Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Featured in: Cozy Baking Ideas

These moist and fragrant muffins showcase diced seasonal apples paired with warm cinnamon for a comforting taste. Easy to prepare, they combine all-purpose flour, sugar, and spices with wet ingredients like eggs, milk, and oil or butter. Gently mixed to keep a tender crumb, the batter is portioned into a muffin tin and baked until golden. Optional cinnamon-brown sugar topping adds a sweet crunch. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, these muffins are budget-friendly, vegetarian, and adaptable with seasonal fruits or nuts.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:31:00 GMT
Freshly baked cinnamon apple muffins, golden-brown and delightfully fragrant, ready to enjoy. Save
Freshly baked cinnamon apple muffins, golden-brown and delightfully fragrant, ready to enjoy. | birchplate.com

Moist and fragrant muffins bursting with seasonal apples and warm cinnamon—perfect for a cozy breakfast or snack on a budget.

Every fall, I make these cinnamon apple muffins for my family, and they disappear within hours. Making them together fills our kitchen with sweet memories along with the scent of fresh apples baking.

Ingredients

  • Fruit: 2 medium apples (budget-friendly variety, e.g., Gala or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter, 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Topping (optional): 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Prepare Muffin Tin:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Blend Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, oil (or melted butter), milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Mixtures:
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined (do not overmix).
Add Apples:
Fold in diced apples.
Fill Muffin Cups:
Divide batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.
Top Muffins:
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture over each muffin (optional).
Bake:
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Let muffins cool in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Last weekend, my daughter helped peel apples and we laughed about who diced the neatest cubes. Making these muffins together is quickly becoming our autumn tradition, and we always enjoy them warm from the oven.

Required Tools

Muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, measuring cups, spoons, peeler, and knife are all you need to create these muffins from scratch.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat, eggs, and milk. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and vegetable oil. Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 210, fat: 8 g, carbohydrates: 33 g, protein: 3 g per muffin, making these a light and satisfying snack.

Warm cinnamon apple muffins, pictured with a dusting of sugar, perfect for a fall morning. Save
Warm cinnamon apple muffins, pictured with a dusting of sugar, perfect for a fall morning. | birchplate.com

Enjoy these cinnamon apple muffins fresh from the oven. They are perfect for sharing at family breakfasts or as a sweet afternoon snack.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of apples work best for these muffins?

Budget-friendly varieties like Gala or Fuji are ideal for a balanced sweetness and texture.

Can I substitute the oil with butter in the batter?

Yes, melted butter can be used instead of vegetable oil to add richness and flavor.

How can I add extra crunch to the muffins?

Incorporate ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter or sprinkle on top before baking.

Is it possible to make these muffins dairy-free?

Use plant-based milk and oil instead of dairy milk and butter to keep them dairy-free.

What is the recommended baking time and temperature?

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Can I replace apples with other fruits?

Pears or other seasonal fruits can be swapped in to vary the flavor and texture.

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Moist, fragrant muffins featuring diced apples and warm cinnamon for a comforting treat.

Prep Duration
15 minutes
Time to Cook
20 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Created by Elena Hart


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Servings produced 12 Serving Size

Diet Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Fruit

01 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 2 teaspoons baking powder
05 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 2 large eggs
02 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
03 1/2 cup milk
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping (optional)

01 2 tablespoons brown sugar
02 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil or melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 04

Incorporate Wet into Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 05

Add Apples: Fold the diced apples into the batter evenly.

Step 06

Portion Batter: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.

Step 07

Apply Topping: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle the mixture over each muffin if desired.

Step 08

Bake: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.

Step 09

Cool: Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools Needed

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Peeler and knife

Allergy Details

Review all components to spot allergies and check with a doctor if you're unsure.
  • Contains gluten, eggs, and dairy if butter or milk are used; check for hidden allergens and substitute plant-based alternatives as needed.

Nutrition Breakdown (each serving)

Nutritional info is for reference. Please consult your doctor for specifics.
  • Energy (Calories): 210
  • Fats: 8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Proteins: 3 g