These moist and hearty Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Muffins are a must bake for fall. Packed with maple and brown sugar flavors, loaded with cinnamon crumbs, and topped with a sweet maple glaze, they're a breakfast treat you don't want to miss!

Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Muffins piled on table.

Freshly baked oatmeal muffins are so yummy for breakfast!
Why you'll love these oatmeal muffins with maple syrup and brown sugar
Ingredients: simple and wholesome goodness
How to make oatmeal muffins
Recipe tips: Get the best muffins every time!
Recipe variations
Serving suggestions for any occasion
More muffin recipes

Freshly baked oatmeal muffins are so yummy for breakfast!

Oats are a hearty and healthy way to start the day When you put them into oatmeal muffins, breakfast becomes a treat. They're not only a great source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber but taste fantastic too!

Add all those heart-healthy oats in muffins with fruit and you've got a grab-n-go breakfast to drool over. My favorites that are always in the freezer ready to grab include these Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins, Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, and Peach Oatmeal Muffins.

Holding a maple oatmeal muffin with bite out.

Why you'll love these oatmeal muffins with maple syrup and brown sugar

Perfect blend of hearty and sweet: The oats give them a deliciously chewy texture, while the maple syrup and brown sugar add a warm, rich sweetness that's just right!

Crumbs Galore!: If all that cinnamon goodness in the muffins wasn't enough to get your fall on, the cinnamon crumbs in all their sweet richness will definitely put you in the mood.

Nutty or not: Here come the muffins! Great with or without pecans to add a little crunch. And let's not forget that maple glaze on top. It's like the cherry on a sundae but better because, well, it's icing!

Ingredients: simple and wholesome goodness

Simple ingredients, most of them pantry staples, means you can whip up these muffins whenever the craving strikes. You'll find the exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are the base of our muffins, adding texture and heartiness. They soak up the milk, becoming soft and chewy.
Milk: Helps to soften the oats and makes the muffins nice and moist.
Pure Maple Syrup: Our fall sweetener, gives these muffins a deep, rich sweetness that's so much better than plain sugar. Be sure to use real maple syrup for the best flavor.
Vegetable Oil or Avocado Oil: Keeps the muffins moist and tender. Avocado oil is a great choice for a slightly healthier option.
Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of molasses flavor and sweetness.
Eggs: Helps to bind everything together and give the muffins structure.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the right amount of structure without making the muffins too dense.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents help the muffins rise and give them a light, fluffy texture.
Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Warm spices that add a cozy flavor to every bite.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors, making everything taste a little bit better.
Pecans: Add a nutty crunch and extra texture. Totally optional but highly recommended!
Powdered Sugar: A little sprinkle on top makes them look and taste irresistible. (optional)

Streusel Topping

Flour - the base of the crumbs.
Brown Sugar - sweetens the crumbs and gives them a richer flavor.
Butter - gives the crumbly texture associated with a crumb topping.
Cinnamon: Adds more cinnamon flavor and sweetness to the muffins. Plus who can resist crumbs?

Maple Icing - Takes these muffins from delicious to awesome!

Powdered Sugar - the sweet base of the icing.
Maple Syrup - sweetens the icing with rich fall flavor.
Half and Half - makes the icing thick and rich.
Vanilla Extract - enhances the flavor and adds a bit of warm aroma to the mix.

How to make oatmeal muffins

Making the batter:

Steps to make maple oatmeal muffin batter.

In a large bowl, combine oats, milk, maple syrup, oil, brown sugar, eggs, and extract. Let sit for 5 minutes for the oats to soften slightly.
Stir the oat mixture well then add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Stir until just combined. Fold in pecans.
Batter is ready for muffin tins.

Streusel Topping and Baking

Prep steps to add crumbs and bake muffins.

Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Stir then add cold cubed butter.
Cut into flour mixture until it resembles small crumbs.
Using a large cupcake/cookie scoop, scoop batter into the muffin cups of a 12-cup muffin tin lined with paper liners. They will be full.
Sprinkle the streusel crumbs on top of the muffins. (use as much or as little as you like. I had some leftover.)
Bake in a 400°F preheated oven for 7 minutes then turn oven down to 350°F and bake another 11-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack.

Maple Icing

Place powdered sugar, maple syrup, half and half, and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
Whisk until smooth. You want to be able to drizzle it over muffins easily. Add more half and half to make it thinner or thicken it with a bit more powdered sugar, if needed.

Finishing Touches

Finishing oatmeal muffins with powdered sugar and maple icing.

Sprinkle cooled maple oatmeal muffins with powdered sugar to make them look irresistible! (you can serve them now or add the optional maple icing.)
Place the maple icing in a plastic sandwich bag, snip the corner, and drizzle over the muffins. Let set before storing.

Stacked Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Muffins.

These Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Muffins are easy to make, simply delicious, and the perfect treat for a fall breakfast. Great for grab-n-go on busy mornings, for an afternoon snack, or warm them up and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a yummy dessert Enjoy!

Recipe tips: Get the best muffins every time!

Let the Oats Soak - When you mix the oats with the milk, give them a few minutes to soak before adding the other ingredients. This allows the oats to soften and absorb some moisture, resulting in a better texture in the finished muffins. If you can, let them sit for about 5-10 minutes. It makes a big difference! Totally optional and delicious either way you decide to proceed.

Use Fresh Baking Powder and Baking Soda - For the best rise, make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. If they've been sitting in the pantry for too long, they might not be as effective, leading to flat muffins.

Don't Overmix the Batter - Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stir just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense muffins. It's okay if the batter looks a little lumpy-those lumps are your friends!

Check for Doneness with the Toothpick Test - To make sure your muffins are done, insert a toothpick into the center of one muffin. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they're done. If it comes out with wet batter, give them a few more minutes. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on them.

Cool the Muffins Before Icing - As tempting as it is to ice the muffins right away, it's best to let them cool completely first. This prevents the icing from melting and sliding off. Once they're cool, sprinkle on the powdered sugar then drizzle away.

Make the Icing Your Way - If you prefer a thicker icing, use less milk. For a thinner drizzle, add a little more milk until it reaches the desired consistency. You can even skip the icing altogether if you want a less sweet muffin-these are delicious either way!

Recipe variations

These Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Muffins are super easy to customize. You can switch up the flavors or add your favorite mix-ins to make them your own. Here are a few fun and tasty variations to try:

Brown Sugar Glaze - if you want to change things up from the maple icing, a brown sugar glaze is a great option! To make it, combine brown sugar, powdered sugar, a bit of butter, and a splash of milk, then heat until the sugar dissolves. Drizzle it over the cooled muffins for a caramel-like topping that adds even more rich flavor.

Swap the Nuts - If you're not a fan of pecans or just want to try something different, feel free to substitute them with other nuts. Chopped walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts would work well in this recipe.

Add Some Fruit - For a fruity twist, try adding dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dried apricots to the batter. They'll add a chewy texture and a hint of natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the maple and brown sugar flavors. Fresh fruit like blueberries or diced apples could also be a delicious addition, just be sure to lightly coat them in flour before folding them into the batter to prevent them from sinking.

Chocolate Lovers' Twist - For those who can't resist chocolate, try adding a handful of chocolate chips to the batter. The combination of oats, maple syrup, and chocolate is pure bliss. Dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips would all be delicious options.

Make Them Mini - Turn these muffins into mini muffins for a bite-sized treat! Simply use a mini muffin pan and reduce the baking time to about 10-12 minutes. These mini versions are perfect for kids, lunchboxes, or as a cute addition to a brunch table.

Serving suggestions for any occasion

Breakfast On-the-Go - Wrap these muffins individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container, and you've got a grab-and-go breakfast option for busy mornings. Pair with a piece of fruit and your favorite coffee or tea, and you're good to go!

Part of a Brunch Spread - Hosting a brunch? These muffins will be a hit! Serve them alongside scrambled eggs, fresh fruit salad, and bacon or sausage links. They're also great next to a yogurt parfait with granola for a complete and satisfying meal.

Afternoon Snack - These muffins make a great snack to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. They're sweet enough to satisfy your cravings but hearty enough to keep you full until dinner. Perfect for a midday pick-me-up!

Dessert Treat - Believe it or not, these muffins also make a great dessert. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The maple flavor pairs wonderfully with both for a simple, satisfying treat.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store: If you have any leftover muffins, storing them is easy. Allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They'll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freeze: To freeze them, wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Reheat: If you want it warm, just pop a muffin in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds.

More muffin recipes

Find lots of easy recipes for muffins and bread right here on 2CM!

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