Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Healthy Apple Muffins are packed with cinnamon flavor and sweet apple chunks. This simple one-bowl recipe makes soft and moist muffins for delicious desserts and breakfasts.

A burst of flavors and textures – Sweet and cinnamony, these healthy muffins are soft and moist at first bite, with tender apple chunks.

If you ask what’s my favorite dessert I’d probably say apple muffins. Ever since my early days, I’ve been obsessed with the combination of flavors and textures that only a good apple muffin can provide. Warmly spiced and sweet to taste, soft and cakey to bite. With a crunchy apple surprise!

Craving a bite of childhood, last Sunday I gave the traditional recipe a twist and made cinnamon apple muffins. Healthy and simple, as I like doing!

Why is this recipe healthy?

When developing this dessert, I strived to balance taste and nutrition to create the perfect Healthy Apple Muffins. After a couple of tests I finally came up with this recipe, a healthier solution to your craving.

If you are wondering what makes these cinnamon apple muffins healthy, keep on reading. First of all, my recipe uses wholegrain flour and maple syrup instead of refined flours and sugars. Second, including unsweetened applesauce allows you to bake deliciously moist muffins with significantly less oil and sweetener. Last but not least, the addition of apples enriches the baked goods with vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. Such a clever way to sneak in some more fruit in your kids meals!

Why is this recipe simple?

If you already know my blog, you may know that I like recipes which are not only healthy and delicious, but also quick and simple to make. That’s exactly what those apple treats are. Differently from others, my muffin recipe comes together in one bowl without the need for electric mixer or special tools. In just 30 minutes!

Ingredients

• Apples. The best apples for muffins are Honeycrips, Granny Smith, Fuji and gala. Each type of apple will give a different result both in terms of taste and texture (read further for more details). Choose the one that mostly matches your preferences.
• Applesauce. Use unsweetened applesauce for soft and moist apple muffins with cinnamon. In this recipe, applesauce is key in making healthier muffins because it partly replaces fats and sweeteners.
• Eggs. Use two large fresh eggs for extra moisture, flavor and texture. In this recipe, eggs also help bind the batter so that your healthy apple desserts won’t fall apart after baking.
• Flour. I like white whole wheat flour because it’s very similar to all purpose flour but less processed and more nutritious. Other great options are all purpose flour, wholewheat pastry flour and spelt flour. You can also use oat flour, but the muffins won’t be as moist.
• Baking soda. This ingredient helps muffin rise and become fluffy. You can substitute 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of baking powder, the result will be pretty similar.
• Maple syrup. Maple syrup sweetens the muffins while providing additional health benefits. Possible replacements are honey, agave syrup, date syrup or coconut syrup. This recipe does not work with granular sweeteners because they would change the batter consistency.
• Vegetable oil. For the best result, use a neutral vegetable oil. Great choices are canola oil, avocado oil and coconut oil. Replace with melted butter if you desire.
• Cinnamon. A teaspoon cinnamon is a must for making delicious apple muffins at home. For convenience I like using ground cinnamon, but you can also grate cinnamon sticks.
• Vanilla extract. In combination with cinnamon, the vanilla enriches each single bite with warm spicy flavors.
• Salt. A pinch of salt improves taste and aroma while balancing the sweetness of apples.

Which apples are best for muffins?

Generally speaking, the best types of apple are Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji and Gala. This being said, the choice depends on your personal preferences. As I prefer sweet apples with more texture, Honeycrisp are my favorite. But if you are looking for a tart aftertaste, then you will need to use Granny Smith. Here are more details.

• Honeycrisps: Whenever baking desserts, I always choose  Honeycrisp. This type of apple has a sweet, juicy taste and crunchy texture. Further, they pair very well with cinnamon.
• Granny Smith: Another great type of apple is Granny Smith. They are characterized by a tart, crispy flavor and hold their shape when baked.
• Fuji: Similar to Honeycrisp they have a sweet and juicy taste and go well with cinnamon.
• Gala: If you prefer tender apple bits, opt for Gala. They tend to soften more and have a sweet aroma.

How to make apple muffins?

1. Prepare for cooking. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare a muffin pan with muffin liners. In the meantime, peel and with the help of a knife cut the apples into small pieces.
2. Mix wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine applesauce with eggs, maple syrup, oil and vanilla extract. Once combined, whisk in the cinnamon and mix until smooth.
3. Add dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula or fork, stir in the flour, the baking soda and the salt. Mix wet and dry ingredients together until you get a smooth muffin batter. Finally, incorporate the apples that you previously peeled and cut into small bits.
4. Bake and let cool. Fill ⅔ of the muffin tins with batter and bake in hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure you do not overbake the desserts; they are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove your apple muffins from the oven and let cool over a baking rack for about 15 minutes.

Storage information

Apple cinnamon muffins can be eaten right after making or they can be saved for later. To store, first let cool completely over a wire rack. Once cooled, place in an airtight food container and at room temperature they will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

For a longer storage, place in a sealable food container and refrigerate for a maximum of 4 days. Apple muffins also freeze very well. To freeze, place in zipper bags and keep in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months. Before serving, thaw and reheat in hot oven until they are soft and warm.

Tips for making apple muffins

• Choose the right type of apple, such as Honeycrisps, Granny Smith, Fuji and gala. Depending on your preferences, you may want to use a sweeter or a tarter apple.
• Use natural applesauce, unsweetened, without additional spices or preservatives. Not only this option is healthier, but it also gives baked goods a better taste and texture.
• Make sure you do not overmix batter, as this will make your muffins quite dry and though. Just mix until all ingredients are combined and no lumps are left.
• Keep an eye on the baking time, your muffins are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If overbaked, they well get dry and though.
• Allow to cool before eating, your cinnamon muffins will get more taste and moisture.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

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