Cinnamon Apple Moist Muffins

Featured in: Sweet Bakes

These moist muffins combine diced seasonal apples with warm cinnamon spices to create a fragrant and comforting baked treat. The batter blends flour, sugar, and baking essentials with eggs, milk, and oil for a tender crumb. Optional cinnamon-sugar topping adds a sweet crunch. Perfectly baked until golden, they make a cozy breakfast or snack option. Variations include swapping apples for pears or adding nuts for extra texture.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:42:00 GMT
Golden brown cinnamon apple muffins, warm from the oven, ready for a delicious breakfast. Save to Pinterest
Golden brown cinnamon apple muffins, warm from the oven, ready for a delicious breakfast. | velvetthyme.com

Moist and fragrant muffins bursting with seasonal apples and warm cinnamon—perfect for a cozy breakfast or snack on a budget.

I made these muffins for my family last autumn when we went apple picking. The aroma in the house was unbelievable and my kids enjoyed helping to peel and dice the apples.

Ingredients

  • Apples: 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 (plus 1/2 tsp for topping, optional)
  • 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
  • Brown sugar (for topping, optional): 2 tbsp

Instructions

Preheat and prep:
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.
Mix wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil (or melted butter), milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine and fold:
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 muffin tin:
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.
Add topping (optional):
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.
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| velvetthyme.com

This recipe makes enough for everyone in my family to enjoy fresh muffins at the breakfast table together. Kids love grabbing them as after-school snacks, too.

Allergen Information

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

Required Tools

Muffin tin (12-cup), mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, peeler and knife

Nutritional Information (per serving)

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

Freshly baked cinnamon apple muffins, showing soft interiors with tender apple pieces, and a cinnamon topping. Save to Pinterest
Freshly baked cinnamon apple muffins, showing soft interiors with tender apple pieces, and a cinnamon topping. | velvetthyme.com

Enjoy these cinnamon apple muffins fresh or store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They also freeze beautifully for future treats.

Recipe FAQs

Can I substitute the apples with other fruits?

Yes, pears or other seasonal fruits can be used in place of apples to vary the flavor and texture.

How can I make the muffins dairy-free?

Use plant-based milk alternatives and vegetable oil instead of dairy milk and butter to keep the muffins dairy-free.

What is the best way to check muffin doneness?

Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the muffins are fully baked.

Can I add nuts for extra crunch?

Yes, folding in chopped walnuts or pecans before baking adds a pleasant crunch and complementary flavor.

What is the ideal serving suggestion?

Serve the muffins warm, optionally with a spread of butter or honey for added richness.

Cinnamon Apple Moist Muffins

Delight in moist, fragrant muffins featuring apples and cinnamon, ideal for breakfast or a snack.

Prep time
15 min
Time for cooking
20 min
Total process time
35 min
Created by Velvet Thyme Eleanor Hayes

Recipe category Sweet Bakes

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type American

Yield amount 12 Number of servings

Dietary details Vegetarian-friendly

List of ingredients

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

How to make it

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, oil (or melted butter), milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 04

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined; do not overmix.

Step 05

Add Apples: Fold diced apples into the batter carefully.

Step 06

Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.

Step 07

Apply Optional Topping: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over each muffin if desired.

Step 08

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

Step 09

Cool: Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Essential tools

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Peeler and knife

Allergy warnings

Be sure to carefully review every ingredient for allergens and seek expert advice as needed.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy if butter or milk is used. For dairy-free options, use plant-based milk and oil.

Nutrition details per serving

Details here are meant for guidance. Please contact health professionals for medical advice.
  • Calorie count: 210
  • Fat content: 8 g
  • Carbohydrate: 33 g
  • Protein amount: 3 g