It's always springtime with these vibrant, healthy, lively lemon poppy seed muffins! A fun, veggie-packed, gluten-free, vegan breakfast or snack recipe that will leave you feeling happy and bright!
Ah, springtime. Whenever I ask, "what's your favorite season?" I always get the response, SPRING! Now, I'm not hating on Spring at all. But, Spring is still to cold and "wintery" for me (until it gets more towards late Spring). I am a true blooded SUMMER ALL THE TIME girl. This year isn't helping my Spring affection much either. How could it have been 80 degrees just last week, and not it's back in the 40s with possibilities of snow every weekend? :/
Yea, I really can't figure it out either. Alas, we can still channel some bright, warm, cheery thoughts with some lively lemon poppy seed muffins! Just like carrot cake, lemon poppy seed is a baking flavor must of the season! I adore poppy seed and lemon isn't half bad either! Haha! I actually used Meyer Lemons in this recipe. Meyer lemons are sweeter and less acidic than your normal lemon. I'm also into packing my muffins with strange things, like golden kiwi or zucchini and blueberry. So of course, I didn't stop at the Meyer Lemons. I added in some wholesome carrot puree! Can't you tell by that extra orangy-bright color?
more lemon poppy seed recipes:
- Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
- Lemon Poppy Seed Doughnuts
- Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes
- Lemon Poppy Seed Quinoa Flakes
I also know that with Easter on the horizon this coming weekend, you probably want some more healthy breakfast/brunch options. For me, growing up, Easter morning was ALL about the candy! Candy for breakfast (and all day after that)! I told you about all the candy my brother and I got and I'm telling you now that it was put to good use 😉
We're talking the classics too. Jelly beans, Peeps (the best!), hollow chocolate bunnies, Reese's eggs, chocolate coated marshmallow treats, Cadbury creme eggs (my favorite! The mini ones though!) Sour Patch Kids, gummi bears (frozen). I would try to control the candy intake, but I would always feel a bit sick after all that sugar 😛 It's the Halloween of Springtime! We would have candy we'd be munching off of for weeks.
My top 3 favorites were #1 mini Cadbury eggs (frozen!), Peeps (stale!), and the hollow milk chocolate bunny (eaten in little broken off pieces!). I did NOT like Reese's peanut butter eggs. I actually never cared for Reese's period. I know, I know, I'm the odd man out, but it's the truth! Mini Reese's were okay (I must have a thing for mini things!), but I'll take my peanut butter other ways!
I'm was much more of a frozen and stale candy kind of girl, but hey, to each their own 😉 And jelly beans! Did/do people actually eat them? I always felt like I would gather all the jelly beans I got, put them in one big plastic egg and I really don't know if I ever ate them. One of those "throwaway" candies, but must-haves; kind of like fruit cake (but the Easter version)!
I'm also just not that big of a "jelly" or "gummi" candy person. With the exception on Sour Patch Kids and gummi bears (or sour gummi worms!). Those were all good and I loved freezing my gummi bears and then sucking on them until the resoftened enough to chew and eat! My candy eating tendencies were rather strange weren't they? I'm sure I'm not the only one though and I bet you have some weird tendencies too! Don't worry, I'll ask you in a second 😉
Now that I've more than rambled your ear off, I'll give you some healthy lemon poppy seed muffins to tame the sugar talk! Amaranth, oat, and cornmeal with Meyer Lemon, poppy seeds, carrot puree, baked and topped with a sugar-free erythritol glaze to make things even more cheery and sweet! When it comes to muffins, I'll take any and all!
Lively Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Lively Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
It's always springtime with these vibrant, healthy, lively lemon poppy seed muffins! A fun, veggie-packed, gluten-free, vegan breakfast or snack recipe that will leave you feeling happy and bright!
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Amaranth Flour
- ½ Cup Gluten-Free Oat Flour
- ¼ Cup Cornmeal
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- ½ Tsp Baking Soda
- 2 Meyer Lemons (Juiced, about ½ Cup + Zest of 1)
- ⅓ Cup Granulated Erythritol
- ½ Cup Sweet Carrot Puree
- 2 TB Poppy Seeds
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Glaze:
- 3 TB Confectioners Erythritol
- 1 TB Water
- 1 Tsp Poppy Seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all muffin ingredients and mix well to combine until there are no lumps in the batter.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of batter in each muffin lined muffin mold (about 10 muffins).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove and let cool
- To make the glaze, simply combine the erythritol, water, and poppy seeds. Mix and drizzle over the top of each muffin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
The cornmeal, oat flour, and poppy seeds give these muffins a great texture and the Meyer Lemon makes them burst with lemony sweet! A total Springtime sensation for the taste buds and healthy to boot! This way we can all have our Easter sweetness without any of the sugar!
So tell me:
+ What was/is your favorite Easter candy?
+ You knew it was coming. Tell me your candy eating quirks!
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Jan
I really struggle to eat breakfast. This is one I think I can actually gab and go on the way to work and really enjoy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Breakfast should never be a struggle!
Jen Goode
YUM! I'm love poppy seed muffins and am always looking for new healthy recipes to try. These look amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you give these a shot! Thank you Jen!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I love the lemon + poppyseed combo.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
Couldn't agree more. Spring doesn't officially "work" for me until late April at the earliest. Love these muffins, Rebecca.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! Really I just want to skip to late May 😉
Cristina @ I Say Nomato
Wait - Frozen mini eggs? Ummm I have never trie that and now I have to! These muffins look delicious - lemon poppyseed is such a great combo!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Do it, do it! Thank you later 😉 Hahaha!
kimmythevegan
These are so pretty!!! I *just* started seeing meyer lemons at the farmer's market down the street. Perfect timing. And what a great spring treat =)
"I am a true blooded SUMMER ALL THE TIME girl."
Me too!!! I basically want summer all year round. Hot, glorious weather =) Wishing you some sunshine and warmer days!
I'm pinning =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic!!! All the warmth and pretty meyer lemons to you too <3
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
Lemon and poppy seed what a yummy combo!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea.
Cayanne Marcus @healthyezsweet
Way impressed that your lemon poppyseed muffins use ACTUAL lemon! And as far as the jelly bean debate goes...I'd put them all in a plastic egg then pick out the strawberry lemonade & buttered popcorn flavors 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
There are muffins that don't??? :O
You liked the buttered popcorn ones!? Double crazy!
Christie
Gorgeous color of muffins and a delicious way to celebrate spring.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I thought so! Thank you!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
I've never been a big candy person but I do like a handful of jelly beans on Easter and yes to Reeses anything!
I'd much rather have these muffins though- yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yes! You and me will enjoy our muffins instead 😉
Betsy @ Happily Ever After, Etc.
I bet my mom would love these... we'll have to try them the next time I visit her!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! Enjoy them!
sue
I love poppy seeds and I could see myself enjoying these muffins with a nice cup of Earl Grey tea.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic!
Kathleen
Very nice, lemon and gluten free, they have to be good. Tweeted and Stumbled
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Of course!
Farrah
I always gotta remember--no poppyseed pastries or dressings when there's a drug test coming up at the hospital, hahaha. These look super good though! 😀 I love that you added carrot puree in em'!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, let's overdose on poppy seeds!!! I bet the rate is higher during this Spring season 😉
Donna
Oh yum, these sound amazing. I have been loving lemon flavoured everything lately (maybe something to do with the million lemons on my lemon tree), and these shall be next on my list 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Oooo I want a lemon tree!!!!
The Savvy Age
Love the combo, pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
I love the flavor of lemon poppyseed muffins 🙂 These look so relish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Tara!
Becky, Cuddle Fairy
Oh these look AMAZING! I love lemon muffins or lemon tarte - anything lemon. I'll give these a go.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! You'll love them!
Gin
Ha, that's too funny that you loved stale candy! I never had a frozen Cadbury egg, but it sounds awesome. I love everything about these muffins. Lemon is the best!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's one of the main way people eat peeps! I'm not the only one!
Tish
I've been wanting some more healthy grab and go breakfast ideas. These would work perfect.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes they would!
Laura
I am such a huge fan of the lemon poppyseed combo. And I agree, that it is just like spring in every bite! These look delicious:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It totally is!
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple
Lemon + poppyseed will always be one of my favorite flavor combos!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! It's so lovely!
Emily
Mmm... I love lemon and poppy seed flavors together. <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
One of the best!
Marla
Hi Rebecca,
Yum! Sounds healthy and tasty. Pinned & tweeted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen)
I love anything citrus, and this looks to fit that bill! I love the use of meyer lemons instead of the everyday grocery lemons, and that carrot puree is genius! Will have to try these soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Meyer are a must for that perfect sweet taste! Thank you xoxo
Annmarie
So I dislike lemon mostly but I really like lemon poppy seed, is that weird? These look great!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Not weird 😉 I feel the same some times! A sweet lemon treat is always better than not!
Josefine @ Sprouted Fig
Oooh I love lemon poppy seed things! These look so wonderfully delicious
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! One of the best flavors of the season...after carrot cake 😉
Erin
These are so pretty and I love the photos you took of them! Lemon and poppy seed is always a great combo. So bright and cheery!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are so cheery! That's the perfect word! Thank you Erin! xoxo
Linda at Mixed Kreations
This looks so yummy! I love the store bought lemon poppy seed, so this has got to be even better homemade. Great spring treat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Homemade is always better!!! I hope you can bake some, Linda!
jules
It just must be that lemony time of year! Everyone's making lemon recipes - looks like another great one to add to my to-do list!
~jules
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well that's what "Spring" is for 😉
Jess @hellotofit
Lemon and poppy seed together make me so happy 🙂 this would be perfect for an Easter brunch!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They make me happy too 😉
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats
We had a winter advisory this morning with plenty of rain mixed with snow! Ah, the fun of spring! Love these muffins as they at least remind me of spring!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Spring is a tease! I just want summer!
Thank you Laura!!
Katie
Hey there, of course I find another delicious baking recipe here - I can always count on you for that! Pinned for later!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Katie 🙂
Hannah
Peeps were my faaaaave! They were probably the last candy I gave up when going veg. I know that vegan versions are now possible with aquafaba, and one day I'll be motivated to make my own. These muffins look wonderful! I associate lemon with spring and try to put it in like everything the moment the weather starts to get warmer. It's so bright <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, yes...well when you do...send me some 😉
Yes! Same! Lemon and carrot 😉 All the bright colors! xoxo
Lauren
Perfect for spring!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! Thanks!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
I just tasted the best lemon-buttermilk frozen yogurt yesterday, I finished off my lemon-blueberry muffins the night before I came home, and I love lemon everything... so these satisfy a hole in my life right now 😉 My favorite Easter candy used to be Cadbury mini eggs and then they changed the formula when Hershey came into the mix, so I don't love 'em anymore. Also, Starburst jelly beans make me happy 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You should have topped your frozen yogurt with crumbled muffin!!!
I haven't them in years so maybe I haven't experienced the change! O no!!!!! My babies!!!!!!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
I love the taste of lemon and this looks (and sounds) like such a delicious "fresh" taste for spring.
Although I have to say, as I look out of the window here, there certainly doesn't seem any sign of it. Yet! 🙂
Have a great Easter!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally fresh and bright! Haha, I feel you Neil! These would be much more enjoyed if it were 70 degrees out and not 30!
Harriet Emily
Yummmm! I love the lemon and poppy seed combination! These muffins look amazing Rebecca! The glaze looks so pretty on the top too 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, thank you! Haha! Everything needs a fun little topping!
Kristy @ Southern In Law
These look so bright and spring-like! What a delicious treat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! They are super bright and happy!
Kristen
I have been looking for a gluten-free lemon muffin. I am excited to try this one.
I had to laugh at your liking stale peeps. My sister-in-law buys them at Easter and then puts them in a cupboard for a few months before she eats them. I thought she was alone in her tastes, but I guess there is a whole group of you! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah! Let me know if you bake them!
Haha! No way! That's the way to do it! It's actually a pretty common preference!!!
Courtney
These look so bright and delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you!
Diana
I love lemon poppy seed EVERYTHING! These muffins look absolutely delicious and perfect for Easter breakfast 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same here, girl!!! Ah, yes! Thank you!
Nikki
Rebecca, for someone with such weird candy taste you need to stop knocking on the jellybeans girl! LOL I love Starbucks jelly beans with the fruit flavors and the Jelly Belly jelly beans. I know it's not good for me but every once in awhile I gotta break out and have some jelly beans. I've never tried them Frozen, so who knows maybe I like them in a weird way too.
But I would have to say that Reese's peanut butter cups are my absolute favorite. Give me chocolate and peanut butter anything and I'm on it and I can't stop.
Muffins are one of the things I absolutely miss about being gluten free. I haven't tried to make them on my own yet, I know, I know, your blog is full of great recipes I need to woman up and make some, right? And these are right up my alley, lemon poppy seed is one of my favorites.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, Starbucks?? Well those were after my time! Haha! I don't eat candy anymore 😛
What!? Muffins are the easiest thing to bake, gf and vegan! No fails!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
Mmmmm meyer lemons are the BEST! I love making coconut macaroons with them! These muffins look amazing! Such a perfect start to the day if I pound one (or four) of these for breakfast 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea!!! They are so perfectly sweet!! I've never made macaroons! I need to veganize some!
Chandice Probst
Lively indeed, loving the vibrant yellows! Looks delish too...
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you, friend! xoxo
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
Lemon poppyseed cake is always great but the carrot puree must make it so moist. I can't wait to try them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Moist and sweet and utterly perfect 😉 Hahaha!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
These are so adorable Rebecca! I love the wholesome ingredients and how hearty they look - I'm not a fluffy muffin fan 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Alisa! These have great texture and are definitely hearty!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Definitely a big Lemon Poppy fan here! My favorite Easter candy is hands down cadbury eggs, although I always have a soft spot for solid chocolate bunnies. When I was a kid white chocolate was my favorite! And I don't love jelly beans but my kids might love them more than chocolate 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wooo! Wins!
Cadbury eggs <3 The greatest invention! Solid!?!? No way! It's got to be hallow!
Hahaha! Strange things! Chocolate always wins over jelly/chewy candy!
Amanda
I love anything with lemon...these look really good and really healthy! I'll have to try them out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Amanda! I love lemon baked sweets too!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
You have smushed together one of my favorite cakes and one of my favorite muffins all in one little happy-making hand-held seed-specked little bundle of yum! Even if NJ hasn't gotten the memo, these muffins are screaming spring! And eat me, they're screaming that too 🙂 You do have some strange candy preferences, although I think you are very misguided on the reese's egg those were amazing. But I'd happily take a basket of mixed muffins instead nowadays <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha! I love how you described these muffin bundles 😉 I will leave s memo for Sir. Easter Bunny to deliver you a basket of fresh baked muffins <3
(And no to the Reese's eggs! Too much fake PB! They make me choke. Maybe frozen though....)
Uma Srinivas
Beautiful pictures and interesting recipes. Will try this soon. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Uma! xo
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
Love the hidden veggies in here! Lemon Poppyseed muffins are the bomb.com!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, you took the words right out of my mouth 😉 xoxo
Aimee / Wallflower Kitchen
My favourite muffins! Love the gluten-free and healthy ingredients 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Amiee!!
Elise
Ooohhh... I LOVE lemon. These look delicious.
My favorite candy is a Milky Way. I especially like the Simply Caramel ones without the nougat. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Haha, but that's not an "Easter" candy 😉
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I LOVE lemon muffins and they're so fun with the addition of poppy seeds too. These are so pretty with the glaze. Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! I love any lemon baked good! Always a great flavor!
Liz
Yeah, early spring stinks! At least I didn't see the snow flurries that were in the forecast a few days ago! Some lemon muffins would sure bring a bright spot into my day!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, not snow, but SO cold! Terrible Mother Nature, haha!
We need all the bright lovely foods right now! xo
Anamarie Rebori
Always looking for ways to make my favorite muffin recipes gluten free. Can't wait to try these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you enjoy them!
Linda @ Veganosity
Summer girl here! Spring in Chicago is cruel and unusual punishment after a long winter.
I love lemon poppy seed cake. Your muffins look so pretty and spring like. If only I lived in the South so it would feel and look like spring.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Girl, same!! Let's just move down to the south, open up a bakery, and yea...live off baked goods 😉
Linda @ Veganosity
I'm in! I've been watching Island Life on HGTV and the islands around Charleston, SC look perfect! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's it! Let's book the flight! (One way ticket!)
Raia
Must be lemon muffin month or something. Haha! I love lemon anything!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The brilliant season!!
Raia
Haha. 😉
tianna
these look so delicious! poppy seed are some of my favorite kinds of muffins! thanks for sharing ♥
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can never go wrong with the poppy!
Brooke at Silver Lining
Lemon poppyseed muffins are my all-time favorite! Love your twist on them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! They are great!
Charlotte Moore
We are not GF but I do make some goodies for some family members that are GF. My favorite is the Peeps!! Fresh and soft and I could eat a dozen. Ha!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No girl! Peeps have to be STALE and chewy! Hahaha!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I used to LOVE lemon poppy seed muffins, so it's fun to see a GF version. Maybe I'll get crazy and try to test out a version with coconut flour to make them Paleo... though I am so not a baker 😉 haha
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love anything lemon poppy seed!
Krista
I liked the chocolate...never ate the jelly beans. We have had two weeks of 50/60 degree weather and then Monday (two days ago) we wake up to 4 inches of snow! Geez. The muffins look delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know! It's crazy!!! I am not liking the 30 degree days :/
Citra Kale @Citra's HOme Diary
They are look adorable muffins! love the color..it's so festive the spring...thx for sharing recipe
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you dear!! Haha, I love the sunshiney color too!
pam
I love lemon and poppy seeds!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
One of my favorites!
Hedi Hearts
I love Spring! My all time favourite season, everything is beaming, growing, singing...awww love it. These look so cute and I like that you called them lively!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Hedi!!! They just seemed like they needed that extra happy adjective 😉