10 Best Cashew Muffin Recipes

Cashews add a buttery, rich flavor and satisfying crunch to muffins that other nuts just can’t match. These 15 recipes use cashews in different ways – some fold chopped nuts into the batter, others use cashew butter, and some feature them in streusel toppings. Cashew muffins tend to be a bit more expensive to make than regular muffins, but the unique flavor is worth the splurge. Most of these freeze well, so you can make a batch and enjoy them over time.

Toasted Cashew Streusel Muffins

The streusel topping on these is what makes them special – its got butter, brown sugar, and toasted cashew pieces that get all crunchy in the oven. Toasting the cashews first is key – it brings out their flavor way more than using them raw. The muffin itself is usually a simple vanilla base that lets the cashew topping be the star. The contrast between the soft muffin and crunchy topping is so good. These look fancy but aren’t hard to make.

Banana Cashew Crunch Muffins

The banana keeps these super moist while the cashews add great texture. Use really ripe bananas for the best flavor – those spotty brown ones nobody wants to eat. Some recipes crush some of the cashews fine and leave others chunky which gives different levels of crunch. The banana-cashew combo works really well together, kinda like banana bread but more interesting. Great way to use up brown bananas and fancier than regular banana muffins.

Maple Cashew Morning Muffins

The maple flavor in these comes from real maple syrup which gives a more complex sweetness than just using sugar. The cashews might be in the batter, on top, or both. Some recipes include a maple glaze that gets drizzled over the warm muffins. The maple and cashew flavors are both kinda buttery which makes these taste rich even if they’re not super high in fat. Perfect for fall weekend breakfasts with coffee.

Cashew Butter Berry Muffins

These use cashew butter swirled into the batter which creates pretty patterns and pockets of creamy cashew goodness. Making good cashew butter swirls takes a little practice – the trick is warming the cashew butter slightly so it’s easier to swirl. Some recipes add extra chopped cashews on top for crunch. The cashew butter makes these more filling than regular muffins. Great protein-packed breakfast or snack.

Apple Cashew Cinnamon Muffins

The chunks of apple give these great texture and little bursts of freshness while the cashews add crunch. The cinnamon ties it all together and makes your kitchen smell amazing. Some recipes have you cook the apples first but I think it’s fine to just dice them small and use them raw. The sweet-tart apples with buttery cashews is a combo that just works. Perfect for fall when apples are in season.

Chocolate Chip Cashew Muffins

The chocolate chips in these get all melty while the cashews stay crunchy, giving you two great textures in one muffin. Some recipes use regular chocolate chips while others go fancy with chunks of good dark chocolate. The slightly salty cashews balance the sweet chocolate perfectly. These straddle the line between breakfast and dessert, which means they work anytime. My kids love these and don’t even realize the nuts are giving them protein.

Blueberry Cashew Oat Muffins

The oats in these give a hearty texture and make them more filling than regular muffins. The blueberries burst during baking and add juicy pockets of fruit flavor. The cashews are usually chopped and mixed into the batter but some recipes use cashew meal (finely ground cashews) as part of the flour which makes them extra tender. These are great for breakfast because they actually keep you full for hours. One of the healthier options in the cashew muffin family.

Honey Roasted Cashew Muffins

These use honey as the main sweetener which pairs naturally with the cashews. Some recipes coat the cashews in honey before adding them to the batter or topping, making them almost like the honey roasted nuts you can buy. The honey gives these a more complex sweetness than just using sugar. These aren’t too sweet which makes them good for breakfast or with a cup of tea in the afternoon.

White Chocolate Cashew Maple Muffins

The white chocolate in these can be chips mixed into the batter or a glaze on top. Either way, it adds creamy sweetness that complements the cashews perfectly. The white chocolate is sweet while the cashews are slightly salty which makes a great flavor balance. A bit more special than regular muffins but not difficult to make.

Cashew Date Breakfast Muffins

The dates in these add natural sweetness and chewy texture while the cashews add crunch. Dates and cashews are both common in Middle Eastern cooking and work really well together. Some recipes soak and puree some of the dates to add to the batter while leaving others chopped for texture. These are pretty filling because of the protein in the cashews and fiber in the dates. Good for busy mornings when you need substantial fuel.