Table of Contents
These bite-sized Mini Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins are the perfect guilt-free treat! Bursting with warm spices and topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating, they’re ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Every fall, I find myself craving cozy flavors, and these muffins remind me of crisp mornings spent baking with my grandmother. She always claimed apples and cinnamon were magic — and after tasting these Mini Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins, I think she was right!
Ready to whip up some mini magic of your own?
What to Expect
Time: 30 minutes total
Difficulty: Easy
Before You Begin
✻ Use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour (red package) for best results.
✻ Dice apples into tiny ¼-inch pieces (see photo reference above).
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Measurement |
|---|---|
| melted coconut oil | ¼ cup (60ml) |
| unsweetened dairy-free milk | ½ cup (120ml) |
| unsweetened applesauce | ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon (78g) |
| vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| gluten free flour blend see note | 1 ½ cups (210g) |
| baking powder | 2 teaspoons |
| salt | ⅛ teaspoon |
| organic cane sugar | ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon (63g) |
| ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
| ground nutmeg | ½ teaspoon |
| ground ginger | ½ teaspoon |
| ground cardamom | ¼ teaspoon |
| diced apples (1 small) | ¾ cup (85g) |
| For Cinnamon Sugar Coating: | |
| melted coconut oil | 2 ½ tablespoons |
| organic cane sugar | ¼ cup (50g) |
| ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
- Whisk melted coconut oil, dairy-free milk, applesauce, and vanilla in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Fold in diced apples.
- Divide batter evenly into muffin cups. Bake 9-11 minutes (until a tester comes out clean).
- Mix sugar and cinnamon for coating in a bowl. Place melted coconut oil in another bowl.
- Cool muffins for 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Dip muffin tops first into oil, then into cinnamon sugar mixture. Return to rack.
Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
The cinnamon sugar topping melts over time — devour them within 48 hours! Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Love gluten-free muffins? Try these Gluten Free Carrot Cake Muffins next!
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Mini Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 24 mini muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Mini Gluten Free Vegan Apple Muffins are the perfect bite-sized snack for kids and adults alike. Naturally sweetened with applesauce and packed with fresh apple chunks, they are moist, fluffy, and completely free from the top 8 allergens (including gluten, dairy, and eggs). Easy to mix in one bowl, they are school-safe and freezer-friendly.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup apples, peeled and finely chopped (approx. 1 large apple)
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a mini muffin tin generously with oil or cooking spray (or use mini cupcake liners).
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and sugar until well combined.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the unsweetened applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine: Stir the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined and smooth. Do not overmix.
5. Add Apples: Gently fold in the finely chopped apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Fill Tins: Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top.
7. Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Apple Choice: Sweet, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji work best for baking. Ensure they are chopped very small so they cook through in the short baking time.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. These freeze exceptionally well for up to 3 months.
Standard Size: If you want to make standard-sized muffins, increase the baking time to 20–25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini muffin
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 65
- Fat: 4.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Q: Can I use almond flour instead?
A: No — these Mini Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins require a specific flour blend. Almond flour alone won’t work.
Q: Can I freeze these muffins?
A: Yes! Freeze before coating with cinnamon sugar. Thaw and coat just before serving.
Q: Why are my muffins crumbly?
A: This usually means your flour blend lacks binders. Always use the recommended brand for perfect Mini Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins.
Dig In & Enjoy!
These adorable Mini Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins are fall flavors in perfect bite-sized form. So grab one (or three!) with your favorite cozy beverage. For more delicious ideas, follow me on Pinterest.