Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Featured in: Snack Fun

These moist muffins blend diced apples and warm cinnamon for a cozy, flavorful start to your day. With simple pantry staples like flour, sugar, and eggs, mixing the batter takes just minutes. The optional cinnamon-sugar topping adds a gentle crunch. Perfectly baked until golden, these muffins offer tender crumb and fragrant aroma. Easily customizable with seasonal fruits or nuts, they suit any casual meal or snack time.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:59:00 GMT
Golden brown cinnamon apple muffins, warm from the oven, ready for a delicious breakfast. Save
Golden brown cinnamon apple muffins, warm from the oven, ready for a delicious breakfast. | grinnosh.com

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

I first made these cinnamon apple muffins for my kids on a chilly autumn morning. Their smiles after each bite always remind me how simple recipes can be packed with warmth and joy.

Ingredients

  • Apples: 2 medium apples (budget-friendly variety, e.g. Gala or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
  • Ground cinnamon: 2 tsp (plus 1/2 tsp for topping)
  • Baking powder: 2 tsp
  • Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt: 1/4 tsp
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Vegetable oil or melted butter: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
  • Milk: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • Brown sugar (optional topping): 2 tbsp

Instructions

Prepare oven and tin:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup 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.
Combine wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, oil (or melted butter), milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Blend wet with dry:
Add wet ingredients to the dry mixture and mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in apples:
Fold in the diced apples.
Fill muffin cups:
Divide batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.
Add topping:
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping, then sprinkle over each muffin.
Bake:
Bake for 18–22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Let muffins cool in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Save
| grinnosh.com

My sister loves helping with the apple prep. It turns into an impromptu family kitchen moment every time we bake these together.

Required Tools

Muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, peeler and knife

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk. Easily adapted for dairy-free by using plant-based milk and oil. Check all ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Each muffin contains approximately 210 calories, 8 g total fat, 33 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.

Freshly baked cinnamon apple muffins, with a sweet crumb topping, promising a delightful treat. Save
Freshly baked cinnamon apple muffins, with a sweet crumb topping, promising a delightful treat. | grinnosh.com

Enjoy these muffins fresh from the oven on a crisp morning or pack them for an easy treat anytime.

Recipe FAQ

Can I substitute the apples with other fruits?

Yes, pears or other seasonal fruits can be used in place of apples for a different flavor and texture.

What is the best way to keep these muffins moist?

Including oil or melted butter along with milk helps retain moisture, while avoiding overmixing preserves a tender crumb.

How do I know when the muffins are fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs when done.

Can I add nuts to these muffins?

Yes, folding in chopped walnuts or pecans adds a pleasant crunch and enhances flavor.

Are these muffins suitable for dairy-free diets?

Use plant-based milk and oil substitutes instead of butter or dairy milk to make them dairy-free.

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Moist muffins packed with diced apples and warm cinnamon, ideal for breakfast or a quick snack.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
20 min
Complete duration
35 min
Created by Hannah Lewis

Type Snack Fun

Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary guidelines Meat-free

Components

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

Directions

Stage 01

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

Stage 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.

Stage 03

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

Stage 04

Blend Wet and Dry Components: Pour wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Stage 05

Incorporate Apples: Fold diced apples into the batter carefully to distribute evenly.

Stage 06

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

Stage 07

Apply Optional Topping: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle the mixture atop each muffin.

Stage 08

Bake Muffins: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Stage 09

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

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about ingredients.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and milk (if butter or dairy milk used). Use plant-based milk and oil for dairy-free option.

Nutrient content (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional nutritional advice.
  • Energy: 210
  • Fats: 8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Proteins: 3 g