The most flavorful, soft muffin loaded with sweetened apples and streusel crumble. This Apple Coffee Cake Muffins recipe screams fall breakfast!

I used to actually dread fall because it meant that winter, snow and colder weather was coming soon. But now I love fall because it means slightly cooler weather and plenty of time spent outdoors.
Plus sweater weather. I love sweater weather.
Regardless of where you live, the best thing about fall is all of the delicious fall recipes.

Fall Spices and Flavors
Even though the official start of the fall season won’t be here for a few more weeks, I’m diving right into the flavors of fall with these Apple Coffee Cake Muffins. Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, apple, and squash are some of my all-time favorite flavors. Especially during the most brutally hot days of summer, I’m dreaming of baking warm apple crisp, pumpkin pie and the best caramel apple spice cookies.
Apple coffee cake muffins are a taste of fall and the perfect way to start the day. Grab a huge glass of milk, or better yet, a glass of apple cider and enjoy the sweet and tart apple flavors. Chunks of apples, crumble topping, and glaze combine to create a breakfast treat or afternoon snack.

The best part of these muffins is the streusel mixture that not only covers the top of the muffins but is swirled throughout. Add some apple chunks and the fall flavors really begin to shine. Bake a batch and enjoy the warm fall flavors, especially if you’ve got kids heading out the door to school.
I’ve been busting out a batch here and there then popping half into the freezer so that the girls can grab a fresh and filling breakfast before heading out the door.

Does Coffee Cake Contain Coffee?
Coffee cake is a moist, tender cake that is usually topped with some kind of streusel topping and served with coffee.
Some coffee cakes may contain coffee, but the name comes from the fact that it is served with coffee, not because it has coffee in it.
Do Apple Muffins Need to be Refrigerated?
No, fruit muffins do not have to be refrigerated. They can be stored at room temperature in a closed container for 2-3 days. For longer storage, store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Can I Freeze Muffins?
You know I freeze muffins ALL THE TIME! It’s so easy for school breakfasts! The kids pull one out and pop it in the microwave and I’ve done nothing yet still managed to feed them hot breakfast.
Apple Coffee Cake Muffins
Apple Coffee Cake Muffins
Ingredients
For the Streusel
- 1 1/2 Cups Flour
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup White Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter , (1 stick= 1/2 cup)
For the Cake
- 1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter
- 1 Cup Sugar, minus 2 tablespoons
- 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 2 Eggs, large, whisked
- 3/4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups Flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Cup Buttermilk
- 2 Cups Apples, peeled and chopped
For the Icing
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 3-4 Tablespoons Heavy Cream, (milk is ok)
Instructions
For the Streusel
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugars, salt and cinnamon.1 1/2 Cups Flour, 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, 1/4 Cup White Sugar, 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt, 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
- Melt the butter and allow to cool just slightly so it's still melted but not hot.1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter
- Stir the butter into the dry ingredients and do not break up clumps unless they are huge. Set aside.
For the Muffins
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees and line 3 muffin tins with paper liners. See note on muffin tips for why we use three pans.
- In a standing mixer, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the oil and mix again.1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter, 1 Cup Sugar, 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
- Crack in your eggs and add the vanilla extract and then give the mixer a final turn before dumping in all dry ingredients. Mix until almost incorporated and then add in the buttermilk and stir until barely combined.2 Eggs, 3/4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract, 2 Cups Flour, 2 teaspoons Baking Powder, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 Cup Buttermilk
- Make a well in the center of the batter, add about 1 cup of the streusel and 1 cups of apples and cover it back up with batter.2 Cups Apples
- Sprinkle about 1 1/2 cups more streusel on top along with the remaining apple, and using a rubber spatula, gently fold it all in.
- Using a cookie scoop, add the batter evenly into each paper liner and sprinkle generously with streusel.
- Bake 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool slightly then drizzle with the icing and serve warm. (see note)
Icing
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla and heavy cream until a steady ribbon of drizzle comes off the whisk. Set aside.1 Cup Powdered Sugar, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla, 3-4 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
Notes
Muffin Liners
Tulip muffin liners help to get a taller muffin dome.Muffin Spacing
It is best when making muffins to place a liner in every other well for the best air circulation, but it’s ok if you need to get it done and fill each well.Make Ahead
This cake is awesome to make ahead! Even two days prior to your event is fine if you cover it well.Nutrition
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Joann
You add 2 1/2 cups of streusel to the muffin batter? Am I reading that wrong? I am scared to try your recipe because it seems as if you had a lot of trouble getting it posted right. In theory it seems good but I’m not sure.
Sweet Basil
Hi Joann! Yes, you mix some of the streusel into the batter. It gives the muffins a little texture and is so yummy to bite into a little pocket of streusel! Then you sprinkle the rest of the streusel on top of the muffins before baking.
Emily B.
I am a new baker (trying to learn from my mother and try out new recipes to get practice) I was a little confused by this recipe? I followed the directions exactly! It says up too 50 minutes baking time? But then In the body of the recipe it said 15-20 minute baking time? I set my oven to 350 per the instructions and left muffins in the oven for 20 mins and when I took them out tested with toothpick and they were not done? My mother was not home to assist lol. I thought I would try to impress her. I’m not knocking your recipe one bit! I’m just looking for feedback as a new baker! I’m 100% sure it’s bakers error! Just looking to personally improve that’s all 🙂 still giving you 5 stars because I know u can bail this one going forward 🙂
Sweet Basil
Hi Emily! I’m so happy you are trying to get into the baking world! It’s so fun! And delicious! You are totally right. The baking time should 15-20 minutes. I have updated the cooking time in the beginning of the recipe. If your muffins weren’t quite done after 20 minutes, they probably just needed a few minutes more. Every oven bakes a little differently.
Jacqlyn
I was wondering if these would work in large muffin tins as opposed to regular sized? Maybe the time would just have to be increased some? Thanks in advance!
Sweet Basil
Hi Jacqlyn! Yes, these work great as large muffins! I would start checking them at 25 minutes.
Terrie S.
These muffins are sooooo good. I love the way you make the streusel. That’s a game changer, for me. I will definitely make these muffins again. The recipe made 20 muffins so I’ll have some to enjoy, some to share, and some to freeze. My biggest issue with the recipe is it says it takes 15 minutes to prepare. I wish that were true. I’ve got to remember to double or triple the prep time. If you have any suggestions on how to get recipes made quicker, I’d appreciate it. 😊
Sweet Basil
I’m so glad you enjoyed these muffins! We sure love them too! The prep time doesn’t include the peeling and chopping the apples technically. I know that can take some time. The apple peeler we have in our shop is a game changer for that! https://amzn.to/2konC4V
Carol Watts
Not the same recipe that I pinned and printed a few years ago. I started making it and said “wait a minute, where are the pecans?” and the methodology is totally different too. It is very disappointing, and I am glad that I printed it so that I have the original.
Beth Andersen
Hi Carol,
I also came to make this recipe that I’ve had saved for years as it’s my sons favorite and was sad to see it updated without the pecans, and not to mention made completely different. Any way you can share with me your printed version? Thanks!
Caitlin
I am so frustrated. I set aside time on my Saturday to make these and the recipe is impossible to follow. You tell us to add lemon zest but it’s not in the ingredient list so I have no idea how much to include. Then later you say to add “extracts” but the recipe only calls for vanilla. It’s completely unclear how many muffin tins I need to prepare. The recipe says three, but it also says it serves 24. It repeatedly refers to a cake…but these are muffins?
Sweet Basil
Hi, I’m sorry for the frustration Caitlin. I hate when recipes get me all confused. I see that lemon zest is in there, this is an adapted recipe from a cake that we will share in the spring so I just forgot to remove it. The muffin tins has a note in our notes section as to why we use three pans, did you see that? It’s about spacing that allows for more air circulation thus giving a taller, more domed muffin appearance. It’s ok if you just use 2 pans though. Sadly I don’t see where cake is mentioned but if you tell me I can say muffins instead. 🙂 I probably just got “coffee cake” stuck in my head. 🙂 I also don’t see extracts, let me know where that is and I’ll correct it, but almond and vanilla can be used if you ever want to try that.
deb
Hi! Wanted to make these but I see 2 different recipes listed for the apple coffee cake muffins. Can you tell me which one is the correct recipe that matches the photos?
Thanks!
Deb
Sweet Basil
Hi Deb! It’s corrected! Sorry about that, sometimes our site sees there are two apple recipes and apparently really wants to share both, haha. Thanks for the heads up!
deb
Thank you! Can’t wait to make these!
Sweet Basil
We would love to hear what you think!
Jill
Delicious muffins. I don’t overmix the batter and used Jane’s tip about resting the batter. The muffins came out moist and fluffy.
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Jill! So glad you enjoyed them!
Jen
Does each muffin really have 5,000 calories?
Sweet Basil
That would just be depressing, wouldn’t it! No, that would be for the whole batch making each muffin about 350 calories.
Pamela
Does anyone know how many muffins result from this recipe? Where it says Yield it states, and I quote, “one recipe”. I really hate to sound like a smart guy but “REALLY”, every recipe on the planet yields, “one recipe”. I think everyone looks for whether it makes 6 muffins or 12 muffins (which is usually the average) or 18 or even 24 or somewhere in between some of these.
Sweet Basil
Hi Pamela! Sorry the yield reads incorrectly! The directions say it makes 12 muffins down in the recipe card.
Jennifer
The recipe says 24 servings. This had me confused be cause there is so little batter.
Sweet Basil
Hi Jennifer! It has been corrected to read 18 servings. Sorry for the confusion!
Elise Hannon
Is the nutritional info on these muffins correct? 4,250 calories and 196.6 gm of fat? That doesn’t seem possible! They look delicious, but not for that amount of calories per muffin 😳
Sweet Basil
Oh boy, it seems to be pulling for the entire pan of muffins!
Jane
There is just one word to describe these muffins….YUMMMMTASTIC lol I was looking for an apple muffin recipe, not an applesauce muffin recipe and I came across this. This is a definite keeper! And for the other posters who seem to have a bit of a heavy hand while mixing and over do it – I learned a trick a couple years ago and I’ve had fantastic results since. Once you mix up the batter and scoop it out – THATS when you turn the oven on. Those 7 or 8 minutes or so of resting time relaxes the gluten just enough to get nice fluffy muffins!
Sweet Basil
Jane, I never knew that tip but I’m totally going to do it. Thanks!!
Jennifer
Literally the BEST muffin I’ve ever put in my mouth! I bake ALL the time, so I’ve tried a lot of recipes. I also found the directions a little confusing with all the back & forth, but they were absolutely worth the extra steps!
Sweet Basil
Oh my goodness, yay!! I’ll read over the directions again so we can simplify 🙂
kristina
I made a batch of these today, theywere delicious!!!
I would at the bare minimum double the streusel (I’m a sucker for streusel!) @nd comp, etely cover the tops of these.
I had a hard time with the steps for this recipe, they were very confusing the way they were written. It would be easier to break down the ingredient list by batter, streusel, etc. I had to reread the steps over and over again to make sure I was doing it right!
I made this recipe in cupcake pans since I dont have muffin pans, and it made 16.
Patrick
I found myself 4 weeks into my sentence of wearing a cast on my leg. I sat thinking what to do this weekend other than my normal busy tasks. I looked around and saw that sack of apples me and the kids went and picked a few weeks prior and it hit me PINTEREST. After some searching i found “apple coffee cake muffins” and off i went. So as i began the recipe i found i only had Lite sour cream, and wheat flour. But as it may be i decided to make it anyways. These muffins turned out fantastic and were a huge hit with the family.
Ashley
These smell amazing but I fear I overworked the batter trying to get them into the muffin tin because they were more sticky than most muffin batters. I hope I didn’t ruin them because they’ve been baking for 30 min already and they’re still not done! Also wish I read the comments beforehand…definitely could have made 18-24 instead of filling up only 12 muffin liners – so much spillover! At least my kitchen smells great 🙂
Dannielle
These are delicious! I just finalized eating one and I can not wait till my kids get home from school to try them! I followed the recipe exactly and they came out perfect. Light and fluffy! On a sidenote, may I applaud you for not deleting the negative comments. I have recently started using a lot of online recipes and when they do not turn out well I’ll leave a comment stating such. Usually the bloggers delete my comment though! I’m now skeptical of recipes that only have positive comments, lol!
Dannielle
Oops! Finished eating! Not finalized, lol!
Sweet Basil
Do they really?! I can’t imagine doing that. It seems like as long as the person isn’t writing “I changed… and it turned out horrible” and then listing 50 things (which happens all the time) I feel like the negative comments could help someone else troubleshoot as everyone cooks and bakes differently. So glad you enjoyed these!
Erin
These muffins look delightful! Over the weekend my husband went to his family home and picked dozens of apples off of their apple tree. You mentioned using Baldwin, Braeburn, Cortland, Fuji, Gala or Granny Smith apples, but I wonder if these particular apples will work just as well? What are your thoughts?
Sweet Basil
Hi Erin, it should be fine, but the different varieties not only bake up differently (softer, mushier etc) but they could make the muffins more wet or sour depending on their sugar and water content. I say go for it, I totally would and as long as they are great to eat on their own they should work great.
june
I made the muffin today….so yummy! I love muffin recipes without oil… Do you think that I can use this recipe with other fruits like blueberry or without fruit at all? Do I need to add more flour or anything to replace that one cup of apple?
Sweet Basil
I’m so glad, June! If you use a different berry it could give off more juices requiring a touch more flour, but honestly that’s only if they are really releasing juice so I’d just sub away. If you skip the fruit all together you don’t need to add anything to replace it. 🙂
juneward
therecipeslookgreatbutiamdiabeticdoyouhaveanydiabeticdessertreciepesforeme
thankyou
j
juneward
your muffins look very good but iam diabetic
do you have any dessert recipes for me
Rachel
These are in the oven as we speak. Step 6 had a bit too much going on for me and in my haste I ended up mixing the streusel into my batter. Hopefully it is still delicious.
Jessica Robinson
These look incredible! Very homemade, old-fashioned goodness. Right up my alley.
Kira
I enjoyed making these muffins. I am very new to baking and parts of my muffins (tops and outside) turned out to be very delicious, but my centers were still very gummy and they collapsed. After reading online about this issue I learned that I over mixed my batter. Seems to be very important and will result in gummy centers. I will definitely try this again. Thanks for the recipe. My son sure didn’t seem to mind the gummy centers, he ate them up.
Sweet Basil
Yes, muffins like a quick mix and then to be left alone. Quite the finicky little things. 🙂
Amanda
Just made these muffins and they are the most delicious, moist muffin I’ve ever made! Highly recommended
Kara
Wish I would have read the comments before making these. They were very soggy in the middle even after another 10+ minutes of baking, while the outsides got burned.
S
I have to be honest. I am an experienced baker and I’ve never had an issue with a muffin recipe before. These muffins were inedible. After following the instructions precisely and baking for an additional 15 minutes beyond the recommended time, they were mushy, soggy and just plain revolting.
Ruth
I just made these muffins and have a few helpful hints…these muffins rise ALOT so do not overfill – I did my muffins 3/4 of the way full and it was too much – I also did not use muffin liners and that was a big mistake! The recipe is really tasty – they just did not come out of the muffin tin for me – but I will be trying this recipe again using muffins liners and not filling them up as much. Great fall recipe.
Ala
I’m late to the game, but I saw these and I died. And then I came back to tell you how much I love the idea of these muffins. I’m a sucker for crumb and glaze on my coffee cake–these look DIVINE! Saved and soon-to-be-made!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
That crumb/streusel on top is killing me! These look great Ashley!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
These muffins are gorgeous! Yay for fall baking!
Gaby
This is right up my alley!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
I’m looking forward to Fall! It’s the best time of the year in FL. I’m also looking forward to trying these muffins. They look ridiculously good, Ashley!
Patty
So when do I need to add the apples!?
Patty
When to add the apples!?
Rocky Mountain Woman
They look amazing! I love the topping…
Marcia
Making these muffins right now – however just noticed that in the instructions you forget to mention the apples and when to add them.
Kelly
Love these gorgeous muffins! They’re perfect for getting that first taste of fall flavors and who could resist that crumble topping? So amazing!
Ellie
Ooh, I’ll definitely be trying these, along with some of those other apple recipes. I can’t express enough my love of anything coffee. We have a total apple glut at the moment because the tree in our garden is producing them like crazy! I can’t get enough of them, luckily, but it’s always nice to have a bit of variety in the way I eat them! ;D
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
These muffins look like a great way to use the apples we pick as a family this year. Yum!!