Apple Cider Muffins

These apple cider muffins are a delicious fall breakfast. The muffins are tender and moist, flavored with apple cider, brown sugar, and warm spices, and topped with a crisp, buttery streusel.

Making these Apple Cider Muffins

This recipe for apple crumble muffins may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Tools Needed to Make Apple Cider Muffins

You’ll need a few kitchen tools to prepare this easy recipe. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:

• Measuring Cups and Spoons – to measure the muffin ingredients.
• Small Saucepan – in this recipe, you’ll reduce the apple cider for more concentrated apple cider flavor.
• Large Mixing Bowl – to combine the dry ingredients in.
• Wire Whisk – for stirring the flour mixture.
• Medium Bowl – to stir the wet ingredients together in.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula – to mix the muffin batter.
• Small Bowl – to make the oat streusel topping.
• Muffin Tin – this recipe uses a standard sized muffin pan. I recommend greasing the pan or lining with muffin liners for easy removal after baking.

What’s in this Apple Cider Muffin Recipe?

This apple streusel muffin recipe has two components – the apple muffin batter and an crumble topping made with flour and oats. Here’s what you’ll need for both parts:

Apple Cider Muffin Batter Ingredients

• Apple Cider – Adds delicious flavor to the muffins. We’re reducing the apple cider to pack even more flavor into the muffins so don’t skip that step! 
• All-Purpose Flour – Gives the muffins structure. Make sure to measure using the spoon and level method as adding too much flour can result in dry muffins. 
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda – The combination of baking powder and baking soda results in light and fluffy muffins– I highly recommend using both! 
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, and Ground Cloves – Warm spices used in apple cider. We’re adding them to the muffins to really enhance the apple cider flavor.  
• Melted Butter – Adds richness and delicious flavor to the muffins. 
• Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and depth of flavor. If you don’t have brown sugar, granulated sugar will work too. 
• Unsweetened Applesauce – adds moisture and extra apple flavor to the muffins.
• Large Egg – helps bind the muffin batter together during baking.
• Vanilla Extract – enhances the sweetness and apple flavor of the muffins.

Oat Streusel Ingredients

• Old Fashioned Oats –  adds great texture to the crumble topping.
• Brown Sugar – sweetens the streusel.
• All-Purpose Flour – forms the bulk of the crumb topping
• Unsalted Butter – Helps bind the oat streusel together. 

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make these apple cider donut muffins, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make these Easy Apple Muffins

Here’s a quick overview of how to make these apple crumble muffins:

1. Prepare the crumble topping.
2. Reduce the apple cider on the stovetop.
3. While the apple cider is reducing, combine flour with the rest of the dry ingredients and the apple pie spice.
4. In another bowl, combing the wet ingredients.
5. Then, add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, stir until combined.
6. Divide the batter between muffin cups, top with the crumble topping, and bake until golden brown.

The above is simply a quick summary of this fall muffin recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Apple Cider Muffins

• Start with room temperature eggs.
• If you don’t have brown sugar, for slightly less richly flavored muffins you can substitute granulated sugar.
• Fresh apple cider is a key ingredient, so make sure you’re using pure apple cider and not apple juice. Fresh pressed apple cider doesn’t have extra sugars or spices added.
  • Fresh apple cider is usually located in the produce department in grocery stores rather than on the juice aisle. It can be seasonal, so look for it during the fall and winter months.
• Don’t skip the step where the apple cider is reduced. This creates and apple cider concentrate for a more pronounced apple flavor in these apple crumble muffins.
• The crumb topping for the muffins uses flour and old fashioned oats. Feel free to substitute quick cooking oats if that’s what you have.
• Rotate the pans halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots. This will help them brown evenly.
• Need help preparing the crumble topping? Here are several ways to cut the butter into the flour.

Apple Cider Muffin Recipe FAQs

Got questions about how to make this apple cider muffin recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! If you want to make a few extra apple crumble muffins, doubling this recipe is a great idea! The bake time will remain the same.

If you plan to make mini muffins or jumbo muffins, however, the bake time will change. I’m sorry but I don’t have the numbers for this because I always make them standard size.

Do I have to add the streusel topping?

No, you can leave it off if you prefer or don’t have oats on hand. Alternatively, if you want these fall muffins to taste even more like apple cider donuts, try this topping idea:

1. leave off the streusel,
2. dip the tops of each baked muffin in melted butter,
3. and then dip them in a mixture of cinnamon sugar.

How long do these apple cider muffins last?

Store any leftover apple streusel muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. For longer storage, you’ll want to freeze the apple cider muffins.

Can I freeze apple cider muffins?

Yes, you can definitely freeze these apple cider muffins – it is something that I love to do to have on hand for busy mornings or an afternoon snack!

For detailed freezing instructions, check out this post: How to Freeze Muffins (+15 Easy Muffin Recipes to Try!).

How long do apple cider muffins last in the freezer?

Freeze these apple crumble muffins for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.

Try this Apple Cider Muffin Recipe!

Next time you’re looking for a new fall muffin recipe, give these Apple Cider Muffins a try!

Is this recipe one of your new favorite fall treats? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of these tender muffins.

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More Apple Recipes

I love how easy this Apple Cider Roasted Squash recipe is to prepare! It is a great, easy acorn squash side dish to prepare all fall and winter.

Cheddar cheese, bacon, green apple, and caramelized onions are piled in between two slices of toasted sourdough for an easy Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese recipe.

Apple Cider Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples is the perfect fall meal. Fragrant sage and sweet caramelized apples pair perfectly with savory pork chops!

This Cinnamon Applesauce Bread with Walnuts is perfect for fall and features some of fall’s best flavors, such as cinnamon, apples, and walnuts.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more apple recipes.

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