Quick & Fluffy Apple Donut Mini Muffins Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet-seeking bakers adore these mini apple donut muffins that combine classic comfort with unexpected charm.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance through each tender bite, creating a warm embrace of flavor.

Miniature treats bring playful excitement to breakfast or afternoon snacking adventures.

Crisp autumn apples mingle with soft, pillowy dough for an irresistible combination.

Perfectly portioned and delightfully golden, these muffins promise pure happiness in every single morsel.

Whip up this simple recipe and watch smiles bloom around your kitchen table.

Why Apple Donut Mini Muffins Are Hard To Resist

• Simplify Baking: Perfect for novice bakers with straightforward steps and minimal kitchen equipment needed.
• Quick Family Treat: Compact mini muffins provide a delightful snack that kids and adults will adore, making them ideal for school lunches or afternoon gatherings.
• Versatile Spice Blend: Cinnamon and nutmeg create a warm, comforting flavor profile that transforms basic ingredients into a gourmet-like experience.
• Convenient Portion Control: Mini muffins offer bite-sized goodness, allowing easy sharing and preventing overindulgence while satisfying sweet cravings.

What You’ll Need For Apple Donut Mini Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides the muffins with their basic structure and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the muffins rise and create a light, fluffy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the muffins.

• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb in the muffins.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the caramelization of the muffin tops.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the muffins' structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, rich flavor that complements the apple and spices.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth batter and adds moisture to the muffins.

• Apple: Brings a fresh, sweet fruitiness and adds texture to the muffins.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Warm spices that provide a classic apple-pie-like flavor profile.
• Powdered Sugar: An optional topping that adds a decorative and sweet finishing touch.

How To Make Apple Donut Mini Muffins

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab a mini muffin tin and give it a generous coating of cooking spray or butter to keep those tiny treats from sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Sift these ingredients together until they’re perfectly blended and free of any pesky lumps.

Step 3: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Keep whisking until the mixture looks smooth and has a light, frothy appearance.

Step 4: Blend in Milk

Slowly pour in the milk while stirring continuously. This helps create a silky, consistent liquid base.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix carefully – you want just enough blending to combine everything without overworking the batter.

Step 6: Add Fruity Goodness

• Finely diced apple
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Distribute these flavor-packed ingredients evenly throughout the batter.

Step 7: Fill the Muffin Tin

Spoon the batter into the mini muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. This gives them room to rise and create those perfect little domes.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are a beautiful golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Rest

Let the muffins hang out in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Final Touch

For an extra dose of sweetness, dust the cooled muffins with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Enjoy your bite-sized treats!

Tips For Apple Donut Mini Muffins

• Grease Generously: Use non-stick cooking spray or butter to ensure easy removal of mini muffins from the tin without breaking.
• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter just until ingredients combine to keep muffins tender and prevent tough, dense texture.
• Check Freshness: Select crisp, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture in the muffins.
• Control Moisture: Pat diced apples dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making muffin batter too wet.
• Enhance Flavor: Sprinkle additional ground cinnamon or add a pinch of nutmeg on top before baking for extra warmth and aroma.

Flavor Ideas For Apple Donut Mini Muffins

• Gluten-Free Apple Spice Muffins: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend of rice flour, almond flour, and xanthan gum for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffins: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk.
• Whole Wheat Healthier Option: Use whole wheat flour in place of all-purpose flour, reduce sugar by 25%, and add rolled oats for extra fiber and nutrition.
• Low-Sugar Apple Muffin Bites: Replace granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, use unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture, and add chopped walnuts for crunch.

What To Pair With Apple Donut Mini Muffins

• Brew Warm Chai Tea: Rich, spicy chai tea perfectly complements the apple cinnamon flavors, enhancing the muffins' warmth and creating a cozy autumn-inspired pairing.
• Select Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Aged cheddar's tangy profile cuts through the muffins' sweetness, offering a delightful contrast that highlights the apple's natural richness.
• Match with Caramel Macchiato: Creamy, sweet caramel notes in the coffee drink echo the muffins' spiced apple essence, creating a harmonious and indulgent flavor experience.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Whipped Cream: Light, airy vanilla cream provides a smooth, silky counterpoint to the muffins' dense texture, adding an extra layer of decadence.

Storing Apple Donut Mini Muffins Made Simple

• Store cooled muffins in an airtight container lined with paper towels for up to 4 days, keeping moisture at bay and preserving freshness.
• Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to 3 months, ensuring no freezer burn occurs.
• Warm briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or reheat in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore original soft texture.
• Remove from freezer, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm in oven at 300°F for 8-10 minutes.

Apple Donut Mini Muffins Questions Answered

• Are mini apple muffins healthy?

These muffins contain fresh apples which provide dietary fiber, vitamins, and natural sweetness. They’re a better alternative to processed snacks, offering nutrients from fruit and moderate sugar content.

• Can I use different types of apples?

Yes, various apple varieties work well. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Fuji apples are excellent choices. Select firm apples that maintain texture and provide a balanced sweet-tart flavor when baked.

• How do I prevent my muffins from becoming dry?

Don’t overmix the batter, which can develop gluten and create tough muffins. Mix ingredients just until combined, and avoid overbaking. Check muffins a few minutes before recommended baking time to ensure moisture.

Apple Donut Mini Muffins Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet cinnamon-spiced Apple Donut Mini Muffins combine bakery charm with homemade comfort. Delightful bite-sized treats promise a perfect blend of warm spices and tender apple goodness that you’ll savor with every delectable morsel.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Flour:

• 1.5 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp baking soda
• 0.25 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup (180 ml) milk

Fruit and Spices:

• 1 medium apple, finely diced
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• Optional: 2 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin to prevent sticking.
2. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth, lump-free dry ingredient base.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk vegetable oil, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly frothy.
4. Gradually incorporate the milk into the wet ingredients, stirring continuously to create a uniform liquid blend.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined without overmixing to maintain a light texture.
6. Carefully fold in the finely diced apple, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, distributing the ingredients evenly throughout the batter.
7. Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup approximately 3/4 full to allow room for rising.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
10. Once completely cooled, optionally dust the muffins with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Notes

• Prevent overmixing by gently folding ingredients to maintain a tender, light muffin texture that melts in your mouth.
• Dice apples into small, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution and consistent flavor throughout each bite.
• Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.
• Replace vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce to reduce fat content and enhance the natural apple flavor in these delightful mini muffins.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg