These Apple Cinnamon Muffins are simple to make and bake up super moist and delicious. Made with applesauce, they’re also gluten free and great for kids. A perfect recipe to celebrate fall!
Apples are the first thing I think of when I think of fall. And these gluten free apple muffins have great fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg to make you feel warm and cozy. Plus the dusting of cinnamon sugar on top give it a little extra sweetness – perfect to go with a morning cup of coffee or tea.
So get out your baking supplies and let’s make some muffins!
HOW TO MAKE APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS
STEP 1: MAKE THE BATTER
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Dice the apple using a cutting board and large sharp knife. Set aside.
Place the maple syrup and the softened butter in a large bowl and stir with a hand mixer, or use a stand mixer, until well combined, scraping the sides with a spatula as necessary.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine. Set aside.
Stir the eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract into the maple syrup & butter mixture until well combined, then pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry mixture.
Stir until just combined and there are no pockets of dry flour in the mixture.
Pour the diced apple into the batter and gently stir until they are evenly distributed.
Scoop the muffin mixture into each well in the silicone muffin pan with a spoon, dividing it equally between each well.
STEP 2: COOK THE MUFFINS
Place the muffin pan onto a sheet pan and into the oven, setting the timer for 15 minutes. After the timer goes off, carefully rotate the muffin pan 180 degrees (so the muffins in the front of the oven are now in the back of the oven) and bake for another 10 minutes.
Insert a toothpick into one or two muffins to check for doneness after timer goes off. If not done, cook until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean (another 2 to 4 minutes).
Once cooked, take the muffins out of the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
STEP 3: ADD THE TOPPING
Measure out the sugar and cinnamon into a bowl with a flat bottom. Stir until they’re combined. Use a pastry brush to brush a small amount of butter on top of one of the muffins, just enough to cover it.
Pick up the muffin and dip the top into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll the top around in it until it’s fully covered. Repeat with each muffin until they’re all covered in a cinnamon sugar topping.
FAQ
You may have a couple of questions about these muffins – let’s get to those now.
Can apple muffins be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze these apple muffins! Let the muffins cool completely then place them in a sealed plastic bag. They will keep in the freezer for several months this way.
Are apple muffins healthy?
It depends on your definition of healthy! While these muffins have a decent amount of apple in them (with the applesauce and diced apple), they’re not as healthy as just eating an apple 🙂
What can I use if I don’t have enough applesauce??
While I have only made this recipe with applesauce, if you don’t have enough (or any) on hand you can try an equal amount of mashed banana or plain yogurt to replace the applesauce.
Recipe Tips
- This recipe uses a silicone muffin tin. If you’re going to use a metal one, the muffins may cook faster so check them sooner than is written in the directions.
- Be sure and use a sheet pan under the silicone muffin tin! Otherwise it will be difficult to remove the muffin tin from the oven.
- If you want more flavor or texture, try adding ½ a cup of chopped nuts to the muffin batter!
PIN THESE GLUTEN FREE APPLE MUFFINS FOR LATER!
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MORE GLUTEN FREE BAKED GOODS, TRY ONE OF THESE!
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins
- Banana Pecan Bread
- Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
And top them all off with some Whipped Honey Butter.
OR CHECK OUT THESE OTHER DELICIOUS GLUTEN FREE BREAKFAST RECIPES!
- Simple Avocado Toast
- Breakfast Yogurt Parfait
- Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Gluten Free Blueberry Pancakes
- Veggie Breakfast Frittata
If you make this Gluten Free Apple Muffins recipe (or any other recipe) then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below!
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Apple Cinnamon Muffins (Gluten Free)
Equipment
- A hand mixer (or stand mixer)
- A toothpick
- A bowl
Ingredients
Muffins
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup butter softened 1 stick
- 12 ounces unsweetened applesauce 1.5 cups
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten free flour I used Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt omit if using salted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup finely diced apple
Topping:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Dice the apple using a cutting board and large sharp knife. Set aside.
- Place the maple syrup and the softened butter in a large bowl and stir with a hand mixer, or use a stand mixer, until well combined, scraping the sides with a spatula as necessary.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine. Set aside.
- Stir the eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract into the maple syrup & butter mixture until well combined, then pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry mixture. Stir until just combined and there are no pockets of dry flour in the mixture. Pour the diced apple into the batter and gently stir until they are evenly distributed.
- Scoop the muffin mixture into each well in the silicone muffin pan with a spoon, dividing it equally between each well. Place the muffin pan onto a sheet pan and into the oven, setting the timer for 15 minutes. After the timer goes off, carefully rotate the muffin pan 180 degrees (so the muffins in the front of the oven are now in the back of the oven) and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Insert a toothpick into one or two muffins to check for doneness after timer goes off. If not done, cook until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean (another 2 to 4 minutes). Once cooked, take the muffins out of the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Measure out the sugar and cinnamon into a bowl with a flat bottom. Stir until they're combined. Use a pastry brush to brush a small amount of butter on top of one of the muffins, just enough to cover it. Pick up the muffin and dip the top into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll the top around in it until it's fully covered. Repeat with each muffin until they're all covered in a cinnamon sugar topping.
Notes
- This recipe uses a silicone muffin tin. If you’re going to use a metal one, the muffins may cook faster so check them sooner than is written in the directions.
- Be sure and use a sheet pan under the silicone muffin tin! Otherwise it will be difficult to remove the muffin tin from the oven.
- If you want more flavor or texture, try adding ½ a cup of chopped nuts to the muffin batter!
- To freeze the muffins, let them cool completely then place them in a sealed plastic bag. They will keep in the freezer for several months this way.
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