These incredibly easy 3 Ingredient Applesauce Muffins have just three ingredients – spice cake mix, chopped apples, and applesauce. You can make these comforting applesauce spice muffins in about 20 minutes. They are perfect for busy mornings, after-school snacks, or a weekend treat. The apples add fresh flavor and moisten the muffins, while the spice cake mix adds fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
If you love easy muffin recipes like these, you’ll want to try my two ingredient pumpkin muffins, which is just as simple and delicious. For another fruit-filled option, check out my chocolate banana bread muffins. These quick and flavorful muffins make the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack! By request, Here is a compilation of my cake mix muffins with delicious and healthy add-ins (and no fat added). Try these 11 cake mix muffins, most with only 2or 3 ingredients.
Why I love these muffins
These apple and spice muffins are incredibly quick to prepare - chop some apples, mix all ingredients, scoop, and bake in about 20 minutes!
Made with only three simple ingredients, these muffins are budget-friendly and perfect for a last-minute treat. They are great for a grab-and-go breakfast, a snack, or a not-over-the-top dessert when you crave a simple apple dessert.
No oil is needed! The applesauce replaces oil, making these muffins a lighter, healthier option without sacrificing flavor.
The chunks of fresh apple give these applesauce spice muffins a homemade taste and texture that feels like they came straight from a bakery. It's a great way to use up apples so they don't get wasted.
Using spice cake mix keeps things easy while adding warm cinnamon and spice flavors—no extra seasonings required!
Table of contents
Ingredients
No need to add any of the ingredients listed on the back of the box! Just the three listed below.
1 box spice cake mix
1 apple (I just use what I have, granny smith apples are good if buying)
2 cups applesauce (I use cinnamon apple sauce for extra flavor!)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Step 1
Peel and chop 1 apple. You want small, roughly quarter-inch pieces.
Step 2
In a small bowl, add a couple of tablespoons of cake mix to the chopped apples and mix to coat. The dry ingredients coat the fruit so it doesn't sink when baked. Set aside.
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Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, add the two cups of apple sauce to the box of spice cake mix. It's easy to hand stir but you can use a mixer if you like.
Important Tip!
Do NOT mix in the ingredients that the back of the cake mix lists. Only add what this recipe states.
Step 4
Fold in chopped apple pieces. You just want to get the fruit mixed into the batter.
Line, grease or spray your muffin tins. I find using paper liners the least work.
Step 5
Scoop 1 large scoop of batter into the muffin cups.
Equipment Tip
I use this type of scooper. It keeps the muffins portioned the same size, and it keeps your muffin pan cleaner (with no big batter drips on it)
Step 6
Bake 18 to 20 minutes. Test with a wooden skewer/toothpick to see if done.
Cool on a wire rack and then I like serving these warm!
This apple spice muffin recipe makes 12 good-sized flavorful muffins with little chunks of slightly crunchy apples. I love the texture of the apple pieces in the muffins. And the smell is so appetizing!
These are filling muffins. You'll notice they are heavy. That would because of the real apple pieces. The apple sauce and the apple pieces guarantee that this recipe creates a moist muffin (with a healthy amount of fiber!).
Storage
These muffins store well in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 days. I just place them in a covered container.
Muffins freeze well if wrapped with plastic wrap. I then place in a sealed container so they don't get squished.
Allow to warm to room temperature (or warmer!) prior to eating. Then warm them up in the microwave if you choose.
FAQ's
Correct. You only use the cake mix, apple sauce and apple chunks.
Yes. If using only applesauce, then use 2 ½ cups. It will turn out great, it just won't have the apple chunks.
I would use a yellow cake and then add about 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice. If you don't have those handy, use 1 ½ tespoons of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg.
Other easy cake mix muffins
If you have enjoyed this recipe, please give it a 5 star rating!
Apple spice muffins – three ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple peeled and chopped to ½ inch pieces
- 2 cups apple sauce
- 1 box Spice cake mix
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.
- Peel and chop apples so they are about ¼ inch pieces. You don't need to be exact!
- Add chopped apples and a big teaspoon of dry cake mix into a small bowl. Stir to cover apple chunks. This is done so the apples don't sink. Set aside
- Add 2 cups of apple sauce to cake mix. You can hand mix or use a mixer to combine well.
- Add the cake mix-coated apple chunks to the dough and stir together.
- Spray your muffin tin with cooking spray (or use paper muffin liners). Scoop a large scoop of dough into each muffin well. They should be about ¾ full. Makes 12 nice sized muffins.
- Bake for about 18-20 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.
Kelly
What appel would you use?
Susan Moncrieff
I used Granny Smith apples in the recipe. However, you can certainly use any apples you have handy.
Tamra
I just made these muffins good I used carrot cake mix didn't have spice cake mix yummy with the apple texture had took it 5 minutes longer stay a little moist but great flavor
Caye Andrews
They are very moist and tasty. So moist that they don't want to come out of the liner!!
lindsey
These are sooooo goood! my husbands coworkers always request these almost once a week! My daughter and her friends always ask for these too! LOVE IT
Lori
I liked the change to applesauce/apple from pumpkin and spice cake. I made 24 mini muffins and still had enough batter for a small cake dish. I freeze these and do a quick thaw when I need a little treat! Definitely a keeper and already passed on!
barbara Swingle
One thing to say lazyusing cheats
Laura
I just made these muffins, my son said they tasted great! I want to make these with my preschoolers tomorrow.
momcrieff
They don't rise as much as traditional muffins. If you add an egg to the mixture, then they will probably rise more.
Lynda
They’re GREAT! I wound up with 20 - probably didn’t fill the muffin tins as full. Used a Granny Smith apple and applesauce I canned last fall. (The true test will be in the morning when my grandkids taste test them!)
Anonymous
I ended up making 18 muffins. Thought that were a little too moist. There was too much batter for only 12 muffins.
Annette Turrentine
My Apple Spice Muffins just came out of the oven. My grandson and I couldn’t wait. We ate one before they cooled. Both of us vote: SCRUMPTIOUS ❗️
We love nuts; so, I added 1/3 cup chopped walnuts.
Please, write your blog in black instead of gray, so that senior can read it sier. Thanks.
momcrieff
Yes you can make apple spice cake instead of apple spice muffins. Just adjust your baking time based on the time stated on the cake mix you are using.
Debbbie
Can I use these ingredients for cookies? I would like to add raisins.
momcrieff
I have never done so but you can certainly try! Just watch the baking time. You will definitely need to reduce the time.
Anonymous
Can I use a gluten free mix?
momcrieff
Yes you can use gluten free mix. Just check if there is a difference in baking time on the package you are using.
Kathy. Campbell
I found a great susitude if you don't have 2 cups of applesauce use 1 cup applesauce 1/4 cup oil and 1 egg works great bake 20 min instead of the 16 to 18 minutes because of oil and egg..
momcrieff
Thank you for the substitution suggestions. I'm a big believer in using what you have handy!
momcrieff
You're welcome! I also love using what I have at home already.
Abby
I love to bake so I made these and they are absolutely delicious!!! We had slim pickings so I ended up using cinnimon applesauce and they were so good!
Pam Schaible
These are delicious! I always make pumpkin muffins this way but found I was out of canned pumpkin. I found your recipe, and used my homemade applesauce (a bit thicker than canned, sugar-free and cinnamon-y). I liked the apple chunks too, and added a few Hershey cinnamon chips which were perfect! People, if you have extra batter, make more muffins! They freeze well and you can take them out individually and microwave as needed.
Rose
Excellent and easy! I would definitely make again.
momcrieff
I just use regular muffin tins. It does make a fair amount of muffins. I have, occasionally had just a bit of batter left over.
pestep81
You always come up with the easiest recipes. There's no excuses for not cooking when you make it so easy. I know my hubby will love these. Thanks.