23 Muffin Recipes Worth Waking Up For
Designed for convenience, speed, and early-morning ease, muffins offer an accessible entry point into the world of baking. Our best muffin recipes combine the simplicity of quick bread (like banana bread) with the portable whimsy of a cupcake. Many require very little equipment: a standard muffin tin, a large bowl for mixing, and a whisk. And they’re usually made with just a few common pantry ingredients, plus a single standout mix-in.
The muffins below are of the bready variety (though there are several gluten-free options if that’s what you’re looking for). On the hunt for egg muffins (like omelets baked in a muffin tin or runny baked eggs in prosciutto baskets)? Oatmeal muffins (individual baked oatmeal in muffin cups)? English muffins (you know, with all the nooks and crannies)? We’ve got you covered elsewhere. In the mood for muffin muffins? Read on.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele3/23Banana Muffins With Brown Sugar Streusel
This banana nut muffin is studded with toasted walnuts and chopped banana, but it’s the mashed banana in the batter that ensures sweet flavor throughout. The brown butter crumb topping gives them coffee cake vibes. In more of a chocolate mood? Opt for our banana chocolate chip muffins instead.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt4/23Classic Blueberry Muffins
Keep this blueberry muffin recipe around for your next weekend brunch. Brimming with fresh blueberries and topped with a crunchy, sparkling sugar crust, the bakery-style muffins taste as good as they look.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele5/23Morning Glory Muffins
Made with a combo of whole wheat and all-purpose flours and packed with golden raisins, shredded carrots, apples, canned crushed pineapple, and toasted pecans, these kitchen-sink muffins first gained popularity as a hippie health trend. Customize them to your preference, trading walnuts for pecans or dried cranberries for raisins.
Photo by Squire Fox7/23Jam Muffins
These stuffed muffins from baking authority Cheryl Day call for your choice of jam filling. Sour cream keeps the crumb ultra-moist. Play around with flavor by substituting the vanilla extract for a berry liqueur or complementary spirit.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou8/23Scandinavian Rye Muffins
Spiced with caraway, anise, cumin, and orange zest, these savory-sweet mini muffins draw inspiration from Swedish limpa bread. Rye flour gives them a nutty, molasses-like flavor.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart9/23No-Fuss Vegan Blueberry Muffins
Just like our classic blueberry muffins but without the butter, without the egg, and without any odd-ball ingredients. And yet: Just as delicious, light, and fluffy.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Bill Clark10/23Vegan Corn Muffins With Whipped Sweet Corn
Medjool dates and palm sugar enhance the natural sweetness of cornmeal in this vegan take on traditional Southern cornbread. Instead of butter, slather on a rich spread of whipped sweet corn.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell13/23Blueberry Lemon Corn Muffins
Fruity blueberries, bright lemon, and earthy-sweet corn combine in these muffins, which toe the line between sweet and savory. Fresh or frozen blueberries work here, making these muffins great for last-minute weekend baking.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell15/23Flourless Almond-Blueberry Muffins
Almond meal keeps these gluten-free, while applesauce makes them moist. Want to take them over the top? Stick a dollop of cream cheese into the center of each muffin before sprinkling the almonds on top.
17/23Applesauce Spice Muffins
Tender from applesauce and topped with a cinnamon sugar that boasts a few extra spices, these comforting, wholesome apple muffins taste like a fall bake sale. When folding in the dry ingredients, mix until just incorporated: It’s okay if there are still a few lumps.
Photograph by Guang Xu20/23Anytime Orange Muffins
Sprinkling granulated sugar, not sanding sugar, over the batter results in muffin tops with a crackly crust. Baking the muffins in paper or silicone liners makes them easier to transport and share.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson21/23Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
The lunchtime favorite combo of peanut butter and banana makes a great batch of breakfast muffins too. Want an upgrade? Mix in a handful of chocolate chips
