Cinnamon Muffins (Apple Donut Muffins)
on Feb 08, 2023, Updated Feb 03, 2024
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These cinnamon muffins are a cross between mini muffins and donut holes. They are a mini muffin shape with a soft and fluffy donut texture coated in cinnamon goodness.
When I was testing out this recipe, I was going for an applesauce-based muffin. Once I took a bite of the baked mini muffins, I felt like I was taking a bite into a classic donut so I immediately thought to coat a few in cinnamon sugar. Coating them in cinnamon sugar made them taste like freshly baked cinnamon donuts from a bakery and I couldn’t believe how simple these were to whip up. So whether you want to call these cinnamon muffins or apple donut bites, I’m sure these won’t last long in your house after you make them!
If you love these cinnamon muffins, you’ll also love these flaky cinnamon apple croissants and chocolate banana brownie muffins as well!
Table of Contents
Watch Recipe Video
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need to make these cinnamon muffins:
- Applesauce: For sweetness and apple flavor in the muffins.
- Flour: I used all-purpose flour in this recipe. I haven’t tested a different type of flour, but a flour with a similar texture should also work.
- Egg: Used as a binder to help hold the muffins together.
- Milk: I use full-fat whole milk, but any type of milk may be used.
- Oil: Helps ensure that the muffins turn out moist. I used avocado oil, but any type of neutral-tasting oil will work as well.
- Maple Syrup: The main source of sweetness for these muffins
- Cinnamon: Main spice for that special cinnamon flavor.
- Baking Powder: Leavening agents to help the muffins rise.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Substitutions & Additions
- Flour: The all-purpose flour may be substituted with a different type of flour that is similar in texture but keep in mind that different flours absorb liquids differently so the amount needed may vary. See the recipe video above to see what the batter consistency should look like if you are choosing to use a different flour.
- Egg: You may replace the egg with a flax egg. To make a flax egg, combine 3 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for about 15 minutes until it forms a gel-like texture.
- Milk: You may replace the milk with a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk or oat milk.
- Oil: Any neutral-tasting oil may be used (ex: avocado oil, coconut oil, extra light-tasting olive oil, etc). You may also replace the oil with equal parts melted butter.
Step By Step Instructions
STEP 1: Add the unsweetened applesauce, milk, egg, oil, and maple syrup to a bowl and whisk until smooth (Images 1 & 2).
STEP 2: To the same bowl, add in the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon and mix until smooth. Do not overmix (Images 3 & 4).
STEP 3: Place 1 tablespoon of batter into the cups of a mini silicone muffin pan. If you are not using a silicone muffin pan, spray the mini muffin pan well before pouring in the batter.
STEP 4: Bake the mini donut muffins for 15 minutes and let them cool completely before removing them from the pan (Image 5).
STEP 5: For an optional cinnamon coating, mix together the sugar and cinnamon until combined. Lightly brush the muffins with melted butter and dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat, shaking off any excess mixture (Image 6).
Storage Instructions
Let the muffins completely cool and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the fridge. To freeze, store in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag once cooled for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply microwave the muffins for 20-30 seconds, or until warmed through!
Tips For Success
- This recipe makes 24 mini muffins. You may make regular-sized muffins by adding a few more minutes to the total bake time.
- I like to use a silicone muffin pan to bake these muffins as they pop out easily without any sticking. If using a regular mini muffin pan, be sure to coat it with a cooking spray beforehand.
Other Apple Recipes You’ll Love
Apple Fritters (Fritters For Babies)
Cinnamon Apple Croissants
Stovetop Apple Crisp (Sugar Free)
Easy Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Cookies
If you tried these Cinnamon Muffins please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!
Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp mild tasting oil, ex: avocado oil, coconut oil, etc.
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
- Add the unsweetenend applesauce, milk, egg, oil, and maple syrup to a bowl and whisk until smooth.
- To the same bowl, add in the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon and mix until smooth. Do not overmix.
- Place 1 tablespoon of batter into the cups of a mini silicone muffin pan. If you are not using a silicone muffin pan, spray the mini muffin pan well before pouring in the batter.
- Bake the mini donut muffins for 15 minutes and let them cool completely before removing them from the pan.
- For an optional cinnamon coating, mix together the sugar and cinnamon until combined. Lightly brush the muffins with melted butter and dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat, shaking off any excess mixture.
Notes
- This recipe makes 24 mini muffins. You may make regular-sized muffins by adding a few more minutes to the total bake time.
- I like to use a silicone muffin pan to bake these muffins as they pop out easily without any sticking. If using a regular mini muffin pan, be sure to coat with a cooking spray beforehand.
Do these be frozen to reheat later?
Hi Alysha! Yes, these muffins can be frozen in an airtight, freezer safe bag or container to be reheated for later use😊
Those muffins are delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!😊
These were perfect & we’ve made them twice in the last couple of weeks! Thanks for so many great recipes that my little guy loves!
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, Hannah!😊
These are my kids fav!
very good the whole family loved them!!!!! I made them into mini donut shapes, and they turned out very well.
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed these muffins, Angie!😊
I’m planning to make these gf with bobs 1:1 baking mix , will update on how that goes!
The recipe says 2 tsp of baking powder is that correct? it looks like a lot
Hi Sara! Yes, it is 2 teaspoons of baking powder. I hope it turns out well😊
Update, I made these gf and df and they were fantastic. I used bobs red mill 1:1 gf flour. These are better , easier and healthier than so many actual donut recipes! Thank you so much for the recipe
Would you be able to sub whole wheat flour?
Hi Angelika! I don’t recommend swapping it completely because the texture will not be as light and fluffy. You could maybe try swapping 1/2 all purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but I’m not sure if the muffins would turn out dense will all whole wheat flour. I hope that helps!