Brighten Up Your Morning with Gluten-Free Honey Lemon Muffins

Cooking breakfast for others can be tough sometimes.

Everyone likes their eggs cooked a different way. Some people like crispy bacon, while others like their bacon a little less crunchy. Some like chocolate chips in their pancakes and some prefer blueberries. And sometimes dietary restrictions can make it difficult to know what to cook.

So, when it comes to making breakfast for other people, I always go to one thing: muffins.

Vertical image of muffins and lemon slices with a white cloth and a small white ceramic bowl of honey with a wooden dipper, on a wood surface, printed with orange and white text at the midpoint and bottom of the frame.

I’ve had a hard time finding anyone who would turn down a fluffy, light muffin in the morning alongside their coffee, tea, or juice.

Who can resist a handheld treat like that?

I mean, honestly, a lot of them are just like cupcakes, but without the frosting.

I can say with confidence that this particular honey lemon muffin is exactly that – but everyone will be able to eat it, even if they have a gluten allergy or intolerance.

Vertical image of a stack of three muffins in paper wrappers, with more of the baked goods and scattered lemon slices on a brown wood surface.

I have a large group of friends who are not able to consume gluten for a variety of reasons. Therefore, I am constantly on the lookout for delicious gluten-free recipes to feed my friends.

I love to bake, but it can be challenging if you aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of baking with gluten-free ingredients. Add to that requests for dairy-free and vegan baked goods as well, and you might begin to feel the faint rumblings of a panic attack.

But don’t worry – this breakfast can be adapted to fulfill these needs, and it’s really delicious.

Vertical overhead image of muffins, lemon slices, a small ceramic dish of honey with a wooden dipper, and a white cloth on a brown wood surface with a few lighter beige stripes.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, and I sometimes struggle to try to find more variety at breakfast.

Recently, though, I’ve been on a bit of a winning streak for gluten-free breakfast recipes. Foodal’s melt-in-your-mouth coconut flour pancakes have made me a star in the kitchen.

And these muffins will keep my reign strong.

You don’t need to be scared by the “gluten-free” label, because you would never know that these muffins are made without wheat. They’re not too dense, so they won’t weigh you down throughout the morning. To me, that’s the true key to the success of any muffin, and this one outranks several of the gluten-containing ones I’ve devoured in my life.

You don’t want one that is heavy and dense, because you start off the day with a big old lump in your stomach. If anything, that just makes me want to lie down and take a nap, and that’s never good news in the morning.

Oblique overhead horizontal image of muffins and lemon slices on a wood surface, with the one in the foreground resting on its paper wrapper with a piece missing to expose the crumb, and a small white dish of honey at the top left of the frame.

These little guys are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast to take with you when you’re headed out the door, and they’re ideal to bring with you to share with your coworkers or guests at a brunch party. You can feel good about including your gluten-free friends and family in the eating pleasure.

The balance of flavors in these tasty morning treats is on point. The mixture of lemon and honey offers just the right amount of brightness, acid, and sweetness to liven up your palate for the day ahead. And the honey and lemon juice drizzle that goes over the top of these moist muffins brings out those flavors even more, and provides a nice glaze.

You can whip these up in less than 40 minutes, so it’s the perfect recipe for making fresh in the morning spread with butter or lemon curd. But you can easily make them the day before on days when you know you won’t have the time to spare. Simply pop them in the microwave for 15 seconds or so to warm up slightly, or reheat them in the toaster oven to recreate that just-baked experience.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Horizontal image of a stack of three muffins surrounded by several more, with scattered lemon slices on a brown surface, with a white cloth in the background, against a sky blue backdrop.

Gluten-Free Honey Lemon Muffins


  • Author: Meghan Yager
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins 1x

Description

Start the day off right with our gluten-free honey lemon muffins. They’re moist and light, sweet with a slight tang to each bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup brown rice flour
  • 3/4 cup sweet sorghum flour
  • 1/2 cup tapioca flour
  • 1/4 cup ground flax seed
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar or granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 large egg (or substitute flax egg)
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp lemon juice, divided
  • 1 cup whole milk or almond milk
  • 2 tsp gluten-free pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or plain organic soy yogurt
  • 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp honey, divided

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or grease liberally with cooking spray or coconut oil. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (brown rice flour through salt).

In another bowl or using your stand mixer, stir together the melted coconut oil, egg, 1/4 cup lemon juice, milk, vanilla, yogurt, and 1/3 cup honey.

Add the dry ingredients in 3 portions, stirring to combine between each addition.

Scoop muffin batter into liners, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice 1 tablespoon honey to make the glaze. Drizzle tops of the muffins with the glaze, then remove from the pan to a wire rack to cool.

Notes

To make this recipe with gluten, substitute 2 cups all purpose flour for the sorghum, brown rice, and tapioca flours, and eliminate the xanthan gum.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Muffins
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Gluten-Free

Keywords: breakfast, muffins, gluten-free baking, honey, lemon

Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Juice Lemons, Melt Coconut Oil, and Measure Remaining Ingredients

Juice the lemons until you have 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Set aside.

Horizontal image of six round and one square glass bowl of yogurt, coconut oil, lemon juice, honey, eggs, vanilla, and milk, on a beige and brown striped wood surface.

Measure out 1/2 cup coconut oil and melt it in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl in 15-second bursts (this should take about 1 minute). Set aside to cool slightly.

Horizontal image of round and square glass bowls of ground flax seed, baking soda, baking powder, salt, xanthan gum, and various types of gluten-free flour, on a brown and beige striped wood surface.

Measure all of the remaining ingredients, and set them out in the order described in the ingredients list. Having them set out in order will help immensely as you go through the steps to make the recipe.

Horizontal image of a muffin tin with white paper liners arranged in each well, on a beige and brown striped wood surface.

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners or grease it well.

Step 2 – Combine Dry Ingredients

Horizontal image of a stainless steel bowl of various dry ingredients including flour, sugar, and cinnamon, on a brown wood surface.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, ground flax seed, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, coconut sugar, and salt.

Step 3 – Stir In Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, stir to combine the melted coconut oil, egg, 1/4 cup lemon juice, milk, vanilla, yogurt, and 1/3 cup honey.

I like to crack the egg first in a separate measuring cup or bowl, to avoid introducing any shell fragments to the batter – they’re easier to remove this way, if you have any slip-ups!

Closely cropped oblique overhead horizontal image of batter in a stainless steel mixing bowl being mixed with a wooden spoon.

Add the dry ingredients in 3 portions, stirring to combine between each addition.

Step 4 – Fill and Bake

Vertical image of a muffin tin with paper liners filled with batter, on a striped beige and brown wood surface.

Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full with batter.

Horizontal overhead image of a metal tin of twelve homemade muffins on a brown wood surface.

Bake for 15-20 minutes on the middle rack, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of one comes out clean.

Step 5 – Glaze and Cool

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey until well combined.

Horizontal image of a small glass bowl of honey and lemon juice, on a wood surface.

Drizzle the glaze over the top of each muffin, and remove to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Lemon + Honey = A Match Made in Heaven

The combination of lemon and honey is a natural pairing. I usually think of it in black tea, with a wedge of lemon and a hint of honey added for some sweetness.

Putting the two together in these moist, fluffy, and flavorful muffins is a whole new way to enjoy this stellar combination. The brightness of the lemon and the sweetness of the honey creates a sweet treat that won’t overpower your taste buds.

Horizontal image of a stack of three muffins surrounded by several more, with scattered lemon slices on a brown surface, with a white cloth in the background, against a sky blue backdrop.

Looking for even more delectable muffin recipes with bright, fruity flavors to add to your repertoire? Try these favorites:

Who will you make these muffins for? Tell us in the comments below, and be sure to rate the recipe when you bake them up to let us know how much you enjoyed them.

Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on September 23, 2011. Last updated: May 19, 2023 at 13:52 pm. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Meghan Yager

Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.

1 thought on “Brighten Up Your Morning with Gluten-Free Honey Lemon Muffins”

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.