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Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins: Best Preschool Snack

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These easy apple cinnamon muffins are soft, naturally sweetened, and perfect for preschool snacks. Made with whole wheat pastry flour, oats, and tender apple bits, they’re a wholesome treat that even picky eaters love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • ½ cup rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (preferably Saigon cinnamon)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup (or honey)
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%; avoid nonfat)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups finely diced apples (about 2 medium apples; Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for tossing with apples)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the cups.
  2. Dice apples into small, even cubes (about ¼-inch pieces). Toss with 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour in a small bowl and set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: whole wheat pastry flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined (about 10-12 strokes). Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
  6. Gently fold in the floured apple pieces with a few more strokes. Batter will be thick and slightly lumpy.
  7. Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups (about ¾ full each). Use a ¼-cup ice cream scoop for even portions.
  8. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Tops should be golden brown and spring back when touched.
  9. Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Muffins are even better the next day.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature eggs and yogurt. Tossing apples in flour prevents sinking. Do not overmix batter. Muffins freeze well for up to 3 months. For mini muffins, bake 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cinnamon muffins, preschool snack, healthy muffins, naturally sweetened, whole wheat muffins, easy muffin recipe

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/easy-apple-cinnamon-muffins-best-preschool-snack/