Old-Fashioned Apple Bran Muffins

These Old-Fashioned Apple Bran Muffins are moist, lightly sweet, and wonderfully satisfying. Made with Kellogg’s All-Bran cereal and fresh shredded apple, they’re a delicious twist on a classic muffin recipe I’ve been making for decades.

I first started making the original Kellogg’s All-Bran muffins back in college. I liked them then, and I still do. There’s something comforting about a simple, dependable recipe that stands the test of time.

Recently, I decided to add a cup of shredded apple to the batter. What a delicious little change! The muffins turned out especially moist and tender, with just a hint of apple sweetness.

And the best part? My grandson James, who can be a pretty fussy eater, made a point of telling me how much he liked them.

That’s a pretty good endorsement in my book!

These easy, wholesome muffins are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or whenever you want a little something sweet with your coffee or tea.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Bran Muffins

• Moist and tender: Shredded fresh apple adds moisture and natural sweetness.
• Easy to make: Just a few everyday ingredients and simple steps.
• A good source of fiber: All-Bran cereal makes these muffins hearty and satisfying.
• Not overly sweet: Just enough sugar to make them a treat without tasting like cupcakes.
• Perfect for making ahead: They freeze well, so you can enjoy one whenever the mood strikes.
• Kid-approved: Even my picky grandson James gave them a thumbs-up!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe starts with the classic Kellogg’s All-Bran muffin ingredients, with the addition of fresh shredded apple.

• Kellogg’s All-Bran Original cereal: The main ingredient that gives these muffins their hearty texture and fiber.
• Milk: Softens the bran cereal and helps create a tender muffin.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure.
• Granulated sugar: Adds a little sweetness.
• Baking powder: Helps the muffins rise.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor.
• Egg: Helps bind everything together.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the muffins moist and tender.
• Fresh shredded apple: My addition to the original recipe. It makes these muffins especially moist and delicious.

How to Make Old-Fashioned Apple Bran Muffins

These muffins are easy to mix together in just a few minutes.

1. Preheat the oven. Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.
2. Combine the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Soften the cereal. In a large bowl, combine the All-Bran cereal and milk. Let stand for 2–5 minutes, until the cereal softens.
4. Add the wet ingredients. Stir the egg and oil into the softened cereal mixture.
5. Make the batter. Add the flour mixture, stirring just until moistened.
6. Fold in the apple. Gently stir in the shredded apple.
7. Fill the muffin cups. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups.
8. Bake. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips for Making the Best Apple Bran Muffins

Don’t skip soaking the cereal. Giving the All-Bran a few minutes to soften in the milk helps create a more tender muffin.

Don’t overmix. Stir the batter just until the dry ingredients are moistened. A few lumps are perfectly fine.

Use whatever apple you have. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith would all work well. Sweeter apples add a little more natural sweetness, while tart apples offer a nice contrast.

Peeling is optional. I like keeping things simple, and there’s no need to peel the apple unless you prefer a smoother texture.

Check for doneness. Because the shredded apple adds moisture, the muffins may need an extra minute or two depending on your oven.

Easy Variations

One of the things I love about this basic bran muffin recipe is how easy it is to adapt.

• Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffins: Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• Apple Walnut Bran Muffins: Stir in ¼ cup chopped walnuts.
• Apple Raisin Bran Muffins: Add ¼ cup raisins.
• Apple Cranberry Bran Muffins: Fold in ? cup dried cranberries.
• Apple Spice Bran Muffins: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg.

Of course, they’re perfectly delicious just as they are.

What to Serve with Apple Bran Muffins

These moist apple bran muffins are delicious on their own with a cup of coffee or tea, but they’re also easy to turn into a more satisfying breakfast.

Here are a few simple ideas:

• Greek yogurt: Add a scoop of plain Greek yogurt for extra protein.
• Cottage cheese: One of my favorite easy ways to round out breakfast.
• Hard-boiled egg: A simple protein-rich addition that pairs nicely with a muffin.
• Fresh fruit: Serve with berries, orange slices, or whatever fruit is in season.
• Peanut butter: Spread a little on a warm muffin for a delicious, more filling snack.

For me, a warm apple bran muffin alongside a little cottage cheese and fresh fruit makes a nearly perfect breakfast. I’ve been a cottage cheese fan for as long as I can remember, and I love how the combination of something a little sweet, something savory, and something fresh leaves me feeling comfortably satisfied. Add a good cup of coffee, and I’m happy!

How to Store and Freeze Apple Bran Muffins

At room temperature: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to 2 days. A paper towel in the container can help absorb excess moisture.

In the refrigerator: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

In the freezer: Wrap muffins individually and freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.

To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave (affiliate link).

I love having a few muffins tucked away in the freezer for an easy breakfast or afternoon snack.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

According to my calculations, each muffin has 185 calories and 7 WW Points.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

5 PointsPlus (Old plan)

If you’ve made this recipe for Easy Old-Fashioned Apple Bran Muffins, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

A Little Old-Fashioned Goodness

Some recipes are worth hanging on to.

I’ve been making these All-Bran muffins since college, and it’s nice to know that something so simple can still bring so much pleasure all these years later.

Adding shredded apple made an old favorite even better. And knowing that James enjoyed them makes me smile.

Maybe that’s one of the nicest things about cooking. The recipes we love have a way of finding their way to the next generation.

More Easy Muffin Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you enjoy these old-fashioned Apple Bran Muffins, here are a few more easy, homemade muffin recipes from Simple Nourished Living worth trying:

• Low Fat Apple Bran Muffins – Another variation on the classic All-Bran recipe, made lighter with whole wheat flour, applesauce, and chopped apple.
• Cinnamon Apple Mini Muffins – Soft, moist little muffins with warm cinnamon flavor. Perfect for breakfast or snacking.
• Healthy Breakfast Mini Muffins – Packed with apples, carrots, oats, raisins, and walnuts for a hearty little breakfast treat.
• Kodiak Cottage Cheese Blueberry Muffins – An easy, protein-rich muffin made with cottage cheese, Kodiak Cakes mix (affiliate link), and blueberries.
• Low-Calorie Fiber One Mango Muffins – Another clever way to turn bran cereal into moist, delicious muffins, with fewer than 100 calories each.