Lemon-Blueberry Muffins are a bright and fluffy treat packed with zesty lemon and bursts of juicy blueberries. Every bite is soft, moist, and balanced perfectly between sweet and tangy. I like making a batch for a weekend breakfast, to bring to a brunch, or just to enjoy with coffee during the week. They’re easy to prepare and even easier to love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these muffins bring a refreshing citrus twist to the classic blueberry muffin. The sour cream makes them extra tender and rich, while the lemon zest lifts everything with a burst of freshness. I also appreciate how frozen blueberries make it easy to bake these year-round. Whether I enjoy them warm from the oven or grab one the next day, they never last long in my kitchen.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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All-purpose flour
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Baking powder
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Baking soda
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Salt
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White sugar
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Milk
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Sour cream
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Melted butter
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Large eggs
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Lemon zest
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Frozen blueberries
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
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In a large bowl, I sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In a separate bowl, I whisk together the sugar, milk, sour cream, melted butter, eggs, and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
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I gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix the batter.
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I then carefully fold in the frozen blueberries so they stay whole and don’t turn the batter purple.
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I spoon the batter into the prepared muffin liners, filling each one about three-quarters full.
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I bake the muffins for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tops are golden and slightly crispy at the edges.
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After baking, I let the muffins cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 12 large muffins.
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Bake time: 30–35 minutes
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Cooling time: 10 minutes
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Total time: around 55 minutes
Variations
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Fresh blueberries: I sometimes use fresh blueberries when they’re in season—just coat them lightly in flour before folding them into the batter to prevent sinking.
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Lemon glaze: For extra zing, I mix powdered sugar with lemon juice and drizzle it over the cooled muffins.
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Mini muffins: I use a mini muffin pan and reduce the baking time to 12–15 minutes for a bite-sized version.
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Greek yogurt swap: I substitute the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt when I want a slightly tangier flavor and a protein boost.
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Crumble topping: I like to sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar or buttery crumble over the batter before baking for added texture and sweetness.
Storage/Reheating
After cooling completely, I store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To keep them fresh longer, I refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months.
To reheat, I warm individual muffins in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use fresh blueberries instead of frozen?
Yes, I can use fresh blueberries. I like to coat them in a little flour before mixing them in so they don’t sink to the bottom.
How do I keep blueberries from sinking?
I gently toss the blueberries in a spoonful of flour before adding them to the batter. This helps suspend them throughout the muffin.
Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
Yes, I use dairy-free milk, plant-based sour cream or yogurt, and dairy-free butter to adapt the recipe without compromising texture.
Can I freeze these muffins?
Definitely. Once cooled, I wrap them individually or store them in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months.
Why did my muffins turn out dense?
That usually happens if I overmix the batter. I stir just until everything is combined to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
Conclusion
These Lemon-Blueberry Muffins are the perfect mix of tart lemon and sweet blueberry, wrapped in a soft, moist crumb. I love how easy they are to make and how they bring a bit of sunshine to any day. Whether I serve them fresh or save some in the freezer, they’re always a crowd-pleaser.
PrintLemon-Blueberry Muffins
These Lemon-Blueberry Muffins are bakery-style treats that are soft, fluffy, and packed with juicy blueberries and zesty lemon flavor. Made with sour cream for extra richness and moisture, they’re a perfect sweet and tangy option for breakfast, brunch, or snacking. Easy to make with fresh or frozen berries, these muffins come together in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 large muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Bakery-Style
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- White sugar
- Milk
- Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- Melted butter
- Large eggs
- Lemon zest
- Frozen blueberries (or fresh, tossed in flour)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, sour cream, melted butter, eggs, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined—do not overmix.
- Carefully fold in the blueberries.
- Spoon batter into muffin liners, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden on top and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let muffins cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Glaze Option: Drizzle with a simple glaze of powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- Mini Muffins: Use a mini muffin pan and bake for 12–15 minutes.
- Crumble Topping: Add a cinnamon-sugar or buttery crumble for extra sweetness and texture.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk, yogurt, and butter substitutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg