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 craving something cozy and delicious, you’re going to love this Apple Muffins Recipe. These muffins are just bursting with fresh apple chunks and that warm cinnamon spice we all adore. I absolutely love how moist and tender they turn out, and they’re perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a sweet treat with your coffee. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail these muffins perfectly the first time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, so it’s easy to pull together anytime.
Perfect Texture: Moist, tender crumb with little bursts of apple in every bite.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for these muffins—they’re always gone before the day is done.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Great for breakfast, snack time, or even packed in a lunchbox.

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 Recipe, moist apple muffins, cinnamon apple muffins, easy apple muffin recipe, homemade apple muffins

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s something so comforting about the combination of apples, cinnamon, and butter in this Apple Muffins Recipe. These ingredients come together to create that classic fall flavor everyone loves. When you shop, look for crisp apples that hold their shape well when baked—like Fuji or Honeycrisp.

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 Recipe, moist apple muffins, cinnamon apple muffins, easy apple muffin recipe, homemade apple muffins

All-purpose flour: Divided in this recipe for a tender crumb and great structure.
Light brown sugar: Adds subtle molasses flavor and moisture to your muffins.
Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps with browning.
Ground cinnamon: The warming spice that pairs perfectly with apple.
Unsalted butter: Using melted and room temperature butter creates a richer taste and soft texture.
Baking powder: Essential for that wonderful rise to your muffins.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and aroma.
Whole milk: Keeps the muffin moist and tender.
Diced apple: Fresh and peeled, so every bite bursts with flavor without added chewiness.

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

While I love this classic Apple Muffins Recipe, I enjoy mixing it up sometimes based on mood or season. Feel free to personalize it to suit your taste buds or dietary needs—you can’t go wrong!

Add Nuts or Raisins: Throw in chopped walnuts or pecans, or even raisins for extra texture and a nutty flavor—I’ve done this a ton and it’s such a nice twist.
Use Greek Yogurt: Swap half the butter for Greek yogurt to make them a bit lighter and add protein.
Gluten-Free: Replace the flour with a gluten-free blend; just keep an eye on the texture as some blends absorb more liquid.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves alongside the cinnamon for a deeper spice profile.

How to Make Apple Muffins Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Apple Mix

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and greasing a 12-cup muffin tin with baking spray or butter. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup flour, both sugars, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Add 3 tablespoons melted butter and mix until it forms a crumbly topping—this is going to give your muffins a buttery cinnamon crunch on top, which I adore. Set this aside.

Step 2: Make the Muffin Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, cream the room temperature butter with brown and granulated sugars until fluffy — I love using my stand mixer here for that smooth texture. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract, then alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with dry. Mix just until combined — overmixing can make the muffins tough, and we want tender!

Step 3: Fold in Apples and Scoop

Gently fold in the diced apples, distributing them evenly. The apples add moisture and little sweet bursts that make these muffins so good—you’ll notice it right away. Then, spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Sprinkle the prepared crumb topping over each muffin for that irresistible crunch.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake the muffins for about 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the tops feel springy to the touch. I like to rotate the pan halfway through baking just to ensure even browning. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Watching those beautiful golden tops come out of the oven is such a satisfying moment!

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Muffins Recipe

Use Fresh Apples: I always peel and dice fresh apples just before mixing to avoid browning and keep the texture crisp but tender.
Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, stir until just blended to maintain light, fluffy muffins.
Let Muffins Cool Slightly: Cooling helps the crumb set and makes them easier to remove from the pan without falling apart.
Test Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer if you can, since ovens run hot or cold and that makes a big difference when baking.

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 Recipe, moist apple muffins, cinnamon apple muffins, easy apple muffin recipe, homemade apple muffins

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the muffins just before serving—that adds a lovely touch of sweetness and looks pretty too. If I’m feeling fancy, I sometimes add a dollop of whipped cream or a smear of cream cheese frosting whether for a breakfast treat or dessert.

Side Dishes

These muffins pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea or coffee, and I love serving them alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to round out a wholesome breakfast.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I’ve arranged the muffins on a tiered stand with small bowls of apple butter and honey for spreading. It’s a simple touch but guests love it. Wrapping each muffin in parchment paper with a cinnamon stick tied on makes a charming gift, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers — although that almost never happens! — store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I find this keeps them nice and soft without drying out.

Freezing

This Apple Muffins Recipe freezes really well. Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They keep fresh for up to 3 months, which is perfect for busy mornings.

Reheating

To warm frozen or leftover muffins, pop them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or in a toaster oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. This revives their soft texture and makes them taste freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use any type of apple for this Apple Muffins Recipe?

You can use almost any apple, but firmer varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala work best because they hold their shape during baking and provide a nice texture without turning to mush.
Do I have to peel the apples?

Peeling is recommended for a tender muffin texture, but if you like a bit of extra fiber and don’t mind some chew, you can leave the skin on. Just wash them well before dicing.
How can I make these muffins healthier?

Try substituting half the butter with unsweetened applesauce or Greek yogurt. You can also reduce the sugar slightly or use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index.
Can I make mini apple muffins instead of regular size?

Absolutely! Just reduce the baking time to around 12-15 minutes and watch closely to avoid overbaking. Mini muffins make such cute bites for parties.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Muffins Recipe quickly became a staple in my kitchen because it’s approachable, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. There’s something so satisfying about pulling warm muffins out of the oven filled with apple and cinnamon goodness. I hope you have as much fun making and sharing these as I do—once you try them, they’re going to be a new favorite you’ll want to bake again and again!