Apple Pie Muffin Recipe | A Great Breakfast Choice!

Apple Pie Muffin Recipe

This post was originally published November 18, 2016 and updated July 19, 2023. 

I am thrilled to share one of my absolute favorite recipes with you all today – Apple Pie Muffins. These little delights are like mini apple pies, but with that scrumptious muffin texture. They’re so good, you’ll be baking them all year round, trust me!

We all love an easy muffin recipe, right? And this is a great one! It’s a healthy choice that’s easy to just grab as you dash out the door – be it for work, your next tee time, or even a nice walk with the pups!

But let’s not forget the best part – flavor! These muffins are absolutely bursting with it. And a sprinkle of brown sugar on top of the muffins? It’s the cherry on the cake – or should I say, the muffin!

Alright, let’s jump in!

Ingredients

You’ll find all the ingredients to make this delicious fall dessert at your local grocery store:

• Apples: The star of the show. Prepare them ahead using my Freezer Apple Filling Recipe. 
• All-purpose flour: For the structure – making our muffins soft yet firm. Whole wheat flour also works.
• Butter: For richness and better texture.
• White sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps give our muffins a beautiful golden color.
• Egg: The binding agent that holds everything together. Make sure to beat them thoroughly. 
• Milk: Adds moisture so we have a nice, moist crumb. 
• Baking powder: The leavening agent that lets our muffins rise.
• Cinnamon: A warming spice that pairs perfectly with apple.
• Salt: To balance the sweetness and improve the flavors – very important!

How to make the best Apple Pie Muffins

Follow these step-by-step instructions, and you’ll have your own delicious apple cinnamon muffins in no time!

1. Make sure your butter is at room temperature. Now, in a large mixing bowl, take the butter, sugar, and one egg, and whip them together until you have a creamy, fluffy texture.
2. Next, add some milk. Pour it gently into the same bowl and stir it in.
3. Now, it’s time to bring in the dry ingredients, but don’t add them straight into our wet mixture – mix them in a separate bowl. In a medium bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This is your flour mixture. Once it’s nicely mixed, slowly fold it into your wet mixture in the large bowl.
4. Then, fold in your chopped apples. Make sure you mix them gently but evenly throughout the batter.
5. Now, get out your muffin pan and line it with paper liners. Scoop the batter into your muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
6. Sprinkle a small amount of brown sugar and cinnamon over the tops of the muffins. This step will give your muffins a sweet, spiced crust.
7. Finally, let’s bake the muffins. You should have your preheated oven ready at the correct oven temperature of 375 F. Pop your muffin pan in and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.

And voila! That’s all there is to it. This recipe makes 8 large muffins or 12 small ones, perfect for sharing… or not! It’s one of those apple recipes you’ll keep coming back to. 

Expert Apple Pie Muffin tips

What’s the secret to light, fluffy muffins?

The trick to making muffins that are light in texture and rise beautifully is less is more. What I mean by that is muffin batter requires very little mixing.

Just fold the ingredients until everything is moistened, but don’t over mix. It took me a while to learn this!  

In the past, I would beat up the batter until it was very smooth, and then end up with very tough and chewy muffins. Not so good!

Here are some other expert tips:

• Spoonfuls of yum: Simply drop your muffin batter by spoonfuls into your greased muffin tin. Easy peasy!
• Apple of my eye: Granny Smith apples are my top choice, but any good baking apple will do!
• Prepared pie-pinch: Use pre-prepared apple pie filling. My Freezer Apple Filling Recipe works great!

FAQs

Here are some answers to the most common questions I get about making these healthy apple muffins:

What type of apples should I use for these muffins?

Ah, the eternal apple question. I personally love using Granny Smith apples for their tart flavor and firm texture which holds up well during baking. However, you’re not limited to them. 

But any sweet apples will do, such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or even a mix of your favorite apples.

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Absolutely, you can! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it’s a 1:1 baking blend which typically includes xanthan gum, as that gives you the same texture as regular flour. 

I love this apple pie muffin recipe as a healthy choice that I can grab and go – on my way to work, the golf course, or out to walk the dogs!

Remember, all gluten-free blends are not created equal, so you might need to experiment a bit to find your favorite.

Can I freeze these muffins for later?

You betcha! These apple pie muffins freeze wonderfully. Once they’re completely cool, just pop them into a freezer bag or airtight container. 

They should last for up to three months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm up a bit in the microwave if you prefer them warm.

Can I add other ingredients to this recipe?

Of course! One of the good things about these muffins is that they are quite forgiving and can be easily customized. Feel like adding some nuts for a bit of crunch? Go for it! Fancy some dried cranberries or raisins? Throw ’em in! 

Just try not to overload them or you might end up with a texture that’s too heavy.

Where did I get my inspiration for this recipe?

This recipe comes from my Grandma’s Recipe Book. She kept all kinds of handwritten recipes, on cards, backs of envelopes, anything at all really. 

See the recipe in the image above? My Grandma wrote that. And even though I’ve saved most of her recipes electronically, I’ll always keep these special treasures!

You might also like…

I love to make muffins, period! Whatever you think are the best muffins, we’ve got a recipe. Check them out:

• Blueberry Muffins: A classic treat! Bursting with juicy berries, they’re always a hit at breakfast or brunch.
• Skinny Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins: Who said muffins can’t be healthy and delicious? These gems are light, zesty, and so satisfying.
• Paleo Banana Muffins: These are popular for a good reason. They’re incredibly moist, naturally sweet, and fit right into a Paleo lifestyle.
• And if you’ve got a thing for poppy seeds like me, make sure to check out our Lemon Poppy Seed Recipe Roundup. It’s full of amazing recipes from some of the top food bloggers!

Final thoughts

These cinnamon apple muffins are the perfect way to enjoy a delicious breakfast treat. One of our most popular recipes, they also serve as a wonderful gift.

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the Pie Lady Bakes community! We’re all about sharing easy-to-make vintage recipes that remind us of the ones our moms and grandmas used to make.

If you haven’t already, you can sign up for my weekly email newsletter using this link. It’s absolutely free, and you’ll never miss out on any of my new recipes.

See you soon!

Judy

★★★★★ 

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