Go Back
Freshly baked green apple muffins with visible apple chunks and cinnamon sugar topping arranged on a slate board.
Layla

Green Apple Muffins

Tender, warmly spiced muffins packed with tart green apple chunks and a crackly sugar top that stays moist for days.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Muffins
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar plus 2 tbsp for topping
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple about 8 oz, peeled and diced 1/4 inch
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter 1 stick, melted and cooled
  • 0.75 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Paper Liners
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • box grater or chef's knife

Method
 

Prep
  1. Heat oven to 400°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Add the diced apple and toss to coat evenly - this prevents the fruit from sinking.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. The mixture should look like thin pancake batter.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined - do not overmix; a few streaks of flour are fine. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over tops.
  5. Bake for 20-22 minutes until muffins are deeply golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The tops should feel springy when gently pressed.
  6. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For extra apple flavor, grate half the apple and dice the rest - the grated apple melts into the crumb while the diced pieces give you pockets of fruit. These freeze beautifully: wrap individually and freeze up to 2 months, then thaw overnight or microwave 30 seconds. If you only have salted butter, reduce the kosher salt to 1/4 teaspoon.