These apple cinnamon muffins start with an easy muffin batter that’s flavored with cinnamon, brown sugar, and plenty of juicy apples. We use the same base recipe when making blueberry muffins because the simple batter produces moist, soft, and cakey muffins with tall muffin tops. They’re always a favorite! Enjoy the muffins plain or top them with crumb topping before baking and smooth vanilla icing before serving. If you love apple cinnamon bread, you’ll enjoy these apple muffins!
I originally published this recipe in 2014 and have since added new photos, a video tutorial, and more success tips.
These crumb-topped apple muffins have been a personal and reader favorite for many years. When you crave a big slice of apple pie for breakfast, these apple-studded muffins fill the gap 🙂
Tell Me About These Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Flavor: These are buttery muffins where apple and cinnamon flavors take over. It’s always disappointing when you bite into a muffin and there’s hardly any “stuff” like blueberries, chocolate chips, etc. Today we’re using extra apples so you get the delicious fruit in nearly each bite. If you’re looking for a fall baking recipe where apples shine, this recipe fits the bill!
- Texture: The apple cinnamon muffins are moist because we add yogurt or sour cream to the batter. just like we do when making sour cream coffee cake. And because we start with creamed butter and sugars, the muffins are soft, light, and cakey like a cupcake. We don’t overload the batter with milk (use only 1/4 cup (60ml)), so you still have a slightly dense texture. I like to describe these muffins as having the perfect harmonious balance between soft and dense!
- Ease: I categorize this recipe as a beginner baking recipe because you use simple ingredients and easy mixing methods. An electric mixer is key for creaming the butter and sugars together and if you decide to add the icing, you just need a whisk. Some crumb toppings require cold butter and a pastry cutter to mix, but we’re using melted butter here so you just need a fork. Easy! All of the ingredients used are baking staples, so there’s nothing new or difficult. I love easygoing recipes that produce consistently delicious results and know you appreciate that too!
One reader, Katrina, commented: “This is the best apple cinnamon muffin recipe I’ve tried, and at 67-years-young, I have tried many. ★★★★★”
One reader, Caroline, commented: “The perfect apple muffins! These are a hit every time. Don’t skip the crumb! ★★★★★”
One reader, Kaley, commented: “This is my new favorite muffin recipe. It’s PERFECT! First apple treat I’ve found where I can taste the actual apples, not just cinnamon or sugar. It was SO easy, and now I’ve applied the baking trick to other muffins. I love them! ★★★★★”
Why This Apple Cinnamon Muffin Recipe Works
Today’s muffin recipe uses my all-star muffin batter. This batter can be used to create endless muffin varieties and you’ll see it again in my blueberry muffins, peach muffins, lemon poppy seed muffins, cranberry orange muffins, and more. In fact, this “Master Muffin Batter” has become such a hit with readers that I created a separate page dedicated to all its possibilities: Best Muffin Recipe. It starts with basic dry ingredients like flour, baking powder + soda, and salt. More often than not, I add ground cinnamon and you’ll see its addition in today’s apple cinnamon version. The wet ingredients are just as straightforward—creamed butter with sugars, plus 2 eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream/plain yogurt, and milk. I use either plain Greek yogurt or sour cream based on what I have and the same goes for the milk. Use whole milk, 1%, almond milk, buttermilk, oat milk, etc. I’ve made these muffins what seems like 1,000x with various milks and trust me, they all work!
- By the way, if you’re a muffin aficionado, you might also love my bakery-style muffins, which are denser, jumbo in size, and have a distinctively tight crumb.
Overview: How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins
I like to make the crumb topping first so it’s ready as soon as the batter comes together. The crumb topping, while certainly optional, comes together with ingredients you use in the muffin batter—very convenient. (It’s the same crumb topping we use on peach muffins.) After that, you can peel and chop the apples into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. Pictured below is 1 cup plus several chunks on the side. You need 1 and 1/2 cups (about 180g), which is about 2 medium apples. Fold the apples into the batter.
How to Create the Perfect Tall Muffin Tops
Press crumb topping into the tops of each muffin before baking. For tall muffin tops, there are 3 directions to follow closely:
- Make sure your muffin batter is THICK. (This one is!)
- Fill your muffin tins/liners all the way to the top with batter.
- Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at an initial high temperature, and then lower the temperature.
This initial high oven temperature quickly lifts up the muffin top. Once the temperature is lowered, the centers of the muffins bake. I recommend this in nearly all of these muffin recipes.
By the way, if you want to skip the mixer, try these applesauce muffins, pumpkin muffins, & healthy apple muffins.
Best Apples to Use in Apple Muffins
Firmer apples are ideal for baking so avoid soft, mealy, and mushy apples. If you’re baking a recipe that calls for many apples such as apple crisp, apple cobbler, or apple crumble pie, use a mix of tart apples and sweet apples. These apple cinnamon muffins only need 1 or 2 apples (just like apple cupcakes), so it’s fine to use tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady.
For a detailed list of my favorite apple varieties, and when to use each, you can visit my post The Best Apples for Baking.
More Apple Breakfast Recipes
- Apple Cinnamon Scones with Salted Caramel
- Baked Apple Cider French Toast
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Apple Crumb Cake
Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 14 muffins
- Category: Muffins
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These apple cinnamon muffins start with an easy muffin batter that’s flavored with cinnamon, brown sugar, and plenty of juicy apples. Enjoy the muffins plain or top them with crumb topping before baking and smooth vanilla icing before serving.
Ingredients
Crumb Topping
- 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup (84g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
Muffins
- 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120g) yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (any kind), at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) peeled & chopped apples (1/2-inch chunks; you need about 2 medium apples)
Vanilla Icing (Optional)
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream (or milk for a thinner consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners. You may need a 2nd pan as this recipe makes up to 14 muffins, though you can always bake in batches using 1 pan. Set aside. *See note about jumbo size & mini muffins.*
- Make the crumb topping: Mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter, and then gently mix in the flour using a fork. Keep the mixture as large crumbles and do not over-mix. If over-mixed, this will turn into a thick paste. Set topping aside.
- Make the muffins: Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and both sugars together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. (Here’s a helpful tutorial if you need guidance on how to cream butter and sugar.) Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then turn up to high speed until the mixture is combined and mostly creamy. (It’s ok if it appears somewhat curdled.) Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients and milk into the wet ingredients and beat until no flour pockets remain. Fold in the apples.
- Spoon the batter evenly into each cup or liner, filling each all the way to the top. Spoon crumb topping on each, gently pressing it down so it sticks.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 20–23 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
- Make the icing: Whisk all of the icing ingredients together and drizzle over warm or cooled muffins.
- Iced or plain muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze baked & cooled muffins for up to 3 months. It’s best to freeze the muffins without the icing and add the icing after thawing and before serving. (Freezing them with the icing on is completely fine, but the muffins taste better with fresh icing.) Thaw muffins in the refrigerator or at room temperature before icing/serving.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 12-count Muffin Pan | Muffin Liners | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Silicone Spatula | Cooling Rack | Peeler
- Yogurt or Sour Cream: You can use either regular or Greek plain yogurt in this recipe (any fat content) or sour cream. The same amount of unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana may also be used if needed.
- Milk: You can use any milk, dairy or nondairy.
- For a jumbo muffin pan: Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for 22–25 minutes, for a total of 27–30 minutes. Makes about 6. For mini muffins: Bake at 350°F for 12–14 minutes. Makes about 36–40.
- Quick Bread: Here is apple cinnamon bread, which is close to the same recipe and baked in a loaf pan.
- Why is everything at room temperature? All refrigerated items should be at room temperature so the batter mixes together easily and evenly. Read here for more information.
Reader Comments and Reviews
I made this recipe as mini muffins for my church Easter brunch. They were well received…not a crumb left. Since I was making mini muffins, I chopped the apples a little bit finer, and it turned out perfect. I also added a little extra cinnamon. this recipe is a keeper for sure.
These muffins look amazingly delicious. Do you have a recipe for Apple Snickerdoodle Muffins? Can you tell me Apples make 3/4 cup shredded? I had read that somewhere and foe the life of me. I absolutely cannot find a answer anywhere. TIA. your recipes are absolutely amazing by the way.
Hi LuAnn, we do not have a recipe for apple snickerdoodle muffins, but we do love adding chopped apples to our cinnamon swirl bread (See recipe Notes). The amount of apples needed will depend on the size go the apples you’re using.
Love these apple muffins! I made them without the topping or icing and they were wonderful!
These were easy to make, moist, and delicious! Did not use topping or icing.
These were absolutely perfect. Where can I find the nutrition facts for them? I made 14 standard muffins with whole milk and whole milk yogurt and need to track one of my kid’s diets for his doctor because he struggles to gain weight. He loves these, though!
Hi Amanda, We don’t usually include nutrition information as it can vary between different brands of the same ingredients. Plus, many recipes have ingredient substitutions or optional ingredients listed. However, there are many handy online calculators where you can plug in and customize your exact ingredients/brands. Readers have found this one especially helpful: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076
Really good. I have made about five dozen and all my boys absolutely love them. I use sour crème. I ice them.
You were right, this recipe makes delicious cinnamon apple muffins. The streusel topping adds crunch and sweetness. My hard to please husband loved it. Thank you!!
Great. Recipe, loved the hint about the high low baking it really works
I just finished making these, turned out great! I added the crumb topping before I put them in the oven and had no problem with them.
I loved this recipe! However, I put the crumb topping on before I put it in the oven, and it came right off 🙁 The finished product was still fantastic! This recipe is now one of my favorites, and I will definitely be making them again soon!
I adapted it by first adding the crumb topping before baking, then adding more right after putting icing on before the icing set. Then I also drizzled a bit more icing over top to help it stay in place….and just to add more icing it helped the crumb topping stay on!
This is a wonderful recipe – delicious, moist, and easy!
Made these today and they were SO GOOD. Will definitely be making them again. Thanks for another great recipe!
This recipe is what started my love affair with Sallys Baking Addiction! A self proclaimed great cook but ” not a baker” has now earned a stellar rep with baked goods! The muffin base on this and all the muffin recipes is so light and fluffy and out of this world! Do not skimp on the crumb topping like I did the first time, pile it on there and you won’t regret it! Thank you for making me a baker! These recipes are all the best Ive ever tried and came out perfectly , even for this novice!
Sally, the muffins are delicious! I didn’t want to do a second bake so we illed each to the top with batter & gently spooned in topping. They came out perfect with great muffin tops!
Really delicious! I didn’t do the crumb topping which would have made it even more delicious. I was pressed for time so just did coarse sugar on top. I love your recipes and all of the information you give. I learn something new with every recipe I try. It is like free pastry art schooling! Thanks for making such a a great resource!
Why would you want icing on to of crumb topping? That would be way too sweet.
Hi Mary, the icing is optional and you can leave it off if desired.
Super great recipe. My family loved these. I used the large muffin pans. This recipe made 9 large. This is a keeper.
My sister took a bite and told me these where the best homemade muffins she’s had and I’ve gotta agree. Their so moist and delicious! I opted to just toss some chopped walnuts on them instead of making the topping because I’m just a little lazy but I’m sure it would be very tasty
Made these and came out so so good! Buttery, cinnamonny apple fall delicious.
These muffins are SO delicious. I don’t know how some of the other reviewers could say these have a bland taste! Did they follow the recipe? These muffins are so moist and flavorful! There’s no way that I can describe these as bland. I’ve finally found a muffin recipe that makes big, moist muffins with a top that has height and falls over the edge making a perfect muffin top!! After making these muffins I shared them with a neighbor and she told me to quit my job and bake for a living! It only takes a recipe like this and anyone could impress!!
Agree with others. Bland taste. Overflowed because I filled to top as per instructions. Whole house smells like burning muffins from the drips and the muffins taste awful because of that.
These muffins are delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by how light they are!!
Turned out beautifully, but agree with another reviewer that they’re a bit bland, I believe due to too little salt. I will definitely use this recipe again but with the addition of at least another 1/4 tsp of salt! Thanks!
The muffins turned out incredible my mom absolutely loved them. The apple did turn green after baking but that’s not the recipes fault
Delicious! My only question/issue was I filled to the top and my muffins ran over while baking! Maybe my powder and/or soda wasn’t the best so they went out instead of up? Next time I may fill a bit less and see how it goes! Otherwise absolutely delicious!
Hi Aimee, glad you loved the taste of these muffins! Sorry they got a bit messy for you. Did you use the high-temp trick for the first 5 minutes of baking?
This recipe looks fantastic! But I am hoping to use up come oats as well. How could I incorporate oats into the recipe?
Hi Melanee, we haven’t tried adding oats to this recipe, but you can certainly do some experimenting. It may take some tinkering, since oats can be drying. If you’re interested, here are all of our recipes that call for oats. These apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cups or applesauce muffins might be of interest!
This is my favorite muffin.
“Hey I want some apple-y baked scrumptious thing for breakfast” I said when I woke up this morning. So I made this in giant muffin form and it was exactly what I wanted. Almost didn’t get one because everyone else jumped on them first!
I was underwhelmed. Texture is good, but it needs more flavor, a bit of nutmeg and or ginger. I found them a bit bland. I haven’t put the icing on top yet, but that’s just sweetness, not depth of flavor.