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Home Recipes Course Snacks Muffins & Breads Almond Flour Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
P Paleo GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy Free VG Vegetarian

Almond Flour Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Posted:3/21/22
Updated:3/6/23

These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are a delicious classic, they just happen to be made gluten free and with less sugar than the traditional muffin. Made with almond flour, lightly sweetened with maple syrup and bursting with lemon flavor. You will love them!

If you’re looking for more almond flour recipes, I’ve got tons! Just click here.

stacked paleo lemon poppy seed muffins on plate

And the almond flour baked goods obsession continues…

I don’t want to toot my own horn here but I’VE DONE IT AGAIN.

“IT” being I made you the best almond flour muffins.

This time: LEMON POPPY SEED! One of my all-time favorite flavors.

If you haven’t tried baking with almond flour yet, you’re in for a real treat. These Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins taste buttery, light, moist and have the most amazing texture.

Grain free baking can pose it’s challenges – this recipe took me about three times to get but I finally nailed it and I am so excited to share these paleo lemon poppy seed muffins with you!

lemon zested muffin top on white fluted plate

Let’s Chat About the Ingredients

  • Super Fine Almond Flour – I’ve been using Bob’s Red Mill almond flour for years and it never disappoints. Make sure to use “super fine” from *blanched* almonds, not almond meal here.
  • Tapioca flour – Helps act as a flour binder in this muffin recipe. You can also sub arrowroot, or cornstarch if not following a paleo diet. You can also sub with 2 tablespoons coconut flour if necessary, but I prefer the texture with tapioca flour.
  • Baking soda, baking powder & salt – I tested these muffins several times to get lift without compromising taste. I used 3/4 teaspoon baking soda with 1/4 tsp baking powder. If you don’t want to use the baking powder, the muffins won’t rise as much but they’ll still taste good.
  • Maple syrup or honey – These muffins aren’t super duper sweet, but to me they’re perfect. If you’re making for those with more of a sweet tooth, you might want to add another 3-4 tablespoons granulated sugar (like coconut to keep paleo, or cane sugar if not strictly paleo). Also note: honey will cause these muffins to brown more than maple syrup.
  • Eggs – You’ll need 3 large eggs for this recipe. Sounds like a lot but trust me – it helps with the structure of these muffins.
  • Oil – I used light olive oil but avocado or melted coconut oil works too. If using melted coconut oil, make sure it has been cooled and the rest of your ingredients (i.e. maple syrup and eggs) are room temperature.
  • Vanilla Extract – always a nice addition for muffins. If you happen to have lemon extract on hand, you can add 1/2 tsp for even more lemon flavor.
flour, lemons, zest, eggs and poppy seeds

Muffins in 25 minutes

Making these gluten free lemon poppy seed muffins takes less than 30 minutes! No fancy electrical equipment needed – just something to mix the ingredients (a whisk and a spoon or spatula), a bowl and a muffin pan.

  • Start by mixing the almond flour with tapioca flour, poppy seeds, baking soda, salt and lemon zest.
  • In a separate bowl whisk together the oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Then whisk in eggs until combined.
  • Add dry ingredients to bowl of wet – your batter should be wet and somewhat thick.
  • Distribute into muffin pan.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes.

And that’s it!

lemon muffin batter in bowl with poppy seeds
lemon poppy seed muffin batter in muffin pan

Muffin Batter Scooping Tip

The easiest way to fill a muffin pan with batter is to use a cookie scoop.

I like to use one big heaping scoop per cup, then go over again to top off the muffin cups, filling up evenly.

glazed almond lemon poppy seed muffins on wire rack with fresh lemons, almond slices, and bowl of glaze

Glaze Options

If you really want to go all out, melt a little coconut butter down (about 2 tablespoons scooped, then melted) and a 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice for a light lemon glaze.

You can also use confectioners sugar. Mix 1/3 cup powdered sugar, mix with 1 teaspoon lemon juice to start. Add more or less depending on how thick you want glaze.

Notes about the recipe

  • Flour alternatives: These muffins were specifically made with super fine almond flour. I don’t recommend getting crazy with substitutions unless you’re extra confident in your gluten free baking skills. If you’re looking for a whole grain lemon muffin recipe, try these, which uses a mix of oat flour and whole wheat flour.
  • Eggs: Because we’re using almond flour here, I would not recommend subbing the eggs. The eggs in this recipe provide quite a bit of structure. If you try a substitution, the texture of the muffins will change and I can’t guarantee good results.
  • Poppy seeds: if you don’t have them, you can simply omit! Or substitute chia seeds if you’d like.
three stacked lemon poppy seed muffins

Gluten free baking made easy with this almond flour muffin recipe!

If you make these muffins, be sure to leave a comment and review on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley

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Almond Flour Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

stacked paleo lemon poppy seed muffins on plate
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★★★★★

5 from 12 reviews

The BEST paleo lemon poppy seed muffins using almond flour. They are light and fluffy, moist and perfectly lemon-y! Grain free, gluten free and dairy free. You will LOVE these.

  • Author: Ashley
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: snacks
  • Method: oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2.75 cups Super Fine Almond Flour (weighed, 295 grams)
  • 1/3 cup tapioca flour (see notes)
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • zest of 2 medium lemons
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup light olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line 12-cup muffin pan or spray with oil; set aside.
  2. In medium bowl combine almond flour, tapioca flour, poppy seeds, baking soda, baking powder, salt and lemon zest; set aside.
  3. In large bowl whisk together oil, maple syrup, vanilla and lemon juice. Add eggs, whisking until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing with large spoon or spatula until combined.
  4. Evenly distribute batter into 12-cup muffin pan (about 3/4 way full). Top with almond slices if you’d like.
  5. Bake muffins for 15-18 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow muffins to cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack. Enjoy!

Notes

ALMOND FLOUR – there is not a sub for almond flour here. If looking for a whole grain muffin, try these.

TAPIOCA FLOUR – You can use 2 tablespoons coconut flour with similar results. You can also use 3 tablespoons of cornstarch. Others have also used an all-purpose gluten-free flour – I would only use 1/4 cup if going that route though.

SUGAR – These muffins are not super sweet but to me, perfect. If you want a sweeter muffin, feel free to add 2-3 tablespoons of a granulated sugar (not more maple syrup).

GLAZE OPTIONS – You can melt about 2 scooped tablespoons of coconut butter and mix in a ¼ teaspoon lemon juice for a light lemon glaze. OR mix ⅓ cup confectioners sugar with 1 teaspoon lemon juice to start, adding a little more for a thinner glaze. You can always thicken the glaze by adding more confectioners sugar (about 1 tablespoon at a time).

STORAGE – Muffins will keep at room temperature in closed container, best enjoyed within 3 days. Store muffins in fridge for about 4 days. If freezing, keep in airtight container (or tightly wrap) and freeze, up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature. 

Muffins adapted from my Paleo Blueberry Muffins and Lemon Blueberry Bread.

Nutrition information approximate.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12
  • Calories: 265
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 127mg
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 46mg

Keywords: paleo lemon poppy seed muffins, healthy lemon muffins, almond flour muffins

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fitmittenkitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #fitmittenkitchen

About Ashley

"Ashley Walterhouse is the founder of Fit Mitten Kitchen, based in the Greater Lansing Area of Michigan, AKA “the Mitten.” Ashley grew up as a picky eater but later discovered that eating healthy was actually easy and fun. She started FMK in 2015 as a way to share her newfound love of developing healthier recipes for all to enjoy."

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  1. Taskegs says

    7/20/2022 at 9:31 pm

    Wow!!! I made these today! So easy and SO DELICIOUS! I made the glaze too with powdered sugar. DELISH! Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      7/27/2022 at 8:55 am

      So happy you liked! Thanks for sharing here!

      Reply
  2. Overbay says

    2/4/2023 at 7:24 pm

    I have not made these yet. Under the vanilla extract, you state 1/2 tsp of that. Can you add 1/2 tsp. of lemon extract in addition to or is it in place if the vanilla?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      2/8/2023 at 1:48 pm

      You can do either! Vanilla extract would add more vanilla flavor and less lemon. I find this recipe is also great with just the lemon. But if you don’t have lemon, you can also use vanilla extract. I know lemon extract isn’t something everyone keeps on hand so you can use it for more flavor, or omit/replace with vanilla.

      Reply
  3. Alison Lettinga says

    2/27/2023 at 7:07 pm

    Hi can you share the glaze recipe you put on top?

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      2/28/2023 at 10:01 am

      Hi there! You can melt coconut butter for a simple low sugar glaze option (about 2 tablespoons of scooped coconut butter, melted at half power in 15 second increments). Or you can mix ⅓ cup confectioners sugar with 1 teaspoon lemon juice – add a little more juice for thinner glaze or more sugar for thicker. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Ashley says

    3/4/2023 at 7:10 pm

    Wow, these are wonderful!! I used cornstarch instead of tapioca flour and chia seeds instead of ooppy seeds. Perfect sweetness! I cooked the full cook time. I omitted the glaze to limit my sugar, but this seriously is a perfect muffin to me. I’m eating at least 2 in a sitting, haha. Thank you for sharing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      3/6/2023 at 9:38 am

      Thanks so much for sharing, Ashley! I appreciate you taking the extra time to come back and leave a review <3

      Reply
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