• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hummusapien logo
  • RECIPES
    • RECIPE INDEX
    • DIET >
      • Vegan
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Nut Free
      • Grain Free
    • METHOD >
      • 30 Minute
      • One Pot
      • No Bake
      • Baking
      • Instant Pot
    • BREAKFAST
    • SNACKS
    • MAINS
    • SOUPS
    • SALADS
    • DESSERT
    • SIDE DISHES
    • DRINKS
    • BABY AND TODDLER
    • SEASON >
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
    • HOLIDAY >
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
      • Mother's Day Brunch
      • Fourth of July
    • ROUND UPS
  • DINNER
  • DESSERT
  • LIFESTYLE
    • MOTHERHOOD
    • SHOP
    • HOME DECOR
    • MUST READS
    • TRAVEL
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • HOME
  • RECIPE INDEX
  • DIET TYPE
  • DINNER
  • DESSERT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Hummusapien » Recipes » Breakfast » Flourless Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    ★★★★★ from 3 reviews

    Flourless Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    Published Feb 8, 2021 · Modified Feb 14, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Easy 8-ingredient Gluten Free Apple Muffins made with no oil or refined sugar. Moist, fluffy and flourless with 6g of protein per muffin.

    three apple cinnamon muffins stacked

    How tall and gorg and fluffy are theeeeese!!

    And easy. Have I mentioned that yet? Stupid easy.

    Once we hopped aboard the Flourless Pumpkin Muffins train, I knew I had to post an apple cinnamon version. How could I not? Then fall came and went and here we are in February still talking about apples. Oof!

    Now I'm already onto lemon blueberry and banana chocolate chip and beyond. So many muff flavors to master, so little time.

    I hope this baby likes muffins. I hope baby loves muffins. He must if he's my child!

    Recipe tips and substitutions

    The fun thing about these muffins is that you can totally make them your own. Let's talk deets!

    • Nut butter: Any nut butter should work, as long as you enjoy the flavor since that will be what's dominant. You can use almond butter or cashew butter for a more mild flavor. I don't know if tahini would work the same because it's thinner and tends to have a bitter flavor. Sunflower butter is great for a nut-free version. Whatever you use, it should be able to pour out of the container.
    • Eggs: Eggs are essential in this recipe for binding and rising. Unfortunately I don't think flax eggs will work here!
    • Maple syrup: I’ve only tested this recipe with a liquid sweetener. Honey or agave work well. You can also omit the sweetener if you're cool with less sweet muffins!
    • Cinnamon: A full tablespoon for warm spice goodness. You could add ground ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract for a flavor boost but my goal here was to keep the ingredient list simple.
    • Apple: For juicy, crisp apple flavor. I like honeycrisp, fuji, or gala here.
    • Fine sea salt: Salt is so key for rounding out flavor in baked goods. Double it if your nut butter is unsalted.
    • Baking soda: Rise baby, rise.

    bird's eye view six apple muffins

    What's the texture of gluten free muffinis like?

    These muffins are shockingly fluffy given they don't have any flour. Although they have a unique airiness about them, they are not like traditional muffins. They definitely have a more eggy, spongey texture. I love it!

    So while these are delish in their own right, don't go into it thinking they'll taste like regular bakery muffins. They also have a quarter of the sugar of typical muffins. For more "normal" tasting muffins, this Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe is great!

    Can they be made in the blender?

    Blender muffins, get at me! Yes, indeed. You can totally whiz all the ingredients in a blender versus a mixing bowl if that's your jam.

    Can these be made vegan?

    Unfortunately this isn’t a recipe that can easily be made vegan because the eggs are so important for structure. Flourless muffins made with nut butter are funky like that.

    three muffins stacked with bite taken out

    Which nut butter is best?

    Use room temperature, natural salted peanut butter with just peanuts and salt as the ingredients. I get Kirkland organic brand at Costco). I would not use peanut butter spread like Jif or Skippy. Cashew or almond butter will also work.

    For a nut free version, you can use sunflower seed butter, but they will have a stronger flavor. A natural reaction occurs with sunflower seed butter and baking soda that makes muffins turn an odd shade of green. It’s harmless, but beware!

    Storage tips

    The best place to store these pumpkin muffins is on the countertop in an air-tight container for up to three days. They will stay moist for a surprisingly long time! If you still have some left, you can store them in the fridge for up to a week or more and it will stay moist.

    To freeze muffins, place in a freezer bag in an even layer. They will stay fresh for up to three months. You can thaw them on the counter when you’re ready to eat or microwave them individually.

    hand holding two muffins

    More baked good favorites:

    • Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread
    • Healthy Morning Glory Muffins
    • Apple Oatmeal Bars
    • Flourless Pumpkin Muffins
    • Cherry Orange Pistachio Bread

    I hope you’re as in love with these delish Flourless Apple Muffins as I am! If you make these, please leave a comment and star rating letting me know how it turned out. I’m so grateful for your feedback!

    Print
    clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
    three apple cinnamon muffins stacked

    Gluten Free Apple Muffins Recipe

    ★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph | Hummusapien
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 24 minutes
    • Total Time: 29 minutes
    • Yield: 12 muffins 1x
    • Category: Snacks
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Easy 8-ingredient Gluten Free Apple Muffins made with no oil or refined sugar. Moist, fluffy and flourless with 6g of protein per muffin.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 cup creamy natural salted peanut butter*
    • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 3 large eggs
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey*
    • 1 medium apple, diced small (1 ½ cups, I like Honeycrisp)
    • 1 tbsp cinnamon
    • ¾ tsp baking soda
    • ¼ tsp fine sea salt (½ tsp if peanut butter is unsalted)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a muffin tin liberally with cooking spray or line with paper liners/silicone baking cups.
    2. Whisk together all ingredients except chopped apple in a large mixing bowl. You can also blend all ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender. Fold in apple.
    3. Divide batter evenly into muffin tin, filling each to the the top. Bake for 22-25 minutes (mine took 24 minutes), or until a knife comes out clean. Allow muffins cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the pan and cooling on a wire rack.

    Notes

    *You can omit the sweetener if you want a less sweet muffin with no added sugar. You can also sub overripe mashed banana for the applesauce!

    STORAGE: Store muffins on the counter in an air-tight container for up to 3 days and then store in the refrigerator or freezer.

    NUT BUTTER: Your peanut butter should be the drippy kind that easily pours into the measuring cup, and not refrigerated. Almond butter or cashew butter will also work. Use sunflower seed butter for nut free. If your peanut butter is not salted, use ½ tsp fine sea salt.

    VEGAN: I have not tried these with egg replacer. I'd guess they'd taste great but will not rise the same.

    For more classic apple muffins made with flour, try the muffin version of my Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rating! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Jordan Schoonover says

      October 04, 2021 at 2:51 pm

      I loved these muffins! I make the flourless pumpkin ones ALL the time, so these were a nice change up. I blended my ingredients in the blender-so easy!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Nikki says

      April 21, 2021 at 1:20 am

      Can I sub a sugar substitute like Swerve for the maple syrup? Or does this recipe need a liquid sugar?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 22, 2021 at 10:19 am

        Hi there! I have never tried it with anything but maple syrup, although I do know they still work if you omit it. I can't vouch for the results with Swerve since I have no experience baking with it, though!

        Reply
    3. Emily says

      March 10, 2021 at 2:41 pm

      Great flavor! Any idea why mine sunk (didn't get as tall as yours) and had more of a wet texture than a fluffy one? Maybe my applesauce measurement wasn't exact..
      Will definitely try again though! Great flavor and my toddler loved them!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        March 11, 2021 at 3:33 pm

        Nice! If something about the measurements was off or you used different ingredients (or have expired leavening agents), that's all I can think of! SO glad your toddler loves them 🙂

        Reply
    4. Stephanie says

      February 09, 2021 at 7:07 pm

      The batter was so liquidy I was worried but they came out perfectly. I can’t wait to add these to my Passover arsenal!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 10, 2021 at 8:29 pm

        So glad you liked these, Stephanie!

        Reply
    5. Dylan says

      February 09, 2021 at 12:14 pm

      Love the texture of these!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 10, 2021 at 8:29 pm

        Thanks so much, Dylan!

        Reply
    6. Kimberly says

      February 08, 2021 at 7:39 pm

      Delicious!!! Will definitely make again

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 10, 2021 at 8:30 pm

        Thanks so much, Kimberly! Glad you liked them.

        Reply
        • Kristiana says

          February 13, 2021 at 4:19 am

          Stuck in quarantine and made these! Everything I love, in a muffin & can share w my GF roommates. YUM.

          Reply
          • Alexis Joseph says

            February 15, 2021 at 8:28 pm

            I'm so glad you loved these! If you'd be up for leaving a star rating with your review that would be STELLAR. It helps others find my recipes 🙂

    7. Sarah says

      February 08, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      These look yummy and I might need to try them. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Well HELLO there, pal! I'm Alexis. Welcome to Hummusapien, a fantastical food blog brimming with nourishing (always delish!) recipes from a Registered Dietitian plus life tidbits to inspire you to live your most joyful, balanced life. Grab a super hot cup o' joe and let's get cookin'.

    Tell me more... →

    Most Loved Recipes

    • Banana Zucchini Baked Oatmeal Cups
    • Easy Vegetable Teriyaki Stir Fry
    • Homemade Vegan Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta
    • Incredible Vegan Banana Bread
    • The Best Vegan Broccoli Salad Ever
    • Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • BLOG
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT

    Join the recipe club!




    • FAQ
    • POLICIES
    • RECIPES

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © Hummusapien LLC 2011-2023 Hummusapien is a registered trademark of Hummusapien LLC.