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Applesauce Muffins

These easy Applesauce Muffins are soft, moist, and full of warm cinnamon flavor. They are a simple homemade breakfast or snack using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. These muffins are also easy to customize.

I especially like this recipe when I have Homemade Applesauce on hand. The applesauce keeps the muffins moist while adding plenty of apple flavor without complicating the recipe.

Why You’ll Love These Applesauce Muffins

There are plenty of reasons to keep this easy muffin recipe handy. The batter comes together quickly, and you don’t need any special equipment beyond a mixing bowl and muffin pan.

The muffins are soft and tender with a delicious cinnamon flavor. They are also a great way to use homemade applesauce or leftover applesauce from the refrigerator.

For the best texture, be careful not to overmix the batter. Once the dry ingredients are added to the wet ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.

What Kind of Applesauce Should You Use?

I used my Homemade Applesauce in this recipe, but store-bought applesauce works just as well.

If you are using unsweetened applesauce, you may want to add an additional 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the batter. Sweetened applesauce will give the muffins a little more sweetness without making any changes to the recipe.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar

How to Make Applesauce Muffins

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Muffin Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper or silicone muffin liners. You can also grease and flour the muffin pan if you prefer not to use liners.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, applesauce, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.

Make sure the melted butter isn’t extremely hot before adding the eggs.

Step 4: Combine the Batter

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients.

Stir just until the ingredients are combined. Don’t overmix the batter. It is perfectly fine if there are a few small lumps remaining.

Overmixing can result in dense or tough muffins instead of the soft, fluffy texture we’re looking for.

Step 5: Fill the Muffin Cups

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each one about 3/4 full.

Try to divide the batter as evenly as possible between the 12 muffin cups so they bake at the same rate.

Step 6: Bake

Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Applesauce Muffin Variations

This is a basic applesauce muffin recipe, which makes it easy to add your favorite ingredients.

Add dried fruit: Stir in raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, or chopped dried apricots.

Add fresh apples: Finely chop an apple and fold the pieces into the batter for extra apple flavor and texture.

Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans make a delicious addition.

Add chocolate chips: A handful of chocolate chips can turn these into a sweeter treat that kids especially enjoy.

Add a cinnamon-sugar topping: Sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar before baking, or dip the tops into cinnamon sugar while the muffins are still warm.

Add streusel: For a more dessert-like muffin, add your favorite crumb or streusel topping before baking. I often add the streusel from my Banana Crumb Bread recipe.

Tips for Making the Best Applesauce Muffins

Don’t overmix the batter. This is probably the most important tip for getting light and fluffy muffins.

Use room-temperature eggs if possible. They will incorporate more easily into the melted butter and applesauce.

Let the melted butter cool slightly before mixing it with the eggs. You don’t want the butter to be hot enough to cook the eggs.

Don’t overfill the muffin cups. Filling them about 3/4 full gives the muffins room to rise without spilling over the sides.

Check the muffins toward the end of the baking time. Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking around 18 minutes.

How to Store Applesauce Muffins

Once the muffins have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, you can refrigerate the muffins for several days. Keep in mind that refrigeration can make baked goods lose some of their softness.

You can also freeze Applesauce Muffins. Place the cooled muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or warm them briefly before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use unsweetened applesauce?

Yes. Unsweetened applesauce works well in this recipe. Since it doesn’t contain added sugar, you may want to add another 1/4 cup of granulated sugar if you prefer a sweeter muffin.

Can I use homemade applesauce?

Absolutely. Homemade applesauce is a great choice for these muffins. If your applesauce is chunky, you may want to mash or blend it slightly before adding it to the batter.

Can I add chopped apples to these muffins?

Yes. Chopped apples are a delicious addition. Choose an apple that holds its shape well when baked and cut it into small pieces so the apples cook evenly.

Why are my applesauce muffins dense?

Overmixing the batter is one of the most common reasons muffins turn out dense. Once you add the flour mixture, stir only until the ingredients are combined.

Also make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh.

Can I freeze applesauce muffins?

Yes. Allow the muffins to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Can I make these muffins with whole wheat flour?

You can replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Keep in mind that using all whole wheat flour may result in a heavier, denser muffin. For a lighter texture, try replacing only part of the all-purpose flour.

How do I know when applesauce muffins are done?

Insert a toothpick into the center of one of the muffins. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the muffins are ready. If there is wet batter on the toothpick, continue baking for another minute or two and check again.

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