Vegan Blueberry Muffins
Add some sweetness to your morning with these Vegan Blueberry Muffins. This is a simple muffin recipe that packs a sweet and slightly tart punch and bakes up beautifully to be a part of breakfast or brunch. Makes 18 muffins.
Looking for more vegan muffin inspiration? We’ve got Vegan Banana Muffins, Vegan Pumpkin Muffins, Vegan Orange Cranberry Muffins and Vegan Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, too!
These Fluffy Blueberry Muffins are a nod to my newspaper photographer days. Back then, I traveled Southern Mississippi on the regular, photographing everything from monster truck throwdowns to sporting events and political rallies to festivals.
One of the festivals I had the opportunity to cover was the Blueberry Jubilee in Poplarville, Miss, and I’ve been obsessed with these lovely blue fruits ever since.
Now, I’ll be honest: This blueberry muffin recipe into being one weekend years and years ago because I didn’t have any eggs on hand, and I didn’t have any milk, either.
The resulting recipe was a happy accident vegan muffin that tastes every bit as beautiful as the kind you’d find at your favorite bakery. The texture is fluffy. The blueberries are full of flavor. And the muffins are incredibly easy to make, too.
Whether you eat a vegan diet or you don’t have eggs and milk on hand right now, these muffins have been loved by all for years because they’re delicious. And we can all agree about eating recipes that are delicious, no matter our diet or lifestyle, right?
Love blueberries for breakfast? Here are a few more favorites: Mini Meyer Lemon Blueberry Muffins | Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake | Blueberry Lemon Crumble Muffins | Lemon Blueberry Bread
Looking for breakfast inspiration? Check out my Breakfast Recipe Index.
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Muffin pan or tin
- Glass bowls
- 2 tablespoon cookie scoop
- Cupcake liners or muffin liners
- Glass bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Zester, if adding citrus zest
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you need to grab:
- Fresh blueberries — these are the basis for this muffin recipe. I do not recommend using frozen berries.
- All-purpose flour — I keep unbleached AP flour in my house, but the regular kind works, too. I have not attempted this recipe with any gluten-free flour blends, so I do not recommend using that.
- Leaveners — we’re using a combination of baking soda and baking powder. Make sure yours are fresh!
- Kosher salt — I like to use medium grain kosher salt in my baked goods. If you’re using table salt, use a little less since table salt is saltier.
- Unsweetened applesauce — this adds moisture and a little lift to our batter. Make sure yours is unsweetened.
- Vegetable oil — or another neutral oil, like refined coconut oil, canola oil or avocado oil. You could also substitute this with the same amount of melted vegan butter.
- Granulated sugar — also known as white sugar, this is the sweetener we use to make these muffins.
- White vinegar — this is going to make our vegan buttermilk mixture. You could replace it with another acidic ingredient, like fresh lemon juice.
- Pure vanilla extract — this brings all the flavors together!
- Unsweetened almond milk — or your favorite plant-based milk. Soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc., all work. Just make sure yours is unflavored and unsweetened.
- Turbinado sugar — for sprinkling
How to make Vegan Blueberry Muffins
First and foremost, preheat the oven and line a muffin tin with baking cups, too.
Measure the blueberries into a bowl with a tablespoon of flour. Gently toss the fresh berries with the flour until they’re coated so they don’t sink to the bottom of the muffins when baking.
Measure the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into another bowl. Whisk them until combined, and then set them aside for later.
In a third and final bowl (or a large liquid measuring cup), combine the sugar, oil and applesauce. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to whip ’em up until light and fluffy.
Add the vinegar, vanilla and non-dairy milk to the wet ingredients. This makes a vegan buttermilk of sorts. Stir with a rubber spatula until incorporated.
Sprinkle the dry ingredients, and stir them until just combined. Immediately toss in the blueberries, and fold them into the batter gently.
Dollop the batter into the prepared muffin tin. You can use a cookie scoop or a spoon for this step because either works, though I prefer a cookie scoop for evenly scooped muffins. Sprinkle ’em with turbinado sugar on top, too.
Pro tip!
These muffins rise because of the combination of baking soda with the vinegar. As soon as the wet ingredients meet the dry ingredients, they’re going to start bubbling and fizzing, so you want to get these into the oven ASAP once the ingredients have been mixed.
Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Confirm they’re baked through with a toothpick test.
Cool on a wire cooling rack, and enjoy!
How to store and freeze muffins
Store the leftover muffins at room temperature for 2-3 days.
To freeze the muffins, let them come to room temperature, then place them on a small baking sheet. Transfer this to the freezer, and let the muffins freeze until solid, about 4-6 hours, depending on your freezer situation. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe storage container or bag for up to 6 months.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
Vegan muffins are one of my favorite things to have on hand for an at-home brunch, as well as a playgroup.
I love ’em for brunch because I can make them in advance and they add a little sweetness, which is something I adore. They pair really nicely with a Mimosa Bar, too, especially when you add fresh blueberries to the bar.
I make vegan muffins whenever I host kids and mamas for playgroup because they are free of two major food allergens and always go over well with kids.
Here are some tips and tricks for the easiest kind of entertaining:
- Bake the muffins in advance. They’ll keep for 1-2 days, so make it easier on yourself and do them well in advance.
- Serve the muffins slightly warmed. We like to reheat ours in the toaster oven, but you could throw them into a 200F oven for a few minutes to get them warmed through and those blueberries gooey again.
- Pair the muffins with other vegan-friendly breakfast items, like Vegan Breakfast Apple Crisp, Hazelnut and Pecan Baked Oatmeal and Fresh Fruit Salad.
- Serve alongside with your favorite berries, like blackberries, strawberries and raspberries.
Frequently Asked Questions
The combination of baking soda and white vinegar fluffs up these egg-free muffins during the baking process. Baking powder also gives our batter a lift, too, but it can’t do it alone, so it some help from baking soda and white vinegar.
The baking soda and white vinegar combination is an easy egg substitute for many baking recipes. While it doesn’t work all the time, it works nicely in recipes like this one.
If your baking powder and baking soda aren’t fresh, your muffins might not rise well.
Similarly, if you let the batter sit after mixing it before dolloping it into the paper cups and baking immediately, they might not be as fluffy as they could be because the chemical reaction between the baking powder and liquid (and the baking soda and vinegar) begins the moment the dry ingredients meet the wet.
Also, if your oven’s temperature isn’t consistent, these muffins might not bake the way they’re supposed to. I’ve run into problems with these muffins being cooked halfway through and raw on the bottom because of an inconsistent oven. So learn from my mistakes and make sure yours is baking at the correct temperature!
There have been complaints about these muffins being “too bland,” so if you are concerned a plain blueberry muffin is too plain, add a tablespoon of lemon, orange or even lime zest!
Tips and Tricks for Making the BEST Vegan Blueberry Muffins
- Your muffins might struggle to rise if your baking powder and baking soda are not fresh.
- Store the muffins at room temperature for 2-3 days, covered, or in the fridge in a food storage container for 5-6 days. However, I don’t think they’ll last that long!
- This recipe calls for unsweetened applesauce. The batter is more than sweet enough without adding sweetened applesauce, so please read your labels.
Now who’s ready for a muffin? Here’s how you make these…
Vegan Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups blueberries fresh
- 2 cups + 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Equipment
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with baking cups, then spritz with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized glass bowl, toss the blueberries in 1 tablespoon of flour using a spoon. Set aside. (This will ensure they don’t sink as the muffins bake.)
- In a bowl, measure out the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together. Whisk until combined and set aside.
- In another large bowl, combine the wet ingredients, which are the sugar, oil and applesauce. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to beat until light and fluffy.
- Add vinegar, vanilla and almond milk to the wet ingredients. Stir until incorporated.
- Sprinkle the flour mixture on top of the wet ingredients, and stir until just combined.
- Add in the flour-coated blueberries, and fold into the batter gently with a rubber spatula.
- Immediately dollop the batter into the prepared baking cups using a cookie scoop or a spoon. Sprinkle the tops with turbinado sugar, if desired.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the oven, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven, and let cool for a few moments before enjoying warm.
Notes
- You can use any non-dairy milk in this recipe, though I caution against using something thicker like a coconut cream. We keep unsweetened cashew milk on hand, and that is our current go-to.
- If you’re not vegan and are not serving people who eat a vegan diet, cow’s milk works in this recipe, too.
- Apple cider vinegar will work in a pinch, too, in case you don’t have white vinegar on hand.
- Frozen blueberries work in this recipe. However, they make the batter turn a bright purple if you don’t take the time to pat them dry beforehand.
- Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. If they’re not, your muffins might not rise well.
- Similarly, you MUST preheat the oven and have everything ready to go. When the wet ingredients mix with the dry ingredients, the chemical reaction begins so they can rise, and if the batter sits for long, the muffins will deflate in the oven.
- Make sure your oven is at the suggested baking temperature before popping the muffins into the oven. I’ve run into problems with these muffins being cooked halfway through and raw on the bottom because of an inconsistent oven. So learn from my mistakes and make sure yours is baking at the correct temperature!
- This recipe calls for unsweetened applesauce. The batter is more than sweet enough without a sweetened applesauce, so read the label and ensure your applesauce fits the bill.
Nutrition
The photos and recipe for these Vegan Blueberry Muffins were originally published on February 8, 2013. The photographs, along with the text of this blog post, were updated on March 20, 2018.
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
I made these yesterday because I have been craving blueberry muffins! When I was getting all the ingredients together I was disappointed because I didn’t haven’t any vinegar except for ones with added garlic, which didn’t sound too good! Haha! I used lemon juice instead and it worked perfectly. Boy were these delicious!!!! So moist! I will be making these again! Even one of my family members who isn’t a big muffin fan loved them. He ate 3 and kept going on about how good they tasted!
Amber, so happy these worked out for you and that you enjoyed them, even if you substituted some lemon juice instead of the vinegar. (Isn’t it amazing how many substitutions work and serve the same role?) Thanks for the feedback, and enjoy the muffins!
I made these muffins this morning with I guess too high of expectations. The muffins turned out fine, they did take almost 25 minutes to bake though. My husband said they were ok, but I thought they were a little bland and sticky, not really muffin texture. I have yet to find a really good vegan blueberry muffin recipe, but I will keep looking. Thanks for your effort in making the recipe!
I made these muffins this morning with I guess too high of expectations. The muffins turned out fine, they did take almost 25 minutes to bake though. My husband said they were ok, but I thought they were a little bland and sticky, not really muffin texture. I have yet to find a really good vegan blueberry muffin recipe, but I will keep looking. Thanks for your effort in making the recipe!
Aww, I’m sorry to hear the muffins didn’t turn out as nicely as you expected, Andrea. One of the first times I made these muffins, I overmixed them, and they turned out sticky like you’re describing. And I’ve also found adding a little lemon zest adds some zip to them if you’re willing to tinker! Thanks for leaving me a comment about it. I appreciate it, and good luck finding that vegan blueberry muffin recipe!
All I have to say is that these are amazing and better than any regular or vegan muffins i have ever had . Thanks so much for sharing
Camille, so happy to hear you enjoyed these muffins! Thanks for the compliment and trying ’em out!
Made these with zest of 1 lemon and lemon juice in place of vinegar. SO delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!
So happy they turned out for you, Lindsey! Enjoy!
I made these today for my family. My husband reports that they taste like pancakes and need maple syrup. I think they contain a little too much baking soda as they taste like it. What did I do wrong? They just don’t seem to resemble the flavor of muffins.
Jeannine, I’m sorry to hear your husband thought they tasted like pancakes and that they didn’t have a muffin flavor. I honestly don’t know what to tell you as far as the taste and the baking soda go. I’ve never run into this problem before. … But then again, I really DO like the taste of pancakes and probably would mind them in muffin form. :/
I made these for my boyfriend and me and they were delicious! My boyfriend said they were his favorite muffins he’s ever had and we loved how moist and decadent they were. Thank you for the recipe!
So happy to hear the muffins turned out, Erin, and that your boyfriend said they were his favorite muffins ever! What a compliment!
These muffins turned out perfectly for me when I tried them! Quick question though – you mentioned that you have made these muffins with egg and I was wondering what would the recipe look like with it included. Also, did you find the muffin was noticeably different with the egg included (fluffier maybe?). Thanks for your help and the awesome recipe! 🙂
Archana, I’m so happy to hear the muffins were perfect for you! And yes, with the eggs, the muffins were a little fluffier, but it wasn’t too much of a difference. And I hope you continue to enjoy this recipe!
Hello Everyone, I am new to vegan baking. I am a avid baker and these muffins were way to soft and mushy. Followed recipe exactly how it was written. Baked for 20 mins. Probably will not waste ingredients again on this recipe.
I’m sorry to hear your muffins turned out mushy, Linda. That’s disappointing, and I’m sorry the directions didn’t lead you to the perfect and fluffy muffins I have achieved in the past with this recipe. Good luck with all your vegan baking and better luck next time!
I love this recipe. I had to cook them a little longer and now I use only 1 cup of blueberries, instead of 2, but besides that they are perfect! yummy! and directions were very clear to me and I just started baking. I also add walnut for protein… great way to get more protein into my kids and they LOVE these muffins! maying your banana bread today – can’t wait! thank you for posting all these amazing recipes! helping me get started in my baking/vegan diet for my family!
I make these all the time – the kids love them and I switch things up a bit with adding oats and nuts, and the come out great all the time. I just starting baking a few months ago and this was the 1st thing I ever baked from scratch. thank you.. so easy to follow! also, today I made them as donuts… donut pan instead of muffin and my kids went crazy for them! very happy to make healthy baked goods for my family and really appreciate this and all your recipes! merry christmas!
I make these all the time – the kids love them and I switch things up a bit with adding oats and nuts, and the come out great all the time. I just starting baking a few months ago and this was the 1st thing I ever baked from scratch. thank you.. so easy to follow! also, today I made them as donuts… donut pan instead of muffin and my kids went crazy for them! very happy to make healthy baked goods for my family and really appreciate this and all your recipes! merry christmas!
Kristin,
So happy to hear that you make these all the time, your kids love them, and that you’re able to adapt them based on your needs/wants of the day. 🙂 Also thrilled to hear these were the first thing you ever baked from scratch! I’m definitely going to have to make these as donuts because that is a GREAT idea!
Thanks for leaving your sweet comment, and continue to enjoy all the goodness, girl!
Ok, so I had 3 muffins that were ‘extra’ (bottom of bowl, scraped batter) so hardly any blueberries. They cooked up perfect! So next time I will reduce the blueberries.
These are in the oven as I type! They are rising lovely!
A few observations – based on pics, it looks like you made mini muffins? It would make sense in that case that it only took 10 minutes to bake. If making regular muffins, it will take longer, more like 20-25 minutes.
I modified slightly. We are gluten free so I used Bob’s Red Mill gluten free all-purpose flour (2 cups plus 1 tsp xanthan gum) and I used rice milk instead as that’s all I had on hand. I also used frozen blueberries. I did not thaw them and they worked well and didn’t sink. Oh and I didn’t have enough applesauce, so I subbed with an apple/squash baby food!
And now, after all this typing, they are out of the oven. I thought they were done but even with the nice brown tops the inside was all mushy. Don’t know if it because of frozen berries or what but back in for longer cooking and I covered the pan so as to not brown tops any more. The little that I did sample tasted great.
Christine,
Thanks for leaving such a lovely and thorough comment! Happy to hear that the muffins were rising wonderfully AND that the sample tasted great, even if they weren’t done when you first pulled them out of the oven.
I actually made regular-sized muffins, and the previous 10-minute baking window was based off of the oven in our old home (which was brand new)… though I still think that is incorrect. Since my current oven is 50+ years old, the 20-25 minute baking window is way more applicable now. 😉
Very interesting about your modifications to make the muffins gluten free, the substitution of rice milk and frozen blueberries instead of fresh. I’m happy this recipe was adaptable!
Here’s to great muffins. I hope you enjoy them!
Ok, so I had 3 muffins that were ‘extra’ (bottom of bowl, scraped batter) so hardly any blueberries. They cooked up perfect! So next time I will reduce the blueberries.
Happy to hear they turned out well and that you might reduce the blueberries next time. Enjoy!
hello there! i don’t usually post when i find recipes, but these came out so amazing that i just had to say thank you!!! as a vegan for over a year, i had not ventured to try blueberry muffins yet. i had a great non vegan recipe that made huge muffins with streusel and everything that i always used, but i wanted to find something healthier and still delicious. i was slightly afraid that my boyfriend would not find these as appealing, but he LOVES them and so do i! not sure about the baking problems, i baked them for 15 minutes with the full amount of blueberries and they are perfect. thank you!
hello there! i don’t usually post when i find recipes, but these came out so amazing that i just had to say thank you!!! as a vegan for over a year, i had not ventured to try blueberry muffins yet. i had a great non vegan recipe that made huge muffins with streusel and everything that i always used, but i wanted to find something healthier and still delicious. i was slightly afraid that my boyfriend would not find these as appealing, but he LOVES them and so do i! not sure about the baking problems, i baked them for 15 minutes with the full amount of blueberries and they are perfect. thank you!
Cate, thanks for stopping by and leaving a review of this recipe! I so appreciate it, and it makes me smile knowing they turned out wonderfully for you and were loved by vegans and non-vegans alike!
These were so delicious! I made a batch of 24 and they are all gone a day and a half later. Thank you for this recipe!
These are so yummy! I did end up baking for 20-25 minutes instead of 10, but I also prefer my muffins a little brown, so it would have been around 20 minutes if I were baking them to give away. I made 18 regular-sized muffins. I love how blueberry-y they are! So great!
These are so yummy! I did end up baking for 20-25 minutes instead of 10, but I also prefer my muffins a little brown, so it would have been around 20 minutes if I were baking them to give away. I made 18 regular-sized muffins. I love how blueberry-y they are! So great!
Made this today and they turned out great!! I had to bake them for 25 minutes instead of 10. But they turned out great!! 🙂 Thanks!
Made this today and they turned out great!! I had to bake them for 25 minutes instead of 10. But they turned out great!! 🙂 Thanks!
Mine didn’t raise very good, any suggestions?
I’d guess that maybe the baking powder you used was older. If that’s not the case, I’m unsure what would be another factor in the muffins not rising very well other than maybe too many blueberries were added? I hope that helps, Avery!
Gorgeous photos! Blueberry muffins are my favorite and this vegan recipe looks like a winner. Pinning 🙂
Thanks so much, Andrea! I’m a huge fan of blueberry muffins, too, and I hope you enjoy these beauties!
Hi! I made this today, and though the taste is good, they turned out deflated. I used frozen blueberrys, but by reading the other coments I don’t think thats the problem. Maybe it’s because I put baking soda and vinager separetely, or the fact that the apple sause had sugar. What do you think?
Hey Ana! I’m sorry that the muffins were a bit deflated. I’d guess that maybe your baking soda wasn’t fresh? It could also be because the baking soda and vinegar should go in together (you want them to fizz up!). I wouldn’t think it was the applesauce. I hope that helps, and I hope next time, they turn out beautifully!