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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Breakfast Recipes

Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Updated: Nov 12, 2023 ยท Published: Jan 31, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 6 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 35 minutes mins

Soft and tasty Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins, topped with a simple glaze, are the perfect way to start your day or as a delicious apple and cinnamon snack.

With step-by-step photo instructions, these apple and cinnamon muffins are simple and fast to make in about 35 minutes. Hand mixing onlyโ€”no need for a stand mixer.

๐ŸŽIngredients

Applesโ€”Gala or Honeycrisp suggested
Apple juiceโ€”or cider
Eggs
Butter
Milk
Pantry ingredientsโ€”flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, powdered sugar

apple and cinnamon muffins on cooling rack.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐ŸŽIngredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins
  • โฐCooking Time
  • Other muffin and apple recipes
  • ๐ŸงJumbo and Mini Muffin Options
  • Storing leftover muffins
  • โ“FAQs
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Everybody will love these delicious apple & cinnamon muffins packed with pieces of apple and enhanced apple flavor from adding apple juiceโ€”very moist and tender with a delicious vanilla glaze.

Instructions for mini-muffins and jumbo muffins are included. These muffins are low fat and low in calories, so they are a relatively "healthy" treat to fit many diets. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or after-school snacks.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins

apples and muffin ingredients.

Preheat oven to 350ยฐ. Prep a 12 muffin tin with paper liners.

drying bits of apple on paper towels.

Peel 2 medium apples and chop them into ยผ inch pieces (about the size of a peanut). Spread over paper towels and firmly pat with more paper towels to dry some.

adding dried apple bits to the dry mixture.

Mix dry ingredients: 2 cups of flour, โ…“ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ยผ teaspoon nutmeg. Mix well, add the apple, and mix to coat the apple.

mixing eggs and wet ingredients in metal bowl.

Combine wet ingredients. ยพ cup apple juice or cider, 2 eggs, and 2 tablespoons melted butterโ€”whisk to combine.

pouring wet mixture into dry mix.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix by hand to combineโ€”do not over-mix.

muffin papers filled partly with raw dough

Fill the paper liners to about ยพ full.

baked muffins in a pan.

Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out cleanโ€”about 23-25 minutes.

ingredients for glaze with bowl.

Mix a glaze of โ…” cup powdered sugar, a few drops of vanilla, and about 2 teaspoons of milk.

adding glaze to muffins with a spoon.

After the muffins cool on aย rack for 10 minutes, coat them with the glaze.

apple cinnamon muffins on cooling rack.

For more details, keep reading. See theย Recipe Cardย below for complete instructions and to print.

โฐCooking Time

Cooking time will vary by the oven and even the pan used. Generally, the muffins will take 23 to 25 minutes, but always bake to the endpoint.

The good old toothpick test is always good to determine when the muffins are done. Also, done is about 200ยฐ on an instant-read thermometer can be helpful if in doubt.

Other muffin and apple recipes

Check out some other easy, tasty muffin recipes, like Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins, Cinnamon Nut Muffins, Banana Nut Muffins, and Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins.

And if you have extra apples, try Apple Crisp, Apple Berry Crumble, or Apple Crumb Pie.

๐ŸงJumbo and Mini Muffin Options

This recipe is for 12 standard-size muffins, but you can make different sizes. Make them like you want: mini, regular, or jumboโ€”cook to the endpoint and not by time alone.

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Fill the paper liners to about ยพ full. Generally, bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes.

Storing leftover muffins

Muffins are good at room temperature for about 24 hours but need to be protected from drying out. They are good refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen for 3-4 months.

โ“FAQs

What are the best apples to use in muffins?

There are a lot of good cooking apples, but the total cooking time of the muffins is relatively low. So cut the apples small and use a softer apple like Gala or Honeycrisp.

Why do the apples need to be dry?

When the apples or other fruit bakes, they can release fluid that can cause the baked goods to develop holes around the fruit. By cutting the pieces small, pressing them some with paper towels, and coating them with flour, the issues will decrease or disappear.

Why are my muffins not tender?

Like biscuits and quick bread, muffins can be easily over-mixed. That leads to gluten development, and any micro air pockets disappear. Chewy is good in bread but not muffins.

Also, overcooking muffins can make muffins less tender.

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

Breakfast Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Low Fat Recipes

Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

apple and cinnamon muffins on cooling rack B

Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins

4.75 from 16 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Soft and tastyย Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins,ย topped with a simple glaze, are the perfect way to start your day or as a delicious apple and cinnamon snack.
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :12
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 2 apples - peeled and cut into ยผ inch pieces

Dry

  • 2 cups flour
  • โ…“ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ยผ teaspoon nutmeg

Wet

  • ยพ cup apple cider - or juice
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons butter - melted

Glaze

  • โ…” cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons milk - adjust as needed

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐ. Prep a 12 muffin tin with paper liners.
    apples and muffin ingredients
  • Peel 2 medium apples and chop them into ยผ inch pieces (about the size of a peanut). Spread over paper towels and firmly pat with more paper towels to dry some.
    drying bits of apple on paper towels
  • Mix dry ingredients together: 2 cups of flour, โ…“ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ยผ teaspoon nutmeg. Mix well, add the apple, and mix to coat the apple.
    adding dried apple bits to the dry mixture
  • Combine wet ingredients. ยพ cup apple juice or cider, 2 eggs, and 2 tablespoons melted butterโ€”whisk to combine.
    mixing eggs and wet ingredients in metal bowl
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix by hand to combineโ€”do not over mix
    pouring wet mixture into dry mix
  • Fill the paper liners to about ยพ full.
    muffin papers filled partly with raw dough
  • Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out cleanโ€”about 23-25 minutes.
    baked muffins in a pan
  • Mix a glaze of โ…” cup powdered sugar, a few drops of vanilla, and about 2 teaspoons of milk.
    ingredients for glaze with bowl
  • After the muffins cool on aย rack for about 10 minutes, coat them with the glaze.
    adding glaze to muffins with a spoon

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. A very easy recipe to cut in half.
  2. Most apples, other than delicious, are good for this recipe. Gala and Honeycrisp are recommended
  3. Be sure to cut the apples small and dry well, or you will have small steam pocket holes in your muffins, and the apple pieces may not cook completely.
  4. Cooking time will vary by the oven and even the pan used. Generally, the muffins will take 23 to 25 minutes, but always bake to the endpoint.
  5. When are they done? The good old toothpick test is generally always good. Also, done is about 200ยฐ so an instant-read thermometer can be helpful.
  6. This recipe is for 12 standard-size muffins, but you can make different sizes. Make them like you want: mini, regular, or jumbo just cook to the endpoint and not by time alone. Generally, bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes.
  7. Good refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen for 3-4 months.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 175 kcal (9%)Carbohydrates : 35 g (12%)Protein : 3 g (6%)Fat : 3 g (5%)Saturated Fat : 1 g (5%)Cholesterol : 32 mg (11%)Sodium : 224 mg (9%)Potassium : 181 mg (5%)Fiber : 1 g (4%)Sugar : 17 g (19%)Vitamin A : 114 IU (2%)Vitamin C : 2 mg (2%)Calcium : 56 mg (6%)Iron : 1 mg (6%)

Editor's Note: Originally Published November 1, 2016. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

dogs playing in leaf pile.

This recipe is a muffin adaptation of Cook's Country Apple Fritter Recipe.

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  1. Gail says

    January 30, 2023 at 11:10 am

    Can I make this with white whole wheat flour ?

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      January 30, 2023 at 11:25 am

      Hi Gail,

      The whole wheat will need a bit more fluid and will be more dense. I would add a touch more baking powder also. Those things are generalities... Report back if you do it.

      Dan

  2. Linda says

    August 10, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    I'm embarrassed to need to ask this, but... do you need to heat the glaze when mixing or just mix the powdered sugar with the milk and drizzle without the heat?
    Thanks so much - love your recipes!

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      August 10, 2020 at 8:02 pm

      Hi Linda,

      Just cold. It comes together easily. If I make frosting, I like to beat room temperature butter to start then beat in the other ingredients.

      Dan

  3. Jan says

    September 13, 2019 at 7:10 am

    4 stars
    I would like to make them jumbo muffins. How long would I have to bake them?

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      September 13, 2019 at 8:24 am

      Hi Jan,
      Welcome to the blog.
      I have never done jumbo with these. I will give a few generalities. It is usually only a few minutes different not anything like double. The good old toothpick test is generally always good. Also, done is about 200 degrees so an instant-read thermometer can be helpful.

      My only jumbo muffin recipe is https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/cinnamon-nut-muffins/ but no raw apple to cook.

      Let me know how it comes out.

      Dan

DrDan imageHi, I'm DrDan.
Welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy step-by-step photo instructions.
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