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Easy Apple Streusel Muffins are quick to make with a cinnamon muffin mix, chunks of fresh apples, warm spices, and finished off with a streusel crumble and sweet vanilla glaze.

A muffin unwrapped with glaze dripping off of it.

Table of Contents

Glazed Apple Streusel Muffins (Easy With a Muffin Mix!)

These apple streusel muffins are a short-cut dessert full of cinnamon spiced muffin mix, chunks of soft apples, warm spices, a sweet streusel topping, and finished off with a vanilla glaze.

Anytime I can make a short-cut and easy prep dessert, then I am all for it! I love homemade baked goods but sometimes you just want something really easy with only a few minutes of prep time needed. These muffins start with a cinnamon streusel muffins mix + a few other added ingredients to make them taste ‘bakery-style’ but in reality you just need minutes.

Get your Fall baking on and make these glaze apple chunk muffins with streusel topping.

Overhead picture of muffins with cinnamon sticks and green apples.

Ingredients Needed To Make Apple Streusel Muffins With a Muffin Mix

Cinnamon Muffin Mix w/ Streusel Topping : You will find this in the baking aisle near the cake mix, brownie mix, and other muffin mixes. It’s from the Krusteaz brand or Betty Crocker brand. There will be a dry muffin mix inside the box as well as a crumble topping.
Apple Chunks : You will need 2 apples that are peeled and then cut into small chunks. They need to be pretty small so they can soften and cook in the bake time given. It’s best to use a tart apple like Granny Smith apples, pink lady, gala, or fuji are all great options.
Whole Milk : You will need whole milk (or half & half works also) for the muffin batter as well as for the vanilla glaze.
Salted Butter : Melt the butter before adding it into the muffin batter.
Ground Cloves : You can also use apple pie spice instead of the ground cloves.
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla Extract

How To Make Easy Apple Streusel Muffins With a Vanilla Glaze (Step-by-Step Instructions and Recipe Card Below)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and spray them with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, add the dry cinnamon muffin mix, apple chunks, milk, melted butter, and ground cloves. Use a rubber spatula or wooden mixing spoon to thoroughly mix it together.
Divide the muffin batter between the muffin cups, filling each one about 3/4 of the way full. Sprinkle the streusel topping (from the box of muffin mix) evenly over each muffin.
Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and spring back from a finger touch.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the muffins to cool for about 5-10 minutes inside the pan. Remove the muffins to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Process photos showing how to make these muffins.

How Should I Store Leftover Apple Streusel Muffins?

Allow the muffins to cool completely after applying the glaze, and let the glaze dry and set completely. Once the glaze is dry, you can place it in an airtight container or storage bag large enough to accommodate the glazed muffins without squishing them. Place the glazed muffins inside an airtight container, or bag, in a single layer and store them at room temperature.

If you need to stack the muffins for storing make sure to separate them with pieces of wax paper or parchment paper to avoid sticking. I don’t recommend storing the muffins in the fridge as that will make them dry out faster.

What Apples Are Best To Use? Chopped Apples vs Grated Apples

It’s best to use a slightly tart & sweet apple for this apple muffin recipe. I recommend using either Granny Smith apples, pink lady apples, fuji apples, or gala apples. Any apple can be used, however if it’s a sweeter apple then it will definitely make the muffins sweeter. Use what you prefer or whatever is in your kitchen.

I recommend peeling the skin off of the apples to avoid that chewy texture they will add to the muffins. I also recommend cutting the apple into really small cubes so they will cook and soften in the short cook time.

You can either chop the apples really small or shred the apples using a box grater. Either way works!

What Are Some Changes I Can Make To This Recipe?

Use Oil or Applesauce : In place of the melted butter, feel free to use canola or vegetable oil (same amount) OR use plain applesauce as a healthier swap.
Apple Pie Spice : Use apple pie space in place of the ground cloves.
Almond Extract or Maple Syrup : Try using almond extract, maple extract, or pure maple syrup in place of the vanilla extract for the glaze.

Tips For Making Easy Apple Streusel Muffins

Don’t Over Cook : To prevent the muffins from being dry, make sure to not overcook them. Once a toothpick comes out clean or with crumbs on it, pull the muffins out of the oven. The muffins should rise up and create a small dome shape and the tops of the muffins will be golden brown and look done (meaning no wet batter look).
Healthier Swaps : Use applesauce in place of the melted butter. Lower fat milks or water can also be used in place of the whole milk in the muffin batter and the glaze on top.
Use Parchment Paper Liners : I always recommend using parchment paper liners when making muffins or cupcakes. It helps the muffin cook more evenly and prevents the bottoms from over cooking or getting too brown.
Ice Cream Scoop or Cookie Scoop Tip : I love using a large ice cream scoop or cookie scoop to scoop the muffin batter into each muffin cup. It makes it easier to ensure that each muffin is similar in size and helps create a prettier looking muffin with the once scoop method.

Square photo of the muffins with a glaze on top.

Photo of a side view of the muffins with glaze on a white plate.

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