Name: 3 Ingredient Apple Muffins
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 apple (sweet or tart); 1 box spice cake mix; 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce

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3 ingredient apple muffins made with spice cake mix, applesauce, and an apple are ready in 30 minutes for a delicious vegan fall breakfast. These fluffy muffins are filled with apple chunks and cinnamon.

Vegan 3 ingredient apple muffin on top of a muffin liner with more fluffy muffins in the background.

Do you wish that muffins could appear out of thin air? Me too. I'm no wizard but this recipe using cake mix is nearly the same thing.

Boxed caked mix is nothing new, but many are surprised that most of these mixes are accidentally vegan. The main thing is, you're not going to follow the instructions on the box. You need to get a little creative.

That is where apple spice muffins come in. Pair spice cake mix with applesauce and you've got muffin batter!

To take it further, these muffins include chunks of fresh apple too. The extra step of chopping apples doesn't take more than a couple minutes but ensures each bite hits you with apple flavor.

Ingredient Notes

You will need these 3 simple ingredients to make vegan apple muffins:

Ingredients to make apple muffins with corresponding labels: spice cake mix, apple sauce, apple.

This recipe is possible thanks to spice cake mix. Like regular box cake mix it includes flour, sugar, oil, and leavening agents, but it also contains cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. I used the Duncan Hines spice cake mix.

Unsweetened applesauce adds to the apple flavor and binds the batter. The added moistness makes it a common egg substitute in other recipes like vegan cornbread.

Chopped apples add to the texture of the muffins and provide stronger apple flavor. You can use sweet or tart apples, I prefer sweet Ambrosia apples for this recipe.

Have some extra apples? Make vegan apple crisp or roasted carrots and apples!

The recipe card below includes the full list of ingredients + instructions.

Optional Additions

Enhance the apple flavor even more by adding a teaspoon of apple pie spice.
For a bigger rise and that classic domed top, add a teaspoon of baking powder. They are still fluffy without it though.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Apple Muffins

Before you start! 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.

Chop the apple into small ¼” sized chunks.

Mix diced apple with boxed spice cake mix and applesauce.

Mix spice cake mix, applesauce, and apple chunks.

Use a scooper to scoop apple muffin batter into muffin tin lined with muffin liners.

Scoop the batter into a lined and sprayed muffin tin.

Hand holding a baked golden brown vegan apple muffin with more 3 ingredient apple muffins in the background.

Bake until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Level Up Your Muffin

Add a crunchy topping of chopped walnuts and brown sugar! Or make it a nut-free with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or even popped quinoa.

Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter to create a crumbly cinnamon streusel topping. Sprinkle over the muffins before baking for a delicious, crunchy finish.

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3 Ingredient Apple Muffins

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 8

Cook Time: 22

Total Time: 30

Servings: 15 muffins

Author: Sarah Pilley

Ingredients

▢ 1 apple sweet or tart
▢ 1 box spice cake mix
▢ 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare two muffins tins with 15 muffin liners. Spray each with cooking oil so the muffins do not stick.

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.

Chop 1 apple into small ¼” sized chunks.
Mix 1 box spice cake mix, 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce, 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 the 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

Spice Cake Mix: I tested this recipe with Duncan Hines spice cake mix. You could also use yellow cake mix and add a tablespoon of apple pie spice.

Storage: Once cooled to room temperature, store 3 ingredient apple muffins in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store them at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or for about a week in the fridge. These muffins are already quite moist and get even more so over time.

Freezing: For extended storage or meal prepping, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Reheating: 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.