Warm cinnamon spices with the comforting taste of oats and baked apples. These apple oatmeal muffins are the perfect option for an on-the-go snack!
I wish you could smell my house right now. These oatmeal muffins are full of all your favourite apple pie flavours with the added bonus of nutritious ingredients. Meaning you can have dessert for breakfast everyday!
At the beginning of every week I always try to prep at least one thing I can grab for a quick snack or meal if I am short on time and these apple oatmeal muffins are perfect! They can be made in just over 30 minutes, freeze perfectly and are packed with protein and whole grains. They're such a great option for anyone who's always on the go.
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- They are so easy to make: Seriously all you need is 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes while they bake (use this time to do that task around the house you've been putting off) and you will be eating these fresh out of the oven apple oatmeal muffins!
- They are the perfect balanced breakfast: Protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates- what more could a Dietitian ask for in a balanced breakfast? These apple oatmeal muffins are the ULTIMATE breakfast. Pair them with a little Greek yogurt for an even better gluten free high protein breakfast to get your day going!
- They're perfect for meal prep: The best part about these muffins is that their portable! Make a batch before a busy week and you'll have breakfasts or snacks ready to grab whenever you need them!
- They are flourless! All you need for the base of these muffins is oats, if you choose to use gluten free certified oats these are the perfect gluten free apple oatmeal muffins to start your day!
Ingredients
Oats. Quick, minute or rolled! Any oats will work for these oats cups.
Collagen Powder. I love adding collagen powder to these apple oatmeal muffins for a little extra protein boost. However if collagen is not something you have on hand you can easily substitute with any unflavoured or vanilla protein powder or a little bit of oat flour!
Apple Pie Spice. Buy a pre-made apple pie spice. Or make your own using ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon following the measurements in the recipe below!
Maple Syrup. For a touch of natural sweetness! I have never tested these muffins with any other sweetener. However I am sure honey would also work (if you try let me know in the comments)!
Apple Sauce. I add apple sauce to this recipe for some added apple flavour. I love using an unsweetened apple sauce because I find it's already sweet enough without additional sugar!
Eggs. I use a full egg in this recipe. This helps to find together the oats with the spices and other dry ingredients. If you are vegan or are unable to consume eggs feel free to substitute with a flax egg. You can make a flax egg by combining 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoon water and allowing it to sit for 15 minutes.
Apple. Feel free to use any variety of apple you like! I personally love honey crisp apples but red delicious, Cortland, gala any will work just fine.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a muffin pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (except the diced apples!)
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, and stir until well combined. Fold in the diced apples.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- Evenly spoon batter into each muffin cup. Bake for 24-27 minutes.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: this recipe is naturally gluten free if you use gluten free oats! I recommend Bobs Red Mill!
To make vegan: you can replace the milk with a non dairy milk of choice (soy milk is good for more protein) and the egg can be replaced with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon warm water) .
To make nut-free: I have not tested a nut free version but you can try to experiment by replacing the peanut butter with an equal amount of seed butter!
Storage
These Apple Oatmeal Muffins can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze and microwave for up to 2 months!
Top Tips for Success
Dice your apples nice and small! I find when the pieces of apple are too large the muffins tend to fall apart a bit easier than smaller bites!
I recommend using a cooking variety of apple such as a crisp apple (honey crisp, gala, pink lady etc.) for the most flavour and texture!
Frequently Asked Questions
Breakfast isn't the most important meal of the day. All meals matter because they fuel your body! SO my message is please do not skip breakfast, or lunch or even dinner!
I know mornings can be hectic, but taking a few minutes to eat can make a big difference! Recipes like these apple oatmeal muffins make it simple. With just 10 minutes of prep, you'll have an easy grab-and-go breakfast ready for the week!
You should be able to substitute ½ of the milk with Greek yogurt though if you find the batter a little on the dry side before adding it to the muffin tin just add another splash of milk!
I dont recommend adding any additional protein powder/collagen as it may react differently while baking.
Other great meal prep options:
Other than these baked apple oatmeal cups, I also love the following recipes for easy 15 minutes or less prep time brekafast recipes that lasty ou the entire week!
- layered chia pudding
- banana bread oatmeal cups
- sweet potato egg nests
- spinach and feta egg cups
- quinoa cups
- cheesecake overnight oats
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these apple oatmeal muffins don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Apple Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.5 cups oats quick, minute or rolled work!
- ¼ cup unflavoured collagen powder protein powder or oat flour also work!
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon apple pie spice (or 1.5 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg,⅛ teaspoon ginger)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup milk of choice
- ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 egg or flax egg
- 1 medium apple diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a muffin pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (except the diced apples!)
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, and stir until well combined.
- Fold in the diced apples
- Evenly spoon batter into each muffin cup.
- Bake for 24-27 minutes.
Evelyn says
Can pears be used in place of apples?
Nicole Addison says
Hi Evelyn, yes they can!
Maddie says
easy and great for meal prep! i was able to use an apple that would’ve gone bad to avoid waste 🙂
Jennifer T says
Loved making this recipe. Super simple ingredients and loved the addition of collagen for extra protein!
Shannon says
These were so good. I couldn’t eat just one — always went back for another!
Michelle Jackson says
I made these and they were delicious. Will be making them again.