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Lemon poppy seed muffins are a bright way to start the day! Fresh lemon and yogurt make these simple muffins moist and delicious.

Muffins are some of my favorite breakfasts to make, whether they are classic blueberry muffins or huge strawberry cheesecake muffins

Because itโ€™s been so dreary lately, I find myself turning to lemon and making multiple batches of my lemon poppy seed muffins.

lemon poppy seed muffins on countertop

If youโ€™re looking for an easy muffin with classic flavor, this is it! Even though it has both lemon juice and lemon zest, the lemon flavor is not overpowering, making it perfect for the whole family.

How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Muffins are a go-to because they are really easy to make. In fact, muffins were one of the first things I learned how to bake as a child.

Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by lining with paper liners or coating with nonstick spray. I prefer to not use liners to prevent any paper sticking. You can also spray the papers if you like. Cooled muffins will be easier to remove from papers.

This recipe uses melted butter added at the end instead of creaming with the sugar. Make sure you melt the butter and let it cool before mixing so you donโ€™t cook any of the ingredients in the bowl.


Combine flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Make sure you stir well to evenly disperse the poppy seeds.ย 

In another bowl, whisk together yogurt, egg, milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest. The mixture should be smooth and not too thick.

Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. We do this to make sure we donโ€™t overmix the batter once the wet ingredients are added. 

Pour the wet ingredients into the well you just created and stir to combine, but just until ingredients are mixed. Again, you donโ€™t want to overmix, which will make your muffins tough. 

If your batter looks too thick, add a small amount of milk until it is smooth. 

Fold in the melted butter, then divide batter evenly between muffin cups. Bake at 375ยฐF for 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and tops bounce back when lightly pressed.

lemon poppy seed muffins in muffin pan

Recipe Substitutions

You can swap the yogurt with an equal amount of sour cream.

No poppy seeds? These are just as delicious without!

Sometimes I make these muffins using Meyer lemons, which are sweeter than standard lemons. Look for Meyer lemons during the winter months at your grocery store.

Bottled lemon juice is OK to use if you donโ€™t have lemons on hand. The lemon flavor will be more subtle without fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, however.

To make these into vegan lemon poppy seed muffins, swap in vegetable oil, plant-based yogurt, and your favorite alternative milk such as almond milk.

If you like, mix up a simple lemon glaze for the muffins by whisking together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and milk as needed until smooth. Drizzle glaze over the top of the cooled muffins and let rest until hardened.

tray of lemon poppy seed muffins

FAQ

What kind of milk do I need for muffins?

I use 2% milk in this recipe.ย 

However, you can use whichever milk you have on hand, including plant-based milks. Keep in mind that if you use a flavored milk, it can affect the muffin taste.

What kind of yogurt should I use for lemon poppy seed muffins?


My favorite yogurt is Siggiโ€™s Icelandic Yogurt. Any variety of yogurt will do; if yours is extra thick like Greek yogurt you might need a tablespoon or more extra of milk.

I recommend using plain yogurt rather than vanilla or even lemon yogurt. This is to help control the level of sugar in the recipe, as flavored yogurt will add quite a bit.

Can I freeze lemon poppy seed muffins?

Yes, muffins are great for making ahead and freezing! I like to make a batch for breakfast and freeze any leftover muffins.

Let the muffins cool completely, then place them into a zip top bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag, then store in the freezer until desired, up to 3 months.

I store muffins in bags of 4. Smaller bags help prevent freezer burn and are perfect for taking just a few out at a time.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or pop into the microwave for 30 seconds, or until warmed.

lemon poppy seed muffin in red paper liner

Other muffin recipes to try

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It means so much when you enjoy my recipes, so let me know how it goes and leave a comment if you have any questions.

lemon poppy seed muffins on countertop

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Lemon poppy seed muffins are a bright way to start the day! Fresh lemon and yogurt make these simple muffins moist and delicious.
Author : Megan Myers
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Recipe Review
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375ยฐF. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or coat with nonstick spray and set aside.
  • Melt butter and let cool while you mix the batter.
  • In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In another bowl, whisk together yogurt, milk, egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
  • Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add wet ingredients. Stir to combine, just until no dry bits remain. If mixture is too thick, add a small amount of milk. Fold in melted butter.
  • Divide batter equally among muffin cups, filling nearly to the top. Bake 16-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 muffinCalories: 190 kcalCarbohydrates: 31 gProtein: 4 gFat: 6 gSaturated Fat: 3 gCholesterol: 28 mgSodium: 225 mgFiber: 1 gSugar: 14 g

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate based on online calculators. Any nutritional information found on Stetted should be used as a general guideline only.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a rating and comment below!
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About Megan

I learned how to cook by exploring seasonal ingredients, and you can too! Meal time shouldn’t be stressful or complicated, and with fresh ingredients and easy methods, Iโ€™m here to help you enjoy the time spent in the kitchen.ย Read moreโ€ฆ

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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