Easy Vegan Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffins

My vegan lemon muffins are the perfect treat for any citrus lover. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, they are both flavorful and nutritious. The combination of tart lemon zest and juice adds a refreshing twist to the classic muffin. Whether you’re following a vegan diet or simply love indulging in delicious baked goods, you won’t be able to resist these mouthwatering lemon muffins. Enjoy them for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert. Follow this easy recipe and satisfy your cravings today!

Sometimes breakfast is hard to navigate. I like to stay in bed as late as I can before grabbing something really quick to eat. On the weekend, I’m happy to prepare a long, leisurely brunch, but during the week, my favourite thing to do is prep my breakfast the night before. And yes, I know, a muffin isn’t the healthiest of breakfasts…but it IS vegan and yummy!

If my vegan lemon breakfast muffin recipe isn’t your thing (and of course, there’s always lunch, brunch and lupper, as Homer Simpson would say), you might prefer my healthy breakfast muffins, classic fluffy vegan blueberry muffins, my unusual beetroot muffins or perhaps my Banana Peanut Butter Pancakes are more up your street, or maybe my 3 ingredient protein balls! But these are a perfect sweet breakfast to take into work colleagues or a friend who needs cheering up!

The mainstay of the on-the-go breakfast eater, these easy vegan lemon poppy seed muffins are much lighter and fluffier than the dense, dried out ones you pick up, bleary-eyed, on your morning petrol run. With a zesty lemon flavour, these muffins will become a family favourite in no time! They also take no time at all to whip up.

However, if you find that time is not on your side in the mornings, or you just prefer to spend every precious minute dozing before the alarm goes off, you can make these the night before.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Plain Flour or all-purpose flour. Feel free to use your own gf flour blend too, if you are gluten intolerant.
• Sugar. I use white sugar, but you can use brown sugar, or coconut sugar if you prefer.
• Poppy seeds. Of course, you can’t make Lemon Poppy seed muffins without poppy seeds! These add a delightful crunch. You could use chia seeds if you prefer or just omit.
• Yogurt. I use Alpro natural or vanilla yogurt in baking. You could also make your own vegan buttermilk if you prefer, souring 240ml of plant-based milk (you could use oat milk, coconut milk, rice milk or soy milk) with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and leaving to stand for about 10 minutes.
• Egg Replacer. I like to use Orgran, but you could make flax eggs instead.
• Vanilla extract.
• Vegetable oil. You could use melted coconut oil if you prefer.
• Fresh lemon juice. The star of the muffins, lemons. Not only are this full of delicious lemon juice, they also use lemon zest for that strong citrus flavor. Don’t be tempted to use lemon extract. It is cheaper to buy regular lemons and use those.
• Try adding 1 cup of blueberries to make vegan lemon blueberry muffins instead (but omit the poppy seeds).

Step-By-Step Instructions

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Blend the wet ingredients in a jug, and then add to the dry.

Mix gently until just combined.

Using a muffin or ice cream scoop, divide the mixture between 12 muffin cases and bake for 18-20 mins.

Leave to cool on a cooling rack before enjoying!

The finished muffins!

How to Make Gluten Free Vegan Lemon Muffins

Note: If you want to make the muffins gluten free, simply swap out the flour for your favourite gluten-free flour mix instead!

• Line a 12 hole muffin pan with muffin liners.
• Pour all the wet ingredients into a blender plus the sugar, egg replacer and 4 tablespoons of water, and whizz together until smooth.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.
• Fold in the poppy seeds and lemon zest.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed.
• Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, fill your muffin cases about 3/4 full.
• Bake for about 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden and the muffins spring back to the touch.
• Your moist vegan lemon poppy seed muffins need to cool on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes. I know you will have a hard time waiting, but it’ll be worth it!

I love all things lemon, and whilst I don’t ice these muffins, you could make a simple lemon icing, similar to the one I use on my chewy lemon cookies, here.

Storage

Once baked, cool and store your vegan lemon muffins in an airtight tin. They are best on the first day of baking, will still taste delicious for 2 more days, before they will be past their best!

Can I freeze vegan lemon muffins?

Yes you can! Bake them and once completely cool, pop in an airtight freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. To defrost, simply remove as many as you need, and leave to thaw at room temperature.

More vegan breakfast inspiration!

• My naughty but nice Tiramisu Pancakes
• My delicious gluten free granola
• My perfect vegan waffle recipe
• Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake
• Lemon and Blueberry Pancakes

Better than Coffee-Shop Lemon Muffins

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A quick and easy recipe for vegan lemon muffins, ready in less than 30 minutes!

Freya

5 from 64 votes

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Equipment

• 12 hole Muffin Tin
• Oven
• Mixing Bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Whisk
• Measuring Jug
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

• ▢ 260 g Plain Flour
• ▢ 150 g White Sugar
• ▢ 1 tbsp Baking Powder
• ▢ 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
• ▢ ½ tsp Salt
• ▢ 20 g Poppy Seeds - (optional)
• ▢ 240 ml Yogurt - vegan, (any plant based of your choice, plain or vanilla)
• ▢ 3 tsp Egg Replacer - whisked up with 4 tbsp cold water
• ▢ 60 ml Vegetable Oil
• ▢ 120 ml Lemon Juice - freshly squeezed
• ▢ 1 zest of one Lemon
• ▢ 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 180c.
• Line a 12 cup muffin tin with muffin wrappers
• In a blender, whizz together the oil, yogurt, lemon juice and prepared egg replacer.
• In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients except for the poppy seeds.
• Stir in the poppy seeds and lemon zest.
• Make a well in the middle and pour in the wet ingredients.
• Stir until just combined. The mixture should still have a few little lumps.
• Pour into the prepared muffin cases and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until they are risen and just spring back to the touch.

Notes

• Make sure to leave muffins 10 minutes before eating, they will be much less crumbly!
• You can use self-raising gluten-free flour instead

Please note that where the recipe asks for milk, butter or yogurt, this refers to any plant-based version that you prefer.

Nutrition Facts

Better than Coffee-Shop Lemon Muffins

Amount per Serving

Calories

198

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

7

g

11

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Trans Fat

 

1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Cholesterol

 

6

mg

2

%

Sodium

 

310

mg

13

%

Potassium

 

83

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

 

32

g

11

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

14

g

16

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

29

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

 

5

mg

6

%

Calcium

 

114

mg

11

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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