If you’re searching for a little breakfast magic or a delightful afternoon treat, nothing quite hits the spot like this Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe. Bursting with tender chunks of fresh apples, a warm hint of cinnamon, and crowned with a crunchy streusel topping, these muffins are a cozy hug in every bite. Whether you’re baking for family breakfast, a casual brunch, or just craving some comforting sweetness, this recipe is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. You’ll soon see why these muffins become an instant favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing these muffins. Each element here works harmoniously to create the perfect balance of softness, sweetness, and spice, while the streusel and glaze add that extra layer of texture and flavor you won’t want to miss.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of your muffin, giving it structure and a tender crumb.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to complement the apples.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps your muffins rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Infuses a cozy spice that pairs beautifully with apples.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the flavors and enhances the sweetness.
- 2 eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness.
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter: Brings moisture and richness with a buttery flavor.
- 1/2 cup milk: Keeps the batter smooth and tender.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apples: The star of the show, providing juicy bursts of natural sweetness and texture.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel): Creates the crumbly topping for a delightful texture contrast.
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (for streusel): Gives the streusel a rich, caramel note.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for streusel): Ties the streusel flavor to the muffin base perfectly.
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter (for streusel): Ensures the topping is buttery and crumbly.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze): Used to make a sweet glaze that adds a lovely finish.
- 1 to 2 teaspoons milk (for glaze): Adjusts the glaze to just the right drizzle consistency.
How to Make Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. This simple prep step ensures your muffins bake evenly and come out effortlessly.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisking the dry ingredients first helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices throughout your batter, giving the muffins a consistent flavor and rise.
Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Mixing these wet ingredients separately ensures the eggs don’t scramble and everything combines smoothly for that perfect tender crumb.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients and Add Apples
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined—you want to avoid overmixing to keep the muffins light and fluffy. Then fold in the chopped apples carefully so they’re perfectly dispersed, which adds juicy, fruity bites in every muffin.
Step 5: Prepare the Streusel Topping
Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until crumbly. This topping is pure joy with its sweet crunch and spiced warmth, complementing the soft muffins so well.
Step 6: Fill Muffin Cups and Add Streusel
Divide the batter evenly into the 12 muffin liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Then sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each cup. This step guarantees a beautiful finish and that delightful textural contrast you’re aiming for.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling step prevents them from becoming soggy and helps them set perfectly.
Step 8: Glaze Your Muffins
Mix powdered sugar with milk to create a smooth glaze and drizzle it over the cooled muffins. This final touch adds a subtle sweetness and a lovely sheen that makes these muffins as pretty as they are delicious.
How to Serve Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or some finely chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans on top just before serving. These subtle accents can add crunch and a pop of flavor, making your muffins even more inviting.
Side Dishes
These muffins shine when paired with a warm cup of coffee or spiced chai tea. For a heartier breakfast, serve alongside some Greek yogurt with honey and fresh fruit to balance the sweetness and add protein.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice the muffins in half and spread a layer of cream cheese frosting or apple butter inside. You can also arrange them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of nut butter, fresh apple slices, and cinnamon sticks for a charming brunch spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to five days, just note they might lose a bit of their initial softness.
Freezing
These muffins freeze beautifully! Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to three months, making them perfect to bake in advance or stash for a quick snack later.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy a muffin from the fridge or freezer, gently warm it in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This refreshes their soft texture and melts any glaze slightly for that just-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! Granny Smith apples add a nice tartness, but sweeter varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp work beautifully too. Just make sure to peel and chop them evenly for the best baking results.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the milk with any plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and use a dairy-free butter alternative to keep the recipe dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.
How do I avoid the apples sinking to the bottom?
Coating the chopped apples lightly in flour before folding them into the batter helps keep them suspended throughout the muffins instead of sinking to the bottom while baking.
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
To make this Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend designed for 1:1 substitution. Be sure to check that the baking powder you use is gluten-free as well.
What can I use instead of the glaze?
If you prefer to skip the glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar or leaving the muffins plain is just fine—they’re delicious either way. Another option is to brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar before baking for a sweeter crust.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so comforting and satisfying about making this Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe in your own kitchen. It’s not only a guaranteed crowd-pleaser but also a simple way to fill your home with that irresistible aroma of apples and cinnamon baking. I can’t wait for you to try it and make these muffins a staple in your family’s rotation—they truly are little bites of autumn happiness all year round.
Print
Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins are a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or snack time. Moist and flavorful, they combine tender apples and warm cinnamon in a soft muffin crumb, topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel and a sweet powdered sugar glaze for an irresistible finish.
Ingredients
Muffin Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apples
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs, then mix in 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender muffin texture. Fold in 1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apples evenly.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In another bowl, blend 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter by cutting the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse, crumbly pieces.
- Fill Muffin Cups and Add Streusel: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups and generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin to add a crunchy, sweet topping.
- Bake: Bake the muffins for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating that they are fully cooked. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Drizzle Glaze: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk until smooth to create a glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled muffins for a sweet, glossy finish.
Notes
- For extra moist muffins, use tart apples like Granny Smith which hold their shape well.
- Don’t overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins.
- Streusel topping can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.
- The glaze adds sweetness but can be omitted for less sugar.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
