8 May 2024

Spiced Apple Muffins

Name: Spiced Apple Muffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups flour (plain, all purpose); 1 tbsp baking powder; 2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp salt; 2/3 cup brown sugar; 120 ml vegetable oil; 120 ml milk; 2 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tsp lemon rind (grated ); 2 tbsp lemon juice; 200 grams apple (peeled, cored and finely chopped (weight after peeled and cored))

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Last Updated on 15 August, 2026 by Elby | The Tasteful Pantry

Spiced apple muffins are light and fluffy, have a good hit of cinnamon and a beautiful hint of lemon. These muffins are easy to make and quick in the oven for a last minute treat or a plate to share. Apple blueberry cake and apple cinnamon cake should be next on your list.

More Easy Apple Recipes and Fruit Muffin Recipes

Ingredients for Spiced Apple Muffins

Apples: These muffins are a great way to use up old apples left in the fruit bowl that no one is going to grab and eat. Peel them to remove the skin as it will be tough if they are old. Core and dice the apples and you have the perfect muffin ingredient. There is no need to purposefully buy cooking apples, if you have other varieties on hand. Cooking apples are usually more tart than others and hold their form better when cooked. However, as the apples are raw when they go into the muffin batter, they are soft in the end product, but do not have enough time to break down.

Cinnamon: Don’t go light here. The cinnamon is crucial to adding the depth of flavour that makes these spiced apple muffins so good! Two teaspoons of cinnamon might seem like a lot, but it is well worth it.

Lemon: The citrusy lemon is subtle in these apple muffins and is also another good way of using up some leftover lemon. Or if you need to use up more lemon, try making creamy lemon carbonara or no bake lemon cheesecake to use up the rest.

Apples, lemon and cinnamon for apple muffins

How to Make Apple Muffins

Step One: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan-forced. Lightly grease a 12-hole muffin tin.

Step Two: Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into a medium mixing bowl. Add the brown sugar and whisk well, breaking up any stubborn lumps as you go.

Step Three: Add the vegetable oil, milk, eggs, vanilla, lemon rind and lemon juice. Whisk until the batter is smooth and evenly combined.

Step Four: Gently fold through the chopped apple, making sure it is evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step Five: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin holes.

Step Six: Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the muffins are risen, lightly golden and cooked through. A skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean.

Step Seven: Leave the muffins in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

FAQs

What apples are best for apple cinnamon muffins?

Firm apples that hold their shape while baking work best. Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jazz or Fuji apples are all good choices. Softer apples will still work, but they may blend into the muffin a little more.

Do I need to peel the apple?

Peeling the apple gives the muffins a softer texture, but it is not essential. You can leave the skin on if you prefer – as long as you don’t mind pieces of chewy skin.

Can I use grated apple instead of chopped apple?

Yes. Grated apple will make the muffins slightly softer and more moist.

Why are my muffins dense?

Dense muffins are often caused by overmixing the batter. Mix only until the ingredients are combined.

Can I freeze apple cinnamon muffins?

Yes. Place the cooled muffins in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature or warm them briefly in the microwave before serving.

Feedback and More: Have you tried the spiced apple muffin recipe? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers, Elby!

If you liked these treats, check out some of my tips and other tasty recipes for muffins and vegetarian snacks. Also, follow The Tasteful Pantry on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for all the latest recipes and info.