Name: Easy Apple Oatmeal Muffins with Streusel Topping
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal; 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup milk or apple cider; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1 cup finely chopped apple; 1/4 cup quick-cooking oatmeal; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 2 Tbsp brown sugar, packed; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted; 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Jump to Recipe

There’s something incredibly comforting about the aroma of warm apples and cinnamon wafting from the kitchen, especially on a crisp morning. It’s a scent that promises a cozy, delicious start to the day. While it’s easy to grab a muffin from a coffee shop, nothing compares to a tender, wholesome, homemade muffin, fresh from your own oven.

Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Step 3: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients
Step 4: Combine, Fold in Apples, and Fill Muffin Cups
Step 5: Mix and Add the Streusel Topping
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. What are the best apples to use for these muffins?
Q2. Can I use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick-cooking oats?
Q3. Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Easy Apple Oatmeal Muffins with Streusel Topping

Description
Ingredients

For the Muffins
For the Streusel Topping

Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

This recipe for Easy Apple Oatmeal Muffins is about to become your new fall favorite. These aren’t just any muffins; they are incredibly moist, packed with finely chopped apples and hearty oats, and finished with a crunchy, buttery cinnamon streusel topping that takes them over the top. Best of all, they are ridiculously simple to make, using the classic muffin method for a foolproof, tender result every single time.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a wonderfully moist and flavourful muffin. The combination of applesauce and oil in the batter is the secret to a tender crumb.

Component	Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
For the Muffins	All-purpose flour	1 1/2 cups
	Quick-cooking oatmeal	1 cup
	Light brown sugar, packed	3/4 cup
	Ground cinnamon	1 teaspoon
	Baking powder	1 1/2 teaspoons
	Baking soda	1/2 teaspoon
	Salt	1/2 teaspoon
	Large eggs	2
	Milk or apple cider	1/2 cup
	Unsweetened applesauce	1/2 cup
	Vegetable oil	1/4 cup
	Pure vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
	Finely chopped apple	1 cup
For the Streusel Topping	Quick-cooking oatmeal	1/4 cup
	All-purpose flour	2 Tablespoons
	Brown sugar, packed	2 Tablespoons
	Unsalted butter, melted	2 Tablespoons
	Ground cinnamon	1/4 teaspoon

Timing

These delicious muffins come together in a flash, making them perfect for a quick weekend breakfast or an easy afternoon baking project.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 35 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly moist and tender muffins with a crunchy, delicious topping.

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin

First, get your oven ready for baking. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a standard 12-cup muffin tin by either spraying it well with nonstick cooking spray or lining it with paper muffin cups for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, quick-cooking oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining the dry ingredients first ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter, which is the key to a uniform, perfect bake.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk (or apple cider), unsweetened applesauce, vegetable oil, and pure vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine, Fold in Apples, and Fill Muffin Cups

Now, make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredient mixture into it. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir the ingredients together only until they are just combined.

Pro Tip: The number one rule for tender muffins is do not overmix! A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.

Gently fold in the finely chopped apple, then divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups.

Step 5: Mix and Add the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine all of the streusel ingredients: the oats, flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Use a fork to mix them together until a crumbly mixture forms. Sprinkle this streusel mixture generously over the top of the batter in each muffin cup.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the muffin tin in your preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know the muffins are perfectly cooked when the tops are golden brown and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per muffin.

Calories: ~240 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g (Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 20g)
Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)

These muffins are a wonderful source of energy, with fiber from the oats and apples.

Healthier Alternatives

While these muffins are already quite wholesome, here are a few simple swaps you can make:

Add Whole Grains: For a fiber boost, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour.
Refined Sugar-Free: You can replace the brown sugar in both the muffin batter and the streusel with an equal amount of coconut sugar.
Vegan Option: To make these muffins vegan, use a plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk), replace the two eggs with two flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal + 6 tablespoons water), and use melted vegan butter or coconut oil in the streusel.

Serving Suggestions

These apple oatmeal muffins are a complete and delicious treat all on their own, perfect for any time of day.

Grab-and-Go Breakfast: These are the perfect portable breakfast for busy mornings. They are satisfying and packed with flavour.
Lunchbox Treat: A homemade muffin is a wonderful, wholesome addition to a school or work lunchbox.
Afternoon Snack: Enjoy a warm muffin with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of tea for the ultimate cozy afternoon pick-me-up. A small smear of butter on a warm muffin is also heavenly!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these simple tips to ensure your apple oatmeal muffins are perfectly tender and fluffy every time.

Overmixing the Muffin Batter: This is the most common mistake in muffin making and it develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in muffins that are tough, dense, and rubbery instead of light and tender.
- Solution: Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until you no longer see big streaks of dry flour. The batter should be lumpy, not smooth!
Using the Wrong Type of Oats: This recipe calls for quick-cooking oats. If you use old-fashioned rolled oats, the texture will be much denser and chewier. Steel-cut oats will not cook through properly and should not be used.
- Solution: Stick to the quick-cooking oats listed in the recipe for the best light and tender texture.
Chopping the Apples Too Large: If the apple chunks are too big, they can make the muffins heavy and cause them to fall apart.
- Solution: Be sure to chop the apples finely, into pieces no larger than a pea. This ensures you get a little bit of sweet apple in every bite without compromising the muffin’s structure.

Storing and Make-Ahead Tips

These muffins store beautifully, making them a great recipe to bake over the weekend and enjoy all week long.

Storing: Once the muffins have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. To help prevent them from getting soggy, you can place a paper towel in the bottom of the container to absorb any excess moisture. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Freezing: These muffins are perfect for freezing! Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. You can thaw them overnight at room temperature or pop one in the microwave for about 30 seconds for a quick, warm treat.

Conclusion

These Easy Apple Oatmeal Muffins are the epitome of fall comfort baking. They are incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and the buttery, crunchy streusel topping makes them feel like a truly special treat. This simple, foolproof recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels and is guaranteed to fill your home with the most wonderful, cozy aromas.

We are so excited for you to try this amazing apple oatmeal muffins recipe. Bake a batch this weekend and let us know how much you love them in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy and delicious baking ideas.

FAQs

Q1. What are the best apples to use for these muffins?

You want to use a firm, crisp apple variety that won’t turn to mush when baked. Excellent choices include Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, or Granny Smith if you prefer a tarter flavour.

Q2. Can I use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick-cooking oats?

You can, but it will change the final texture. Quick-cooking oats are thinner and will create a more tender, cake-like muffin. Old-fashioned oats are thicker and will result in a muffin that is much denser and chewier.

Q3. Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Yes, you can! For a gluten-free version, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality measure-for-measure (1-to-1) gluten-free baking flour blend and ensure that your quick-cooking oats are certified gluten-free.