Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Featured in: Seasonal Cooking

These moist muffins combine diced apples and warm cinnamon to create a comforting baked delight. The batter mixes flour, sugar, cinnamon, and leavening agents with eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla. Diced apples are gently folded in before baking. An optional cinnamon-sugar topping adds a sweet, crunchy finish. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, these muffins are easy to prepare and use budget-friendly ingredients. Variations include substituting different seasonal fruits or adding nuts for texture.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:07:00 GMT
Golden-brown Cinnamon Apple Muffins, warm from the oven, with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping. Pin
Golden-brown Cinnamon Apple Muffins, warm from the oven, with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping. | forkandbloom.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 on a chilly autumn weekend, and my family could not wait for them to cool. The scent filled our kitchen and made everyone smile.

Ingredients

  • Apple: 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
  • 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
  • Topping (optional): 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Prepare pan:
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 the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil (or melted butter), milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine wet and dry:
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined (do not overmix).
Add apples:
Fold in the diced apples.
Fill tin:
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.
Add topping:
For the optional topping, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over each muffin.
Bake:
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Freshly baked Cinnamon Apple Muffins, fluffy and tender, filled with apple chunks, ideal for breakfast. Pin
Freshly baked Cinnamon Apple Muffins, fluffy and tender, filled with apple chunks, ideal for breakfast. | forkandbloom.com

When I bring these muffins to the table, my kids rush to grab one while they are still warm. It is a simple pleasure we share on busy mornings.

Required Tools

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

Allergen Information

Contains: wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy if using butter or milk). For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and oil. Always check labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 210, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 33 g, Protein: 3 g per serving

Homemade Cinnamon Apple Muffins, a comforting treat, with a soft interior and crisp, golden tops. Pin
Homemade Cinnamon Apple Muffins, a comforting treat, with a soft interior and crisp, golden tops. | forkandbloom.com

Enjoy these muffins warm with a little butter or honey. They freeze well, so you can always have a cozy treat on hand.

Recipe Q&A

What type of apples work best for these muffins?

Budget-friendly varieties like Gala or Fuji are ideal as they provide sweetness and texture without overpowering the other flavors.

Can I substitute the oil with butter?

Yes, melted butter can be used instead of oil to add a richer flavor and tender crumb to the muffins.

How do I know when the muffins are fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean, the muffins are done baking.

What are some good alternatives to apples in this dish?

Seasonal fruits like pears can be substituted, offering a similar texture and sweetness that complements cinnamon well.

Can I add nuts for extra crunch?

Yes, folding in chopped walnuts or pecans before baking provides a pleasant crunch and enhances the flavor.

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Soft, fragrant muffins with diced apples and a hint of cinnamon for a cozy treat.

Prep duration
15 min
Cooking duration
20 min
Complete duration
35 min

Category Seasonal Cooking

Skill level Easy

Origin American

Yield 12 Portions

Dietary specifications Vegetarian

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

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat 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 flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.

Step 03

Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat eggs with vegetable oil (or melted butter), milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and blended.

Step 04

Incorporate wet and dry components: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined; avoid overmixing to maintain muffin tenderness.

Step 05

Add diced apples: Fold diced apples into the batter carefully to distribute fruit evenly.

Step 06

Fill muffin cups: Spoon batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.

Step 07

Apply topping: For optional topping, combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over each muffin surface.

Step 08

Bake muffins: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 09

Cool muffins: Allow muffins to cool in the tin 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 ingredient for potential allergens and consult healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about anything.
  • Contains gluten, eggs, and dairy (if butter or milk is used). For dairy-free option, substitute plant-based milk and oil.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Calories: 210
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Carbs: 33 g
  • Protein: 3 g