This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These lemon and poppyseed muffins feature a bright citrus flavor, complemented by the slightly crunchy texture of poppy seeds, and a moist, tender crumb. A sweet lemon glaze drizzled on the muffin tops adds a finishing touch that enhances both texture and flavor.

an overhead shot of lemon and poppyseed muffins drizzled with lemon glaze

What Makes This Recipe Great

Spring has arrived, bringing with it citrus season, sunnier weather, blooming flowers, and fresh, bright flavors! Enter, Lemon and Poppyseed Muffins- tender, fluffy muffins packed with fresh lemon flavor, crunchy poppy seeds for a bit of texture, and almond extract for extra depth. Topped with a simple lemon glaze, these muffins are truly a delight. 

As always, this recipe is gluten-free, and I provided an option for a dairy-free version. All you need are a few fresh, simple ingredients, some pantry staples, and muffin pans. These tender muffins freeze beautifully and make a delicious breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or satisfying dessert. 

Lemon lovers, if you're looking for all things lemon, try this Starbucks Copycat Lemon Drizzle Cake or these Healthy Paleo Lemon Bars!

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredient Notes

recipe ingredients in small bowls and labeled

Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

  • gluten-free measure for measure flour: I recommend using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I like King Arthur Baking brand. Bob's Red Mill also makes a gluten-free all-purpose flour that works well. 
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • poppy seeds
  • granulated sugar
  • salted butter: Softened. Use vegan butter for dairy free.
  • large eggs: Room temperature.
  • plain Greek yogurt: Use dairy-free Greek yogurt if preferred.
  • unsweetened almond milk: Or milk of choice.
  • fresh lemons: Use both fresh lemon juice and fresh lemon zest for this recipe. 
  • vanilla extract
  • almond extract

Lemon Glaze

  • fresh lemon juice
  • organic powdered sugar

How To Make Lemon and Poppyseed Muffins

numbered step by step photos showing how to make the muffin batter

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking oil or line it with paper liners or silicone muffin liners.

Step 2

Combine the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl: gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and poppy seeds. Mix and set aside.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, combine the coconut sugar and butter and use a fork to cream them together. 

Step 4

Add in the remaining ingredients: eggs, Greek yogurt, almond milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and almond extracts. Mix well until smooth and creamy.

numbered step by step photos showing how to bake the muffins and make the lemon glaze

Step 5

Add the flour mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold it together and combine. Do not overmix the muffin batter.

Step 6

Divide batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups until each one reaches the top.  

Step 7

Bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue baking for another 15-16 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Step 8

While the muffins are baking, combine the glaze ingredients in a bowl and whisk until a smooth icing is formed. 

Step 9

Let the lemon muffins cool completely on a wire rack, then drizzle each muffin top with the fresh lemon glaze. Enjoy!

lemon poppy seed muffins on a piece of parchment paper drizzled with glaze

Expert Tips

  • Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for vegan butter, the Greek yogurt for a non-dairy alternative, and use your favorite plant-based milk. 

Storage Tips

Store these lemon poppy seed muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

To freeze, store in a freezer bag (after the muffins have cooled completely) in the freezer. For even fresh muffins, wrap each one in plastic wrap before putting them into the bag. 

Thaw at room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying. If you like warm muffins, feel free to heat in the microwave or air fryer before serving. 

muffins stacked on top of each other
a bite taken out of a muffin to show the middle

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comment section. Or, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram today!

5 from 3 votes

Easy Lemon and Poppyseed Muffins Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins
These lemon and poppyseed muffins feature a bright citrus flavor, complemented by the slightly crunchy texture of poppy seeds, and a moist, tender crumb. A sweet lemon glaze drizzled on the muffin tops adds a finishing touch that enhances both texture and flavor.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 2 ¼ cups gluten free measure for measure flour, I like King Arthur Baking brand
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup salted butter, softened. Use vegan butter for dairy free
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt, use Dairy Free Greek yogurt if preferred
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Lemon Glaze

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking oil or line with muffin wrappers.
  • Combine the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl: gluten free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and poppy seeds. Mix and set aside.
  • In another large bowl, combine the sugar and butter and use a fork to cream them together.
  • Add in the remaining ingredients: eggs, Greek yogurt, almond milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and almond extracts. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold it together and combine. Do not overmix.
  • Divide the mixture evenly between the 12 muffin cups until each one reaches the top.
  • Bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Reduce the oven heat down to 350. Continue baking for another 15-16 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • While the muffins are baking, combine the glaze ingredients in a bowl and whisk until a smooth icing is formed.
  • Let the muffins cool completely, then drizzle with the glaze. Enjoy!

Notes

Expert Tips

  • Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for vegan butter, the Greek yogurt for a non-dairy alternative, and use your favorite plant-based milk. 

Storage Tips

Store these lemon poppy seed muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
To freeze, store in a freezer bag (after the muffins have cooled completely) in the freezer. For even fresh muffins, wrap each one in plastic wrap before putting them into the bag. 
Thaw at room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying. If you like warm muffins, feel free to heat in the microwave or air fryer before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 277IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.

Did you make this?Rate & comment below, and tag me on Instagram @maryswholelife

You may also like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments

  1. Mercedes M says:

    Amazing!! No glaze needed but I’m sure that would make it even better! My hubby came back in from his trip to the gym to get an extra! He doesn’t leave his lift for anything!

  2. Lisa says:

    Mixed these up and baked half for us to try last night. The only change I made was to swap out the white sugar for coconut sugar and they were delicious! Going to bake the rest today to share with a friend. Will be making them in mini form for Easter brunch. Thanks Mary!

  3. Katie says:

    Saw Mary post these for the first time today and couldn’t wait to make! Ran straight to the store to get the ingredients – they did not disappoint! So good and moist and very easy to make.

    1. Mary says:

      Thanks Katie!!