• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Just As Tasty logo
  • Bread & Muffins
  • Brownies & Bars
  • Cakes
  • Cookies
  • Pies & Tarts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • My Cookbook
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • My Cookbook
    • Contact
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Bread & Muffins

    Best Gluten Free Apple Muffins

    Published: Sep 19, 2022 by Taleen Benson · This post may contain affiliate links · Any nutrition info provided is estimated and will vary based on the brands used or with any substitutions · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    These gluten free apple muffins are packed with chunks of juicy apples and topped with a rich caramel sauce! They're super quick to make and perfect for this time of year.

    Gluten free apple muffins in a pan.

    I've already confessed my love for caramel apples. Remember my caramel apple dip? I really don't mess around when it comes to homemade caramel apples. So what I'm trying to say is, you just know this one is going to be good.

    These gluten free apple muffins are super soft and moist, with a hint of cinnamon, which as we all know works oh-so-well with apple. I went on and on about that when I made my apple cinnamon scones. So I won't really go into THAT, either.

    Then, if that's not enough, we're drizzling caramel sauce right on top. It's such a delicious combination but I will warn you -- it gets messy. But when the mess is THIS good, it's no big deal. Right?

    What's great about this gluten free apple muffin recipe is that we're using applesauce not just to enhance the overall apple flavor, but as our egg substitute. We're adding just enough to give us flavor, moisture, and bind everything together but not so much that you end up with a mushy muffin (no one likes those).

    Close-up of an apple muffin with a bite taken out of it.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Related Recipes To Try

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • That caramel sauce on top is just incredible. Really. You can go with store-bought or homemade. Either way, it takes these muffins to the next level.
    • The warm cinnamon and apple flavors in every bite truly taste like Fall.
    • These apple muffins are made in a single bowl, without a mixer. If you have a mixing bowl, rubber spatula, and a whisk, you're all set!

    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

    • Gluten free flour: My favorite gluten free flour blend is Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1. Unless otherwise noted, I use this flour in every recipe! If you are using a different blend, make sure it contains xanthan gum.
    • Baking powder and baking soda: Always make sure your leavening agents are fresh. This is an easy way to test for freshness.
    • Milk: You can use any type of milk you'd like in this recipe! I've used oat milk and it works great.
    • Applesauce: Make sure you're using 100% pure unsweetened applesauce. We don't want any added flavors or ingredients.
    • Apples: Any apples will work here. I like to use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
    Stack of three gluten free apple muffins.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    STEP ONE: Start by whisking the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

    STEP TWO: Add the melted butter, milk, applesauce, and vanilla right in and stir it all up with a rubber spatula until you have a nice, thick batter.

    Dry ingredients in a bowl.
    Muffin batter in a bowl.

    STEP THREE: Stir in the chopped apples.

    STEP FOUR: Fill your cupcake liners up almost all the way full -- about ⅔ of the way should do it. Bake on 425ºF for 5 minutes, then lower your oven down to 375ºF and keep baking for another 14 minutes. I love baking all of my muffins this way because I've found that it's a great way to get a nice crisp top, but you still end up with a moist and soft muffin overall by turning the heat down.

    STEP FIVE: When your apple muffins are completely cooled, use a spoon or fork to drizzle the sauce right on top. It will get messy, so you may want to place a towel underneath the wire rack to catch any spilled sauce. Let the sauce set before serving.

    Apple muffin batter in a bowl.
    Muffin batter in a muffin tin.

    Expert Tips

    • My #1 tip when it comes to baking, especially gluten free baking, is to use a scale to weigh the flour. This is the easiest way to ensure accuracy, and too much (or too little) flour will impact the texture of the muffins.
    • Make sure the muffins are completely cooled before drizzling on the caramel sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make these apple muffins dairy free?

    Yes! Simply use your favorite non-dairy butter and milk and make sure your caramel sauce is also dairy free.

    Can I freeze the muffins?

    Yes, muffins may be frozen in a zip top bag for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing without the caramel sauce and drizzling after thawing and before serving.

    Apple muffins in a round cake pan.
    CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY NEW COOKBOOK!

    Did you make my gluten free apple muffins? Leave me a comment below or tag me on Instagram @justastastyblog and #justastastyblog! And don't forget to subscribe to get new recipes directly in your inbox.

    📖 Recipe

    Easy Gluten Free Apple Muffins

    Print Recipe
    Deliciously warm and comforting apple muffins topped with a drizzle of rich caramel sauce!
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Keyword apple, caramel, eggless, fall, gluten free, muffins
    Prep Time 35 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Servings 12 muffins
    Calories 259
    Author Taleen Benson

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups (296g) gluten free flour blend
    • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter melted
    • 1 cup (240ml) milk of choice
    • ¼ cup (64g) unsweetened applesauce
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup (75g) peeled & chopped apples
    • caramel sauce for drizzling

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
    • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together.
      2 cups (296g) gluten free flour blend, ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • Add the melted butter, milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract and mix using a rubber spatula until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chopped apples.
      ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (240ml) milk of choice, ¼ cup (64g) unsweetened applesauce, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup (75g) peeled & chopped apples
    • Fill liners almost all the way up (about ⅔ full). Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375°F and continue baking another 14-15 minutes. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling before drizzling on the sauce.
      caramel sauce

    Notes

    • Be sure the muffins have cooled completely before drizzling on the caramel sauce. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 259kcal

    Related Recipes To Try

    • Easy Air Fryer Apple Fritters
    • Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts
    • Apple Sour Cream Cake
    • Gluten Free Apple Cobbler

    More Gluten Free Bread and Muffin Recipes

    • Easy White Chocolate Raspberry Scones
    • Gluten Free Pumpkin Scones
    • Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
    • Easy Maple Glazed Banana Scones

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there! I'm Taleen... a Los Angeles based advertising professional by day, baker by night. Bringing you gluten-free recipes and general tips + tricks for navigating allergies.

    More about me →

    Summer

    • Easy Peach Cobbler Cookies
    • No Churn Black Forest Ice Cream
    • Easy Mini S'mores Pies (5 Ingredients)
    • Perfect Gluten Free Pound Cake (Eggless)
    See more Summer →

    My Cookbook

      Built with ConvertKit

      Web Stories

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

      Footer

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      Shop

      Just As Tasty cookbook

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Recipes by Occasion

      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Christmas

      Work With Me

      • Contact
      • Services

      As a member of Amazon Associates and ShopStyle Collective, I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy

      Copyright © 2025 - Just As Tasty on the Brunch Pro Theme

      Rate This Recipe

      Your vote:




      A rating is required
      A name is required
      An email is required

      Recipe Ratings without Comment

      Something went wrong. Please try again.