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    Home » Recipes » Bread and Muffins

    Healthy Vegan Apple Crumb Muffins, Easy Low Sugar Recipe

    Published: Oct 15, 2026 by Lauren Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These Healthy Vegan Apple Crumb Muffins are soft, flavorful, and filled with delicious apple flavor and a tasty crumb topping. Made with plant-based ingredients and less sugar than many traditional muffin recipes, these easy homemade apple muffins are a delicious, gluten free choice for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or a healthier sweet treat.

    Homemade apple crumb muffins with a golden brown cinnamon crumb topping in a metal muffin tin, with fresh apple slices and additional muffins arranged on a countertop.Pin

    If you're looking for an easy vegan, gluten free muffin recipe, these apple crumb muffins are a wonderful addition to your baking collection.

    These delicious, low sugar apple crumb muffins are incredibly easy to make. I always make a double batch and freeze some for busy mornings and quick snacks all year long.

    Apples add wonderful flavor and moisture to baked goods, making them a favorite ingredient in fall baking recipes. Paired with a crumb topping, they create a delicious combination of soft muffin texture and sweet, crumbly goodness.

    These Apple Crumb Muffins are a great way to enjoy seasonal flavors and bring the comforting taste of homemade apple desserts into your kitchen.

    If you are looking for more healthy muffin recipes, you will love these Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Muffins, Double Chocolate Quinoa Muffins, Lemon Chia Seed Muffins and definitely these Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins!

    Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!

    A vegan apple crumb muffin cut in half to show its soft, moist interior with apple pieces and a golden cinnamon crumb topping, served on a white plate with more muffins in the background.Pin

    Why You Should Make These Vegan Apple Crumb Muffins

    A Delicious Healthier Muffin Recipe

    If you love homemade muffins but want an option with less sugar, these Apple Crumb Muffins are a delicious recipe to try. With sweet apple flavor and a crumbly topping, they offer the comforting taste of a classic bakery-style muffin in a homemade version. They're a lovely option for anyone looking for a healthier muffin recipe to enjoy with breakfast or as an afternoon treat.

    Completely Vegan and Made Without Animal Products

    These vegan apple muffins are a wonderful addition to your collection of plant-based baking recipes. Vegan muffins can be flavorful, tender, and satisfying without using eggs or dairy ingredients. Whether you follow a vegan diet or simply want to explore more plant-based recipes, these apple crumb muffins are a delicious way to enjoy homemade baking.

    Great for Breakfast, Snacks, and Meal Prep

    One of the best things about homemade apple muffins is their versatility. Enjoy these muffins as part of breakfast, pack one for a snack, or serve them alongside coffee or tea. You can also make a batch ahead of time for convenient grab-and-go options throughout the week. If you're searching for easy vegan breakfast ideas or homemade muffins for meal prep, these apple crumb muffins are a tasty choice.

    Two homemade apple crumb muffins with a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping on a wooden cutting board, surrounded by fresh apple slices.Pin

    Recipe Ingredients for Healthy Vegan Apple Muffins

    Ingredients for vegan apple crumb muffins arranged in glass bowls, including flour, brown sugar, applesauce, plant-based milk, chopped apple, oil, vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.Pin
    • Apple - The best apples for this recipe are crisper, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn. 
    • Brown sugar alternative -  This is a sugar free alternative to brown sugar and is so useful in baking sweet treats. This one is vegan, gluten free and contains no artificial sweeteners.
    • Avocado oil - Refined avocado oil is a versatile oil for cooking and baking with a high smoke point, a clean neutral flavor and loaded with healthy fat.
    • Unsweetened apple sauce
    • Unsweetened almond milk - Use Unsweetened almond milk to make sure there are no added sugars or ingredients in this bread.
    • Pure vanilla extract - I use pure vanilla extract which doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or additives, it’s just pure vanilla made from alcohol. I use this one.
    • Gluten free all purpose flour - This gluten free all purpose flour is so versatile and can be substituted for equal amounts of regular all purpose flour.
    • Cinnamon - My favorite spice! Cinnamon is so versatile and I use it for most of my sweet recipes and baked goods.
    • Nutmeg
    • Baking powder - Use a GMO-FREE, aluminum free baking powder like this one. 

    How To Make These Low Sugar Apple Muffins

    Preheat oven to 375°F/190 C. Grease a ½ cup/120ml muffin tin (or line with paper liners). Chop the apple into ½ inch chunks. Feel free to leave the outer peel of the apple for some extra fiber.

    Chopped apples on a cutting board.Pin

    In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar alternative, avocado oil, and apple sauce. Whisk until well combined.

    Wet ingredients for vegan apple crumb muffins, including applesauce, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla extract, measured in a clear glass bowl.Pin
    A glass mixing bowl filled with a smooth, golden brown wet mixture for homemade vegan apple crumb muffins, ready to combine with the dry ingredients.Pin

    Whisk in the almond milk and vanilla.

    Adding almond milk and vanilla to the wet ingredients mixed together in a glass bowl.Pin

    Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Fold in until just mixed, does not have not have to be completely smooth.

    Adding drying ingredients to wet ingredients for apple crumb muffins mixed together in a glass bowl.Pin
    Batter for vegan apple muffins in a glass bowl.Pin

    Fold in most of the apple chunks (optional: reserve a few to place on top) until just combined. Set aside.

    Adding chopped apples to the batter  in a glass bowl.Pin

    In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for the crumb topping except water and avocado oil. Stir to combine everything.

    Ingredients for the crumb topping for apple muffins in a glass bowl.Pin
    Pin

    Add water and avocado oil and stir or crumble with your fingertips into small clumps. 

    Ingredients mixed together creating a crumb topping for apple muffins in a glass bowl.Pin

    Scoop about ⅓ cup of batter into each prepared muffin well. Sprinkle on a small portion of streusel mixture over each muffin.

    Apple crumb muffin batter in lined muffin tins.Pin
    Apple crumb muffin batter with chopped apples and crumb topping in lined muffin tins.Pin

    Bake for 18-23 minutes, until golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean.

    Cooked apple crumb muffins with chopped apples and crumb topping in lined muffin tins.Pin

    Allow to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Enjoy!

    Overhead view of vegan apple crumb muffins with cinnamon crumb topping in a metal muffin pan, surrounded by fresh apple pieces and cinnamon sticks.Pin

    Expert Tips/Substitutions

    If you don't have avocado oil you can use another neutral oil like a light extra virgin olive oil. This would also be a great option when baking muffins.

    Add a light almond flavor but using almond extract instead of the vanilla extract. Also, you can add ¼ cup slivered or chopped almonds to the streusel.

    These muffins freeze really well, simply place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. I just leave them out on the counter to defrost and they taste just as delicious as they do fresh out of the oven.

    Recipe FAQ's

    What kind of apples are best for baking these muffins?

    The best varieties of apples to use are crisper, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Braeburn. 

    Do I need to cook the apples before adding them to the muffin batter?

    No, you simply add the raw apples and they will bake right in the muffin.

    Do I need to peel the apples first?

    That is a personal preference. I don't peel them, the peel adds a little extra fiber!

    Nutrition Information for One Muffin

    • 204 calories
    • 23 grams of carbs
    • 3 grams of fiber
    • 3 grams of protein
    • 9 grams of fat

    Related Recipes

    Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    Healthy Morning Glory Muffins from The Healthy Nurturer

    Peanut Butter Protein Muffins from Lauren Kelly Nutrition

    Cinnamon Pear Muffins from Fit Foodie Finds

    Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! Thanks for stopping by!

    Freshly baked apple crumb muffins with a golden cinnamon streusel topping in a muffin tin, with sliced apples, whole apples, and a beige kitchen towel arranged around them.Pin
    Pin

    Apple Crumb Muffins

    These Healthy Vegan Apple Crumb Muffins are soft, flavorful, and filled with delicious apple flavor and a tasty crumb topping.
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    Course: Breakfast, brunch, Snack, vegetarian
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 muffins
    Calories: 204kcal
    Author: Lauren Kelly

    Ingredients

    • 1 apple chopped
    • ⅔ cup brown sugar alternative or light brown sugar
    • ½ cup avocado oil
    • ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
    • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 2¼ cups gluten free all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • For the crumble:
    • ¼ cup brown sugar substitute or brown sugar
    • 6 tablespoons gluten free all purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 2 teaspoons water

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375°F/190 C. Grease a ½ cup/120ml muffin tin (or line with paper liners).
    • Chop the apple into ½ inch chunks. Feel free to leave the outer peel of the apple for some extra fiber.
    • Prepare the batter. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar alternative, avocado oil, and apple sauce. Whisk until well combined.
    • Whisk in the almond milk and vanilla.
    • Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Fold in until just mixed, does not have not have to be completely smooth.
    • Fold in most of the apple chunks (optional: reserve a few to place on top) until just combined. Set aside.
    • Make the crumb topping. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except water and avocado oil. Stir to combine everything.
    • Add water and avocado oil and stir or crumble with your fingertips into small clumps. 
    • Scoop about ⅓ cup of batter into each prepared muffin well. Sprinkle on a small portion of streusel mixture over each muffin.
    • Bake for 18-23 minutes, until golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
    • Allow to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
    • These taste best when served the same day. Bring to room temperature before serving or toast in the oven to crisp up the streusel again.

    Notes

    These apple crumb muffins taste best the same day or can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
    To store in the freezer- place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Set at room temperature to defrost. When serving, place in toaster for a couple of minutes before eating.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lkellynutrition or tag #lkellynutrition!

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