Healthy Lemon Blueberry Muffins (With Honey)

These Healthy Lemon Blueberry Muffins are baked with honey instead of white sugar, giving them a richer taste and an overall healthier muffin.

Lemon and Blueberry are such classic flavoring pairings. They pair so well together that anytime I bake something with blueberries I find that adding some lemon zest or juice comes as second nature. In my kitchen, I  often bake with honey instead of white sugar. This healthier option makes baking less about guilt and more about the creation of a delicious treat. 

Whether an actual dessert or something more wholesome, like these muffins.  I find that not only is honey a healthier option when sweetening our baked goods. But the simple truth is, that honey, gives whatever you are baking a bit of richness and more depth of flavor that white sugar just can’t do on its own. Just try my Rustic Carrot Cake if you don’t believe me. 

Sure there is a place for white sugar. I haven’t been able to completely stray away from it. These Healthy Lemon Blueberry Muffins do call for just a bit of brown sugar for the streusel topping. Of course, in my overthinking ways, I went back and forth on whether to include the bit of brown sugar on top for the streusel. But truly that small bit of brown sugar is necessary for a proper streusel.

I do believe it also adds a nice touch to these delicious muffins. But if you are trying to stay completely away from sugars, it is optional. 

These Lemon Blueberry Muffins Are…

• Made with honey instead of sugar and other whole ingredients
• Can be made without the streusel topping for no added sugar at all
• Rich, flavorful homemade muffins with a tender crumb
•  Filled with fresh blueberries
• The perfect muffins for brunch or an easy breakfast
• ​Healthy muffins the whole family will love
• Muffins that all lemon lovers can appreciate

Ingredients

Flour- I use unbleached all-purpose flour for these muffins, any all-purpose flour will work fine. 

Sweetener- We will be sweetening these muffins with rich raw honey. Filtered honey works fine too. The honey adds a nice richness to these muffins and offers a healthier alternative to white sugar. These muffins are optionally topped with a brown sugar streusel topping. 

Baking Powder- Baking will give these muffins a nice lift when baked. Don’t skip it!

Blueberries- You can use fresh or frozen blueberries for these muffins. If using frozen, thaw them slightly before adding them to the muffin batter. 

Lemon- This recipe calls for both lemon extract and lemon juice, but you can substitute 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice or 1 1/2 tsp lemon extract.

Milk- I use one 1/2 cup milk use either whole milk or 2% for best results.

Egg- I use a large egg for this recipe.

Butter- I use salted butter but you can use unsalted. If using unsalted be sure to add a pinch of salt to help balance the flavors.

Spices- Cinnamon is added for a little warmth.

Tools

Sifter

Muffin Tin

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no cost to you).

Directions

Preheat oven to 350℉. In a large bowl sift together the baking powder and flour.

Zest lemon and mix. Set aside.

In a small bowl add the melted butter, eggs, honey, lemon extract, juice, and milk. Mix well.

Slowly add the batter to the flour mixture in the larger bowl. Give it a stir.

Add the blueberries and mix until just combined.

Mix together the streusel topping in a separate bowl.

Spray the muffin tin or add muffin cups. Add 1/4 cup of mix to each insert. You can use a 1/4 measuring cup for consistency.

Top with a spoonful of streusel topping.

Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until you can pull a clean toothpick from the center of a muffin.

Baking Notes

• Use a 1/4 measuring cup to scoop the batter for consistency.
• If using frozen blueberries, be sure to thaw them and dab them with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
• If honey is crystalized, add it to a saucepan with the milk to warm it through until it liquefies.

Substitutions

You can sub out the lemon juice altogether by adding 1 1/2 tsp of lemon extract or if you just have fresh lemon juice on hand, you can do 3 tbsp. of lemon juice leaving out the extract altogether.

​How To Store

Store muffins in an airtight container or large plastic bag (ziploc) works great too. I store mine at room temperature however, with the fresh blueberries inside, these can be prone to mold quickly. For a longer shelf life, place the container in the fridge. 

FAQ

​Can I use frozen blueberries for this?

You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. If using frozen, I would recommend allowing them to come to room temperature and then straining off excess liquid before adding them to the muffin batter. 

Can I use coconut sugar in place of brown sugar?

You can easily swap out the brown sugar for coconut sugar in a 1:1 ratio.

Why Use Honey Over Traditional White Sugar

We all know that white refined sugar should be eaten in moderation if at all. But there are some very surprising reasons why baking with honey over refined white sugar is beneficial for us. Not only does honey add a rich flavor to our baked goods, something I very recently realized, but it is simple to swap it out in many recipes that call for refined white sugar.

Honey contains antioxidants, vitamins such as vitamin C, zinc, and even potassium. It is also filled with minerals our body needs. This is especially so when using raw honey over-filtered. One very big reason you might find yourself seeking to bake with honey over its counterpart is because it has a lower glycemic index.

Honey is also excellent for retaining moisture in things like this healthy muffin recipe as it creates a softer crumb and yields a better muffin overall. For best results when baking with honey over sugar be sure to use a reliable conversion table. 

More Recipes You Might Like

• Apple Cake
• Easy Blueberry Tart
• Strawberry Coffee Cake
• Simple Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Icing

Pin For Later

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you would come back and give it 5 stars!