My toddler lives off of snacks, so I am always looking for options that taste delicious but aren’t full of sugar. These Apple Cinnamon Chip Mini Muffins check both of those boxes. They are naturally sweet and packed with apple flavor, and the cinnamon chips add the perfect little bursts of cinnamon in every bite. They’re freezer friendly and perfect for toddlers AND adults, which makes them one of my favorite things to keep stocked for easy breakfasts and snacks.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Naturally sweet: applesauce and grated apples do most of the work, so there’s only 1/4 cup of sugar in the whole batch.
- Mini size: perfect for little hands, lunchboxes and grab-and-go snacking.
- Freezer friendly: make a big batch and keep them on hand for up to 3 months.
- Simple pantry ingredients you probably already have.
Ingredient Notes
- Apples: I usually use honeycrisp, but really any apple will work. Use what you normally have on hand and prefer. Grate or chop them finely so they bake right into the muffins.
- Applesauce: I use unsweetened applesauce to keep these naturally sweet.
- Cinnamon baking chips: these are what give you those sweet bursts of cinnamon throughout. These can be tricky to find but are the best addition to almost any muffin, bread, or dessert. I usually buy mine from Orson Gygi in Salt Lake City, Utah. You could also try these from Amazon or check your local specialty kitchen store.
Tips for the Best Mini Muffins
- Don’t overmix. Mix the dry ingredients in until just a few streaks of flour remain, then gently fold in the cinnamon chips until the flour disappears.
- Start hot, then lower the heat. Baking for 4 minutes at 375°F and then finishing at 350°F helps the muffins rise more without burning.
How to Freeze Apple Cinnamon Muffins
These are perfect for freezer meal prep! Let the muffins cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds straight from frozen, or let them thaw on the counter.
Looking for more easy snacks to keep on hand? Try my Scotcharoo Protein Balls!
Apple Cinnamon Chip Mini Muffins
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter melted
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 medium apples grated or chopped fine
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup cinnamon baking chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, sugar and grated apples.
- Add the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, and mix until just a few streaks of flour remain.
- Add the cinnamon chips and fold them in just until no flour streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.
- Scoop the batter into a mini muffin pan and bake for 4 minutes at 375°F. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake about 6 more minutes, until the tops are lightly golden and bounce back when pressed. (The change in temperature helps the muffins rise more without burning.)