Easy Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins. Soft and moist apple cinnamon muffins with a brown sugar crumb topping. The recipe also includes a dairy-free option.
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Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins
One of my husband’s favorite flavor combination is apples and cinnamon, so I decided to make him some gluten-free apple cinnamon muffins.
I love baking muffins for my family for breakfast, as a snack or a special treat. They are super easy to whip up and can be made in just 30 minutes.
How To Make Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins
These gluten-free muffins are a one bowl wonder that is super easy to make, you don’t even need a mixer. You can quickly whip up these super moist gluten-free apple cinnamon muffins with just a bowl and a spoon.
The first thing you are going to want to do is to pre-heat your oven to 350° F and line or spray your muffin tins.
In a large mixing bowl add the applesauce, melted butter ( or melted coconut oil or Smart Balance butter for dairy-free) and eggs and mix together until fully combined. I always like to combine my wet ingredients first.
Pro Tip
- Here’s a little gluten-free baking tip. I buy applesauce in the snack cups size. They are already portioned out to 1/2 cup and they don’t have to be refrigerated. That way I always have applesauce on hand. I also add 1/2 cup of applesauce to all gluten-free box mixes.
Next stir in the sugar, salt, and pure vanilla extract. Then stir in the gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and xanthan gum (leave out the xanthan gum if your flour already has it) and mix until the muffin batter is smooth and fully combined. (photo 1)
Scoop the batter into baking cups lined/cooking sprayed muffin tin. I like to use an ice cream scoop. (photo 2)
Now it’s time to make the crumb topping. Add all of the dry ingredients of the crumb topping to a small bowl and stir until fully combined. Pour in the melted butter (or coconut oil) into the dry ingredients and stir until the topping looks thick and crumbly.
Sprinkle crumb topping on top of the muffins. I usually use about a tablespoon per muffin. (photo 3)
Bake the muffins for 20 minutes at 350 ° F, or until a toothpick into the center comes out clean. Please watch your muffins because all ovens are different. (photo 4)
These gluten-free muffins can be stored in an air-tight container (if you don’t eat them all).
Really, it’s that easy to bake gluten-free apple muffins!
Gluten-Free Flour
These gluten-free crepes were made with a rice flour blend. I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
Pro Tip
The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup. After you’ve spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup. Friends, please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup.
Dairy-Free Baking
I have also included a dairy-free option to my gluten-free apple cinnamon crumb muffin recipe. My husband, my youngest son, and I are all dairy-free.
I promise these muffins are just as delicious made with the dairy-free butter or coconut oil.
Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with is almond, cashew or coconut milk. I also like baking with coconut oil or Earth Balance or Smart Balance butter.
So, you too can enjoy a gluten-free and dairy-free apple cinnamon muffin.
I love how simple these gluten-free muffins are to make. The muffins are light and moist and full of the apple and cinnamon flavor.
I can’t get enough of the brown sugar crumb topping! It reminds me so much of the bakery-style muffins I use to eat before having to go gluten-free.
Check out some of my other favorite Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes!
- Easy Gluten-Free Blueberry Banana Muffins {Dairy-Free and Refined Sugar Free Option}
- Easy Gluten-Free Pancakes {Dairy-Free & Vegan Option}
- Gluten-Free Biscuits {Dairy-Free & Vegan Option}
- Gluten-Free Cinnamon Biscuits {Dairy-Free Option}
- Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}
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Easy Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins {Dairy-Free Option}
Ingredients
Muffins
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter , use Smart Balance butter or use melted coconut oil for dairy-free option
- 2 large eggs , room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour)
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum , leave out if your flour already has it in it
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Crumb Topping
- 1/4 cup brown sugar , packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (dairy-free use coconut oil or Smart Balance Butter)
Instructions
Pre-heat your oven to Bake at 350° F.
- Use baking cup liners or cooking spray for the muffin tin.
- In a large mixing bowl add the applesauce, melted butter ( or melted coconut oil or Smart Balance butter for dairy-free) and eggs and mix together until fully combined.
Stir in the granulated sugar, salt, and pure vanilla extract.
Stir in the gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and xanthan gum (leave out the xanthan gum if your flour already has it) and mix until all the ingredients are smooth and fully combined.
Scoop the batter into baking cups lined/cooking sprayed muffin tin. I like to use a greased ice cream scoop.
Crumb Topping
Add all of the dry ingredients of the crumb topping to a small bowl and stir until fully combined. Pour in the melted butter (or coconut oil) into the dry ingredients and stir until the topping looks thick and crumbly.
- Sprinkle crumb topping on top of the muffins. I usually use about a tablespoon per muffin.
Bake for 20 minutes at 350 ° F, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Please watch your muffins because all ovens are different.
Allow the muffins to cool. Enjoy!
Store in an air-tight container.
Recipe Notes
- I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
- The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup. After you’ve spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup.
- For the dairy-free option, I use Smart Balance butter or melted coconut oil.
- Store in an air-tight container.
- Mama says, "Check all of your labels."
MELISSA HOYLAND says
These Muffins are so yummy! Very easy to make. They don’ even taste GF.. THANK YOU FOR THE AMAZING RECIPE!!
Audrey says
Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star recipe review Melissa! It makes my heart so happy to hear that you enjoyed the muffins! You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family.
Terry says
I made these and they tasted great. I was surprised to see that the crumb topping stayed on some but not others.
Could you help me out with my delimma.
A nice recipe for the fall season.
Audrey says
Hi Terry. I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the apple cinnamon muffins! I’m not sure why the crumb topping would stay on some but not others. I have not had this problem when I bake the muffins. Maybe you could pat the crumb topping down on top of the muffin batter. I hope that helps!
Dawn says
These look delicious. I like little pieces of apple in my apple muffins. I’m pondering how much applesauce I might need to take out to allow for adding diced apples. I was wondering if you might have any suggestions?
Audrey says
Hi Dawn! I have never tried adding chopped apples to these muffins. The applesauce also helps with the moisture of the muffins. The recipe might work if you swap a 1/2 cup of chopped apples for 1/2 cup of applesauce. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out. Thanks!
Deb says
Thank you for this recipe! These muffins are delicious! We are gluten free and dairy free and I totally have missed eating good muffins. I did make a bit more of the crumb topping – it is soooo good!
Audrey says
Hi Deb thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the apple muffins. I can’t get enough of the crumb topping too. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thanks again!
Tina says
Great recipe! Ive been gluten free for years and am still searching for good muffin recipes. This is definitely one of the best I’ve ever found. Thanks so much for sharing!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Tina for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the apple muffins. You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement!
Sue says
These muffins are supet good! Even my husband couldnt tell they were gluten free! I did drizzle glaze on top also. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Sue for the wonderful recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the muffins. A drizzle glaze sounds yummy. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Verena says
I used 2 of the small snack size containers of applesauce and 3/4 finely diced apple. It turned out great! I loved the recipe but it would have been easier with the ingredients in order. I also substituted some of the sugar for date sugar. Next time I want to add walnuts! (Note, I also did NOT bring the eggs to room temp… I never do as I always forget ahead and everything is just fine, I whisk them before putting in the recipe.} I also mixed dry ingredients separately before adding to the wet ingredients to ensure the baking soda is nicely distributed and the flour is a bit lighter (I used Cup4Cup flour so no xantham needed to be added). Then I used that bowl for the crumbs and used 1 heaping tsp to make it easier to distribute. The recipe made 13 muffins so I used a cupcake container and balanced it on the edge of the pan to cook. Thanks for inspiring me today!
Audrey says
Thank you Verena for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the muffins. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thanks again!
Priscilla Gossman says
I made this as muffins for a neighbor who is gluten and dairy free and they were yummy! Do you know if the recipe would work as a loaf, like a quick bread loaf?
Audrey says
Hi Priscilla! I am so happy that you and your neighbor enjoyed the muffins. It makes a great quick bread as well. Just bake it for 50 minutes to 1 hour. I have not baked the loaf with the crumb topping, just with the apple batter. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you again!
Ashlie says
Hi!! Thank you for this recipe!!! I have 4 kids dairy free/gluten free and they LOVE these muffins!!!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Ashlie for the amazing 5-star recipe review! I am so happy to hear that your kids loved the muffins. These apple muffins are one of my kid’s favorite too. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Leanne Reilly says
I made these last night! This was the first recipe to pop up when I googled apple muffins and I am so thankful! They went down a treat at work (couple GF eaters there) and at home (couple of greedy ones!).
They rose up lovely and were sooooooo fluffy but did sink a bit though I do intend to experiment with the eggs a bit more next time I try this. I’m in Ireland so all my recipes are in grams so everything was a wild guestimate. I’ll have to bite the bullet and buy measuring cups for my next attempt!
Thank you for posting this!
Lea.
Audrey says
Hi Lea! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the muffins! I just added the grams conversion to the recipe. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. I apologize that the feature was not turned on in the recipe card. If you click on the metric link below the ingredients it will switch to grams in the recipe card with the grams. I’ve not tested this conversion to grams to make sure it has the same results as cups, teaspoons, etc… Please let me know if they seem correct. Thanks!
Kellen says
These muffins are awesome!!
I replaced the granulated sugar with xylitol and the brown sugar with coconut palm sugar and they were truly amazing!! Hopefully not too hard on this preggo momma’s blood sugar! Thanks for a great and easy recipe!
Audrey says
Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the muffins and that they were amazing. I am glad to hear that the xylitol and the brown sugar with coconut palm sugar worked well in the recipe. I totally understand about blood sugar and being pregnant, I had gestational diabetes with one of my pregnancies. Congratulations on your baby! Thank you again!
Jessica says
My husband and I made these today as a treat. They are so yummy! Will definitely make again.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Jessica for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your husband enjoyed the apple muffins and will be making them again. Thank you again!