Applesauce Cinnamon Oat Muffins

Applesauce Cinnamon Oat Muffins are packed with oats and applesauce, then topped with a sweet, crumbly oat mixture that is the ultimate addition!

Healthy Applesauce Oat Muffins

One of my favorite breakfast treats is a good muffin. One that is fluffy, packed with flavor, and of course, easy to prepare.

Since I have three kids who also love muffins, I love finding new ways to make recipes a bit healthier for them to enjoy too! That’s where these Applesauce Muffins come into play. Using whole wheat flour, including oats and applesauce, these have a fraction of the calories a typical muffin has, but with all the same flavor!

I love to make a double batch of these for us to enjoy over a few days and freeze the extra batch to enjoy for quick and easy breakfast/snack options down the road.

Simple and straightforward, these muffins are lightly sweet, packed with whole grains, and most importantly: they are so very delicious.

Ingredients needed for these simple Applesauce Cinnamon Oat Muffins:

Using a few pantry staples, these muffins come together in no time! In fact, you may already have the ingredients needed on hand! Scroll below for printable recipe card with full ingredients and directions.

Muffins:

• Quick Oats
• Whole Wheat Pastry Flour- all-purpose works too
• Brown Sugar
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Cinnamon
• Ground Nutmeg
• Salt
• Unsweetened Applesauce
• Milk
• Oil- canola or vegetable
• Vanilla Extract
• Egg White

Topping:

• Butter- melted
• Quick Oats
• Brown Sugar
• Ground Cinnamon

How to Make Healthy Applesauce Muffins:

1. Combine the quick oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the applesauce, milk, oil, vanilla, and egg white.
3. Slowly mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed.
4. Pour batter into greased or lined muffin tins. Set aside.
5. In a small bowl, combine the butter, quick oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
6. Sprinkle the topping over the muffin cups.
7. Place muffin tray in a preheated oven, 400 degrees, and bake for about 18 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean once inserted in center of muffin.

Are Muffins Healthy?

The beloved muffin, an easy-to-eat sweet breakfast that can be grabbed on-the-go. But are these baked goods actually a good choice? Most store-bought muffins are like glorified cupcakes—they’re full of sugar and simple carbs. However, muffins can be a healthy breakfast option if you make them at home yourself! You can use different sweetening options such as honey, agave, or applesauce. You can use healthier flour options, and control the ingredients that get added to them. I am a firm believer of enjoying everything in moderation, but if you want to grab that second muffin without guilt, these Applesauce Cinnamon Oat Muffins are just the thing to bake!

Storing and Freezing Muffins

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Cool muffins completely. Place in freezer safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

To thaw, allow to sit out at room temperature for a few hours, or heat in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! In fact, I encourage it! Enjoy now, save some for later! This is a great recipe for that route and one I do often!

Can I use sweetened applesauce? Yes! If you decide to use sweetened applesauce in place of unsweetened, I do recommend cutting the sugar back a bit. You can also use a cinnamon flavored applesauce for an added depth of flavor.

What can I use in place of the sugar? If you are trying to omit the sugar or decrease it even more, I recommend using honey. In fact, if you use local raw honey, you can the extra benefits from the allergens!

How do I reheat these muffins? Simply place them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds and they should be warmed through and ready to devour.

Equipment used and recommended

• If you love muffins like my family, I highly recommend buying a set of silicone muffin cups. They clean in the dishwasher, are reusable, peel off the muffins perfectly, and no more running out of muffin cups when you need them!
• To evenly scoop batter into the muffin pan, I use a baking scoop. Allows for perfect portions each and every time!
• You can’t make muffins without a muffin pan, right?! These pans are my tried and true favorites! They hold up for YEARS and clean easily! You can also make these muffins into mini-muffins if desired!

Check out these other tasty apple recipes:

Incredible Apple Bread– an easy apple bread recipe is moist, sweet and simply loaded with apples and the flavors of fall. 

Apple Fritter Bread– sweet, soft, quick-bread filled with apples and sweet brown sugar cinnamon. 

Easy Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread– fluffy pull-apart bread is layered with warm cinnamon apples for a fun and irresistible treat!

Homemade Apple Biscuits– these fluffy biscuits are perfect for the fall season, but they’re a welcome treat any time of year. 

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake– chunky, soft bits of apple mixed throughout a moist, light, and fluffy cake; finished off with a crumb topping.