There is something universally delightful about bite-sized treats, especially when they are coated in cinnamon sugar. These gluten free mini apple muffins are the perfect cozy snack to welcome the changing seasons.
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They are essentially little donut holes baked in a muffin tin—soft, fluffy, and bursting with tender fruit. Because they are apple muffins, gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfectly spiced, they are a crowd-pleaser that everyone can enjoy.
If you are looking for easy gluten free apple muffins that taste like a bakery treat but come together in minutes, this is the recipe for you.
A Little Story About This Dish
I have always loved the combination of apples and cinnamon, but I often find standard muffins too large and heavy. I wanted to create something lighter, where the ratio of coating to muffin was just right.
I experimented with various binders, but I found that making gluten free mini apple muffins with applesauce gave them the most incredible moisture without weighing them down.
These have become my go-to breakfast for busy mornings. They are sweet enough to feel special but wholesome enough to fuel the day. They truly are the best gluten free apple muffins I have ever baked.
Get Ready to Cook!
You are about to bake a batch of adorable, cinnamon-spiced muffins that will make your kitchen smell amazing. Let’s get set up for success.
What to Expect
Time: About 30 minutes total (prep and bake).
Difficulty: Very easy! No mixer required.
Before You Begin
The choice of flour is critical here. While you might see recipes for gluten-free apple muffins oats or gluten-free apple muffins almond flour, this specific recipe relies on a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose blend (like Bob’s Red Mill in the red bag) to get that fluffy texture.
Make sure you dice your apples very small—about the size of a pea. Since these are mini muffins, large chunks of apple will cause them to fall apart.
We love making gluten free apple muffins with fresh apples like Gala or Fuji because they hold their shape well and add a natural sweetness that balances the spices.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the precise ingredients for these delicious muffins and their sugary coating.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| For the Muffins: | |
| 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 | 1 ½ cups (210g) |
| Baking Powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | ⅛ teaspoon |
| Organic Cane Sugar or Granulated Sugar | ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon (63g) |
| Ground Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground Nutmeg | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground Ginger | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground Cardamom | ¼ teaspoon |
| Diced Apples (small pieces) | ¾ cup (85g) |
| For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating: | |
| Melted Coconut Oil | 2 ½ tablespoons |
| Organic Cane Sugar or Fine Granulated Sugar | ¼ cup (50g) |
| Ground Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create your sweet, spiced mini muffins.
1. Prep the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). If your mini muffin pan isn’t non-stick, grease 24 cups lightly.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, dairy-free milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
3. Whisk the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate large bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom. Whisk well to ensure the spices and baking powder are evenly distributed.
4. Combine and Fold:
Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir until just combined; be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the finely diced apples.
5. Bake:
Divide the batter evenly among the 24 mini muffin cups. Bake for 9-11 minutes. You’ll know they are done when a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Prepare the Coating:
While the muffins bake, set up your dipping station. Place the melted coconut oil in a small bowl. In a second bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
7. Dip and Coat:
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, dip the top of each muffin into the oil, shake off the excess, and then dip it into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat the top generously. Place back on the rack and repeat for all muffins.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few final tips to ensure your healthy gluten-free apple muffins turn out perfectly.
Pointers for Perfection
If you are looking for gluten-free apple muffins no sugar added, this recipe does rely on cane sugar for texture and the coating. However, the applesauce helps keep the added sugar lower than standard bakery muffins. Always use a blend with xanthan gum for the best structure.
How to Store
These are best eaten fresh! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Note that the cinnamon sugar topping will melt slightly the longer they sit, so enjoying them sooner is better.
If you want to spark some creativity in your gluten-free kitchen, these recipes are ideal:
- Gluten-Free Corn Muffins
- The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins
- Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin Recipe
Gluten Free Mini Apple Muffins (Easy & Dairy-Free!)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini muffins 1x
Description
These Gluten Free Mini Apple Muffins are bite-sized, dairy-free, and coated in a delicious cinnamon sugar topping! Made with applesauce and fresh apples, they are moist, fluffy, and taste just like apple cider donuts. Ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
¼ cup (60ml) melted coconut oil
½ cup (120ml) unsweetened dairy-free milk
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon (78g) unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups (210g) gluten free flour blend (must contain xanthan gum)
2 teaspoons baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon (63g) organic cane sugar or granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
¾ cup (85g) finely diced apples (like Gala)
For Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
2 ½ tablespoons melted coconut oil
¼ cup (50g) organic cane sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, dairy-free milk, applesauce, and vanilla.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. Fold in the diced apples.
5. Divide the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
6. Let muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Once cooled, dip the top of each muffin into the melted coconut oil (for coating), then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
8. Serve immediately or store in the fridge.
Notes
Flour Note: Use a high-quality gluten-free blend like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour (red bag). Single flours like coconut or almond will not work.
Apple Prep: Dice the apples very small (pea-sized) so the mini muffins hold together properly.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. The sugar coating may melt slightly over time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 81
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 17mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to common questions about gluten-free muffin baking.
1. Can I use a single flour like almond or oat?
No, this recipe is specifically formulated for a blend. Recipes for gluten-free apple muffins oats or gluten-free apple muffins almond flour require different liquid ratios. Stick to a 1:1 all-purpose baking blend for this specific recipe to ensure they rise properly.
2. What are the best apples to use?
We find that creating gluten free apple muffins with fresh apples works best when using firm, sweet varieties. Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji are excellent choices because they don’t turn into mush when baked.
3. Can I make these standard size?
Yes, you can! These are the best gluten free apple muffins regardless of size, but if you use a standard muffin tin, you will need to increase the baking time to approximately 18-22 minutes. Keep an eye on them and use the toothpick test.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are ready to enjoy a delightful, sugary, spiced treat that tastes like autumn in a bite. Enjoy every crumb of your homemade mini apple muffins!
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