Name: The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes; 1 ½ tablespoons light brown sugar; 2 teaspoons granulated sugar; pinch salt; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice; 1 ½ tablespoons diced apples reserved from below; 1 ½ tablespoons full fat sour cream, room temperature; 5 tablespoons pure canned pumpkin; 1 tablespoon apple juice or orange juice or water; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar; 1 large egg yolk, room temperature; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup fresh apple, cut into small cubes I use Honeycrisp; Dice about 1 ½ tablespoons smaller for the streusel; ½ cup, plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ⅛ teaspoon salt; ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

If you’re dreaming of the coziest way to embrace autumn, The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe brings all your favorite fall flavors into a single, small-batch treat that’s just right for a lazy weekend morning or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. These tender pumpkin muffins are chock-full of juicy apple bits, swirled with aromatic spices, and finished with a buttery, crumbly apple streusel topping that takes them from simple to show-stopping. With just the right balance of sweet and spice—not to mention minimal prep and fuss—this recipe is perfect when you want a taste of the season without a mountain of leftovers.

The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe are thoughtfully chosen for maximum flavor and texture with minimum effort. Each element brings a special role to the muffins, whether it’s the irresistible softness, the touch of apple crunch, or that perfectly spiced aroma. Let’s walk through what you’ll need and why you need it!

All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of both the muffins and the streusel, giving structure and texture to each bite.
Unsalted butter (cold): Essential for that crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth streusel topping—don’t skimp on the chill here!
Light brown and granulated sugars: A duo for deep caramel notes and balanced sweetness in every layer.
Salt: Just a pinch heightens all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon: Adds that classic, pumpkin-forward, autumnal warmth to both muffin and streusel.
Fresh apple (such as Honeycrisp): Brings brightness, moisture, and little juicy pops to the muffins and the topping.
Full fat sour cream (room temperature): The secret to incredibly soft, tender crumb—don’t substitute for fat-free versions.
Pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling): For that glorious pumpkin flavor and deep color; make sure it’s the pure stuff.
Apple juice (or orange juice, or water): Adds subtle fruitiness and extra moisture—juice enhances the apple notes best.
Egg yolk (room temperature): Adds richness and keeps the recipe perfectly portioned for a small batch.
Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla brings everything together and deepens the flavor profile.
Baking soda: Gives rise and tenderness—just the right amount for small batch baking.

How to Make The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe

Step 1: Make the Streusel Topping

Start with the streusel—this step really sets The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe apart! In a small bowl, combine flour, cold cubed butter, both sugars, salt, and pumpkin spice. Use your fingers or a fork to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until you have small, crumbly bits, about the size of peas. Stir in those tiny diced apple pieces and slide the bowl into the fridge so it stays cold and crumbles up beautifully when baked.

Step 2: Prepare the Muffin Batter

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and add liners to your muffin pan—only four are needed, which feels so manageable and homey. In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, canned pumpkin, apple juice, both sugars, the egg yolk, and vanilla until everything is smooth and velvety. Stir in those apple chunks gently—don’t overmix, you want tender muffins!

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

In a smaller bowl, whisk your flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice so they’re perfectly blended. Sprinkle this dry mixture over your wet ingredients. Grab a spatula, and fold everything together until just combined—don’t worry if it looks a bit lumpy. Overmixing is a muffin’s enemy, so stop as soon as you don’t see flour streaks!

Step 4: Fill and Top the Muffin Cups

Spoon the batter evenly into your muffin liners so they’re all about the same size. This is where the magic happens: top each with a generous pile of chilled apple streusel. You’ll have beautiful, tall-topped bakery-style muffins in the end!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake at 425 degrees for just 5 minutes—this little blast helps give your muffins their fabulous high crowns. Don’t forget, after five minutes, reduce the oven to 350 degrees and keep baking for 11 to 13 more minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center has a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Let the muffins cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack so they finish cooling and the streusel sets to a perfect crisp.

How to Serve The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple glaze is all you need to take The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe from delightful to dazzling. For an extra pop of fall color, add a few paper-thin apple slices on the side or a sprinkle of cinnamon right before serving.

Side Dishes

These muffins are the star of any breakfast or brunch spread. Pair them with creamy Greek yogurt, a handful of toasted pecans, or some sharp cheddar slices for a sweet-savory moment. For an afternoon treat, a warm mug of chai or apple cider alongside your muffin is a match made in autumn heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

Make a special occasion out of The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe—stack them on a rustic wooden board with little labels for each flavor you’re serving, or wrap them in parchment with twine for a picnic-ready treat. You can even tuck a single muffin into a small jar, add a note and a ribbon, and surprise a friend or neighbor with an individual serving of fall joy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for three to five days. The streusel remains delightfully crumbly on top and the muffins keep their tender, moist crumb for days—making The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe perfect for a little everyday indulgence.

Freezing

If you want to savor these muffins beyond the week, simply wrap each one in plastic wrap and transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep their flavor and texture in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature, and your future self will be immensely grateful for your planning!

Reheating

For maximum coziness, give your muffin a quick warm-up in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. If you prefer the streusel on the crispier side, pop them in a 300 degree oven for 5 minutes. The aroma of warm pumpkin and spices will fill your kitchen all over again.

FAQs

Can I double The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe?

Absolutely! This small batch recipe doubles beautifully—just double all the ingredients and bake as directed. You’ll need a second muffin tin or to bake in two batches, but it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing extras.

Can I use a different apple variety?

Yes! While Honeycrisp is especially sweet and crisp, feel free to use your favorite snacking apple—Gala, Fuji, or even Granny Smith for a tart contrast would all work wonderfully in The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe.

What can I use instead of sour cream?

Full-fat Greek yogurt is the best substitute if you don’t have sour cream on hand. It will still create a moist, tender crumb, so you won’t sacrifice texture or flavor.

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Absolutely—you can swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free blend. Just be aware that texture may vary, but they’ll still taste delicious!

What happens if I skip the high initial baking temperature?

That blast of 425F heat gives you those lovely, bakery-style tall muffin tops. If you skip it, your muffins will still taste fantastic, but you’ll miss out on that dramatic, domed look that makes The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe so special.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to bake and taste The Best Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Small Batch Recipe! Every bite brings warm pumpkin spice, pops of juicy apple, and that buttery-crisp streusel topping. Save this one for those crisp mornings when you want a cozy treat and let me know how you make it your own—it’s autumn comfort in muffin form, every single time.