Last Updated on March 24, 2022 by Anne-Marie

This gluten-free applesauce muffins recipe is perfect for breakfast or as a quick afterschool snack.

Why this recipe works

Who doesn't love fresh muffins for breakfast or a snack?

Make this gluten free muffin recipe the night before with unsweetened applesauce and raisins or other fun mix-ins like chocolate chips.

This is a great recipe for freezing so you always have some on hand to enjoy.

With a few substitutions, you can easily make these easy gluten-free muffins sugar-free, dairy-free, or vegan.

How to make gluten free muffins with applesauce

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Fill the muffin tins with liners.

3. Whisk together gluten free flour, cinnamon, allspice, and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl.

(Check out these easy tips on how to measure flour correctly for the best results in your everyday baking.)

4. Beat together butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy in a large bowl.

5. Add eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.

6. If you're using raisins (or another mix-in like chocolate chips or dried cranberries) place them in a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture and toss to coat.

This helps keep the mix-ins from sinking to the bottom of the muffin cups.

Gradually add dry to wet ingredients just until the muffin batter is just moistened. Don't over mix the batter!

7. Fold in raisins (or other mix-ins), if using.

8. Divide batter in the muffin pan using the cookie dough scoop.

9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Cool muffins on a wire rack.

11. Serve room temperature or warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container.

12. Store leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc baggie in the fridge. They should stay good for up to a week.

FAQs

Baking an applesauce muffins recipe with gluten-free flour

For the best results, this simple gluten-free muffin recipe uses Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. This is my favorite gluten free all-purpose flour.

This type of gluten-free flour blend has white rice flour, xanthan gum, potato starch, etc. so it bakes up just right and you don’t have to buy extra specialty ingredients.

Check out my Best Gluten-Free Products List to find more terrific GF baking products!

What kind of applesauce?

You can use unsweetened applesauce from the store or homemade applesauce to make gluten free muffins.

If you only have sweetened applesauce on hand (or made sweetened homemade applesauce) cut back on the amount of sugar in the recipe.

You can also use cinnamon applesauce or pear applesauce.

No applesauce? Make pumpkin muffins or banana muffins by substituting 1 cup pumpkin purée or mashed banana for the applesauce.

Can I make sugar-free gluten-free muffins?

YES! You can use no-calorie sweeteners like powdered monk fruit sweetener or Swerve Sweetener in this gluten-free muffins recipe.

If you like the taste of brown sugar in your apple muffins, use Swerve Sweetener, Brown. 

Can I use coconut sugar instead of white sugar? Sure! Some people feel coconut sugar is healthier than white sugar. But it's not a sugar-free substitute.

What can I add to the muffins?

Toppings: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar or decorative sugar on the muffin tops. A sugar topping adds a fun crunch.

Mix-ins: Instead of raisins, you can use chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips in this gluten-free applesauce muffins recipe.

Fresh blueberries: I’d be a bit hesitant since fresh berries would add moisture to the muffin batter, which would affect baking time.

If you’re looking for a gluten-free blueberry muffin recipe, try my super popular Blueberry Muffin Cake, which is a cross between gluten-free blueberry muffins and coffee cake.

Flaxseed: You can add a few tablespoons of ground flaxseed to the muffin batter before baking. Since gluten free baking tends to lack whole grains, the flaxseed adds more fiber to your baking.

Nuts: Adding nuts includes a good source of fiber and healthy fats in your baking. Chop into small bits or add whole.

Can I make dairy-free or vegan muffins?

If you want to make dairy-free muffins or vegan muffins, here's what you need to do:

Butter: Use a vegan buttery spread like Earth Balance or coconut oil that's solid at room temperature.

Egg substitute: You can use Follow Your Heart egg substitute or Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Egg Replacer. You can also use flaxseed or aquafaba as an egg substitute.

Can I bake mini muffins?

Yes, you can make mini gluten free applesauce muffins!

You'll need a mini muffin pan, mini cupcake liners, and will have to adjust the baking time accordingly to about 10-12 minutes.

Can you freeze gluten-free muffins?

I like making a big batch of muffins and freezing them for later. They make terrific weekday breakfasts or after-school snacks for the kids.

So the muffins don't stick together in a big frozen mass, you need to “flash” freeze them. Here's how:

1. Allow them to completely cool. Then place the muffins on a silicone mat or parchment-lined baking sheet. Then freeze them for 20 minutes.

2. Once the muffins are frozen, remove them from the baking sheet.

3. Then place them in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc freezer bag. (Remember to squeeze the air out of the bag to prevent freezer burn.)

4. Label and date the baggie or container. Store the muffins in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.

To thaw the frozen muffins, just place them on a plate for 30 minutes or so on the countertop.

You could also zap them on 50% power in the microwave, but I'd worry about drying them out.

If you want to heat the muffins, you can place them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on high.

How to prevent muffins sticking to the pan?

If you're concerned, use nonstick spray and then a paper liner.

This does help the liners stay put before you fill them, but it's not necessary.

More gluten-free muffin recipes

These gluten-free muffin recipes are easy for first-time bakers:

Banana Oatmeal Muffins Recipe – these banana muffins are made with Cheerios

Zucchini Muffins Recipe – bake these with leftover zucchini from your garden

Healthy Strawberry Muffins Recipe – use your favorite strawberry yogurt

Raspberry Yogurt Muffins Recipe – one of my most popular recipes

Hash Brown Sausage Muffins Recipe – a savory muffin recipe that's perfect for breakfast

What's your favorite type of muffin?