Gluten Free Apple Muffins With Streusel Topping
Gluten-free apple muffin recipe with streusel topping is a delicious quick breakfast muffin for you to try out. This is a moist homemade gluten free muffin made with applesauce, and cinnamon and topped with a streusel. Try these gluten-free apple cinnamon muffins.
What I love about these gluten-free muffins is the streusel topping adds tons of texture and flavor to these healthy apple muffins. Consider making them for a brunch, bake sale, or morning treat.
Want more delicious apple recipes to try out? Do you have some fresh apples from apple season left to use after making the muffins? You could go savory with them and make some apple feta-stuffed pork tenderloin for a main course option. Or for a dessert option, make some caramel apple cobbler with pecan and maple.
Consider trying these gluten free chocolate chip cookies for a sweet treat, or even these candied pecans for another gluten free option.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
- Made with a gluten free flour blend. Just make sure it has xantham gum in the flour blend or add it into the muffin mixture.
- Simple to whip up for breakfast, brunch, or as a treat for after school. There is never a wrong time to eat them.
- Simple ingredients you might already have on hand in your pantry!
- If you have little kids you might find that they enjoy helping.
What Is Streusel?
Streusel is a crumbly topping made from a mixture of butter, flour, and sugar, which may also include oats, nuts, and spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. This topping adds a delightful texture and sweet flavor contrast to baked goods like muffins, pies, and cakes.
When baked, the streusel becomes slightly crispy and golden, offering a delicious contrast to the soft, moist texture of the apple muffins beneath it.
The beauty of streusel is its versatility; you can adjust the ingredients based on your taste preferences or dietary needs. For those following a gluten-free diet, ensure that the flour used in the streusel mixture is also gluten-free.
What’s in This Gluten Free Apple Muffins Recipe?
- Applesauce: The heart of these muffins, applesauce adds moisture and a subtle fruity sweetness, enhancing the apple flavor. You can use any variation—homemade or store-bought, chunky or smooth.
- Butter: Melted unsalted butter contributes to the muffins’ tender crumb and rich flavor, harmonizing all the ingredients.
- Eggs: Large and at room temperature, eggs are crucial for binding the ingredients together and giving structure to the muffins.
- Granulated Sugar: Scooped and leveled, this sweetener is essential for the perfect balance of sweetness in the muffin batter, complementing the natural sugars in the applesauce.
- Vanilla Extract: Whether clear or pure, vanilla extract adds a layer of aromatic depth that enhances the sweetness and complexity of the other flavors.
- Flour: Gluten-free all-purpose flour ensures that everyone can enjoy these muffins without worry, providing the base structure while maintaining a light texture.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These leavening agents are pivotal for the muffins to rise, making them fluffy and light. Ensure they are fresh for the best results.
- Salt: Just a pinch of table salt sharpens and balances the flavors, subtly enhancing the sweetness and the overall taste profile of the muffins.
- Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar contributes to the streusel’s rich, moist texture and deep caramel-like sweetness, creating a delightful contrast to the muffin.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note, especially to the streusel, infusing the muffins with a cozy, inviting aroma that’s perfect for any season.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add some texture to the muffins by folding in chopped nuts or dried fruit, such as raisins or cranberries.
- For those looking to add a bit more flavor and texture to their muffins, consider incorporating small chopped apples into the batter. This not only enhances the apple flavor but also introduces a delightful crunch.
- Chocolate chips can also be a sweet surprise inside these gluten-free apple muffins, appealing to the chocolate lovers in your family.
- If you’re aiming for a slightly healthier version, replace part of the granulated sugar with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetness.
How To Make Cinnamon Apple Muffins (step-by-step directions)
- Preheat oven to 350° F and prepare a muffin tin with muffin liners.
- Mix applesauce, melted butter, and eggs in a large bowl until well combined. (Photo 1)
- Stir in sugar and vanilla extract to the applesauce mixture. (Photo 2)
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. (Photos 3 & 4)
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. (Photos 5 & 6)
- Evenly divide the batter into muffin cups using two spoons or a cookie scoop. (Photo 7)
- For the streusel, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and gluten-free flour in a small bowl. Blend in melted butter to form a crumbly mixture. (Photo 8)
- Top each muffin with 1 tablespoon of streusel. (Photo 9)
- Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into a muffin. (Photo 10)
- Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy your gluten-free apple cinnamon streusel muffins!
Recipe Tips
- Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that has been specifically formulated for baking. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal, and using the wrong type can result in a dense and gritty texture. Look for a blend that contains a combination of flours, such as rice flour, tapioca flour, and potato starch.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause the muffins to become tough and dense. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
- To prevent the streusel topping from becoming too wet, make sure the melted butter is mixed well with the dry ingredients.
- Allow the muffins to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.
Storing Tips
Store your muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. If you want to extend the shelf life, you can refrigerate for up to 7 days.
The biggest thing is to make sure the muffins are fully cooled before you go and place them in a container.
How to Freeze
Gluten free muffins freeze well. Just store in a freezer bag or freezer container for 4-5 months. Thaw on the counter or in the fridge overnight.
Then eat cold or warm up for a fresh out of the oven warmth.
How to Reheat
To reheat the muffins you can warm up in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. Or wrap the muffin in foil and place in a 350℉ degrees oven for around 4-5 minutes or until warmed up.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your muffins with this papaya bowl for a lighter side, or opt for an omelet for added protein. You can eat muffins plain or create a whole spread to pick and choose from.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use regular all-purpose flour if you don’t need to make the recipe gluten-free.
Yes, you can use any type of granulated sugar in this great recipe. Brown sugar can also be used in the streusel topping.
Yes, you can make the muffins ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the muffins for up to 3 months.
Need More Breakfast Recipes? Try These:
- Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- Cherry Oat Bars
- Copycat Starbucks Cream Cheese Danish
- 3-Ingredient Mini Waffle Skewers Your Kids Will Love
- Savory Bacon Cheddar Scones
- Sheet Pan Scrambled Eggs (Perfect For Breakfast Sandwiches!)
- 7 Ingredient Air Fryer Sausage Kolaches
- See all our breakfast recipes!
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Gluten Free Apple Muffins with Streusel Topping
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups applesauce
- 1 ⅓ cups melted unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour make sure it contains xantham gum
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch Salt
Streusel Topping
- 1 ¼ cups brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ⅓ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F and prepare a muffin tin with muffin liners.
- Mix applesauce, melted butter, and eggs in a large bowl until well combined.1 ½ cups applesauce,1 ⅓ cups melted unsalted butter,2 large eggs
- Stir in sugar and vanilla extract to the applesauce mixture.1 ½ cups granulated sugar,1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.1 ½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour,1 teaspoon baking soda,1 ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder,1 tablespoon ground cinnamon,1 pinch Salt
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Evenly divide the batter into muffin cups using two spoons or a cookie scoop.
- For the streusel, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and gluten-free flour in a small bowl. Blend in melted butter to form a crumbly mixture.1 ¼ cups brown sugar,2 tablespoons granulated sugar,1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon,1 ⅓ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour,2 tablespoons butter
- Top each muffin with 1 tablespoon of streusel.
- Bake for 20-23 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into a muffin.
- Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy your gluten-free apple cinnamon streusel muffins!
Notes
- Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that has been specifically formulated for baking. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal, and using the wrong type can result in a dense and gritty texture. Look for a blend that contains a combination of flours, such as rice flour, tapioca flour, and potato starch.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause the muffins to become tough and dense. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
- To prevent the streusel topping from becoming too wet, make sure the melted butter is mixed well with the dry ingredients.
- Allow the muffins to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.
Nutrition Information
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