in the apples.

    Set of two photos showing batter and topping added to the muffin tin.

    7. Divide the batter among the muffin pan wells, about ⅓ cup per muffin.

    8. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter, about 3 tablespoons per muffin. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature and continue baking for 12 to 15 minutes before letting them cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Remove the apple muffins from the pan and continue to cool on a wire rack.

    A plate with an apple muffin cut in half, showing the chunks of apples inside the crumb.

    Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

    • Careful not to overmix the batter as it’ll lead to dense muffins or large holes in the crumb.
    • Measure your flour by using a scale! Adding too much flour to the recipe is the most common reason the muffins end up dense. The best and easiest way to measure the ingredients is using a scale, especially flour.
    • Tossing the apple pieces with flour will keep them from sinking to the bottom of the muffins as they bake.
    • It’s important to adjust the temperature of your oven for these apple muffins. The initial hot blast will help the muffins rise tall then the lower temperature will help them cook through without burning.
    A platter with apple muffins in a pile with one on a plate in the background.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I store leftover muffins?

    You can store the apple muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can enjoy these muffins at room temperature or warmed in the microwave.

    Can I freeze muffins?

    You can freeze these muffins! To freeze muffins, wait for them to cool, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and then store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow them to come to room temperature or quickly microwave the frozen muffin for about 20 seconds.

    What kind of apples should I use?

    As mentioned earlier, make sure you use apples that won’t turn to mush when baked. Some apples I like are Honeycrisp, Galas, Fuji, and Pink Lady. You can use a mix of tart apples and sweet apples to change the flavors of the apple muffins.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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      Apple Butter

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      Pumpkin Muffins

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      Oatmeal Muffins

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      Morning Glory Muffins

    If you’ve tried this Apple Muffins recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    A apple muffin on a marble counter with a second muffin and an apple out of focus in the background.
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    5 from 17 votes

    Apple Muffins

    Made with a few simple ingredients, these Apple Muffins are bursting with apple and cinnamon flavors. It's the perfect grab and go breakfast or snack.
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 22 minutes
    Cool Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 47 minutes
    Servings 12 muffins
    Calories 315kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • Muffin pan
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    For the Topping:

    • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g)
    • ¼ cup light brown sugar (55g)
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (43g)

    For the Muffins:

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
    • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
    • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature (113g)
    • ½ cup packed light brown sugar (110g)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup whole milk (120ml)
    • 1½ cups diced apple (about 2 apples peeled and cored/ 220g)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with baking spray.

    For the Topping:

    • In a medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter with a fork, until the mixture is combined but still clumpy. Set aside.

    For the Muffins:

    • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
    • In another medium mixing bowl, toss the apples with two tablespoons of the flour mixture until the apples are well coated.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined. Scrape down the bowl and beat in the vanilla.
    • With the mixer on low speed, add a third of the flour mixture, followed by half of the milk. Continue alternating between the flour and milk, mixing just until combined. Fold in the apples. Divide the batter among the wells of the muffin pan, about ⅓ cup per muffin. (They will be mostly full.) Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter, about 3 tablespoons per muffin.
    • Bake for 10 minutes.
    • Reduce the oven temperature to 350F and continue baking for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan then remove and continue cooling on a wire rack. Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    Notes

    • Careful not to overmix the batter as it’ll lead to dense muffins or large holes in the crumb.
    • Measure your flour by using a scale! Adding too much flour to the recipe is the most common reason the muffins end up dense. The best and easiest way to measure the ingredients is using a scale, especially flour.
    • Tossing the apple pieces with flour will keep them from sinking to the bottom of the muffins as they bake.
    • It’s important to adjust the temperature of your oven for these muffins. The initial hot blast will help the muffins rise tall then the lower temperature will help them cook through without burning.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 389IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 2mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!

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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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