Crispy on the top with a sweet sugar topping, and tender and fluffy inside, these easy gluten-free blueberry muffins are filled with plump blueberries and make the perfect breakfast or snack. Totally dairy-free too, but honestly no one would care! Go bake a batch today!
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Jump to:
- Muffins for the Win!
- Blueberry Muffins For Anytime of the Year
- Why This Recipe Works
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Ingredient Notes/Substitutions:
- How to Make Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins (Step by Step)
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Gluten-Free Muffin Recipes to Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love:
- Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins (Dairy-Free)
Muffins for the Win!
I’m a huge fan of muffins – and it doesn’t really matter what type of muffins really. I love the fact that muffins are the perfect individual portions, and they’re easy to eat, and they make a super easy snack or even a quick breakfast for when you’re in a rush and on the go.
From pumpkin muffins, carrot cake muffins, banana nut muffins, fluffy lemon muffins, flaxseed muffins, strawberry muffins, lemon poppy seed muffins and even cornbread muffins, I love them all.
Blueberry Muffins For Anytime of the Year
While blueberries are in season mainly in summer, it seems that nowadays we can always get access to fresh blueberries.
That is a great thing, of course, because these healthy gluten-free blueberry muffins are meant to be eaten anytime of the year.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: These gluten-free dairy-free blueberry muffins use simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry (with the exception of the blueberries).
- Easy to Make: All you need to do is to sift the dry ingredients into the wet ingredient to get the batter, before folding in the blueberries. Divide the batter between the cups of the muffin mold, and bake! How much easier does it get?
- Crispy on Top, Tender Inside: With sugar sprinkled on top of the batter, these delicious blueberries muffins turn out beautiful with a crackly crust on top. Most importantly, these moist blueberry muffins are light, airy and fluffy with a tender crumb, and filled with sweet juicy blueberries. You’ll be begging for seconds and thirds!
- Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: These easy blueberry muffins are totally gluten-free and dairy-free, but honestly they taste so good, no one would know! Best of all, even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without any worries!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free blueberry muffin recipe.
(For exact quantities, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Ingredient Notes/Substitutions:
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: I recommend using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made with lighter flours and starches (such as rice flour, corn starch, tapioca starch, or potato starch) to ensure a fluffier final texture. I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free blend that includes heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour) as that will result in a denser texture.
- Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the substitute for gluten in gluten-free flours and helps to bind the ingredients together. If you gluten-free flour blend does not already include xanthan gum, make sure you include it for best results.
- Almond Flour: I like adding a little bit of blanched almond flour for extra protein and texture, plus it also causes the muffins to turn a beautiful golden brown. Alternatively, you can also use equal quantities of my 5-minute homemade almond meal.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is essential in helping the batter to rise and allows the muffins to have a soft and fluffy texture, so make sure you include it. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure you use certified gluten-free baking powder.
- Spices: I added a bit of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg for extra taste and flavor, but feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
- Sunflower Oil: I like using sunflower oil as I always have a bottle of it on hand. You may use other vegetable oils or even melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use equal quantities of melted butter instead.
- Eggs: Eggs helps to give lift and fluffiness to the batter. I personally have not tried this without eggs. However, if you allergic to eggs, you may try to replace the eggs with aquafaba, flax eggs or an egg-replacer instead.
- Water: I used filtered water, but you may also use another dairy-free milk such as almond milk, cashew milk, rice milk, oat milk or soy milk in place of water. Alternatively, you may use normal dairy milk.
- Sugar: I used regular white sugar, but you can also use light brown sugar if you prefer. If you diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend that you use Lakanto monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index).
- Blueberries: I used fresh blueberries, but you can also use frozen berries. If using frozen berries, there’s not need to defrost them – simply use the frozen blueberries directly. You may also use cut strawberries or raspberries if you prefer!
How to Make Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins (Step by Step)
1. Preheat and Grease
Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 12-cup silicon muffin mold. Adjust oven rack to the middle third position.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the gluten-free free flour, xanthan gum (if using), almond flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk until combined.
3. Sprinkle Blueberries with Flour
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture over the rinsed blueberries and mix well to coat, then set the flour-coated blueberries aside.
(Coating the blueberries with flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the batter).
4. Beat Sugar and Oil
In a large bowl, beat 1 1/3 cups of sugar and sunflower oil together until light and fluffy.
5. Add Eggs and Water
Add the beaten eggs and water to the sugar-oil mixture and stir until you get a pale yellow liquid mixture.
6. Sift in Flour Mixture
Sift in the flour mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients and whisk well with a hand mixer or whisk to get a thick batter (whisk until just combined, don’t overmix).
7. Fold in Blueberries
Sift in the flour mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir well to get a thick liquid batter (whisk until just combined, don’t overmix).
8. Transfer Batter to Muffin Mold
Use a measuring cup or ice cream scoop to divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups of the previously-greased muffin tin or muffin pan (I filled mine almost right up to the top using 1/2 cup of batter for each muffin). Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar on the top of the batter.
9. Bake Until Golden
Bake the batter for 35 to 40 mins until golden brown on top.
10. Cool Completely
Let the gluten-free dairy-free muffins cool for at least 10 minutes in the muffin mold before removing them to finish cooling on the wire rack. Now go and enjoy the best gluten-free blueberry muffins ever!
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Use a Silicon Muffin Mold: I highly recommend using a 12-cup silicon muffin mold because you don’t need to use paper muffin liners, and ensures that the bottom of the muffin won’t stick to the mold. If you don’t have a silicon mold, make sure you line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners to make it easier to remove the muffins later on!
- Cool Before Removing/Eating: Allow the muffins to cool for at least 10 minutes in the muffin mold before running a knife around the edges and removing the muffin. Then let the muffins cool completely to room temperature on a wire cooling rack before eating. The muffin will continue cooking with the residual heat and if you try to remove it too soon from the mold, it might crumble easily.
- Make Mini Muffins: If you prefer to make mini muffins, simple divide the batter between the cups of a 24-cup mini muffin pan, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean). You’ll get 24 mini muffins instead of the 12 regular ones.
- Make Jumbo Muffins: If you prefer the Starbucks jumbo muffin-size, simply divide the batter between the cups of a 6-cup jumbo muffin pan, and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. You’ll get 6 jumbo muffins instead of the 12 regular ones.
- Swap Out Blueberries for Other Berries: No blueberries? No problem! Switch out the blueberries with chopped strawberries, or raspberries or even blackberries! This recipe is flexible and all berry options will taste delicious!
- Optional Add-Ins: If you like, go ahead and add chocolate chips to make blueberry chocolate chip muffins! You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Add a Touch of Citrus: If you’ve like to add a little hint of citrus, you could add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter.
Recipe FAQs:
To store these easy blueberry muffins, place the cooled gluten and dairy free blueberry muffins in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
To freeze, place the cooled blueberry muffins in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, you can either warm up the muffins in the oven or microwave.
Yes, you can also use frozen blueberries in this gf blueberry muffin recipe if you don’t have fresh berries on hand. In this case, there’s no need to defrost them – simply use them directly.
Make sure to use a good-quality gluten-free flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch) to ensure a lighter and fluffier final texture. Secondly, make sure that the gluten-free muffin batter is not dry – gluten-free flours absorb a lot of water, and if the batter is not wet enough, the final texture will be dense and dry.
Other Gluten-Free Muffin Recipes to Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins (Dairy-Free, Vegan)
- Carrot Cake Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Flaxseed Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Banana Nut Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Easy Lemon Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Cornbread Muffins (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintGluten-Free Blueberry Muffins (Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crispy on the top with a sweet sugar topping, and tender and fluffy inside, these gluten-free blueberry muffins are filled with plump blueberries and make the perfect breakfast or snack. Totally dairy-free too, but honestly no one would care! Go bake a batch today!
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend already includes it)
- 3/4 cup blanched almond flour (or almond meal)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup sunflower oil
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/3 cups + 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and patted dry
Instructions
1. Preheat and Grease: Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 12-cup silicon muffin mold. Adjust oven rack to the middle third position.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the gluten-free free flour, xanthan gum (if using), almond flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk until combined.
3. Sprinkle Blueberries with Flour: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture over the rinsed blueberries and mix well to coat.
4. Beat Sugar and Oil: In a large bowl, beat 1 1/3 cups of sugar and sunflower oil together until light and fluffy.
5. Add Eggs and Water: Add the beaten eggs and water to the sugar-oil mixture and whisk until you get a pale yellow liquid mixture.
6. Sift in Flour Mixture: Sift in the flour mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients and whisk well to get a thick batter (whisk until just combined, don’t overmix).
7. Fold in Blueberries: Gently fold in the blueberries with a spatula until blueberries are evenly distributed.
8. Transfer Batter to Muffin Mold: Use a measuring cup to divide the batter evenly between the 12 cups of the greased muffin mold (I filled mine almost right up to the top using 1/2 cup of batter per muffin). Sprinkle the top of the batter with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
9. Bake Until Golden: Bake the batter for 35 to 40 mins until golden brown on top.
10. Cool Completely: Let the muffins cool for at least 10 minutes in the muffin mold before removing them to finish cooling on the wire rack before eating or serving.
Notes
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: I recommend using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made with lighter flours and starches (such as rice flour, corn starch, tapioca starch, or potato starch) to ensure a fluffier final texture. I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free blend that includes heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour) as that will result in a denser texture.
Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the substitute for gluten in gluten-free flours and helps to bind the ingredients together. If you gluten-free flour blend does not already include xanthan gum, make sure you include it for best results.
Almond Flour: I like adding a little bit of blanched almond flour for extra protein and texture, plus it also causes the muffins to turn a beautiful golden brown. Alternatively, you can also use equal quantities of my 5-minute homemade almond meal.
Baking Powder: Baking powder is essential in helping the batter to rise and allows the muffins to have a soft and fluffy texture, so make sure you include it. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure you use certified gluten-free baking powder.
Spices: I added a bit of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg for extra taste and flavor, but feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
Sunflower Oil: I like using sunflower oil as I always have a bottle of it on hand. You may use other vegetable oils or even melted coconut oil. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use equal quantities of melted butter instead.
Eggs: Eggs helps to give lift and fluffiness to the batter. I personally have not tried this without eggs. However, if you allergic to eggs, you may try to replace the eggs with aquafaba, flax eggs or an egg-replacer instead.
Water: I used filtered water, but you may also use non-dairy milks such as almond milk, cashew milk, rice milk or soy milk in place of water. Alternatively, you may use normal dairy milk.
Sugar: I used regular white sugar, but you can also use light brown sugar if you prefer. If you diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend that you use Lakanto monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index).
Blueberries: I used fresh blueberries, but you can also use frozen berries. If using frozen berries, there’s not need to defrost them – simply use the frozen blueberries directly. You may also use cut strawberries or raspberries if you prefer!
How to Store/Freeze these Muffins: To store these blueberry muffins, place the cooled muffins in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To freeze, place the cooled muffins in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, you can either warm up the muffins in the oven or microwave.
Adapted from: Little Spice Jar
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Muffins
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Kimberley says
I made blackberry muffins using this recipe since we have TONS of blackberries right now. They are so delicious. Perfect for tea time!
Felicia Lim says
Hi Kimberley! YAY! So happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing, and hope to see you around the blog sometime soon!
xx,
Felicia
Ann Berkowitz says
I just purchased your grain free ecookbook. Unfortunately, each recipe has lots of eggs. A waste of money for me. So disappointing.
Felicia Lim says
Hi Ann, sorry to hear that you can’t have eggs. I’ve fully refunded you for your purchase!
Barbara Mullock says
I love your muffin recipes – they always come out well and taste terrific. I had never tasted a blueberry muffin before I made a batch of these (I’m dairy free, gluten free, and cane sugar free) and I can’t tell you how much I loved them. I can’t wait for blueberries to be in season again so I can make another batch. Another triumph, Felicia, well done!
Felicia Lim says
Hi Barbara! So happy to hear that!! Can’t wait for you to get blueberries in season again so you can make another batch of these muffins! Thanks for your sweet note, and I hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!
xx,
Felicia
Paula says
I am surprised there is no vanilla in the recipe. I added some as I love the smell and taste of it. Did you omit it for a reason?
Felicia Lim says
Hi Paula! Adding vanilla sounds like a good idea! I didn’t omit it for any reason in particular, but now that I think of it, it does add a beautiful flavor.
Grace Lim says
Good morning Felicia,
These muffins are my favourites as well.
I love the fact that they are crispy on top and soft inside – the combined texture makes it a very interesting experience when you take your bites through the muffin from top to bottom!
Besides the contrasting texture, the aroma is heavenly when the muffins are baking in the oven and the taste of the muffins is so yummy!
Thanks again for revisiting this recipe 🙂
Sending you lots of love,
Mum
Felicia Lim says
Hi mummy, these blueberry muffins are really delicious!! Thank goodness a batch only has 12 muffins, if not we wouldn’t stop eating them!
rosewithoutthorns says
Muffins usually crack because of the way self-raising flour works. (it’s common for any cake made of self-raising flour to crack at the top – thats characteristic). Mine probably didnt crack because i didnt bake them that long (the cakes usually crack after more than 25 – 30 minutes in the oven, and if they are cooked before that time it will not crack,
I filled muffin mix with a tablespoon. dropping bit by bit.
All the best!
Ellis Karis says
How come the muffins wont crack on the top whereas my muffins will? How did you fill the muffin mix? with spoon? with piping?
gracelimsaifong says
Very inviting indeed – I love them too.
charmedbylove says
oh gosh, im having tea time now and just crave those muffins!
rosewithoutthorns says
Hello!
These muffins are just so addictive! I just had 2 of them for breakfast! They made my morning!