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Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

prep time: 30 min | bake time: 15 min | total time: 1.5 hrs

These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are the ultimate treat for lemon lovers! With a light, fluffy texture, bursts of fresh lemon zest, and a satisfying crunch from poppy seeds, they’re both indulgent and wholesome. Naturally eggless and easy to make dairy-free, this recipe creates bakery-style muffins that are perfect for snacking, brunch, or gifting!

Bakery Style Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Say hello to your new favorite muffin! These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are a bright and zesty treat that will make you forget every muffin you ate before these! I’m not kidding you my friends, there is something about these Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins that just fill your day with joy. Maybe it’s the lemon infused crumb or the fact that they are picture-perfect and look like they came from a bakery. With a light, fluffy texture and a subtle crunch from poppy seeds, each muffin bursts with fresh lemon flavor, enhanced by a fragrant lemon sugar mixture. 

This recipe is naturally eggless and can easily be made dairy-free, making it a versatile option for various dietary needs. This recipe is simple to follow and requires only a brief resting period for the batter, which results in beautifully risen muffins with a tender crumb. Topped with a sprinkle of poppy seeds and sugar, these muffins bake to perfection and stay fresh for 2–3 days, making them a delightful make-ahead option. I promise you that you’ll never want a store-bought muffin again – this recipe will be on repeat in your house all year long!

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin Ingredients

  • Milk: The base of the batter, creating moisture and softness. Substitute with any dairy-free milk for a vegan option.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, tangy flavor and activates the leavening agents.
  • Plain Unsweetened Yogurt: Keeps the muffins soft and tender. Opt for a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt for a vegan recipe.
  • Cane Sugar: Sweetens the muffins while balancing the lemon’s tartness. 
  • Vegetable Oil: Adds richness and ensures a moist crumb.
  • Vanilla or Lemon Extract: Enhances the muffins’ flavor. Choose lemon extract for an extra citrusy kick.
  • Lemon Zest: One of the most important ingredients for this recipe; lemon zest is where all that concentrated fresh lemon flavor will come from!
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the muffins. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help create tall, fluffy muffins.
  • Poppy Seeds: Add a subtle crunch and nutty flavor throughout.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Prepare the Batter

Rub sugar and lemon zest together to release the lemon’s oils, creating an aromatic lemon sugar mixture. Whisk together the milk, lemon juice, and yogurt until smooth, then mix in the sugar, oil, and vanilla extract. Sift the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently combining to create a smooth batter. 

Fold in the poppy seeds. Allow the batter to rest for 30–45 minutes. This step enhances the muffins’ texture and helps them rise beautifully during baking.

Bake the Muffins

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a muffin pan with liners. Fill each liner to the rim with batter. Sprinkle extra poppy seeds and sugar on top for a decorative and flavorful touch. Bake for 7 minutes at 400°F, then lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 8–10 minutes.

Cool and Enjoy

Once baked, let the muffins cool on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes before enjoying. These muffins are delicious warm or at room temperature, making them a versatile treat for any time of day.

Plain or Iced Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

These muffins are perfect on their own with their tangy-sweet flavor. However, if you’re feeling indulgent, drizzle them with a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice. This adds an extra layer of sweetness and a glossy finish, turning these muffins into a dessert-worthy treat.

Why You’ll Love These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are the perfect balance of zesty and simplicity. The slightly crunchy poppy seeds offer the most amazing textural contrast to the soft, moist crumb. Better than store-bought by far, these muffins are quick and easy to make with simple ingredients and can be easily adapted to be dairy-free. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a light dessert, they stay fresh for up to three days and are a great make-ahead option.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Making Tall Bakery-Style Muffins

  • Start with a High Oven Temperature: Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake at this temperature for the first 5–7 minutes to encourage a quick rise, then lower the temperature to finish baking evenly.
  • Fill Muffin Liners to the Top: Unlike cupcakes, muffins need a fuller liner to rise tall and achieve those domed tops.
  • Rest the Batter: Allow the batter to rest for about 30 minutes before baking to help the muffins rise higher.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Mix wet and dry ingredients until just combined to prevent dense muffins.
  • Space the Muffins Strategically: Fill every alternate muffin cup in the tray to reduce crowding and allow more upward rise.

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Meet Saloni

I’m a former pastry chef with a love for breads, cakes and everything in between! My recipes are easy to follow, egg free and are designed to be shared with others!

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Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins 

These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are the ultimate treat for lemon lovers! With a light, fluffy texture, bursts of fresh lemon zest, and a satisfying crunch from poppy seeds, they’re both indulgent and wholesome. Naturally eggless and easy to make dairy-free, this recipe creates bakery-style muffins that are perfect for snacking, brunch, or gifting!
Author: Saloni Mehta
Rate
Yield: 10 muffins
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Rest Time: 2 hours
Total: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 240 ml Milk* room temp
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
  • 60 g Plain Unsweetened Yogurt room temp
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract or Lemon Extract
  • Zest of 1 medium-sized or 2 small Lemons
  • 185 g Cane Sugar*
  • 85 ml Vegetable Oil
  • 310 g All Purpose Flour
  • 2 tsp Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp Baking Soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp Poppy Seeds plus extra for topping
  • 1 tbsp Cane Sugar* optional for topping
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Instructions

  • Start by preparing the lemon sugar mixture. Rub the sugar with fresh lemon zest until fragrant.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the milk, lemon juice, and yogurt. Stir until smooth and fully combined.
  • Add in the sugar, oil, and vanilla extract, mixing well.
  • In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
  • Sift the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, then whisk until fully incorporated.
  • Gently fold in the poppy seeds, cover the batter, and let it rest at room temperature for 30–45 minutes.
  • Line a muffin tray with muffin liners and fill each liner to the rim with batter.
  • Sprinkle additional poppy seeds and a little sugar on top of each muffin.
  • Bake at 400°F for 7 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 8 minutes or until firm to the touch (baking time may vary depending on muffin size).
  • Allow the muffins to cool on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes before enjoying!
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days.

Notes

  • Cup vs weighing scale: The US customary cup measurement serves as a rough estimate, as it can have uncertainties, so for precise results, it's recommended to weigh your ingredients using a digital scale in grams.
  • Before you start to make any recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the process will go smoothly and easily.
  • For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons and not the type of spoons you eat with for accuracy.
  • Milk: You can use any dairy-free unsweetened milk (like almond, soy, oat) or dairy based whole milk
  • Sugar: Cane sugar can be substituted with granulated sugar or castor sugar. Ensure the sugar is vegan-friendly (some sugars are processed with bone char) or use organic cane sugar.
  • Plain Yogurt: Dairy-free unsweetened yogurt, or any plain unsweetened yogurt of your choice.

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