Dairy Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

These dreamy dairy free apple cinnamon muffins are perfect for fall! Filled with applesauce, diced apples and warm spices, they’re finished with a delightful cinnamon sugar topping. An easy recipe that the entire family will love. Soy free with a gluten free option.

A cloth-lined basket filled with Dairy Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins.

Note: These apple muffins were originally posted in September 2012. The post has been updated as of November 2023 with a new and improved recipe, all new photos and text.

In the mood for a little fall inspired baking? Try these delightful dairy free apple cinnamon muffins.

Sweet but not overly so, they’re treat-like and cozy while also giving off some healthy-ish vibes.

Packed with applesauce, fresh diced apples and plenty of warm spices, they have that perfect soft and fluffy texture that is sure to be a hit with the entire family. 

And even better? They couldn’t be easier to make.

Whip up a batch for an after-school snack. Enjoy with coffee for a mid-morning break. Or even serve for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. All most delicious options. 

Ingredients for apple cinnamon muffins in small bowls.

Tips & Tricks

  1. When measuring out your flour, fluff it in the bag then scoop into your measuring cup with a spoon and level off. If you dunk the cup directly into the bag, you’ll likely use too much.
  2. When measuring out your applesauce, use a dry measuring cup. It won’t level off correctly in a liquid one.
  3. Approximately 2 small apples will give you the 1 ¼ cups diced.

Muffin batter in a mixing bowl and then scooped into a muffin tin.

Substitutions

  • Honey should work just fine in place of the maple syrup (or a combination of the two – just be sure to stick with the same total amount).
  • If you choose to use coconut oil instead of the avocado oil, please be sure that all your ingredients are at room temperature. If they are cold, you run the risk of the batter hardening up. Additionally, melt the coconut oil first and then measure out the correct amount. Once melted, allow to cool for about 5 minutes before using (or you might scramble the egg).
  • You can absolutely use a different dairy free milk in place of the almond milk.
  • The cinnamon sugar topping is completely optional (although quite delicious!). Alternatively, you can sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts over the top – I think this would also be quite tasty.

Dairy Free Apple Muffins piled in a basket with a bite out of one.

How To Store

Let the muffins cool completely then proceed with one of the following:

Counter: Place a piece of paper towel in the bottom of an airtight container, then add the muffins in a single layer. Cover and store at room temp for about 2 to 3 days. {While the muffins are still delicious after storing, I do find they taste best within the first 24 hours after baking.}

Fridge: Store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 to 7 days.

Freezer: Add the muffins to an airtight baggie or freeze safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge.

With any method, I suggest gently rewarming the muffins before serving for best flavor and texture.

A Dairy Free Applesauce Muffin in the wrapper with a bite taken out.

Additional Dairy Free Muffin Recipes:

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

A cloth-lined basket filled with Dairy Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins.

Dairy Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

These dreamy dairy free apple cinnamon muffins are perfect for fall! Filled with applesauce, diced apples and warm spices, they’re finished with a delightful cinnamon sugar topping. An easy recipe that the entire family will love.

Ingredients

For the muffins:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour* 
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder 
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ⅔ cup pure maple syrup
  • ⅓ cup avocado oil (or another neutral oil)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups diced sweet and crisp apples (no need to peel)**

For the topping:

  • 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar (or pure cane sugar)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons light brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

For the muffins:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with liners and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, applesauce, maple syrup, oil, almond milk and vanilla until well combined. Add to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold in the diced apple.
  4. Scoop the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tins, filling just about all of the way full.

For the topping:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the two kinds of sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the muffin batter.
  2. Bake for about 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean.
  3. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then remove the muffins to a wire rack.

Notes

*To keep these gluten free - use a 1 to 1 gluten free all-purpose flour. I tested the muffins with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour and we thought they came out great this way as well (not sponsored, just what I used!).

**I like either honeycrisp or gala apples in these muffins. Also, be sure to dice your apples and not just chop them (you want them to be on the smaller side).

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 192Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 236mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.