Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
These naturally sweetened sourdough apple muffins are ready in 30 minutes and are a tasty way to use up sourdough discard or starter. Maple syrup, softened apples, gut healthy sourdough starter, and a few other simple ingredients are combined for delicious results.
Building up a sourdough starter generates an annoying amount of ‘discard’ (what you get rid of when building up your starter). But luckily there are many tasty recipes you can use your sourdough discard in (like these Sourdough Banana Muffins) to avoid just throwing it away.
This recipe calls for only natural sweeteners and has no processed sugar. Processed sugar can be easily eliminated from recipes by swapping it out with maple syrup or local honey. And it usually tastes even more delicious. Maple syrup and honey have a more interesting flavour profile than plain white sugar, which adds to the flavour of these sourdough apple muffins.
These sourdough apple muffins are great as a tasty snack with an afternoon coffee or as a small healthy breakfast. They freeze really well so you can make a big batch, freeze them, and pop on into the oven to re-heat whenever you need a pick me up. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
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Ingredients
All-Purpose Flour
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Salt
Sourdough Discard (or starter)
Whole Milk
Butter (room temperature)
Egg & Egg Yolk
Maple Syrup (or honey)
Apple (chopped or shredded)
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Tools You Will Need
Muffin Tin
Two Large Bowls
Sharp Knife
Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.
Chop or shred your apples and set aside. You can peel them or if you’re short or time you can leave them peeled.
Combine the wet ingredients: sourdough starter or discard, maple syrup or honey, milk, vanilla, butter, and eggs.
In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add your chopped apples into the dry ingredients and combine.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and combine.
Grease your muffin tin with butter.
Pour the mixture into your muffin tin. Put into the oven for about 20 minutes or until golden.
Expert Tips
Most sourdough discard recipes, including this one, call for at least a cup of discard which is quite a lot. One quick tip is to store your discard in the fridge in an airtight container until you have enough to try out a recipe.
Variations
To Make Them Egg-Free – Substitute the eggs for ¼ c plain sugar-free yogurt
To Make Them Vegan – Substitute the eggs for ¼ C plain sugar-free yogurt and use maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of honey
How To Enjoy
With Butter – I like to eat these straight out of the oven with butter. Simple and delicious. Bonus points if you manage to have them with a hot coffee.
With Peanut Butter – Peanut butter and apples is a tasty combination. Spread crunchy or smooth peanut butter on the top of a muffin to add extra protein.
FAQ
How Long Does These Muffins Last?
These muffins will last 2-3 days on the counter in an airtight container. They will last about one week fridge in an airtight container.
Yes, you can freeze them for about 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
Yes, shredded or chopped apples taste delicious is a variety of sourdough recipes. Try out this sourdough discard apple cake or shred apple into the batter when making a batch of simple sourdough discard pancake.
Granny Smith apples are the most common apples used in baking.
Fuji apples are very sweet, making them another good option for baking.
Pink lady apples are more tart, and another great option!
Other Simple Sourdough Ideas
No-Wait Sourdough Discard Donuts (3 Variations)
Simple Parmesan Sourdough Bread
Simple Sourdough Pumpkin Muffins
Crunchy Sourdough Discard Granola
Simple & Tasty Sourdough Discard Banana Bread Recipe
If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. Find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!
Naturally Sweetened Sourdough Apple Muffins
Ingredients
Method
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.
- Chop or shred your apples and set aside. You can peel them or if you’re short or time you can leave them peeled.
- Combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients: sourdough starter or discard, maple syrup or honey, milk, vanilla, butter, and eggs.
- Add your chopped apples into the dry ingredients and combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and combine.
- Grease your muffin tin with butter.
- Pour the mixture into your muffin tin.
- Put into the oven for about 20 minutes or until golden.
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