What Makes This Muffin Recipe So Good
Not only does this muffin recipe combine apples and cranberries, but it also has dates and walnuts. Dates are a natural sweetener, so this recipe has no refined sugar. A small amount of maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness and lovely maple flavour.
Walnuts add crunch, and oats give these muffins a great texture as well as nutritious goodness. I used 1:1 gluten-free flour, but you can use all-purpose or whole wheat flour.
Here’s What You Need To Make This Recipe
Cranberries:
I’m using fresh cranberries here, but you can substitute dried cranberries.
Dates:
I made this recipe with medjool dates, but any variety of dates will work. You can buy dates already pitted, or you can pit them yourself
Apple:
Any variety of apple can be used. The outcome will be different depending on the tartness or sweetness of the apple variety. I used an ambrosia apple which, which adds sweetness to this sugar-free recipe.
Walnuts:
I like to toast the walnuts (read further for how to toast). You can skip this step, however, toasting the walnuts really enhances their flavour and texture. Which, in turn, enhances the flavour and texture of your baking.
Oats:
Use quick-cooking rolled oats, not instant.
Flour:
Regular all-purpose flour is perfect, but you can use whole wheat flour, or half all-purpose and half whole wheat. Using whole wheat flour will make for a heavier, but still delicious muffin. It will also add fibre and nutrients. If gluten is a problem for you, use a 1:1 ratio gluten-free flour blend, or try almond, coconut, quinoa, or another alternative non-wheat flour. Keep in mind when using any other flour besides a 1:1 gluten-free blend, you may need to use less, or you may need to add more milk. This is because the different flours vary in liquid absorption ability.
Milk:
I used almond milk, but any milk, either dairy or non-dairy will work equally well.
Oil:
This recipe uses olive oil, which adds a fruitiness to the already fruit-filled muffins. You can also use vegetable oil.
Egg:
Use a large egg. The egg, and all the other ingredients, should ideally be a room temperature for the best possible results. If you want to bring ingredients to room temperature quickly, here’s how: How to Bring Butter, Eggs & Dairy to Room Temperature Quickly
Maple Syrup:
Please use the real thing. “Pancake” syrup is simply corn syrup with artificial flavour and colour added and is not a substitute for pure maple syrup.
How To Toast Walnuts
For the best flavour and crunch, toast the walnuts. It’s very easy and doesn’t take long at all. You can toast the nuts in a skillet on the stovetop or you can use the oven. For a small amount of nuts, like the 1/2 cup in this recipe I use the stovetop.
To toast nuts on the stove, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the nuts to the pan in a single layer. Nuts are naturally high in fat, so there is no need to use any oil. Stir or shake the pan to keep them from burning, and heat until the nuts become fragrant and toasted, about 5 minutes.
To toast nuts in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°. Place the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 6-7 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
For both toasting methods, keep a close eye on them. Nuts can burn very easily. Transfer the toasted nuts immediately to a plate so that they don’t continue to cook.
How To Make These Muffins (Step By Step)
Muffins are almost always made by the same method, called appropriately, The Muffin Method. These cranberry apple oatmeal muffins are no exception.
1. In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients
2. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients
3. Add the wet ingredients, along with any add-ins, to the dry ingredients.
4. Combine with a few quick strokes, mixing just enough to moisten the dry ingredients. (lumps are fine) This step is important, as over-mixing will cause the muffins to be tough and filled with air pockets.
Tips For Perfect Muffins
Always use the Muffin Method outlined above, mixing the wet ingredients separately from the dry ingredients.
Don’t over mix. (This can’t be overemphasized)
Combine the wet and dry ingredients right before baking. (Don’t make the batter ahead of time).
Line the muffin pan with paper liners. Lining the pan eliminates the need for greasing, ensures that the baked muffins will not stick, makes cleanup easier, and extends the life of your pans.
Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
Ingredient Variations For Oatmeal Muffins
Here are a few variations for the add-ins. Instead of:
Dates: Raisins or Diced Prunes
Cranberries: Dried cherries, strawberries, or apricots
Walnuts: Pecans, cashews, or slivered almonds
Apple: Pear or a grated carrot
More Fall Baking Ideas
Fall Baking is perfect for using seasonal ingredients. If you love it, too, here are more delicious fall baking recipes for you to try!
- Apple Ricotta Cake (Gluten-Free Cake)
- Apple Walnut Spice Cake
- Pumpkin Pecan Muffins (Gluten-Free)
- Pumpkin Spice Loaf
- Cranberry Walnut Bread

Cranberry Apple Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg large
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large apple peeled and diced
- 6 dates pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Line a twelve cup muffin pan with paper liners, or use cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine the flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, olive oil, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture
- Add the apple, dates, cranberries and walnuts
- Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened
- Spoon into prepared muffin pan cups
- Bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes
- Cool in the pan for five minutes before transferring the muffins to a rack to cool completely
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days
Notes
Nutrition
These are the perfect combination of fall flavours and I just happen to have all of them. Love the use of dates as opposed to sugar. Can’t wait to eat these.
Hi Kristen, I hope you’ll let me know how these muffins turned out for you. Happy baking!
Who doesn’t like freshly baked muffins? Such a delicious recipe with all the seasonal ingredients. Loving all the step by step images 🙂
Thanks, Jagruti. I’m so happy that you found the step by step helpful!
Great recipe – the dates are a particularly clever touch! Wonderful for bringing a rich sweetness to recipe that you otherwise wouldn’t get from cranberries alone. Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome, Sean. Enjoy!
These muffins celebrate the flavors of the season. The apples, cranberries are ideal and what a lovely addition to a nice breakfast or brunch. I’m making these for our Sunday brunch next week and I know they’ll be a hit. I like that you used olive oil instead of butter. A much healthier choice.
Hi Marisa, I know you will love these muffins. Olive oil is a key ingredient. Enjoy!
I love it when I have all of the ingredients listed on a recipe ( I used dried cranberries though). These were the BEST and my whole kitchen smelled fabulous!
Hi Sharon, so happy to hear that they were a hit!
this Cranberry Apple Oatmeal Muffins sounds so tasty and tart and sweet! this would make a great breakfast treat!
We love these for breakfast, Nancy. I hope you do too!
With such an abundance of pretty cranberries in the store at the moment I was wondering what I could do with them. Your recipe looks amazing, I’ll be making these for my visitors next week, for sure!
Hi Melanie. It’s great to take advantage when cranberries are in season. I know you will love these muffins. Enjoy!
What a great looking muffin! I already loved the idea of apples and cranberries together, and you added walnuts and dates, two of my favorite ingredients! Pinned to try!
Very yummy recipe, we loved these. I baked them as a breakfast treat for something different, and everyone loved them. No crumbs left! Will make it again. Thank you for the recipe!
You’re welcome Jenny! I’m so happy that you & your family loved these muffins. Thank you for letting me know!
Wonderful, healthy and flavourful bake Colleen..how nice to combine the apples, dates and cranberries in this recipe and great to sweeten these muffins with a good maple syrup! Scrumptious muffins
Thank you, Shy! I’m glad you enjoyed them!
I love eating muffins for breakfast and these are perfect since they are filled with healthy ingredients. Such a great flavour combo for Fall!
Hi Vanessa! These muffins are perfect for breakfast! Enjoy!
I love muffins for breakfast, so easy! These look and sound delicious!
These are delicious, Veronkia! I hope you give them a try!
These are simply scrumptious!
Thank you Joss! I so appreciate that you came back to let me know.
These are the perfect fall muffins. I love all the flavours in here. My son would love them for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Julia! I hope that you get a chance to make these muffins for your son!
The perfect breakfast muffins for this season, and I find myself making them over and over again. They are so delicious, but not too sweet, and the cranberries add the perfect tartness. Great recipe!
Hey, Candice, so happy that you like this recipe to make again! Thanks so much for letting me know!
What a perfect flavour combination. Before the holidays I always make sure to freeze a few bags of fresh cranberries so I can make cranberry muffins throughout the year. They are our fave!
Thanks, Bernice! I also like to freeze a few bags of cranberries. They can be hard to find at other times of the year!
My kids eat multiple muffins each and every day, so I am constantly looking for yummy recipes to try that don’t contain loads of sugar. These cranberry apple oatmeal muffins are absolutely perfect for our household! Love that they are sweetened naturally.
I’m glad you found this recipe Aleta! You can feel good about feeding these healthy muffins to your kids.
I love freshly baked muffins. These would be perfect for breakfast with my morning. What a great holiday recipe.
Thanks, Gloria. We love this for breakfast, too!
Yummy