Apple Pie Muffins

Apple Pie Muffins are super moist, full of fresh apples, cinnamon and an amazing apple crisp or crumble topping, just like an apple strudel in muffin form!

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Apple Muffins 

Apple Pie Muffins can be used as a dessert, snack or as a breakfast or brunch.  I ate two the other night while watching a movie.  I know that’s not the best idea but I just couldn’t help myself. 

The inside or the muffin part of these muffins is super moist and full of apple flavor. I hate it when that part of the muffin is dry and you only want to eat the top?

These muffins are terrific but I always find myself eating the tasty bottom part of the muffin first. Am I the only one who does that?

Another long debate between my husband and I is he prefers to eat the muffin top first and I have to save the best for last! 

Every time I make these Apple Pie Muffins he always brings that up!  Hopefully I am not the only one who eats muffins this way.  Am I?

I love being left with a masterpiece, the top of this muffin and all I can say is WOW! 

While I am finishing eating it I am already thinking about the next one and whether I can actually get another muffin into my stomach. I can’t believe it either but this happens every time I make them.

Truth be told. The day I make these I always end up eating two. Even though even my husband knows this, I still won’t let him bring me two or grab two myself and save myself the trip.

I always think maybe this won’t be the time I eat two because you never know. I tell my husband all the time that it doesn’t have to make sense. It is what it is and you love me! 😉

Hopefully, you decide to make these beautiful apple muffins for yourself and you can take a moment and let me know if you had to eat two muffins too!

Apple Crisp Muffins 

These easy muffins, have the best apple crisp or crumble topping. To me this topping is really a combination of the best parts of them both.

Apple crisp muffin tops include brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, pecans or walnuts, and melted butter. All blended together in a small bowl, everything must look damp like the butter has touched all of the other ingredients.

First you melt your butter and if you notice its not liquid by the time you add it to the other ingredients that is ok. Your topping will still work and work well.

I use my fingers but you can use whatever kitchen tool you prefer to combine everything.

The key here is to use every last bit of the topping on your muffins. Pile it high so as the muffins expand, the topping goes everywhere. You will be so glad you did.

There are few things better than enjoying an apple crisp muffin or two. Ok more than a few things but you get the point!

Apple Pie Muffins 

I love to dice up the apples into small pieces just to make sure I can taste them!  I have tried shredding the apples but I prefer to taste a small piece of apple in every bite of these Apple Pie Muffins.

You can use your favorite variety of apple to make these incredible apple muffins. 

I usually prefer to use a tart apple like granny smith but you can always use your favorite. Most apples will work and work well. There are some apples that don’t cook as well as others and do your best to avoid in recipes like this. 

Some apples just vanish and can’t take the heat from cooking or baking and don’t hold their shape like others do.

The Washington Apple Commission has a fabulous list, including pictures, of every apple, including a short description of each and each of their best uses.  It will come in handy when deciding which apple to use and which apple freezes best.    

Best Apples to Use for Baking

My favorites are as follows. 

Granny Smith apples are tart and sour and go beautifully with a sweet dessert like this.

Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp apples are sweet and also taste wonderful in desserts like this. 

I usually use whatever apples I have on hand, or is on sale, but I love to mix sweet apples, like McIntosh apples, with sour apples, like Granny Smith to make up the two cups you need for this recipe. 

Regardless of which apple you choose to use these muffins will not disappoint!

Apple Strudel Muffins  

I have loved apple strudel all of my life. One of my grandmother’s was born in Denmark and even though strudel originated in Austria, she made her own version.

Boy oh boy was it delicious but all of the stretching and work she did to make her dough was mind blowing to me. As a result I have the recipe and have never tried it.

Maybe I will someday.

Her strudel includes apples, raisins, cinnamon,  and yes, walnuts or pecans. She didn’t always include them but she said my grandfather loved them in it so she did.

I choose to include nuts in my topping usually but have added a few extra inside the muffin itself or not used nuts in the topping and only used nuts inside the muffin. 

The recipe, as it is written, is the most common way and I believe favorite way, I make these apple crisp muffins but you can easily switch things up.

Also, for the record, the only reason I throw nuts inside the muffin, after including them in the topping, is when I don’t want to save the smallest amount of nuts left over.

Rather than having all of these little bags around I will usually just throw them in. That maybe terrible but it is true. I do it with many things and hopefully I am not the only one.

You do have a choice of whether to use walnuts or pecans in the topping or inside of these apple strudel muffins. I usually will use pecans if I have them and if not, walnuts are also a great option.

You should also know that you can totally skip the nuts and these muffins will still be a treat! 

As always, do what you think your family will enjoy most. That’s what I always do.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

These apple cinnamon muffins or apple strudel muffins or whatever you want to call them, are perfect made first thing in the morning. There is something about starting a day off with the distinct smell while they bake.

Unfortunately, that is not always possible. The reality is that smelling these muffins bake at any time of day is truly remarkable.

I am always good to include a teaspoon of cinnamon to both the muffin and the topping. After trying this recipe once you will know whether it needs more or less for the next time you make it.

My friend Julie uses 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in her muffins and 1 1/2 in her topping and I find it to be a bit overpowering. She makes these muffins all of the time and wanted me to let you know that if you love cinnamon, add more! 

I urge you to make these apple cinnamon muffins once, despite what Julie says (sorry Julie 💖) because cinnamon can be overwhelming at times most definitely.

Do I need to use muffin liners to make Apple Pie Muffins?

I prefer to use muffin liners for this and all of my muffin recipes. You don’t need to but they make cleanup so much easier, make the muffins look even prettier and are definitely easier to serve.

Can you freeze Apple Muffins?

They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months in an airtight container. In my opinion, they are just beautiful in every way imaginable.

We just love apples in this house and I am going to give you a few links to have a look at that include some of my favorite apple recipes!  Maybe you will find some more that interest you!  Anything is possible!

Other Delicious Apple Recipes to Try

 German Apple Pancake

My Grandma’s Apple Pandowdy

Crunchy Apple Bake

Ozark Pudding

The Easiest Apple Tart

The Best Nutty Apple Cake

Apple Pecan Bread

The Best Apple Upside Down Cake

Caramel Apple Pecan Raisin Crisp

Ingredients in Apple Strudel Muffins

• flour
• brown sugar
• baking soda
• salt
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• egg
• buttermilk
• butter
• vanilla
• apples
• pecans or walnuts

How to make Apple Pie Muffins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine dry ingredients.

Add wet ingredients and stir until blended.

Add apples and stir until coated.

Do not overmix.

Add to muffin pan with cups.

Cover muffins with all of the topping.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Allow to cool in pan.  Enjoy!

Other Sweet Treats to Try

Our Favorite Stuffed Pumpkin Muffins

Easy Cream Cheese Stuffed Cupcakes

Coffee Doughnut Muffins

The Easiest Caramel Infused Chocolate Cupcakes

We have been talking for a while now about making sure these Apple Pie Muffins go up on the site and luckily we have made a video to show you.  Hopefully you enjoy them as much as we do!  I can’t wait to hear what you think of them!

Apple Pie Muffins Video