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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

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Cinnamon streusel muffins are ready in just 35 minutes! This recipe creates moist muffins that are topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. They are sure to be a fan favorite at your weekend brunch, while equally delicious as an on-the-go snack. Easily make these vegan or gluten-free, too!

Cinnamon streusel muffins served on a white plate.

This cinnamon streusel muffin recipe goes above and beyond! There is just something about that brown sugar crumble over top of moist muffins that has me making this recipe again and again.

The cinnamon adds an element of warmth and comfort, pairing perfectly with a warm cup of coffee or tea. Plus, my kids love the soft texture and sweetness of the muffins – so everyone wins!

With just 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of bake time, skip the coffee shops and make these homemade cinnamon streusel muffins instead! After one bite of these fluffy muffins, they are sure to be your new favorite thing! 

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

  • Quick & Easy: These muffins are an easy breakfast, snack, or dessert! They are made in less time than traditional coffee cake, but still have the same comforting flavor.
  • Kid-Friendly: Kids will absolutely love these tasty muffins with their sweet cinnamon streusel! Serve alongside fresh fruit or a wholesome smoothie for a well-rounded meal.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: These streusel top muffins are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! Whether you’re hosting a brunch or making breakfast for the family, you’ll quickly find that the crumb topping and cinnamon swirl base make these irresistible.
  • Meal Prep: You can make a double batch of muffins and freeze some to have on hand for busy mornings!

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

These muffins with crumble topping come together with simple ingredients for the perfect combination of taste and texture. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the nutritional values!

Ingredients for cinnamon streusel muffins recipe on a white background.
  • Streusel Topping: You’ll combine flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter for a delicious streusel topping that makes these the best ever cinnamon streusel muffins!
  • All-Purpose Flour: This cinnamon crumb muffin recipe uses classic all purpose flour for the traditional muffin texture that we all know and love!
  • Baking Powder: This leavening agent gives these muffins their fluffy texture, helping them rise and expand while baking.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter provides the fat content that is needed in this baked good. It adds flavor and helps create a tender muffin.
  • Sugar: Muffins are best with a touch of sweetness, which you’ll get thanks to the granulated sugar!
  • Eggs: Using eggs in muffin batter provides structure and texture. It also helps create the tall muffin tops!
  • Salt & Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla extract and salt enhances the flavors of the cinnamon crunch muffins, adding a comforting taste.
  • Buttermilk: The buttermilk adds moisture and richness, while working with the baking powder to produce the fluffiest of muffins.

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

  • Flour: Whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, or gluten-free flour can be used in place of the all-purpose flour. If using almond flour, I recommend mixing it with another gf flour like oat or coconut flour for the best texture.
  • Butter: You can use vegan butter, coconut oil, or vegetable oil in place of the regular butter.
  • Sugar: Sweeten these cinnamon crumb muffins with maple syrup or coconut sugar as an alternative to regular sugar.
  • Vanilla: If you don’t have vanilla extract, try any of these substitutes for vanilla extract instead!
  • Eggs: Flax eggs, chia eggs, or applesauce would work as a substitute here.
  • Milk: You can use whole milk, low-fat milk, or any non-dairy milk in this cinnamon swirl muffin recipe!

🔪 How To Make Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

This cinnamon streusel muffins recipe comes together in a few simple steps, which you can easily follow along with below:

For The Streusel

Preheat Oven & Mix Streusel: Preheat the oven to 350F/180C. Line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper liners. In a small bowl combine all of the muffin streusel topping ingredients except the butter. Whisk to combine. 

Add Butter: Pour the melted butter into the flour mixture and mix well. The muffin crumble topping is ready when it’s crumbly and sticks together when squeezed. It should have a similar consistency to wet sand. Place in the fridge while preparing the muffin batter.

For The Batter

Combine Dry Ingredients: To prepare the muffin batter whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl, set aside.

Dry ingredients for muffins mixed in a mixing bowl.

Beat Butter, Add Egg & Vanilla: Add the softened butter and sugar to the large bowl of a stand mixer. Beat with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Next, add one egg at a time along with the vanilla extract, beating until well combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. 

Butter creamed in a mixing bowl.

Add Milk & Dry Ingredients: Start off by adding half of the buttermilk and then half of the dry ingredients to the bowl. Gently mix until just combined.

Dry ingredients for muffins added to butter mixture in mixing bowl.

Finish Muffin Batter: Then, mix in the remaining buttermilk and dry ingredients until just combined. Set aside.

Butter creamed in a mixing bowl.

Start To Assemble Muffins: Sprinkle a teaspoon of the streusel topping over the base of each muffin liner.

Streusel topping for muffins added to muffin tins.

Add Batter: Fill the cupcake liners half way with batter. Sprinkle another teaspoon of streusel mixture.

Muffin batter spooned into muffin tins.

Finish Assembling: Cover the filling with another scoop of batter.

Batter for cinnamon muffins with a crumb topping being scooped into a muffin tin.

Add Final Layer & Bake: Finish by adding a final layer of ​​crumbly streusel topping on the top of each muffin. Bake muffins once the oven temperature has reached 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Muffins with streusel topping ready to be baked in the oven in a muffin tin.

Let Cool: When cooked, remove from the muffin pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Baked cinnamon muffins with streusel topping in a muffin tin.

💭 Expert Tips

  • For Best Results: 
    • Use room temperature ingredients – no cold butter needed in this recipe.
    • Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing will result in a tough and chewy muffin.
    • Beat the butter until light and fluffy. This may take between 2-4 minutes.
  • Alternative Tools: If you don’t have a stand mixer you can use an electric mixer.
  • Keep Oven Closed: Avoid opening the oven before the cooking time has been completed.
  • Toothpick Test: To test the muffins, insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the muffin. If it comes out clean then it is cooked. If it has batter on it, extend the time by 5 minutes.
  • Even Scoops: Use a cookie scoop to scoop out even amounts of batter into each of the muffin liners! This will result in the best cinnamon streusel muffins!

📖 Variations 

  • Cinnamon Apple Muffins: Mix in diced apple pieces to the batter for a fun variation to this recipe! The apples pair so well with the cinnamon flavor.
  • Pumpkin Cinnamon Streusel Muffins: Add some pumpkin flavor using canned pumpkin puree in the batter. Use ¼ cup of pumpkin puree in place of each day in the recipe for sweet muffins with a touch of Fall!
  • Whole Wheat Cinnamon Muffins: Use whole wheat flour instead of all purpose flour, adding healthy whole grains to this recipe!
  • Mini Muffins: Add the batter to a mini muffin pan for bite sized snacks! Keep in mind, you will need to adjust the baking time, as they will cook faster. Remove the muffins from the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.
  • Glazed Muffins: Instead of making the streusel topping, make a vanilla cinnamon glaze with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and water.
  • Add Protein: Mix in your favorite protein powder for a boost of protein content in these brown sugar and cinnamon muffins. You will need to add a couple tablespoons of milk to keep these moist and tender.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

While these cinnamon muffins with crumb topping are perfect on their own for an easy snack or dessert, you can also serve them along with other foods! I love to pair the muffins with fresh fruit and nut butter for a hearty, balanced breakfast! Here are a few more ideas: 

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

These cinnamon muffins with streusel topping are made using standard baking ingredients, but this easy recipe is adaptable to meet dietary needs. Try out the vegan or gluten-free option below:

  • Vegan Option: Create vegan buttermilk by using a non-dairy milk, adding a tbsp of lemon juice. Set aside for a few minutes before combining with other ingredients. Swap the eggs for flax eggs and use vegan butter in the streusel.
  • Lower Sugar Option: Feel free to reduce the sugar in this recipe by half for a lower sugar option. The muffins won’t be as sweet, but will be much healthier!
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the flour with an all purpose gluten-free flour mix or oat flour to make these gf cinnamon muffins with crumble!

🫙 Storage Directions

  • Refrigerating: Place leftover brown sugar cinnamon muffins in an airtight container or wrapped securely in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the muffins in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Allow the muffins to thaw before reheating.
  • Reheating: Reheat the streusel topped muffins in the oven or toaster oven for 5 minutes until warm. Alternatively, microwave the muffin for about 15-20 seconds.

❓Recipe FAQs

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY MUFFINS HAVE A MOIST AND TENDER CRUMB?

The best way to achieve a moist muffin is by using some form of fat in the batter! These cinnamon brown sugar muffins use butter, for instance. The butter gives the muffins the best texture with a perfectly tender crumb. Additionally, it is super important to not overmix the batter as this will make the muffins tough. Lastly, do not overbake the muffins, turning them crunchy and hard.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN MAKING MUFFINS?

While making muffins is pretty easy, there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid in order to have the best muffins! Be mindful of these common errors when making these cinnamon crumble muffins:

– Do not overmix the batter
– Avoid overfilling the muffin tins (muffins will spread and create a mess)
– Don’t forget to grease the pan or use liners
– Do not leave the muffins in the pan to cool (transfer to a wire rack)
– Don’t forget to check the center of the muffin to ensure it is done

WHAT’S THE IDEAL RATIO OF CINNAMON TO SUGAR FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING?

I like to use ⅓ cup brown sugar to 1 tsp cinnamon for the cinnamon topping for muffins, but you can play around with the ratio a bit! It would be ok to add extra cinnamon if you prefer a bolder taste in your streusel.

HOW DO I PREVENT THE STREUSEL FROM SINKING INTO THE MUFFIN BATTER WHILE BAKING?

If your batter is too thin and liquidy, the streusel will likely sink into the batter. It will still taste amazing, but won’t have the ideal look! You’ll want a thicker muffin batter to avoid this issue, like this base recipe! Additionally, the flour used in the topping will help the streusel hold its structure and remain on top. Plain sugar would melt and seep through when baking.

Cinnamon streusel muffin served on a white plate, with a bunch of baked cinnamon muffins with streusel topping in the background.

🧁 More Healthy Muffin Recipes!

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📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/9gGxNwIaC1I
Cinnamon streusel muffins served on a white plate.
Print Recipe
5 from 36 votes

Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Cinnamon streusel muffins are ready in just 35 minutes! This recipe creates moist muffins that are topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. They are sure to be a fan favorite at your weekend brunch, while equally delicious as an on-the-go snack. Easily make these vegan or gluten-free, too!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Baking, Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 12 large muffins
Calories: 305kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

For The Streusel Topping

For The Muffins

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven top 350 degrees F / 180 C. Line a 12 hole muffin tin with muffin liners.
  • In a small mixing bowl combine all of the streusel topping ingredients except the butter, whisk to combine.
  • Pour the butter into the flour mixture and mix well. The streusel topping is ready when its crumbly and sticks together when squeezed. Place in the fridge while preparing the muffin batter.
  • To prepare the muffin batter whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl, set aside.
  • Add the softened butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer, beat with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy.
  • Next, add one egg at a time along with the vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
  • Remove the bowl from the stand mixer.
  • Add half of the buttermilk and then half of the dry ingredients, gently mix until just combined.
  • Next, mix in the remaining buttermilk and dry ingredients until just combined. Set aside.
  • To assemble the muffins sprinkle a teaspoon of the streusel topping over the base of each muffin liner.
  • Fill each muffin liner half way with batter.
  • Sprinkle another teaspoon of streusel mixture.
  • Cover the filling with another scoop of batter.
  • Finish each muffin with a layer of topping mixture.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  • When cooked remove from the tray and cool completely on a cooling rack.

Notes

  • Use an aluminum free baking powder for a better taste (and a healthier muffin!)
  • Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten free flour for a gluten free alternative. Try whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour for a lighter muffin with more whole grains.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for best results.
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer use an electric hand mixer.
  • Beat the butter until light and fluffy, this may take between 2-4 minutes.
  • Store leftover muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
  • Avoid opening the oven before the cooking time has been completed.
  • To test the muffins are cooked insert a skewer into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean then it is cooked if it has batter on it extend the time by 5 minutes.
  • Avoid over mixing the batter. Overmixing will result in a tough and chewy muffin.
  • If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 2 tsp of white vinegar to your milk of choice, stir and let sit for 10 minutes. This also makes a great vegan option (using a plant based milk!) You can also use low fat milk if preferred.
  • This recipe makes 12 large muffins, but you can also make these into 24 mini muffins. Follow the same directions, but cut down the baking time (I’d start checking to see if the mini muffins are done around the 10 minute mark).
  • These muffins are higher in sugar and are more of a healthy treat. To turn them into a true breakfast meal, cut the sugar in this recipe by half. You’ll still end up with a slightly sweet muffin that can be eaten every day for breakfast!

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g

70 responses to “Cinnamon Streusel Muffins”

    • Hi there! I actually haven’t tested this recipe using milk instead of buttermilk, but I think theoretically it should work – you may just get a slightly different texture and flavor for these muffins! Hope that helps!

  1. These muffins are a hit in my house! We love the cinnamon flavor, and I love that we can freeze some for later!5 stars

  2. These are so good and my kids loved them. They like them better than those fruit flavoured granola bars I cringe at giving them. Looks like I have a new recipe for school. Yay!5 stars

  3. Wow! The raspberry filling was so delicious in these muffins! Paired perfectly with the cinnamon muffin flavor.5 stars

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