Healthy Applesauce Muffins (with cinnamon sugar topping)
Made with Greek yogurt, protein powder, applesauce and a delicious cinnamon sugar oat topping, these bran-like muffins are moist, perfectly sweet and filled with whole grains, protein and healthy fats. They’re easy to throw together for busy mornings and have quickly become our favorite go-to after school snack.
There’s no butter or oil in these so instead we use a combo of applesauce and Lemoncello Cocoa Bar in a Jar, which is basically a flavorful almond butter. The applesauce keeps everything moist, while the almond butter adds flavor and texture.
For more muffins, try raspberry white chocolate muffins, lemon poppy seeds muffins or banana pumpkin muffins.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Simple ingredients.
- 131 calories per muffin.
- 5g of protein.
Ingredients and Substitutes:
These are the main ingredients and substitutions. See recipe card below for full ingredients list and instructions for these Applesauce Muffins.
- Whole Wheat Flour: all-purpose flour or gluten-free 1:1 flour.
- Brown Sugar
- Vanilla Protein Powder: this recipe has only been tested with PE Science Gourmet Vanilla. You can sub for your own but it may throw off taste and texture.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: for a yummy fall feel. Feel free to use pumpkin pie spice in its place.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: be sure to use one with no sugar added. Save the leftover applesauce for applesauce coffee cake!
- Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt: full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream also work.
- Lemoncello Cocoa Bar in a Jar: used in place of melted butter or oil. I highly recommend using it because it adds a wonderful nutty lemon flavor. You can sub with 1/4 cup of coconut oil, olive oil or unsalted butter. Use code OHSNAP for 10% off.
- Whole Eggs
- Vanilla Extract
- Oat Topping: this is optional but delicious. It’s a simple rolled oats, cinnamon sugar mixture.
Variations
- Add chocolate chips or fresh blueberries to your batter.
- Drizzle with almond butter, low calorie peanut butter syrup or a drizzle of the Cocoa Bar in a Jar.
Dietary Modifications
- For gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour, such as Bob’s Red Mill 1:1.
- For dairy-free, use a dairy-free protein powder and a non-dairy alternative to Greek yogurt.
How to make these moist applesauce muffins
Step 1: preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin liners or non-stick cooking spray. Another great option is using reusable silicone muffin cups or even a silicone tray.
Step 2: mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Step 3: mix wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, Greek yogurt, soft room temp lemoncello cocoa spread, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Step 4: mix wet and dry ingredients together
Gradually add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. For best results, DO NOT OVERMIX. Overmixing can cause muffins to sink.
Step 5: scoop muffin batter into tins
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. I like to use a cookie scoop. If using the topping, evenly sprinkle the oats and cinnamon sugar mixture along the tops of the batter.
Step 6: bake
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean and the tops are golden brown. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: cool and enjoy!
Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Tip!
Do not overmix the muffin batter. Only mix until wet and dry ingredients are combined.
Recipe FAQs
Full disclosure, it’s unlikely you’ll have many left unless you were smart and made a double batch. However, if you do, store your applesauce muffins in an airtight container so the entire family can enjoy them over the next few days.
You can use 1/4 cup of softened butter, olive oil or coconut oil.
Check out some of our other delicious recipes!
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!
Applesauce Muffins
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Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour 240g
- 1/2 cup brown sugar 95g
- 1 scoop PE Science Gourmet Vanilla Protein Powder 31g
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce 271g
- 1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt 112g
- 1/4 cup Lemoncello Cocoa Bar in a Jar 68g
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
For the Topping (optional)
- 2 Tbsp. rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp. cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the applesauce, Greek yogurt, soft room temp lemoncello cocoa spread, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. For best results, DO NOT OVERMIX.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. If using the topping, evenly sprinkle the oats and cinnamon sugar topping along the tops of the batter.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- All nutritional information is an estimate and will vary with substitutions.
- I have only tried this recipe using PE Science Vanilla protein powder.
- I used store-bought cinnamon sugar topping as a fun, sweet dusting for these muffins. Make your own with brown sugar and cinnamon or omit completely.
- Use code OHSNAP for 10% off your Lemoncello Cocoa Bar in a Jar!
