Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins

These Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins are moist and fluffy, subtly spiced, and packed full of juicy apples! They're relatively healthy too, as they're refined sugar free and are a good source of protein and fibre. The recipe is versatile and easily customisable and comes together in one bowl. They're great for breakfast, brunch, dessert or a snack and are perfect for meal prep!

How to prepare the apples

I prefer the apple chunks in these muffins to be tender but still have a little bite, so I decided not to cook them first before adding to the mixture. And I didn't peel them because I love how the skins add little pops of colour, and this also makes them healthier and easier!

However, if you have any problems with any of the above and prefer your apples to be super soft and silky, you can always peel the apples and cook them in a pan beforehand.

How to make this recipe

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.

• Mix together all the ingredients in a glass mixing bowl.

Tip: Make sure to use a measuring jug to measure out the exact amount of plant-based milk!

• Divide the batter between muffin cases in a muffin/cupcake tin.

• Bake for 20 minutes.

Substitutions you can make

• You can use any type of oil: coconut oil, olive oil or vegetable oil.
• You can use any type of plant-based milk: almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, cashew milk, oat milk etc.
• You can use any type of liquid sweetener: maple syrup, agave syrup, brown rice syrup etc.
• You can replace the ground almonds (almond meal/almond flour) with ground walnuts.
• For a nut-free version: replace the ground almonds (almond meal/almond flour) with ground sunflower seeds or use 30g (¼ cup) coconut flour instead of 150g (1 ¼ cup) ground almonds.
• You can use plain flour, wholemeal (whole wheat) flour or spelt flour instead of the gluten-free flour if you're not gluten-free.
• You can omit the cinnamon or replace with another similar spice such as cardamom or ground ginger.
• You can cut down on the amount of maple syrup or omit it entirely if you want to make them no added sugar.

Ingredients you can add to the batter

• Desiccated coconut.
• Chopped walnuts or pecan nuts.
• Raisins.
• Dried cranberries.
• Chopped dates.

How long do these keep for?

Although these muffins do taste best when fresh, they keep well covered in the fridge for up to a few days, and freeze well too, which makes them great for a quick breakfast. If you have just taken them out of the fridge of freezer, I'd recommend warming them up in an oven toaster if you have one.

More vegan muffin recipes

• Carrot Muffins
• Blueberry Banana Bread Muffins
• Chocolate Muffins
• Blueberry Muffins
• Muffin Tin Sushi Cups
• Chocolate Banana Muffins
• Lemon Muffins

If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.

Watch how to make it

Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins

These Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins are subtly spiced, surprisingly healthy and packed full of juicy apples!

4.57 from 58 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gluten-free apple muffins, gluten-free vegan muffins, vegan apple muffins

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 12 muffins

Calories: 214kcal

Author: Rhian Williams

Ingredients

• ▢ 60 g (¼ cup) coconut oil (or sub olive or vegetable oil)
• ▢ 200 ml (⅘ cup) unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
• ▢ 8 tablespoons maple syrup (or sub any other sweetener)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ Pinch salt
• ▢ 150 g (1 ¼ cup) ground almonds (almond meal) *
• ▢ 150 g (1 ¼ cup) gluten-free flour blend (or sub plain flour if not gluten-free)
• ▢ 2 heaped teaspoons baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• ▢ 3 apples , cored and diced (around 700 g/24 oz in total)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Place the coconut oil in a large bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave (skip this step if using any other oil).
• Once melted, add the milk to the same bowl along with the vinegar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and ground almonds.
• Sift in the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.
• Mix well, adding a tiny splash more milk if it’s looking too dry.
• Add the apples and carefully stir in.
• Transfer the mixture between muffin cases in a muffin tin.
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
• Tastes best when fresh, but keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days.

Video

Notes

*You can alternatively use almond flour.

I prefer the apple chunks in these muffins to be tender but still have a little bite, so I decided not to cook them first before adding to the mixture. And I didn't peel them because I love how the skins add little pops of colour, and this also makes them healthier and easier!

However, if you have any problems with any of the above and prefer your apples to be super soft and silky, you can always peel the apples and cook them in a pan beforehand.

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Muffins

Amount Per Serving

Calories 214 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Sodium 46mg2%

Potassium 96mg3%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 25IU1%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 80mg8%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

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