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Orange Muffins

Featured in Start Your Day Right.

These Orange Muffins bring sunshine to your breakfast table with their bright citrus flavor and tender crumb. Made with fresh orange juice and zest, these muffins get their moisture from Greek yogurt and applesauce, while honey adds natural sweetness. The crowning touch is a simple orange glaze that adds an extra burst of citrus flavor. Perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack, these muffins come together quickly and fill your kitchen with the most amazing orange aroma while baking. They're ideal for busy mornings, weekend brunch, or packing in lunch boxes.
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Updated on Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:53:16 GMT
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Orange Muffins Pin it
Orange Muffins | tastygusto.com

Orange muffins offer the perfect balance of bright citrus flavor and tender crumb, making any morning feel special. These muffins fill your kitchen with the most incredible aroma while baking, reminiscent of sun-warmed orange groves. After years of experimenting with different orange muffin recipes, this version has become my family's favorite for its perfect balance of wholesome ingredients and natural sweetness.

When I first developed this recipe, I was looking for a healthier muffin that still felt like a treat. These deliver that perfect balance.

Essential Ingredients For Success

  • Fresh oranges: Should be bright and heavy for their size - their zest is crucial
  • Greek yogurt: Adds protein and creates tender crumb
  • Quality honey: Brings natural sweetness that complements the orange
  • Fresh applesauce: Provides moisture without added fat
  • All-purpose flour: Can be swapped for gluten-free blend if needed
  • Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the citrus notes

Creating Your Perfect Muffins

Preparation Strategy
Begin by zesting your oranges before juicing them - it's much easier this way. Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and create a more even texture.
Mixing Method
The key to tender muffins is gentle handling. Think of folding the ingredients together rather than stirring - overmixing leads to tough muffins.
Perfect Portioning
Use an ice cream scoop for evenly sized muffins. This ensures they all bake at the same rate and look professional.
Moist orange muffins Pin it
Moist orange muffins | tastygusto.com

My favorite variation includes adding a handful of fresh cranberries - their tartness perfectly complements the orange flavor and adds beautiful color.

Temperature Matters

Starting with a higher oven temperature creates that coveted muffin dome, while finishing at a lower temperature ensures the centers cook through properly,

Make-Ahead Options

The dry ingredients can be mixed ahead and stored, simply add wet ingredients when ready to bake,

Storage Solutions

These muffins stay fresh at room temperature for 24 hours when stored properly, for longer storage, freeze unglazed muffins in an airtight container,

Close-up Orange Muffins Recipe Pin it
Close-up Orange Muffins Recipe | tastygusto.com

After countless batches of these orange muffins, I've found they're more than just breakfast - they're a bright start to any day. Whether enjoyed with morning coffee or packed for an afternoon snack, these muffins bring a burst of sunshine to every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I store these orange muffins?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Let the glaze set completely before storing.
→ Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap the regular flour for your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum included.
→ Why use parchment paper liners?
Parchment paper liners prevent the muffins from sticking, which can happen with regular paper liners due to the honey in the recipe.
→ Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, the muffins are delicious even without glaze. You can dust them with powdered sugar or top with orange zest instead.
→ How do I get the most juice from oranges?
Roll the oranges on the counter while pressing down firmly before cutting and juicing. This helps release more juice from the fruit.

Fresh Orange Muffins Recipe

These fresh Orange Muffins are perfectly sweet and tender, topped with an orange glaze that adds just the right amount of citrus flavor.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Muffin Batter

01 2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten-free if desired)
02 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 ½ teaspoon sea salt
05 ½ cup honey
06 ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
07 ½ cup fresh orange juice (from 1 large or 2 medium oranges)
08 2 tablespoons orange zest
09 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
10 ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk

→ Orange Glaze

11 ¾ cup confectioners sugar
12 2 tablespoons orange juice
13 2 teaspoons orange zest

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 02

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a larger bowl, combine honey, yogurt, orange juice, zest, applesauce, and almond milk. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.

Step 03

Line your muffin pan with parchment paper liners. Fill each cup about ¾ full with batter, leaving about ½ inch space at the top.

Step 04

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool completely.

Step 05

Mix confectioners sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl until smooth. Spoon the glaze evenly over each cooled muffin.

Notes

  1. Use parchment paper liners instead of paper ones to prevent sticking
  2. For children under 1 year, replace honey with maple syrup or coconut sugar
  3. Optional toppings include extra orange zest, candied oranges, slivered almonds, or poppy seeds

Tools You'll Need

  • 12-cup muffin pan
  • Parchment paper muffin liners
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (Greek yogurt)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 164
  • Total Fat: 0.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 37 g
  • Protein: 3 g