Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins Recipe

There’s something truly comforting about waking up to warm muffins fresh from the oven, especially when they’re light, fruity, and completely plant-based. That’s why I’m excited to share my Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins Recipe with you—it’s a total game changer! These muffins come out perfectly tender with a delightful crumb topping and an optional drizzle of sweet icing that takes them over the top. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll keep coming back for more.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins Recipe lies in simple, thoughtful ingredient choices that work perfectly together. You’ll get a tender crumb, sweet notes from both brown and white sugar, and cinnamon for just the right touch of spice. Plus, the flaxseed mixture acts as a brilliant vegan egg substitute that I’ve come to rely on.

• Ground flaxseeds: These act as a natural binder and egg replacer, creating that classic muffin texture without eggs.
• All-purpose flour: The foundation of the muffins, providing structure and tenderness.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness and keeps the muffins moist.
• Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with browning.
• Baking powder: Essential for rise and fluffy texture.
• Ground cinnamon: Gives that cozy warm flavor that pairs so well with apples.
• Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
• Melted vegan butter: Adds richness and helps with the crumb topping.
• Oat milk: A creamy dairy-free milk that keeps these muffins tender.
• Pure vanilla extract: A little goes a long way in boosting overall flavor.
• Peeled and diced apples: Fresh apples give bursts of juicy sweetness and moisture.
• Crumb topping ingredients: A mix of vegan butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour for that irresistible crunch on top.
• Optional icing ingredients: Powdered sugar, vanilla, and oat milk, for a simple glaze that adds extra sweetness.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it your way. Whether you want to brighten it up with some nuts, make it gluten-free, or switch up the fruit, I encourage you to customize and experiment!

• Add walnuts or pecans: I often toss in chopped nuts for a nice crunch and extra texture that my family adores.
• Make it gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a quality gluten-free blend; just keep an eye on batter consistency as it might need a tiny splash more oat milk.
• Try different fruits: Pears or blueberries work beautifully here—I’ve swapped apples with pears during fall, and it was amazing.
• Oil-free option: I discovered using unsweetened applesauce instead of vegan butter helps keep it moist and makes the muffins oil-free; I usually skip the crumb topping when I do this.

How to Make Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Flax Eggs and Dry Ingredients

Start by combining 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds with 5 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens into a gel-like consistency. These flax eggs are a fantastic vegan substitute that help your muffins rise and bind perfectly. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown and granulated sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Trust me, giving your dry ingredients a good mix upfront helps distribute the rising agents evenly for the best texture.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients and Mix Batter

Once the flax eggs are ready, add the melted vegan butter, oat milk, vanilla extract, and your flax mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a large spoon just until everything is combined—don’t overdo it! Over-mixing can make your muffins dense and tough, and nobody wants that. The batter will be thick but scoopable.

Step 3: Fold in the Apples

Gently fold in the peeled and diced apples until they’re evenly distributed throughout your batter. These fresh pieces are what really bring the muffins to life with juicy bites scattered throughout.

Step 4: Prepare Muffins and Crumb Topping

Line your muffin pan with paper liners and lightly spray or grease them so your muffins release easily. Scoop the batter into each cup, filling them all the way to the top—I like using a small measuring cup for even portions. Now, whisk together the crumbs topping ingredients (melted vegan butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour) in a small bowl until crumbly and sprinkle it generously over each muffin. This topping creates the most deliciously crunchy contrast to the soft muffins beneath.

Step 5: Bake with Temperature Trick for Tall Muffins

Here’s a trick I discovered: bake your muffins at 425°F for 5 minutes, then immediately reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 15-18 minutes. This initial high heat jump-starts the rise, making your muffins nice and tall. Insert a toothpick near the end; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, they’re done!

Step 6: Optional Sweet Icing Drizzle

If you want to give your muffins an extra touch of sweetness, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and oat milk to a smooth consistency and drizzle over warm or cooled muffins. It melts into little pockets of sugary delight that’s hard to resist.

How to Serve Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins Recipe

Garnishes

I love dusting these muffins with a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or even adding a few thin apple slices atop before baking for an extra apple celebration. Sometimes, I simply enjoy them with a swipe of vegan butter or a drizzle of my homemade icing.

Side Dishes

These vegan apple muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or your favorite herbal tea. For brunch, serve alongside a fresh fruit salad or creamy dairy-free yogurt to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday mornings or special occasions, I’ve set these muffins on a pretty platter garnished with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Wrapping each muffin in a little parchment bundle tied with twine also makes for a charming edible gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. For longer freshness, I keep them in the fridge where they last about a week without losing flavor or moisture.

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully—just place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When I’m ready for a snack, I thaw one at room temperature or gently warm it in the microwave.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, I pop muffins in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This crisp-up method keeps the crumb topping delightful and the inside moist.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Best Ever Vegan Apple Muffins Recipe has become one of my go-to bakes when I want something that feels indulgent yet wholesome. I adore how the apples add a natural sweetness and moisture, while the crumb topping brings that irresistible crunch. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these with the people you care about as much as I do. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite muffin recipe!

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