Easy gluten-free applesauce muffins with a crunchy streusel topping that you’re gonna love! Make this with store-bought or homemade applesauce – either way, these delicious muffins are an easy breakfast or a great snack the whole family will love! Dairy-free too. Go bake a batch right now!
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- Easy Gluten-Free Applesauce Muffins
- Why This Recipes Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Homemade Applesauce
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- How to Make Applesauce Muffins (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Gluten-Free Muffins You’ll Love:
- Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas to Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Applesauce Muffins (Dairy-Free)
Easy Gluten-Free Applesauce Muffins
Applesauce is basically cooked apples that have been mashed or processed into a puree.
And today, we’re using applesauce to make these beautiful muffins that you’ll want to eat over and over again!
Using applesauce makes the muffins more moist, so we don’t have to use as many eggs or butter/oil to create the same effect.
Plus, since applesauce is already sweet by itself, we can also use less sugar, making these muffins a healthier snack option!
Why This Recipes Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for these easy gluten-free applesauce muffins are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: Preparing the muffin batter and the streusel topping comes together quickly and a batch of these GF applesauce muffins is ready in just 40 minutes!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this gluten-free applesauce muffin recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or those with gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for these gluten-free applesauce muffins recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Homemade Applesauce
While you can definitely use store-bought applesauce, homemade apple sauce if actually very easy to make and is also way cheaper (especially when apples are in season).
Learn how to make your own homemade applesauce today!
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Applesauce: I like using my homemade applesauce, but feel free to use store-bought applesauce too if you prefer. If you prefer your muffins to be less sweet, you can use unsweetened applesauce too.
- Butter: I used melted unsalted dairy-free butter (vegan butter) to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use melted coconut oil or another vegetable oil in place of butter if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.
- Eggs: Eggs help to better bind the ingredients together, so make sure you add them in. I have not made these muffins without eggs, so I don’t know how that would turn out (if you do make these applesauce muffins egg-free, please let me know how it goes in the comments below, I’d love to know!).
- White Sugar: I used white sugar, but you can also use cane sugar instead. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- Vanilla Extract: I like using a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor, so I recommend adding it in.
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Make sure to use a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch) as that will ensure a lighter and fluffier final texture. I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour) as that will result in a denser final texture.
- Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours, and helps to better bind the ingredients together. If your gluten-free flour blend doesn’t already include xanthan gum, make sure to add it in.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is the only leavening agent used in this applesauce muffin recipe, and is needed to help the muffin batter rise. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free baking powder.
- Ground Cinnamon: I use ground cinnamon as it adds a nice taste to the muffins. Alternatively, you may also use apple pie spice if you wish.
- Brown Sugar: I used dark brown sugar but you can also use light brown sugar or coconut sugar. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
How to Make Applesauce Muffins (Step by Step):
1. Preheat and Grease
Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or line it with 12 paper muffin liners.
2. Mix Applesauce, Butter and Eggs
For the muffins, combine the applesauce, melted dairy-free butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add Sugar and Vanilla
Add the white sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix to combine.
4. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients to Get Batter
Add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, xanthan gum (if using), baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl and combine to get a smooth batter.
5. Divide Batter Between Muffin Cups
Using two spoons or a large cookie scoop, dollop the batter into the muffin tin.
6. Prepare Streusel Topping
For the streusel topping, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and gluten-free all-purpose flour in a small bowl.
Once mixed, add the melted dairy-free butter to the dry ingredients and combine until a crumbly streusel forms.
7. Top Muffin Batter with Streusel Topping
Layer 1 tablespoon of streusel onto each muffin top.
8. Bake Until Golden Brown
Bake the gluten-free applesauce muffins for 20-23 minutes until they are golden brown and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
9. Cool Before Enjoying
Once out of the oven, let the applesauce muffins cool at room temperature for at least 15 minutes on a wire rack before eating.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Make Mini Muffins: Instead of regular sized muffins, you can also make mini muffins by using a 24-cup mini muffin pan and baking at 350F for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Make Jumbo Muffins: Alternatively, if you like bigger muffins, simply use a 6-cup jumbo muffin pan and bake at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Make a Cake: Not keen on muffins? Use an 8-inch round cake pan to make an applesauce cake.
- Optional Add-Ins: If you wish, feel free to add in some chocolate chips, raisins or even chopped walnuts if you prefer.
Recipe FAQs:
To store, place these gluten free applesauce muffins in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze, wrap these healthy applesauce muffins in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the frozen muffins thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator before reheating them in the oven and enjoying.
Other Gluten-Free Muffins You’ll Love:
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins (Dairy-Free)
- Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins (Dairy-Free)
- Gluten-Free Lemon Poppyseed Muffins (Dairy-Free)
- Gluten-Free Banana Muffins (Dairy-Free)
Gluten-Free Breakfast Ideas to Enjoy:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintGluten-Free Applesauce Muffins (Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy gluten-free applesauce muffins with a crunchy streusel topping that you’re gonna love! Make this with store-bought or homemade applesauce – either way, these delicious muffins are an easy breakfast or a great snack the whole family will love! Dairy-free too. Go bake a batch right now!
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 1/3 cup melted unsalted dairy-free butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon xantham gum (omit if your gluten-free flour blend already has it)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted dairy-free butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Grease: Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease regular muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with 12 muffin liners.
- Mix Applesauce, Butter and Eggs: For the muffins, combine the applesauce, melted dairy-free butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Add the white sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix to combine.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the gluten-free all-purpose flour, xanthan gum (if using), baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl and combine to get a smooth batter.
- Divide Batter into Muffin Cups: Using two spoons or a large cookie scoop, dollop the batter into the muffin tin.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: For the streusel topping, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and gluten-free all-purpose flour in a small bowl. Once mixed, add the melted dairy-free butter to the dry ingredients and combine until a crumbly streusel forms.
- Top Muffin Batter with Streusel Topping: Layer 1 tablespoon of streusel onto each muffin top.
- Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the gluten-free applesauce muffins for 20-23 minutes until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool Before Enjoying: Once out of the oven, let the applesauce muffins cool for at least 15 minutes on a wire rack before eating.
Notes
Applesauce: I like using my homemade applesauce, but feel free to use store-bought applesauce too if you prefer.
Butter: I used melted unsalted dairy-free butter (vegan butter) to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use melted coconut oil or another vegetable oil if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.
Eggs: Eggs help to better bind the ingredients together, so make sure you add them in. I have not made these muffins without eggs, so I don’t know how that would turn out (if you do make these applesauce muffins egg-free, please let me know how it goes in the comments below, I’d love to know!).
White Sugar: I used white sugar, but you can also use cane sugar instead. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Vanilla Extract: I like using a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor, so I recommend adding it in.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Make sure to use a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch) as that will ensure a lighter and fluffier final texture. I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour) as that will result in a denser final texture.
Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours, and helps to better bind the ingredients together. If your gluten-free flour blend doesn’t already include xanthan gum, make sure to add it in.
Baking Powder: Baking powder is the only leavening agent used in this applesauce muffin recipe, and is needed to help the muffin batter rise. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free baking powder.
Ground Cinnamon: I use ground cinnamon as it adds a nice taste to the muffins.
Brown Sugar: I used dark brown sugar but you can also use light brown sugar or coconut sugar. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Storing/Freezing: To store, place these gluten-free applesauce muffins in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap the muffins in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the frozen muffins thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator before reheating them in the oven and enjoying.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Muffins
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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