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Home » recipes » breakfast

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Modified: Apr 15, 2025 · Published: Mar 1, 2021 · by anita | wild thistle kitchen · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

Confession: I have been wanting to share this Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin Recipe for years! I have lists and lists of recipe ideas and this one has just been carried over so many times. Why has it taken me so long? I wish I knew. I love lemony baked goods and desserts, and so does my daughter. And although winter is technically citrus season, I always crave lemony treats as springtime approaches.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins on white plate

So, muffins. You know I love them. I think I could have a blog of just muffin and scone recipes (or maybe a cookbook?? Any publishers reading this post?). Muffins are just so easy and so versatile. This is almost exactly my Blueberry Streusel Muffin recipe, tweaked just slightly to turn them into Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins.

These lemon poppy seed muffins are SO lemony and light

And they have such a wonderful texture. I love topping them with a lemon streusel and a lemon glaze because I can't help myself. But they are perfect fresh from the oven and unadorned. Those little poppy seeds are just so cute. Feel free to add some to the streusel and to the glaze for some extra polka dots!

Like all of my muffin recipes, this lemon poppy seed muffin recipe could not be easier. I mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and the wet ingredients in a large measuring cup. Pour the wet into the dry, give it a gentle mix and that's it! Ready in minutes.

Close up of interior of a lemon poppy seed muffin

A few muffin tips that I always share:

Can't stop, won't stop sharing these muffin tips. Whether you are making these lemon poppy seed muffins or ANY of my muffin recipes: First, DO NOT OVERMIX YOUR BATTER! Sorry for yelling, but this is the number one tip I can offer. It is crucial to a light muffin. If you overmix, you will have a dense muffin. I like to use a fork to make sure I'm not over mixing. Sometimes I'll bring in a rubber spatula right at the end to make sure I don't have any dry ingredients hiding on the bottom of the bowl.

And also, keep in mind - these are not cupcakes. They are not going to ever be as light and fluffy as a cupcake. To me, muffins are meant to have a more sturdy texture, but they should still be light - never dense.

For those nice domed tops and a lighter crumb, my trick is to leave the batter to sit for about 20 minutes once you scoop into the muffins tins. This allows the leavening agents to activate and start to bubble before going into the oven. You don't have to do this, but it will result in a puffier top and lighter texture. I always use this time as a little race against the clock to clean up the mess I've made.

image of one lemon poppy seed muffin on a small white plate with a large plate of muffins in the background
Close up overhead shot of lemon poppy seed muffin on a small white plate

I hope you'll give these little cuties a try. And don't miss these other muffin recipes:

  • Chocolate Chip Muffins with Chocolate Chip Streusel
  • Pumpkin Banana Muffins
  • Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
  • Chocolate Olive Oil Muffins with Chocolate Streusel 
  • Buttery Blueberry Streusel Muffins
  • Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Muffins
  • Peach Muffins

Happy Muffin Making! xo - Anita

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Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin Recipe

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5 from 1 review

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Lemony, light, and so easy to make, these lemon poppy seed muffins are such a classic! 

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Wet Ingredients

  • ¾ cup milk or buttermilk (either works fine here)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup (1 stick) melted butter (I always use salted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • zest and juice of 1 lemon

for the lemon streusel

  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • teaspoon lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons cold butter

for the lemon Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Make the lemon streusel:

Combine streusel ingredients in a small bowl and pinch together with your fingers until the butter is evenly dispersed and you can form little clumpd. Set aside.

Make the lemon glaze:

combine glaze ingredients in a small bowl and mix to combine. If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar. Too thin, add a bit more lemon.

Make the Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Line a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners or spray generously with non-stick baking spray.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix dry ingredients and set aside.
  4. In another bowl or a glass measuring cup, mix wet ingredients. whisk them very well with a fork to combine.
  5. Add wet ingredients to dry, and stir gently until just combined. Do not over mix and do not whisk. 
  6. Divide batter evenly between the 12 muffin liners. I use my largest cookie scoop and it makes 12 muffins exactly. You can fill these right to the top. 
  7. divide streusel evenly over the muffins and press down just slightly so it adheres to the muffin batter.
  8. bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden brown. After 15 just give a muffin a press with your finger and if it springs right back it is done. If it still seems damp, give it 3 more minutes.
  9. Carefully remove from muffin tin and allow to cool on a wire rack.
  10. Once cool, drizzle with glaze.
  • Author: anita | wild thistle kitchen
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: muffins, breakfast
  • Method: baking
  • Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Share a pic and tag @wild.thistle.kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #wildthistlekitchen and make sure to leave a comment and star rating! Thank you!

If you love these lemon poppy seed muffins, you might also like these Lemony Treats!

  • Lemon Curd
  • Lemon Curd Ice Cream
  • Lemon Bars (new photos coming soon!)
  • Lemon Poppy Seed Coconut Bites
  • Lemon Olive Oil Semifreddo
  • Raspberry Lemonade (new photos coming soon!)

About anita | wild thistle kitchen

Hi, my name is Anita! Welcome to Wild Thistle Kitchen. This is where I share rustic, comforting, seasonal recipes (both sweet and savory!) as well as nostalgic food memories. I'm so happy you're here! xo - Anita

Comments

  1. ang says

    March 01, 2021 at 11:34 am

    Love these beautiful muffins!

    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi there! My name is Anita - welcome to Wild Thistle Kitchen - where I share lots of sourdough and sourdough discard recipes as well as seasonal sweet and savory comfort food and baking recipes.

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