There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. These Apple Crumble Muffins are the kind of cozy, homemade treat that fills your kitchen with fall magic—no matter what time of year it is. They’re soft, tender, and topped with the most delicious brown-sugar crumble. If you’re craving an easy apple recipe your whole family will devour, this one checks every box.

Easy homemade apple muffins with chopped apples and cinnamon

These muffins come together quickly with simple pantry staples and fresh apples. They make the perfect after-school snack, Sunday morning breakfast, neighbor gift, or “bake ahead” treat for busy weeks. And thanks to the buttery crumb topping, they taste like they came straight from a bakery—without the effort. Sweet homemade apple pie baked right into a muffin!

Whether you’re gearing up for fall baking or just want a comforting muffin recipe, these Apple Crumble Muffins will become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Crumble Muffins

Quick & easy – Mix everything in two bowls and bake in under 25 minutes.
Great texture – Soft muffin base + crunchy cinnamon-sugar crumble.
Kid-approved – Sweet enough for picky eaters, still wholesome enough for breakfast. The flavor is amazing!
Flexible – Use any apples you have on hand.
Perfect for fall – Warm cinnamon, brown sugar, and fresh apples make these ideal autumn muffins.

The Best Apples for Muffins

You can use any apple variety you like, but here are some favorites:

Honeycrisp – sweet + crisp
Fuji – juicy and flavorful
Gala – easy to find and mild
Granny Smith – tart, great balance with sweet crumble

Leaving the peel on adds color and texture, and it softens beautifully while baking.

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS
1 c. all purpose Flour
1 c. Brown Sugar
1/2 c. Sugar
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 C. Melted Butter
1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
2 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/2 Milk
2 Eggs
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 c. Chopped Apples

Step-by-Step Instructions

Apple Crumble Muffins ingredients for the crumble mixture in a mixing bowl

STEP 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, make the apple crumble mixture by combining 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/4 c. sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 cup melted butter.

Apple Crumble topping mixed in a bowl with a fork.

STEP 2
Mix together the apple crumb topping with a fork and set aside.

wet ingredients for apple crumble muffins in a bowl.

STEP 3
In a large bowl, mix together the apple muffin base. Add in oil, remaining brown sugar, and white sugar, add in milk, eggs and vanilla. Whisk together well. Can use an electric mixer too.

Dry ingredients and chopped apples added to apple crumble muffins dry ingredients and mixed together.

STEP 4
Add in dry ingredients, flour, salt and baking powder. Gently fold in 2 cups chopped apple. I like to leave the apple peels on.

Apple crumble muffin batter in muffin tins lined with paper liners

STEP 5
Pour into muffin tins lined with paper liners. Bake for 10 minutes.

Apple crumble muffins with crumble topping added.

STEP 6
Remove from oven and check with toothpick to make sure they are done. Once cooked through, sprinkle apple crumble pieces on top of each muffin.

Freshly baked apple crumble muffins with cinnamon streusel topping

STEP 7
Bake for 10 more minutes until golden brown.

Tips for Perfect Apple Muffins

✔ Don’t over-mix the batter
Stir just until the dry ingredients disappear. Over-mixing can make muffins dense or tough.

✔ Dice apples small
½-inch pieces or smaller help the apples soften evenly and distribute throughout the batter.

✔ Fill muffin liners ⅔ full
This gives the crumble room to sit on top without spilling over.

✔ Let muffins rest for 5 minutes after baking
This helps them set and makes them easier to remove from the tin.

How to Store Apple Crumble Muffins

These muffins stay fresh and moist for days, making them great for meal prepping or busy school mornings.

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: 5–6 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a gallon zip plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or microwave for 20–25 seconds.

Make Them Ahead

If you want fresh-baked muffins without the morning rush:

Mix the muffin batter the night before.
Store covered in the fridge.
Make the crumble topping and refrigerate separately.
Scoop into liners the next morning and bake as directed.