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.
My teenagers devoured these!!!!! They had no idea they were made with clean ingredients! I am so glad I found your blog!
I’m so glad to hear that you all enjoyed them! Thank you for sharing your feedback, Ebony!😊
Can I use molasses in place of Maple syrup? I used the last of my maple syrup and I’m in for the day lol
Hi Ebony! The molasses would definitely give the muffins a very different flavor since it has a completely different taste and texture than maple syrup so I wouldn’t recommend it, but honey could work as a swap if you have that on hand!
wow! you nailed this recipe. my 2 YO loved them. the cinnamon sugar on top is perfect. also if you’d like a protein substitute I used cottage cheese instead of applesauce. delish!
So glad you enjoyed these muffins, Megan!😊
Hello!!! First of all, thank you for all the recipes! I find myself coming back to your page to help me cook for me and my baby, one thing I would like to know when looking at your recipes is the age recommendation, let’s say 6+ or 12+ since is my first I am having trouble knowing what he can and can’t have yet. For example, on this recipe, will 11 months old be ok having maple syrup? Or is there a possible substitution for it? I don’t know if is too sugary…again first-time mom so looking for help over here. lol THANK YOU!!
Hi Elena! That is a great question! I usually don’t include specific age recommendations on recipes since certain ingredients can be offered at different times depending on parental discretion. Maple syrup, for example, is usually recommended after age 1, but in recipes like this one where the amount of maple syrup included in each individual serving is so small, some parents would be okay with offering them before age 1. Certain ingredients like honey are definitely not recommended until after age 1, but maple syrup is more of a discretionary ingredient. I personally offered my son recipes that included maple syrup from around 10 months, but some caregivers prefer to wait until after 1 to include it in any recipes. You could also chose to omit the maple syrup completely here and the muffins would not be as sweet, but I find that they are just lightly sweet with it included (without the added cinnamon sugar coating). I hope that helps answer your question!😊
do you have a suggestion for an egg alternative (allergy) for these?
Hi Sam! A flax egg or liquid egg replacer like the brand Just Egg can be used in place of the egg for these muffins.😊
I love these muffins when im.vrqving something sweet. They’re light and fluffy. They also taste delicious!
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoy these muffins!😊
So so good and easy! I did pumpkin pie spice instead, too 🤌
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed these! And love the idea of using pumpkin pie spice!😊
My one year old gobbled these up as did my husband. Unfortunately my 3 year old wouldn’t eat them I think the texture was too mushy for him. I was surprised cause I coated the top in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Thanks for your recipes! Excited to keep trying more.
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed these muffins, Ivy!😊
My 7mo old was a big fan of these tasty little treats, and so was I! 🙂 I used my mini muffin nonstick pan and they popped right out, no problem. I also forgot the cinna/sugar coating, so I can’t wait to make them again with it!
I’m so glad to hear that you both enjoyed these muffins! Thanks for sharing your feedback, Marissa!😊
Hello! Would it be possible to share European measurements for ingredients?
US Customary and Metric are the only units we are able to provide with this specific recipe plug-in unfortunately, but there are soon good unit conversions available online that are pretty accurate😊
Is the nutrition info per muffin?
Yes, it is per muffin😊