3 Ingredient Apple Muffins made with spice cake mix are fluffy and filled with apple chunks. This easy vegan recipe is ready in 30 minutes for a warm and delicious fall breakfast.
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Do you ever just wish that muffins could magically appear out of thin air?
Well, unfortunately, I cannot make that happen. But this recipe is nearly the same thing.
These 3 ingredient apple muffins are so easy because, well, they only have 3 ingredients! That lends to super easy preparation AND cleanup.
Want a few more reasons to love these apple muffins? They are also:
- Vegan, of course.
- Moist and fluffy.
- Ready in 30 minutes!
So, what do you say? Are you ready to fill your home with delicious fall flavors?
If you’re still in the mood for some fall baking after this, try vegan apple crisp, baked apple cider donuts, and maple pecan roasted pears!
Ingredients
You will need these 3 simple ingredients to make vegan apple muffins:
- Spice Cake Mix is how this 3 ingredient muffin is made possible! It's just like your regular box cake mix, but it has a lovely array of fall spices already worked into it. I used the Duncan Hines spice cake mix.
- You could also use yellow cake mix and add a tablespoon of apple pie spice.
- Applesauce is the liquid that binds these muffins and enhances the apple flavor.
- Chopped Apples add to the texture of the muffins and put the apple in apple muffin. Use your favorite apple variety, sweet or tart!
Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
Optional Additions
These additions are completely optional but can enhance the look and flavor of your muffins if desired:
- Apple Pie Spice - The spice cake mix already has excellent flavor, but you can enhance the apple flavor even more by adding a teaspoon of apple pie spice.
- Baking Powder - Because this is a 3-ingredient muffin recipe, there isn’t any egg replacer or additional leavening agent to help with the rise of the muffins. If you’re looking for that, add a teaspoon of baking powder. They are still super fluffy on the inside without it. They just don’t have that classic domed top.
Directions with Pictures
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best 3 ingredient apple muffins:
- Chop the apple into small ¼” sized chunks.
- Mix cake mix, apple sauce, and apple chunks in a large bowl, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl for any dry mix to fully incorporate all the ingredients.
- Scoop the batter into a pre-lined muffin tin with a ½ cup scooper.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 to 22 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes: This batter makes 15 muffins. You will need a second tin. Or you can add extra batter to the other muffins. They may take longer to bake and will spill over the top slightly.
Make sure to grease your muffin liners before adding the batter, or else the muffins will stick to the liners!
Topping Ideas
This a true 3-ingredient recipe, and the muffins are great as is, but it is so fun to level it up with toppings!
- Nutty Crunch - Add a crunchy topping of chopped walnuts and brown sugar! Or make it a nut-free crunchy topping with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or even popped quinoa.
- Cinnamon Streusel Topping - Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter to create a crumbly streusel topping. Sprinkle over the muffins before baking for a delicious, crunchy finish.
- Maple Glaze - Whisk together butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a little vanilla for a sweet and creamy glaze for a delicious dessert!
- Cream Cheese Frosting - Combine vegan cream cheese frosting with powdered sugar using a stand mixer. This makes for a creamy but fluffy, thick frosting with a little bit of tang to offset the sweetness of the muffins.
Storage
Once cooled to room temperature, store 3 ingredient apple muffins in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
It is best to keep them in a cool, dry spot in your kitchen without direct sunlight for 2 to 3 days. These muffins are already quite moist and get even more so over time.
Keep a careful eye on them for any signs of mold or spoilage. My mom always says, “When in doubt, throw it out!” These muffins are best fresh anyway!
For extended storage or meal prepping, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat apple muffins in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds per muffin. For a crispier exterior and best results, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes.
FAQ
All you need to make 3 ingredient apple muffins is spice cake mix, apple sauce, and apple chunks. Spice cake mix includes flour, sugar, oil, and leavening agents, which makes this recipe super simple and low-effort.
Applesauce is the key to making super moist and fluffy muffins! This is the primary wet ingredient in this apple muffin recipe, along with a small amount of moisture that the apple chunks add.
A trick I used in bakery-style jumbo banana muffins was starting the baking with the oven at a higher temperature. This jumpstarts the baking process and puts the leavening agents into action for a high rise.
While spice cake mix does include some leavening agents, if you want a super domed look to your muffins, I suggest adding 1 teaspoon of baking powder to the batter.
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3 Ingredient Apple Muffins (Easy Vegan Recipe)
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Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 ½ cups applesauce
- 1 apple chopped
Instructions
- Chop the apple into small ¼” sized chunks.
- Mix cake mix, apple sauce, and apple chunks in a large bowl, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl for any dry mix to fully incorporate all the ingredients.
- Scoop the batter into a pre-lined and greased muffin tin with a ½ cup scooper. This batter makes 15 muffins. You will need a second tin. Or you can add extra batter to the other muffins. They may take longer to cook and will spill over the top slightly.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 to 22 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
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