Applesauce Muffins

This Applesauce Muffins recipe is a super simple breakfast or quick snack to make using just a few ingredients. These muffins are loaded with applesauce, flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, then finished with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar.

While the applesauce doesn’t fully replace eggs in this recipe, it does make them incredibly moist and flavorful. If you are looking for more muffin recipes, you can also try these Mixed Berry Muffins, Banana Muffins, or Lemon Blueberry Muffins.

The Best Applesauce Muffins Recipe

You just can’t beat the smell of homemade muffins in the kitchen.  These applesauce muffins are no exception, and they taste just as heavenly as they smell.

They’re made even easier because of the melted butter.  With no need to cream the butter and sugar, there is no need to drag out the stand mixer.  A couple of bowls and a spatula will work just fine.

We’ve given you a few different variations if you want to try making them healthier, adding different mix-ins, or making simple substitutions.  Let us know what you try in the comments!

Key Ingredients

• Applesauce – this adds moisture and actually helps hold the batter together. Because we are adding more sugar, you will want to use unsweetened applesauce.
• Brown Sugar – this recipe uses light brown sugar which gives it a yummy flavor with the cinnamon and apples.
• Butter – the butter is added once it is melted and cooled but not solid.  
• Eggs – some applesauce muffin recipes use the applesauce as a replacement for eggs. This recipe uses them both so which keeps them nice and tender.
• Cinnamon – use your favorite type of ground cinnamon.
• Baking Soda – this is needed to help the muffins rise a bit in the oven.
• Cinnamon Sugar – this is for topping the baked muffins just out of the oven.  We use regular white granulated sugar and mix with 1 tsp of ground cinnamon.

How to Make Applesauce Muffins

1. Mix the batter.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs and vanilla extract and whisk to combine.  In a separate bowl, add the cinnamon, baking soda and flour and whisk.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold together using a rubber spatula until well mixed.
2. Scoop into muffin cups.  Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop the batter into muffin tins that have either been greased or lined with paper liners, filling them about 3/4 of the way full.
3. Bake.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Dust with cinnamon sugar.  Mix together 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle on the hot muffins once they come out of the oven.
5. Serve.  Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

If you are feeling up for it, give some of these easy variations a try! 

• Healthy Muffins – for an even healthier variation, try substituting wheat flour instead of all-purpose and coconut oil instead of melted butter.
• Honey Applesauce Muffins – use half honey and half brown sugar.
• Applesauce Bread – bake in loaf pans, instead.  Fill each pan ¾ full and bake until the center is cooked through (a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
• Mix-ins – add a cup of blueberries, chocolate chips or raisins (soaked for 30 minutes and drained).

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing and Freezing Instructions

• Storing: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Freezing: bake, cool, and store your Applesauce Muffins in freezer bags in the freezer.  They will be good for up to 2 months stored this way.  To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight, then set out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or microwave briefly to take the chill off.

More of our Favorite Muffin Recipes

• Lemon Blueberry Muffins
• Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Best Cornbread Muffins
• Triple Berry Muffins
• Ham and Cheese Cornbread Muffins
• More Muffin Recipes

More Apple Recipes

• Apple Bread
• Apple Coffee Cake
• Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake
• Apple Nachos
• Apple Crisp Recipe
• Apple Cider Baked Donuts

These cinnamon-flavored Easy Applesauce Muffins are super moist, full of flavor and so easy to make.  Finish with a dusting of cinnamon sugar for a real breakfast treat.