This lemon poppy seed muffins recipe yields 12 perfect muffins. It’s easy to make and packed with citrus flavor from fresh lemon juice and zest.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin with the wrapper pulled down.

Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

These lemon poppy seed muffins are fluffy, moist, and lightly sweet with the perfect tang of lemon. Great for any breakfast, brunch, or afternoon snack.

This recipe yields 1 dozen muffins and they’re super simple to make with a bowl and a whisk.

It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but I actually brushed the tops with a lemon glaze while the muffins were still warm, which created an extra burst of lemony flavor. Delicious!

Stack of lemon poppy seed muffins.

Common Ingredients

A lot of similar muffin recipes use yogurt. This lemon poppy seed muffins recipe has NO yogurt! AND, you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry and fridge right now. You will need:

  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Oil (Canola/Vegetable)
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Lemon Zest
  • Lemon Juice
  • Buttermilk (or Milk*)
  • Poppy Seeds
Bite taken out of a lemon poppy seed muffin.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe

*Full recipe and instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 400˚F for high altitude). Line muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.

Steps to make lemon poppy seed muffins.
  1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, lemon zest, and oil.
  3. Incorporate the eggs, one at a time. Mixing well after each addition.
  4. Add half the flour mixture. Stir until just combined.
  5. Add the lemon juice and buttermilk. Stir until just combined.
  6. Add the remaining flour mixture and poppy seeds. Mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.

Baking and Storage

Before and after baking lemon poppy seed muffins in pan.
  • Divide the batter evenly into 12 standard muffin cups or 6 jumbo muffin cups.
  • Bake at 375˚F (or 400˚F for high altitude) for 15 to 20 minutes (may take up to 25-30 minutes for jumbo muffins) until the cake springs back when touched or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Edges will be lightly browned. Do not over-bake.
  • Remove muffins from the pan and set them on a wire rack.
  • OPTIONAL GLAZE: Mix together 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Brush glaze over the top of the muffins while still warm.
  • Allow muffins to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container for storage.

NOTE: These lemon poppy seed muffins will last up to 3-4 days in an airtight container at room temperature (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit). To freeze, place muffins in a freezer bag, squeeze out any excess air, and freeze up to 2-3 months. Best if frozen without glaze on top.

Lemon poppy seed muffin with the wrapper pulled down.

Extra Options and Tips

  • For extra lemon flavor: Rub the zest into the sugar before adding the oil. Rubbing the zest into the sugar releases the citrus oils from the peel to increase the lemon flavor.
  • If even more lemon flavor is desired: You can add 1/8 tsp of Doterra lemon essential oils, or 1 tsp of lemon extract to the batter.
  • Poppy Seeds – My recipe only uses 1 Tablespoon of poppy seeds because I don’t like an overwhelming amount of crunch in my muffins. If you love them, you can double the amount. If you don’t like them, leave them out.

I hope you enjoy these muffins as much as we did! They are the perfect after school snack!

Bite taken out of a lemon poppy seed muffin.

More Lemon Desserts

Bite taken out of a lemon poppy seed muffin.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins

This lemon poppy seed muffins recipe yields 12 perfect muffins. It's easy to make and packed with citrus flavor from fresh lemon juice and zest.

Ingredients

Muffins:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (stir, spoon & level)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 Tbsp)
  • 1/2 cup oil (canola/vegetable)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or milk*), room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp poppy seeds

Glaze (optional):

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 400˚F for high altitude). Line muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, lemon zest, and oil. Incorporate the eggs, one at a time. Mixing well after each addition.
  4. Add half the flour mixture. Stir until just combined.
  5. Add the lemon juice and buttermilk. Stir until just combined.
  6. Add the remaining flour mixture and poppy seeds. Mix until just combined. Do not over-mix. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Either 12 standard muffin cups or 6 jumbo muffin cups.
  7. Bake at 375˚F (or 400˚F for high altitude) for 15 to 20 minutes (may take up to 25-30 minutes for jumbo muffins) until the cake springs back when touched or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Edges will be lightly browned. Do not over-bake. Remove muffins from the pan and set them on a wire rack.
  8. OPTIONAL GLAZE: Mix together 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Brush glaze over the top of the muffins while still warm. Allow muffins to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container for storage.

Notes

  • If using regular milk, combine the milk and lemon juice together and let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly before using.
  • For extra lemon flavor, rub the zest into the sugar before adding the oil. It helps release the oils from the peel. Alternately add 1/8 tsp of Doterra lemon essential oils, or 1 tsp of lemon extract to the batter for more lemon flavor.
  • NOTE: These lemon poppy seed muffins will last up to 3-4 days in an airtight container at room temperature (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit). To freeze, place muffins in a freezer bag, squeeze out any excess air, and freeze up to 2-3 months. Best if frozen without glaze on top.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 161mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix, and is an estimation only.

*Post originally published 4/1/14. Recipe and photos updated February 2023.