These one bowl baby applesauce muffins are perfect for baby led weaning, babies in the finger food stage, and toddlers. With no added sugar, they are a healthier breakfast or snack option that your little ones will love and you will feel good about.
This post has been written and medically reviewed by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).
Baby Applesauce Muffins
These mini applesauce muffins with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg are perfect for babies and toddlers of all ages and stages! They are tender and fluffy - the perfect texture for little ones just starting solids. They are also made with no added sugar, fitting the bill for even the youngest of eaters. Whip them up easily using just one bowl for a quick make-ahead breakfast or snack to have on hand.
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Ingredients
- Applesauce - Use homemade applesauce or store bought. Just make sure it's unsweetened to avoid added sugar.
- Milk - Both cow's milk and nondairy milk work.
- Butter or oil - I prefer to use butter, but coconut oil, avocado oil, or another neutral oil will also work.
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Flour - All purpose flour will give you the lightest texture. You can use up to half whole wheat flour for added nutrients.
- Baking powder - Use aluminum free if possible.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg - For extra flavor without the sugar.
- Salt - You can leave it out for babies under 1 year if you prefer
- Apple - Grated apple gives these muffins more apple flavor, but you can also skip them. Any variety you like will work.
Helpful equipment: coarse grater, 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, mini muffin tin (I love to use a silicone muffin pan for baby muffins for easy removal!)
Step By Step Instructions
For the full printable recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- In a large bowl, whisk the applesauce, melted butter, milk, egg and vanilla until well blended.
- Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and whisk to combine until the streaks of flour just disappear.
- Gently stir in the grated apple.
- Scoop the batter using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop into a mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with oil or greased with butter. Bake at 375°F for 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing them to allow them to set up.
Tips and Recipe Variations
- Careful not to over-mix when you add the dry ingredients, or the muffins will be more dense and tough. Stir just until the streaks of flour have disappeared.
- You can leave out the grated apple if you think it will be too much texture for your baby's stage. It does add more apple flavor (and more nutrients!) and it is not super noticeable texture-wise.
- A silicone muffin pan makes removal of baby muffins super easy. I highly recommend purchasing one if you are going to bake for your little one often. Otherwise, be sure to oil or butter your tin well or use paper liners sprayed with oil to prevent sticking.
Storage and Reheating
Because these muffins have no added sugar, they do not keep well at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They freeze well for up to 3 months.
To reheat, pop them in the microwave (on a microwave-safe dish) for 15 seconds, or in the air fryer (my favorite way to reheat things!) or toaster oven on the lowest setting for a few minutes. You can also offer them cold to little ones who are teething to help sooth sore gums.
How To Serve Applesauce Muffins To Babies 6 Months and Up
You can offer these mini muffins whole to babies 6 months and up. This will be easiest for young babies with a palmar grasp to pick up and bring to their mouths. If that makes you nervous, you can cut them in half down the center instead.
Once babies develop a pincer grasp, usually around 9 months, you can cut muffins into small bite size pieces about the size of your fingernail or continue to offer whole.
I like to serve them with plain Greek yogurt or scrambled eggs for more protein. You could also drizzle on a small bit of drippy peanut butter or almond butter for more nutrients and allergen exposure.
More Baby Friendly Muffin Recipes
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Baby Applesauce Muffins (No Sugar)
These one bowl baby applesauce muffins are perfect for baby led weaning, babies in the finger food stage, and toddlers. With no added sugar, they are a healthier option that your little ones will love and you will feel good about.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini muffins 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: baby/toddler
Ingredients
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 2 tbsp melted butter or oil of choice
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt (optional - see notes)
- ½ medium apple, grated
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F. Spray a mini muffin tin with oil, grease with butter, or line with paper liners. I like using a silicone muffin pan for easy releasing.
- In a large bowl, whisk applesauce, milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Whisk just until streaks of flour disappear.
- Gently fold in the grated apple.
- Scoop batter into the prepared muffin pan using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before attempting to remove them.
Notes
- Salt - omit for babies under 1 if you prefer.
- Flour - You can substitute up to half whole wheat flour. For gluten free muffins, use your favorite cup-for-cup gluten free flour.
- Apples - Feel free to omit the grated apple if you don't want the added texture - it's not too noticeable - but do know that it does provide more apple flavor in these not-too-sweet muffins.
- If you're going to bake for your little one often, I highly recommend a silicone muffin pan. It makes releasing muffins so much easier!
- See blog post above for storage and serving recommendations.
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