Applesauce Muffin Recipe Vegan: Easy, Moist, and Delicious

Updated On: October 4, 2025

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm muffin fresh out of the oven, especially when it’s packed with wholesome ingredients like applesauce. Our vegan applesauce muffin recipe is perfect for anyone craving a healthy treat without compromising on taste.

These muffins boast a tender crumb, fruity sweetness, and a moist texture that comes from the natural magic of applesauce. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just exploring plant-based baking, this recipe is a delightful addition to your repertoire.

What makes these muffins truly special is their simplicity and versatility. No eggs, no dairy, just pure, natural ingredients that come together to create a delicious breakfast or snack option.

Plus, they’re quick to whip up, making them ideal for busy mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups. If you love baked goods with a cozy, homemade feel, these vegan applesauce muffins are sure to become a favorite.

Dive in and discover how easy and rewarding vegan baking can be!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This applesauce muffin recipe is a standout for many reasons. First, it uses applesauce as a natural binder and sweetener, which means no need for eggs or refined sugar.

This keeps the muffins moist and tender while adding a subtle fruity flavor. The recipe is also super easy to follow, perfect for bakers of all levels.

Another reason to love this recipe is its versatility. You can customize it by adding nuts, spices, or even chocolate chips to suit your taste.

It’s also a great way to use up leftover applesauce or those slightly bruised apples you have in your fruit bowl. Finally, these muffins are vegan, making them suitable for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking to eat more plant-based meals.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¾ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
  • ½ cup plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat, etc.)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or vegan chocolate chips

Equipment

  • Muffin tin (12-cup)
  • Muffin liners or cooking spray
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk or fork
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula
  • Cooling rack

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Whisk these together to ensure they are evenly mixed.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients: applesauce, brown sugar, oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold together using a spatula just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
  5. If desired, fold in your optional add-ins like chopped nuts or vegan chocolate chips.
  6. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  8. Remove from oven and allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

“For a nut-free option, skip the nuts and try adding dried cranberries or raisins for extra texture and sweetness.”

Using unsweetened applesauce allows you to control the sweetness, so feel free to adjust sugar quantities depending on your preference. If you want fluffier muffins, separate the dry and wet ingredients carefully and fold gently.

For a seasonal twist, try adding ½ cup shredded zucchini or carrot to sneak in extra veggies. You can also experiment with spices like ginger or cardamom to give your muffins a unique flavor profile.

Need gluten-free muffins? Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but ensure it contains xanthan gum for best texture.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Muffin (1 of 12)
Calories 150 kcal
Carbohydrates 28 g
Protein 2 g
Fat 4 g
Fiber 2 g
Sugar 12 g (from applesauce and sugar)

Serving Suggestions

These vegan applesauce muffins are perfect on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a spread of your favorite vegan butter or nut butter. For a cozy breakfast, enjoy them alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a hot cup of plant-based coffee or tea.

If you’re serving them as a snack, try pairing with a chilled glass of almond milk or a refreshing Green Goodness Juice Recipe for a nourishing combo. These muffins also make a great addition to a packed lunch or picnic.

Conclusion

Our vegan applesauce muffin recipe offers a simple yet delicious way to enjoy a plant-based treat that’s both wholesome and satisfying. The natural sweetness from applesauce combined with warm spices makes these muffins a perfect anytime snack or breakfast option.

They are easy to make, adaptable to your personal taste, and free from animal products, which means everyone can enjoy them guilt-free.

If you’re looking to expand your vegan baking skills, why not try this recipe alongside other favorites like the Kodiak Banana Muffins Recipe or the Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Recipe for a savory twist in your cooking routine.

Baking vegan can be a delightful adventure, and these applesauce muffins are a fantastic place to start!

📖 Recipe Card: Applesauce Muffin Recipe Vegan

Description: Delicious and moist vegan applesauce muffins perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened with applesauce.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT25M
Total Time: PT40M

Servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup plant-based milk (almond, soy, etc.)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, mix applesauce, brown sugar, oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  5. Fold in chopped walnuts if using.
  6. Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.
  7. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Nutrition: Calories: 180 kcal | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 7 g | Carbs: 27 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Applesauce Muffin Recipe Vegan”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Delicious and moist vegan applesauce muffins perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened with applesauce.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “12 muffins”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour”, “1 cup unsweetened applesauce”, “1/2 cup brown sugar”, “1/4 cup vegetable oil”, “1/4 cup plant-based milk (almond, soy, etc.)”, “1 tsp baking powder”, “1/2 tsp baking soda”, “1/2 tsp ground cinnamon”, “1/4 tsp salt”, “1 tsp vanilla extract”, “1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In another bowl, mix applesauce, brown sugar, oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fold in chopped walnuts if using.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “2 g”, “fatContent”: “7 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “27 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X