This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Moist and tender muffins are filled with chunks of apples and topped with a dusting of cinnamon and sugar!
Apple cinnamon goodness
There’s something delicious about apples and cinnamon (just like in our Easy Apple Cake and Apple Crisp recipe)!
With that flavor combo in mind, we combined these 2 delicious flavors for the perfect easy muffin recipe – apple cinnamon muffins.
The kids have always loved our apple muffins, but now they also love this cinnamon-filled version.
Why we love them:
- Sweetness. For a less sweet muffin, skip the cinnamon sugar topping – but we think it makes them a little extra special!
- For every occasion. Muffins are convenient for breakfast, a snack, or even an after-school treat, making them versatile and satisfying any time of the day.
- Perfect flavor pairing. This muffin has a delicious buttery flavor, a hint of cinnamon, and bursts of sweet apples.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cups milk
- 1 large apple, peeled & chopped, about 1½ cups chopped – we prefer Granny Smith, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, and Pink Lady will also work
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Room Temperature Ingredients
When making muffins all the ingredients must be at room temperature to ensure that everything mixes evenly without having to over-mix the batter. Over-mixing causes the muffins to get tough.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a muffin pan with papers.
- BATTER. In a large bowl beat ½ cup butter, ¾ cup white sugar & ¼ cup brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in 2 eggs 1 at a time, then 2 teaspoons vanilla.
- In a separate bowl whisk 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- With the mixer on low speed beat about ⅓ of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, alternating with about ⅓ of the ⅔ cups milk. Repeat the process until everything is combined.
- APPLES. In a separate bowl toss 1 large chopped apple with ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Gently fold the chopped apple into the muffin batter using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan – you’ll get about 12 muffins total.
- TOPPING. In a small bowl stir 3 tablespoons sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar topping together. Then sprinkle it on top of each muffin.
- BAKE. Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Add a Crumb Topping
Use the ingredients listed below. In a separate bowl whisk the sugar, flour, and cinnamon until combined. Stir in the nuts. Drizzle melted butter over the mix and stir with a spoon until your mixture is like lumpy wet sand, be sure to leave clumps. Then, sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin before baking.
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans (optional)
Complete the Meal
- Serve with: Yogurt Parfait, Bacon and Cheese Quiche, Hash Brown Egg Cups
- Drinks: Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Orange Julius Recipe, Peach Smoothie, Kale Smoothie
- More muffin recipes: Homemade Blueberry Muffins, Mini Applesauce Muffins, Strawberry Muffins
More collections: Muffin Recipes, Brunch Ideas, Easy Breakfast Ideas
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cups milk
- 1 large apple, peeled & chopped, about 1½ cups chopped
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a muffin pan with papers.
- In a large bowl beat the butter, white sugar & brown sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs 1 at a time, then the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda & salt.
- With the mixer on low speed beat about ⅓ of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, alternating with about ⅓ of the milk. Repeat the process until everything is combined.
- In a separate bowl toss the chopped apple with ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Gently fold the chopped apple into the muffin batter using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan – you'll get about 12 muffins total.
Topping
- In a small bowl stir the sugar and cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar topping together. Then sprinkle it on top of each muffin.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Are apple cinnamon muffins healthy?
- Looking at the nutritional values, these muffins would not fall under the healthy category. However, they are homemade without the hard-to-pronounce preservatives found in muffins from the grocery store. For more nutritious muffins, try making our Healthy Apple Muffins.
How to store apple cinnamon muffins?
- Store cooled muffins in an airtight container on the counter for about 4 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
How to Freeze?
- Let them cool completely and place them in a Ziploc freezer bag. Use a straw to suck out as much air as possible before sealing and freezing for up to 3 months.
Kristyn, woo hoo! another fabulous recipe from you that is an instant keeper. these were absolutely delicious. so simple to make and the texture is spot on. the chopped apple in the recipe really sets these apart. i diced mine very small and they were nice and soft, yet you still got the “chew” of the apple, if that makes any sense. thanks for sharing. vicki
I am so glad to share!! Thank you for trying them & sharing that. I am so glad it’s a keeper!
A great muffin to grab in the morning if you dont have time for breakfast. Satisfying and very healThy!
I like Having muffins On hand for a quick breakfast, to toss in a luNch bOx, or for an easy afterschool snack. Im always on the lookout for different kinds of muffins to change things up. I love this recipe and will br adding it to the muffin mix.
these muffins are delicious! how can you not love them when they are topped with sugar and cinnamon
Love that cinnamon sugar topping! My family would love these!
I am loving that these muffins have the chucks of Apple in them. Delish!!!
I love the combination of apples & cinnamon! I also love how there are chunks of apples in these! Very delicious!
These muffins are perfect! I make them all the time, and they are a family favorite!
These were a hit at my house! You can’t go wrong with apples and cinnamon, and the sprinkling of cinnamon sugar on top makes them extra yummy!
These apple cinnamon muffins look amazing!