These Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are a cozy treat. They’re soft, filled with sweet apples and pumpkin, and topped with a crumbly streusel that adds a delightful crunch!
Every bite is like fall wrapped in a muffin. I love having them warm with a cup of tea. They are perfect for breakfast or a snack anytime—who can say no to that? 😋
Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your muffins. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, which works well in most muffin recipes.
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin is convenient and gives great flavor. If you have fresh pumpkin, you can roast it and puree it instead. It may be a bit sweeter, so adjust sugar accordingly.
Apples: Granny Smith works perfectly for its tartness. However, you can use any sweet, crisp apple like Fuji or Honeycrisp. For a twist, try pears instead!
Oil vs. Butter: I usually opt for vegetable oil because it keeps the muffins moist. You can replace it with melted butter for a richer flavor.
How Do I Make the Streusel Topping Perfect?
The streusel topping gives these muffins a delightful crunch! Here’s how to get it just right:
- Start with cold butter to keep the crumbs from melting into the batter.
- Mix the butter into the dry ingredients until it’s the size of peas. This will give you those lovely, crumbly bits.
- Don’t forget to chill the mixture while you prep the muffins. This helps the streusel maintain its texture while baking!
Sprinkling it generously on top adds a delicious sweet crunch that complements the moist muffins beautifully!
Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup peeled and finely chopped crisp apple (such as Granny Smith)
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious recipe will take you about 15 minutes to prep and another 20-25 minutes to bake. Afterward, there’s a short cooling period of about 5 minutes before you can enjoy your warm, fluffy muffins. Overall, plan for around an hour to make these delightful treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or coat the cups with non-stick spray for easy removal later on.
2. Make the Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter to the mixture. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, mix it until it resembles coarse crumbs. Once ready, pop it in the fridge to keep it firm while you prepare the muffin batter.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients for Muffins:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. This combo will bring warmth and flavor to your muffins!
4. Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a larger bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and nicely blended together.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now it’s time to mix! Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and gently fold them together. Take care not to overmix; you want the batter to be a little lumpy for soft muffins!
6. Add Apples:
Gently fold in the finely chopped apples to the batter. This will provide a sweet and crunchy texture inside your muffins.
7. Fill Muffin Cups:
Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each cup about 3/4 full to allow for rising.
8. Top with Streusel:
Sprinkle the reserved streusel topping generously over each muffin. This gives them a delightful crunchy finish!
9. Bake:
Place the muffin tin in your preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, they are ready!
10. Cool:
Once baked, let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you can resist, let them cool a little longer before diving in!
Enjoy these moist, flavorful Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins with your favorite hot beverage! They’re perfect for breakfast, a snack, or any time you want a taste of fall!
Can I Substitute Fresh Pumpkin for Canned Pumpkin?
Absolutely! If you’re using fresh pumpkin, roast it until tender, then puree it. Just make sure it’s well-drained and not too watery, as canned pumpkin is typically thicker.
What Apples Work Best in This Recipe?
Granny Smith apples are ideal due to their tartness, which complements the sweetness of the muffins. However, you can also use Fuji, Honeycrisp, or even pears for a different flavor twist!
Can I Freeze These Muffins?
Yes, you can! Allow the muffins to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, just thaw at room temperature or warm them in the microwave.
How Can I Make These Muffins Healthier?
To make a healthier version, you can swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour and reduce the sugar by a quarter. You can also use unsweetened applesauce in place of some of the oil or butter for added moisture and less fat!
