Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients You’ll Need

While the ingredient list may be longer than most apple muffin recipes, don’t let it intimidate you! You probably have more of the ingredients in your pantry than you realize. Find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

• Apples: Use sweet apples like honey crisp. Peel, core, and grate (with a microplane or box grater) the large apple. The grated apple provides texture and moisture.
• Apple Marinade: Combine cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice to create a flavorful marinade for the grated apples.
• Flour: I increased the fiber in these healthy apple muffins by using 3 different types of flour: white whole wheat, coarse wheat bran flour, and almond meal. All purpose flour can be used in place of while whole wheat.
• Baking Soda: helps the muffins rise and improves their texture.
• Spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg give these muffins a warm, fall flavor.
• Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavors.
• Ground Flax Seeds also increase the fiber content.
• Applesauce adds sweetness, moisture, and nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. You can use store-bought unsweetened applesauce or try my homemade slow cooker applesauce recipe.
• Brown Sugar sweetens the muffins.
• Oil: Use a little coconut or canola oil to add moisture without many calories.
• Egg Whites help bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract for subtle warmth and sweetness
• Chopped Walnuts for a little crunch
• Granola: Top each muffin with a bit of granola. I love Purely Elizabeth granola but use whatever you prefer.

Variation Ideas

• Honey: You can swap the honey for maple syrup or agave if that’s what you have on hand. Maple adds a nice fall flavor, while agave keeps things a bit more neutral.
• Spices: Try using pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, cozy twist. It’s especially great in the fall.
• Swap the sugar: To lower the added sugar, replace the brown sugar with a monk fruit brown sugar blend. It keeps the sweetness without the extra calories.
• Use one kind of flour: If you don’t want to buy all three flours, you can simplify by using just white whole wheat flour. The muffins will still bake up nicely and have great texture.
• Make the gluten free: Replace white whole wheat and wheat bran flours with a gluten-free mix, like Cup4Cup.
• Nut Allergy: Replace almond meal with white whole wheat flour and omit the nuts. If you still want the crunch the nuts provide, try adding pepitas.
• No granola topping: Don’t have granola? A light sprinkle of oats or chopped nuts works just fine. You can even skip it entirely for a simpler muffin.
• Add-ins: Stir in a handful of raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates for extra sweetness.

How to Make Apple Muffins

Here’s how to make these easy apple cinnamon muffins. Scroll to the bottom for the complete instructions.

1. Make the apple mixture: Combine the grated apples with cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice.
2. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk the 3 flours, flax, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Mix wet Ingredients: Beat the applesauce, oil, egg whites, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer or stand mixer until thick.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients and blend at low speed until combined. Fold in the apples and walnuts.
5. Bake the Muffins: Place muffin liners in a muffin pan and spray with oil. Pour the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups. Top each with some granola and bake at 350°F for about 35 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin–when it comes out clean, they’re ready.

Proper Storage

• Counter or fridge: Keep the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or refrigerate for up to a week.
• How to freeze: Freeze in a zip-top bag or container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight, or microwave straight from frozen in 20–30 second bursts until warm.

More Apple Recipes

• Apple Cobbler
• Apple Crisp
• Baked Apples
• Apple Turnovers
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter