Name: Apple Muffins Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 37 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g); ¼ cup light brown sugar (55g); ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g); ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g); 1½ teaspoons baking powder; 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (43g); 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)

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, comforting treat that feels like a warm hug in muffin form, you’re in the right place. This Apple Muffins Recipe is seriously one of my favorites to whip up on a crisp morning or whenever I crave something sweet and satisfying without fuss. I absolutely love how these muffins turn out moist, bursting with tender chunks of apple and just the right hint of cinnamon—perfect for breakfast on the go or a snack with your afternoon tea. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail this recipe every single time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Apple and Cinnamon Balance: Each bite has the warm spice and fresh apple flavor that feels just like fall in your mouth.
Moist, Tender Texture: Thanks to the combination of melted and room temperature butter, these muffins never come out dry.
Easy to Make: You probably already have most ingredients at home, and the mixing steps are straightforward, ideal for any skill level.
Great for Meal Prep: They freeze well and reheat beautifully, so you can enjoy them for days after baking.

Two pieces of crumb-topped cake are placed on a white plate with blue floral patterns. The cake has a light brown color with soft, crumbly texture and visible chunks of yellow apple inside. The crumb topping is thicker and golden brown. The plate sits on a pink cloth, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Muffins, apple muffins recipe, moist apple muffins, cinnamon apple muffins, easy breakfast muffins

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here come together in a way that creates a fluffy yet tender muffin crumb enriched with buttery sweetness and just enough cinnamon to make those apples shine. I always recommend picking tart apples like Granny Smith for baking, as they hold up nicely and add a bright contrast to the sweet batter.

Flat lay of diced fresh apples with pale red and green skin, light brown sugar crystals, granulated white sugar, a small heap of ground cinnamon powder, cubes of unsalted butter in soft yellow, whole eggs with smooth brown shells, a small glass of creamy whole milk, and a vanilla bean pod, all beautifully arranged in a balanced composition placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Muffins, apple muffins recipe, moist apple muffins, cinnamon apple muffins, easy breakfast muffins

All-purpose flour: Provides structure; make sure to spoon and level your flour for accuracy.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a caramel-like depth—don’t substitute it with dark brown sugar or it might change the flavor.
Granulated sugar: Balances out the sweetness with a lighter texture.
Ground cinnamon: The heartwarming spice that pairs perfectly with apples; feel free to adjust slightly to taste.
Unsalted butter: Using both melted and room temperature butter adds richness and tenderness—don’t skip this step!
Baking powder: Helps the muffins rise beautifully; make sure it’s fresh for the best lift.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add moisture.
Vanilla extract: A small splash elevates the flavor into something truly comforting.
Whole milk: Keeps the batter moist and tender.
Apples (peeled, cored, diced): Fresh apples are key; I love using tart varieties to cut through the sweetness and add texture.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m all about making recipes your own. Over time, I’ve experimented tweaking this Apple Muffins Recipe and ended up with some favorites that you might enjoy customizing too!

Add nuts or seeds: My family goes crazy for chopped walnuts or pecans stirred in—they add a lovely crunch and make these muffins extra hearty.
Swap spices: Sometimes I mix cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for an unexpected warm twist.
Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based milk like almond or oat and substitute butter with coconut oil for a cruelty-free treat.
Sweeten with honey or maple syrup: If you want to play with natural sweeteners, replace sugar with honey or pure maple syrup—but reduce the milk slightly to keep batter consistency.
Add raisins or dried cranberries: These little bursts of tart sweetness work well with the apple and cinnamon flavors.

How to Make Apple Muffins Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apples and Oven

Start by peeling, coring, and dicing your apples into small, even chunks—about 1/2 inch works great. This helps them cook evenly inside the muffins. Then preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray. Trust me, this step makes clean removal a breeze and keeps those muffin tops perfect.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

In a small bowl, combine ½ cup flour, ¼ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Add 3 tablespoons melted butter and mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. This topping bakes into a slight crunchy, cinnamon-scented crust that’s absolutely dreamy — don’t skip it!

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mixing the dry ingredients separately helps distribute the leavening agents and spices evenly.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars

In another bowl, beat ½ cup room-temperature butter with ½ cup light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar until creamy and fluffy — about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is critical for that tender crumb I love.

Step 5: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Milk

Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla and ½ cup whole milk. The batter will be slightly thick but pourable — perfect for holding up those apple chunks.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry, Fold in Apples

Slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet, folding gently just until combined. Overmixing will lead to tougher muffins, so stop as soon as you don’t see dry flour. Then fold in your diced apples carefully to distribute them evenly without breaking them up too much.

Step 7: Fill Muffin Tins and Add Topping

Divide the batter evenly into your prepared muffin tin, filling each about 3/4 full. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping over each muffin to get that gorgeous golden crunch on top.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake at 400°F for about 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. When your kitchen fills with that irresistible apple-cinnamon aroma, you know it’s almost time. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack so they don’t get soggy on the bottom.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Muffins Recipe

Choosing the Right Apples: I learned using firmer apples like Granny Smith keeps the chunks from turning mushy after baking.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing develops gluten and makes muffins dense—I stop folding as soon as the flour disappears.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter and eggs at room temp blend easier and help achieve a smooth batter.
Topping Trick: Sprinkling the cinnamon sugar topping not only adds crunch but also a beautiful golden color, so don’t skip it!

How to Serve Apple Muffins Recipe

A group of crumb-topped muffins sits stacked on a white plate with blue patterns, showing uneven, golden-brown textured crumb layers on top that look crunchy and thick; the muffins themselves are a warm brown color with a slightly rough surface, and one muffin stands upright while others lean against each other, all resting on a white marbled surface with a blurred white plate and pink cloth nearby in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Muffins, apple muffins recipe, moist apple muffins, cinnamon apple muffins, easy breakfast muffins

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple by serving these apple muffins with a light pat of butter or a drizzle of honey on top. If I’m feeling fancy, a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a small dollop of cream cheese frosting turns them into a special treat that my kids adore.

Side Dishes

These muffins pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a heartier breakfast, I often serve them alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh green salad if you want to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For class parties or holiday brunches, I like arranging these muffins on a wooden board surrounded by small bowls of apple butter, cinnamon sugar, and chopped nuts so everyone can customize their own. You can also pop a small cinnamon stick as a “handle” into each muffin for an adorable presentation that’s festive and fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store leftover apple muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Beyond that, they start drying out, so I move them to the fridge if I plan to eat them within a week.

Freezing

I often freeze these muffins individually wrapped in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer bag. This way I can pull out exactly how many I want, and they keep for up to 3 months. They thaw quickly at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked warmth, I reheat muffins in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or pop them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This helps revive moisture and melts any butter or topping to make them taste fresh again.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this Apple Muffins Recipe?

While fresh apples are ideal for texture, you can use frozen apples if you thaw and drain them well to remove excess moisture. Otherwise, the batter can become too wet and affect the muffin’s rise and crumb.
Can I make this Apple Muffins Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! I suggest substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I know when the muffins are done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), they are perfectly baked. Overbaking can cause dryness, so keep a close eye after 20 minutes.
Can I substitute apples with pears?

Absolutely! Pears have a similar moisture content and sweetness. Just peel and dice them like the apples. The flavor will be slightly different but equally tasty.
What’s the best way to prep apples to avoid browning?

Once peeled and diced, toss the apples in a little lemon juice or soak them briefly in lemon water to prevent browning while you finish prepping the batter.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Muffins Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of chilly weekend mornings spent baking with family. I love how it’s simple enough to make any day feel a little more special, yet delicious enough that everyone asks for seconds. I hope you’ll give these muffins a try and experience that same joy—it’s a recipe you’ll want to keep coming back to time and again!