Sweet and full of seasonal flavors, these Apple Cinnamon Muffins are perfect Fall treat. These muffins are loaded with fresh apples and beautiful warm spices. Made with simple but wholesome ingredients, without refined sugars, these apple muffins are equally healthy and delicious.
And here it is. Another apple recipe. Well, what can I say? I'm obsessed with apples lately. They are now in season, juicy and beautiful. With their gorgeous colors and super sweet, who can resist them. I certainly can't.
Apples are on my menu for past few weeks. I love having Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal or Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats for breakfast. But I also enjoy fresh apples as a midday or late-evening snack. With so many apples going on in my life right now, I can only promise to bring you more apple recipes in days to come. Because ... well, why NOT!?
This Apple Cinnamon Muffins recipe is currently a huge hit in my house. We all love these apple muffins because they are soft, flavorful and honestly so darn GOOD! Topped with cinnamon and fresh apples, beautifully flavored with warm Fall spices, these apple muffins are just gorgeous. And to make them you will need only a few simple pantry WHOLESOME ingredients.
Ingredients used
These muffins call only for simple ingredients. You probably have everything you need in your pantry already to make these healthy muffins!
- FRESH APPLES: Apples are definitely a star in this recipe. You can use any type of apples you like or have at hand. When you bake apples they become softer and sweeter, so whichever type you choose, it will be perfect.
- WHOLE GRAIN FLOUR: I used whole grain spelt flour, but you can use whole wheat flour. Whole grain flour added more nutrients to these muffins but also contributed to overall rustic taste.
- SWEETENER: I used pure maple syrup, but you can easily use honey here if you like. Sirup gave subtle sweetness yet didn't overload muffins with much sweet sugar calories.
- APPLESAUCE: Applesauce gave moisture and sweetness. It's basically pureed cooked apples. You can make it yourself at home or grab the jar from the store. Just read the labels and buy one without added sugars.
- SPICES: I used warm, fall-inspired spices – Ceylon cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to spice these apple muffins.
Other pantry ingredients you’ll need:
- Eggs – I used free-range, pasture-raised.
- Salt – I like to use Himalayan salt.
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Coconut oil
How to make Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Making these apple cinnamon beauties are no brainer really. As for the equipment, you'll need measuring cups, mixing bowl, whisk and spatula. + Muffin tin and some paper muffin liners.
- Start with preparing and measuring all ingredients using measuring cups. Melt coconut oil and let it cool for few minutes on room temperature. Wash and and core the apples, then chop into small dice (I don't peel the apples, but you can if you like).
- Preheat oven to 350 F (178C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or use muffin liners.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices together in a bowl until everything is nicely combined.
- In a separate large bowl whisk the eggs with coconut oil, syrup and vanilla extract. Mix everything with the whisk until you get nice sticky mixture. Add in applesauce. Mix again until combined.
- Add flour mixture into wet ingredients. Stir the batter few times using a spatula. Add in diced apples. Fold everything together gently.
- Spoon the batter into liners, filling them 3/4 full. Light sprinkle with cinnamon and coconut sugar, if desired.
- Pop the muffins into the preheated oven, and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Makes 12 muffins that serves 6-12 people. Recommended serving size is one muffin.
PRO TIPS:
- What kind of apples are the best? For muffins, I like to use sweet apples, like Gala or Fuji. The best to use are soft apples, not firm ones because they will bake faster. You can use sour apples, like Granny Smith, but you may need to add more sweetener. That's totally based on your preferences.
- When folding the batter, use the spatula and don't over-mix it. Little lumps in the batter are ok - a lumpy batter makes a lighter muffin.
- Optional add-ins: You can add-in dried cranberries, raisins, sultanas, or a handful of chopped walnuts.
Substitutions
- Substitute whole gran Spelt flour with whole gran wheat flour. Or use plain/all-purpose flour if you prefer.
- In order to get all the health benefits from coconut oil, make sure to choose organic, virgin coconut oil rather than refined versions. You can substitute coconut oil with ghee or grass-fed butter.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey. Make sure you use honey in runny, liquid form, not the raw, solid one.
Tips for storing
- Keep the muffins covered in air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- HOW TO FREEZE: Place the muffins in a zip-lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature or warm up in the microwave if desired. Be careful not to overheat them.
These Apple Cinnamon Muffins are simply gorgeous. Soft, mildly sweet, bursting with spices and fresh apples. They are also everything but plain. Not the usual muffins loaded with fat and sugar, but NUTRITIOUS and filling treat that is free from refined sugars and unhealthy fats.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins make easy grab-and-go breakfast, but you can also make a batch for afternoon coffee or tea break. This recipe is perfect for the family and busy weekday mornings, not to mention picnics and outdoor fun. Also, it's a great healthy kids lunchbox choice.
One of the best features of this apple muffin recipe is that it's super easy to make. You can whip up these beauties in no-time, and they are done, from starts to finish in less than 30 minutes. Win!
Enjoy!
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup whole grain flour whole grain Spelt or whole gran whet flour
- 2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup or honey
- 1 cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 cup diced apples Approx. 2 large apples
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (178C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or use muffin liners.
- In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients - flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- In a separate larger bowl whisk the eggs with coconut oil, syrup, and vanilla until you get nice sticky mixture. Add in applesauce. Mix again until combined.
- Fill muffin tins 3/4 full with batter. Sprinkle each muffin with cinnamon and coconut sugar (optional).
- Bake muffins for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove muffins from the oven. Allow them to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
I used US cup (240ml) as a measure.
Substitutions
- Substitute whole gran Spelt flour with whole gran wheat flour. Or use plain/all-purpose flour if you prefer.
- Substitute maple syrup with honey. Make sure you use honey in runny, liquid form, not the raw, solid one.
Tips for storing
- Keep the muffins covered in air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- HOW TO FREEZE: Place the muffins in a zip-lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature or warm up in the microwave if desired. Be careful not to overheat them.
Nutrition
More healthy apple recipes to try
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Apple Pie Energy Bites
- Apple Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Apple Pear Crisp
- 20 Healthy Apple Recipes
This post was originally published on September 20, 2018. It has been updated with more information on September 29, 2020. The recipe remained the same.
I love how you always take the extra steps needed to make REALLY healthy options! No guilt with this yummy muffins!
I never would've about using applesauce. Such a great tip to keep them nice and moist!
This is such a beautiful and delicious muffin. Everything about it is yum.
I love apple in anything, and these muffins look incredible! Such a great way to start the day- I'll be trying them this weekend!
These are so good. I love breakfast muffins but don't often make them myself. These were a nice treat for me and my family.
I am all about apple everything this time of year. These turned out delicious!
Glad you liked it :) Thanks for the lovely feedback.
These scream fall! I've got a couple apples that I need to use up and this looks like the perfect recipe to do it in!
Oh my goodness the chunks of apple add so much flavor and they look great too! Thanks!
Apple spice muffins are simply my favorite autumn breakfast! These ones look super soft and fluffy, can't wait to give these a go.
Oh yes!! Just what I was craving. I love that these apple muffins are healthy too without any refined sugar. So excited to bake them!
I made your muffins this morning and there my family loved them. They want to know when I'll be making them again
These are the best autumn muffins ever! I made 12 but next time am going to have to make more as they disappeared so quickly!
I've been looking for an apple recipe to use some Honeycrisp apples on my kitchen counter. The maple syrup seems the perfect sweetener and I can't wait to try these.
Ooh this is what my Fall needed! I love that they are made with maple syrup and whole grain flour too. Can't wait to try!
I brought home a bunch of apples this week and these muffins were one of the things I made with them. They were sooooo good! I will definitely be making these again!
Oh yum! I am actually excited to try this. I've never had this before.
Finally, an apple muffin recipe that is packed with apples! We love these muffins so much, and it was the perfect use of the bounty of apples we have. Can't wait to make them again!
Excellent recipe, even my picky toddler likes them.
Oh this muffin! I can take an hour eating it, just to make sure that the pleasure and the sweetnesse lasts for ever.
These are soo yummy! My new go-to breakfast and snack!
Apple + cinnamon is always a winning combo in my book! These look delicious!
Muffin is one of my favorite snack since childhood. I should try this recipe.
These look so good and I bet your kitchen really smelled amazing! Thanks for sharing another yummy recipe!
Apples and cinnamon are so perfect together! I will make these muffins for tomorrow's breakfast!
This sounds like a lovely recipe for the Autumn. I do love cinnammon and apple cake so muffins must be just as good!!! Must give this a try.
Yum! Apple Cinnamon muffins are one of our favorite fall treats. I can't wait to try this recipe!
I needed a new apple recipe idea to use up our apples from apple picking. I've already made 3 batches of apple crisp. I'm so glad I happened up on these delicious looking apple cinnamon muffins today.
That carb load isn't too bad for a muffin! I could have a whole one for breakfast with a little bit of carb left for coffee!
Oh my goodness. These look so delicious. We love apple cinnamon over here so I know they will be a hit for sure.
Yes please, these sound right up my street - apple and cinnamon go so perfectly together I most definitely need to try one for myself.
There is nothing better than a warm hearty muffin in the morning with coffee. It is always better with freh grains for a nutty texture.
What a perfect fall treat! This is one of my fave flavor combos, so I will be making these for sure. Yum.
These look like a mix between apple pie and coffee cake which is basically my dream come true. I wanna eat these with hot coffee on fall days!
There are never too many apple recipes! These look like a great treat - my kiddo would love finding one of these beauties in his lunchbox.
Is it even possible to have too many apple recipes this time of year?!? And I just love all the nutritious upgrades in this recipe - the whole grains and natural sweetener ... plus all those juicy, delicious apples! Truly something you can feel great about sharing with the fam! :D
These look super tasty. I love the look of them with the visible apple pieces. Just perfect
Apples and cinnamon is such a fabulous combination! I'm normally not a big fan of cooked apples--except in apple pie--but I think I need to make an exception for these muffing :_)
There are muffins and then there are apple cinnamon muffins with chunks of apples sticking out of the top. I can smell the wonderful aroma as they're baking. Would love one for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Super yummy!!
I have few apples which are unused for sometime now,I can salvage them now! This recipe looks so good!
I've been craving apple muffins and just made a loaf of amish apple bread. My friend and I are going to an orchard to pick apples next weekend and we'll spend the day baking. These are first on the list!
My kids will totally dig this for a school morning breakfast...and snacks! They look perfect!
This is my kind of muffin recipe. Not too sweet and full of apple flavors. Thanks for sharing
Love anything in this recipe. Your muffins looks delicious! thank you for sharing
You just can't have too many apple recipes this time of year! Gorgeous photography too :)
I totally agree ;) Thanks Maria!
I am always in search for recipes without any refined sugar! Love your muffins and will make them to my kids.
Glad you like it Tatiana. Enjoy!
The flavors in this sound really yummy. I love that you've used maple syrup and applesauce for sweetness rather than a refined sugar so they are a guilt-free breakfast treat.
Absolutely. Syrup and applesauce made these muffins so much tastier. Enjoy!
Apple and cinnamon goes really well. Love this apple cinnamon muffins. I need to try apple baking Your recipe sounds so easy and healthy.
Glad you like it Swathi. Hope you'll have a chance and make these.
Oh your apple cinnamon muffins look to die for and I bet they smelled delicious baking up! I want one right now with a cup of coffee. Perfection! :D
Oh the aroma is just irresistible. It warms the whole kitchen and makes all of us very hungry.
Well you may be obsessed with apples but so am I. We're going to the store and I can't wait to see the supply they got in. And while I'm there I'd better pick up some more cinnamon because I can't bake with apples unless I have cinnamon.
Apples are just must this time of year. Paired with cinnamon they are the best!!
These muffins are really impressive! That sounds so flavorful! One of my favs. I can't WAIT to try this! So YUMMY!
Thank you so much Mahy. I'm so glad you like it. Enjoy ;)
Oh, this sounds so wonderful - I'm loving all the apple we have around us this time of the year. Cinnamon and apple is always a perfect combination. looks so yum.
Thanks Veena. Hope you'll enjoy them.
I just went to the market today and picked up some orchard fresh apples. This recipe looks like the perfect place to use some. I would love one of these with my morning coffee.
These are PERFECT with morning coffee. Enjoy Gloria ;)
I just love all of the fall flavors and spices! Yum
Thanks Deb :)
what a beautiful crown and color on these muffins. I just love cinnamon and apples it just shouts fall!
They really do. Hope you'll try them. Thanks!
apple and cinnamon is the most genius combination! Definitely making these for my next baking sesh
Enjoy Abbey. Thanks!
These look so yummy! I have some apples that I need to use up too! Can't wait to try these
Thanks Carrie. I'm so glad you like it. Enjoy!