If you love warm, cozy flavors wrapped up in a tender muffin, you are going to absolutely adore these Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins. Imagine biting into a soft, moist muffin bursting with crisp apple chunks and a hint of cinnamon, topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel that adds the perfect crunch. These muffins are the ultimate companion for your morning coffee or an afternoon treat. They bring together classic autumn flavors in a way that’s both comforting and exciting, making every bite feel like a little celebration of home baking.

Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is half the joy of baking these muffins. Each item on the list is simple, yet plays an essential role in creating the perfect balance of texture, sweetness, and spice that makes the Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins so delightful.

All-purpose flour: The foundation of our muffins, providing the structure for a tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the natural apple flavor.
Baking powder: Our leavening agent that makes these muffins rise and get fluffy.
Ground cinnamon: Infuses the batter with warm, aromatic spice that complements the apples beautifully.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors for a balanced, well-rounded taste.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture for a soft texture.
Milk: Keeps the batter moist and tender, helping create that perfect muffin crumb.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness; melted butter ensures the batter is silky and smooth.
Vanilla extract: Brings depth to the flavor, making each bite irresistible.
Chopped apples: Fresh and crisp apples provide bursts of juicy sweetness inside every muffin.
Light brown sugar (for streusel): Adds a caramel-like sweetness to the topping for extra indulgence.
Cold butter (for streusel): Creates that crumbly, buttery texture that tops these muffins superbly.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. This step sets the stage for perfectly baked muffins with no sticking mishaps.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Combining these ingredients first ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed and the cinnamon coats the flour for that warm, consistent flavor throughout each muffin.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. This mixture adds moisture and richness, making the muffin batter silky and light.

Step 4: Join Wet and Dry Mixtures

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here — a few lumps are perfect and will help keep your muffins tender and soft.

Step 5: Fold in the Apples

Gently fold in the chopped apples with a spatula. These apple pieces add delightful texture and juicy bursts of flavor that make every bite exciting.

Step 6: Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This topping will crisp up beautifully when baked, adding a crave-worthy crunch to your muffins.

Step 7: Fill Muffin Cups and Add Streusel

Divide the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, then generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each one for that irresistible finish.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Once done, let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling allows the flavors to set perfectly.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Garnishes

For an extra touch of charm and flavor, dust your muffins with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzle a simple vanilla glaze on top. Fresh apple slices or a sprig of mint can add a fresh, inviting look that will wow your guests.

Side Dishes

These muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a creamy latte. For a fuller breakfast, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a dollop of Greek yogurt topped with honey and nuts.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins in a rustic wooden basket lined with a cozy cloth for a charming brunch table. You can also slice them in half and lightly toast each side, then spread a bit of cinnamon butter for an elevated snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover muffins fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to three days, making them a perfect grab-and-go breakfast.

Freezing

You can freeze these muffins to enjoy later. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, pop frozen or leftover muffins in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Either way, you’ll get that delightful fresh-from-the-oven feeling with minimal effort.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for these muffins?

Absolutely! While firm apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp work best to hold their texture, you can experiment with your favorite varieties. Just avoid very soft apples as they might turn mushy during baking.

Is it okay to substitute the butter with oil?

Yes, you can use oil instead of melted butter for a slightly different texture. However, butter adds a rich flavor and helps with the crumbly streusel topping, so it’s worth sticking to butter if possible.

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Definitely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just keep in mind that the texture might be a bit different, but the flavor will remain just as delicious.

How do I prevent the muffins from becoming too dense?

Be sure not to overmix the batter once you combine wet and dry ingredients. Mixing just until combined keeps the muffins light and fluffy. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh for proper leavening.

Can I add nuts or raisins to the recipe?

Yes! Chopped walnuts or pecans add a wonderful crunch, and raisins bring an extra burst of sweetness. Just fold them in with the apples before filling the muffin cups.

Final Thoughts

These Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins quickly become a staple when you want a quick, satisfying treat packed with flavor and warmth. Whether you’re baking for family breakfast, a cozy afternoon snack, or a charming gathering, these muffins always bring smiles. So roll up your sleeves and treat yourself to this comforting classic — your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!

Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 30 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins feature tender muffin bases studded with juicy chopped apples and a sweet cinnamon-spiced streusel topping. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, these muffins offer a cozy balance of fruity and spiced flavors with a delightful crumbly topping.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners to prevent sticking and for easy muffin removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the large egg, milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until moistened—it’s important not to overmix to maintain tender muffins. Some lumps in the batter are okay.
Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the chopped apples to evenly distribute them through the batter without bruising or breaking them down too much.
Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, packed light brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
Add Streusel: Sprinkle a generous amount of streusel topping over each filled muffin cup to create a sweet, crunchy topping.
Bake: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use firm apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji for the best texture and flavor in the muffins.
Do not overmix the batter; overmixing can develop gluten and lead to tough muffins rather than tender ones.
Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and moisture.
For longer storage, muffins can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American