Grandma’s Apple Walnut Muffins Recipe (Moist & Cinnamon-Spiced!)

Step into the warmth of Grandma’s kitchen with these tender, aromatic apple walnut muffins that capture the essence of fall in every bite. This treasured family recipe from 1978 combines fresh apples, crunchy walnuts, and fragrant cinnamon in perfectly moist muffins that have been bringing comfort to breakfast tables for generations. With simple pantry ingredients and foolproof technique, these dairy-free muffins deliver bakery-quality results that make your home smell like a cozy autumn morning while providing the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

apple muffins and cinnamon sticks

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The Best Apple Muffins Recipe

The secret to these exceptionally moist muffins lies in the careful balance of ingredients and technique. Using oil instead of butter creates tender crumb that stays soft for days, while the natural moisture from fresh apples adds both flavor and texture. The gentle mixing method prevents tough, dense muffins, and the combination of sweet and tart apples provides complex flavor that pairs beautifully with warm cinnamon and rich walnuts.

The Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe

This isn’t just another muffin recipe, it’s a family legacy that represents the art of simple, honest baking. The recipe achieves that perfect balance of fruit, nuts, and spice without being overly sweet or heavy. Each muffin delivers chunks of tender apple and crunchy walnut pieces in every bite, while the dairy-free formula makes them accessible to those with lactose sensitivity without sacrificing any flavor or texture.

Apple Muffin Recipe Ingredients

Get out your baking ingredients and be ready to make these delicious apple walnut muffins. Please click on the recipe card to receive the quantities and full baking instructions. Dry Foundation:

  • All-purpose flour – Creates the sturdy yet tender structure for perfect muffin texture
  • Ground cinnamon – Provides warm, aromatic spice that complements apple flavor
  • Baking soda – Gives proper rise and light, fluffy texture
  • Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness

Wet Components:

  • Vegetable oil – Creates incredibly moist texture that stays fresh for days
  • Large eggs – Bind ingredients and provide richness and structure
  • Granulated sugar – Sweetens muffins while helping create tender crumb
  • Pure vanilla extract – Enhances overall flavor and adds aromatic depth

Flavor Additions:

  • Walnuts – Add satisfying crunch and rich, nutty taste
  • Fresh tart apples – Provide natural sweetness, moisture, and signature flavor
apple muffins ingredients on a tray

Ingredient Substitutions

You can make this recipe as is or make some alterations to fit your diet.

  • Switch out the flour for King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free flour.
  • Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
  • Use unsweetened applesauce instead of oil (this will enhance the apple flavor).
  • Add some other spices like allspice or nutmeg.
  • Use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts.
  • Instead of using granulated sugar, try using stevia or organic cane sugar. You can also substitute half of the white sugar with brown sugar.

Use the changes that work for you, and let me know how they go!

Apple Selection Guide

Best Apple Varieties for Baking:

  • Excellent choices: Jonagold, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith hold their shape during baking while providing great flavor balance.
  • Avoid: Red Delicious, Gala, and other soft varieties that become mushy when baked.
  • Pro tip: Mixing two varieties creates more complex flavor, try combining one sweet and one tart apple.

Preparation Methods:

  • Chopped apples: Creates visible fruit pieces and better moisture retention. Recommended for this recipe.
  • Grated apples: Distributes apple flavor evenly but may reduce moisture content.
  • Size matters: Dice apples into 1/4 to 1/2-inch pieces for optimal distribution and texture.

How to Make Apple Muffins

To make this cinnamon apple walnut muffin recipe, you’ll need to combine the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls. Then, put them together and bake. Here are the steps:

  1. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl and set it aside.
apple muffins dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
  1. Place the eggs in a large bowl.
  2. Then, add in the rest of the wet ingredients and whisk them together.
apple muffins wet ingredients in a mixing bowl
  1. Once everything is creamed together, add in the dry flour mixture and mix until just combined.
  2. Fold the apple and walnut pieces and carefully mix them into the batter.
  3. Spoon the batter into lined muffin cups and bake them at 350 degrees in a preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. They are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Remove the muffins from the pan and cool them on a wire rack.
cinnamon apple muffins on a wire rack

What is the secret to making moist muffins?

By using a sturdier apple for the muffin recipe, the apple retains some of its moisture when it is cut. As an apple is worked, it loses more and more of its moisture.

Also, if you chop up the apple instead of grating it, you can help lock in more moisture that can then be baked into the muffin.

What To Serve With Apple Walnut Muffins

Where do I begin? There are so many ways to enjoy these delicious muffins! I love eating a warm muffin smeared with butter and paired with a nice cup of coffee.

You can also spread some cream cheese or drizzle them with honey or maple syrup. Top them with vanilla icing to dress them up. Alternatively, serve them with a yummy yogurt parfait or a breakfast omelet if you want something more filling.

Best Way to Store Cinnamon Apple Muffins

To ensure that your muffins don’t dry out, store them in an airtight container with the end pieces of a loaf of bread (or any slice).

As the muffins lose their moisture, they can absorb the moisture from the bread, allowing them to last longer.

Can I freeze apple muffins?

These muffins will do well frozen. Just allow them to cool down completely before putting them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag.

When you want to eat one, pull it out the day beforehand and set it on the counter to allow it to thaw at room temperature.

overhead view of apple muffins, cinnamon sticks, and an apple

Love apples? Try these amazing apple recipes!

Check out my easy bread recipes and the best breakfast recipes here on CopyKat!

This recipe is from the archives of my grandmother, Ethel Eynard. Jefferson City, MO. 1978.

apple muffins and cinnamon sticks

Grandma’s Apple Walnut Muffins Recipe

Moist, tender muffins packed with fresh apples, crunchy walnuts, and warm cinnamon. Perfect for breakfast or snacking anytime!
5 from 13 votes
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple Cinnamon Muffins, Apple Muffins, Apple Recipes, Muffins
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 18
Calories: 162kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups peeled and chopped tart apples
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a small bowl or on waxed paper, stir together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Then beat in the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until blended. Then stir in the apples and walnuts.
  • Spoon the batter into 2 1/2-inch muffin tins lined with paper muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from pans and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.9mg

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet

    Do you think I could sub. 1/2 cup of applesauce for 1/2 cup of the veg. oil? And use 1/2 all purpose flour & 1/2 whole wheat flour? Thank you!!

  2. donna

    5 stars
    These were very tasty. Though the ingredient list above does not include the eggs. By far these are the best apple muffins I have made this season.

5 from 13 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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