These apple muffins are a delightful blend of sweet, spiced flavors and tender, moist textures that will make your kitchen smell like a cozy autumn morning. Packed with juicy apple chunks and a hint of cinnamon, each bite offers a perfect balance of warmth and sweetness. Ready in just 45 minutes, they’re an effortless treat for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
With a golden, crumbly top and a soft, fluffy interior, these muffins are as satisfying to eat as they are easy to make. The rich aroma of baked apples and spices will draw everyone to the table, while the nutrient-packed ingredients ensure a wholesome indulgence. Perfect for sharing or savoring solo, these muffins are a must-try for any apple lover.
Ingredients for Delicious Apple Muffins
- For the Muffins:
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) canola oil (or substitute vegetable oil or other neutral cooking oil)
- ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (215 g) peeled and chopped apples
- For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- ⅓ cup (66 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-count muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
- Prepare the muffin batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl (or large measuring cup), whisk together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until well-combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or spoon to gently stir until about 50-75% combined. Add the chopped apples and continue stirring until just combined (avoid over-mixing to prevent dense muffins).
- Divide the batter: Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared muffin tin. Set aside while you make the crumb topping.
- Make the crumb topping: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and use a fork to toss until the mixture is crumbly and all dry ingredients are moistened.
- Add the topping: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over the muffin batter.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin on the center rack of the oven and bake for 24-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Use a butter knife to gently loosen them, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
These apple muffins are delicious on their own, but they shine even brighter with a few thoughtful pairings. Serve them warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent treat. For breakfast, pair them with a cup of hot coffee or spiced chai tea to complement the cinnamon flavors. They also make a great addition to a brunch spread alongside yogurt and fresh fruit.
Keep Them Fresh: Storage and Reheating Tips
Store your apple muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To keep them moist, place a slice of bread in the container—it’ll absorb excess moisture. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes.
Mix It Up: Recipe Variations
Feel free to get creative with this versatile recipe! Swap the apples for pears or berries for a different fruit twist. Add a handful of chopped nuts or rolled oats to the crumb topping for extra texture. For a healthier version, replace half the flour with whole wheat flour and use maple syrup instead of granulated sugar. The possibilities are endless!
Quick Tips for Perfect Muffins
To ensure your muffins turn out light and fluffy, avoid over-mixing the batter—stir until just combined. Use a cookie scoop to evenly portion the batter into the muffin tin for consistent baking. If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own by mixing ½ cup milk with 1 ½ teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Apple Muffins
Ingredients
For Muffins
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)
- ½ cup light brown sugar firmly packed (100 g)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup canola oil (120 ml) may substitute vegetable oil or other neutral cooking oil
- ½ cup buttermilk (120 ml)
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups peeled chopped apples (215 g)
For Crumb Topping
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (156 g)
- ½ cup light brown sugar firmly packed (100 g)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (66 g)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted but cooled so no longer warm to the touch (85 g)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line a 12-count muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl (or large measuring cup), whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until well-combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and use a spatula or spoon to gently stir ingredients together until approximately 50-75% combined. Add apple pieces and continue to stir until ingredients are just combined (over-mixing may result in dense, dry muffins).
- Evenly divide batter into prepared muffin tin. Set aside while you prepare your crumb topping.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt.
- Drizzle melted butter over the flour mixture and use a fork to toss/claw the mixture together until all of the dry ingredients are moistened and you have a crumbly streusel.
- Evenly divide streusel over the muffins.
- Transfer to center rack of 375F (190C) oven and bake for 24-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow muffins to cool in muffin tin for 10 minutes before carefully removing to a cooling rack (I use a butter knife to gently pry them up and then lift them from the pan) and allow to cool a bit before enjoying.