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These Apple Oatmeal Muffins are naturally vegan and absolutely full of apple flavor from sautéed apples, apple cider, and applesauce! These healthier muffins are sure to be a breakfast favorite.
Fluffy, soft, flavorful: these Apple Oatmeal Muffins are truly so fantastic. Their perfection is in their simplicity. I mean it when I say these muffins are super addicting, flavorful, and delicious.
I first made these as an excuse to bake for a school project for my social entrepreneurship class. My group and I had to participate in a business plan competition as part of the class. So, of course, when I heard that people got to vote for the people’s choice award, I knew I had to bake something to help sway people’s votes my way.
My business plan revolved around providing wider access to affordable, healthy produce, so I aimed to create a baked good that centered around being easy, hearty, and delicious, to reflect the business I presented. For the night of the competition, I ended up making this recipe 5 times because I kept thinking I didn’t have enough mini muffins.
Over the course of those 5 times, I made little tweaks and edits to the recipe to get to the fluffy, flavorful, and easy-to-make muffins that you see in front of you. The version that has landed below is my favorite version. Sautéing the apples isn’t totally necessary, but it sure is delicious! The sauteed apples add an extra dimension of flavor to the apple oatmeal muffins.
As for how they went over…people were raving over these vegan apple oatmeal muffins. One guy stopped by our table and ate six right in a row. He continued to pop another in his mouth every time he walked by. Something about them was just addicting. After the event (p.s. I lost the people’s choice award, but my business plan won 1st!), we had a bunch left over (remember those 5 batches…?) and my housemates and I devoured them in no time.
These apple oatmeal muffins are so flavorful from the applesauce, cider, and chopped apples. They are full of great texture from the oats and so soft and sweet from all those things combined.
You will totally have NO idea that these are dairy-free and vegan. These are a perfect on-the-go snack, they’re lunchbox ready, or pop them in the freezer and microwave one for breakfast! Enjoy!
Want more vegan apple recipes?
- Paleo Vegan Apple Crumble Pie
- Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Crisp
- Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Cinnamon Scones
- 10+ Apple Dessert Recipes
Apple Oatmeal Muffins (Vegan)
Ingredients
For the apples
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped into 1/4” cubes
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, replace both flours with oat flour to keep gluten-free
- ¼ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ cup refined coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ⅓ cup apple cider or non-dairy milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
- In a small saucepan, saute the apples, brown sugar and cinnamon for about 5 minutes over medium heat. The apples should begin to soften and caramelize slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Stir together flours, oats, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. Add in the applesauce, vegetable oil, and cider or milk. Stir until just moistened. Fold in chopped apple. Fill muffin cups ¾ full.
- Bake for about 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Hi these look delicious! Was wondering if you can substitute the sugar with date paste?
Hi Danielle, I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure, but I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it out!
Wonderful recipe! I replaced the all purpose flour with 3/4th whole wheat flour while adding a litrle bit more of milk. Turned out perfect!! Loved it.. best apple muffins ever! And healthy!! Thanks…
So glad they were a hit, Neha! Thanks for the love!
I made these today and they were moist and delicious. I used apple juice instead of cider and cook for only 16 min.. I would definitely recommend and I sent the recipe to some family members. Thanks !!!!
So thrilled they are a hit, Nancy! Thanks for the feedback.
Really nice! Made these today.
So happy you’re loving them Sam!
Can I substitute an equal amount of oat flour for the whole wheat flour?
Hi Ashley, yes you can!
Thank you!!!
These were pretty good! I did find that they were a little dry and not too sweet. But I used oatmilk so maybe if I used apple cider that would help.
Hi Christy, the apple cider definitely adds a bit of extra sweetness! Also make sure not to overbake these, or they’ll definitely dry out a bit. Glad you enjoyed them, though!
Oh my gosh….these are perfect. Best muffins ever. Moist inside, soft, flavorful with such a nice crumb texture on top. All the flavors rock. Holy Smokes!
So glad you’re loving them, Becky!
I didn’t have any applesauce, so I used quince-marmelade… Sooooo good! Thank you!
Sounds fabulous!!! :D
I added extra apple with the cinnamon which made them extra moist. Yummy!
Thanks for this delicious recipe!
Thank you for the feedback, Deborah!
I just made these and they are amazing. I was underwhelmed by their lack of expanding in the oven but man oh man do they pack in a lot of flavor! I made them GF by using only oat flour. I added a tablespoon of flax and about 1/2 a teaspoon of allspice. Sooo yummy! Thank You : )
Hi Fizza, these don’t rise too high (especially with oat flour which can be a little denser) but I’m glad you agree that they are delicious!! Thanks so much for the feedback :D