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Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Muffins with Zesty Glaze

moist lemon poppy seed zucchini muffins - featured image

These moist muffins combine the fresh brightness of lemon with the subtle crunch of poppy seeds and the moisture of zucchini, topped with a tangy zesty glaze. Perfect for a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil (canola oil recommended)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium zucchinis), gently squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Zesty Glaze:
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon milk (or dairy-free alternative)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease well.
  2. Grate the zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Place grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze out excess moisture.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds until evenly combined.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk sugar and vegetable oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
  5. Fold grated zucchini into the wet mixture gently.
  6. Pour dry ingredients into the wet bowl and stir gently with a spatula until just combined; a few lumps are okay.
  7. Divide batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
  8. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Let muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
  10. Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth and pourable. Drizzle over warm muffins.
  11. Allow glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Use firm, medium-sized zucchinis to avoid excess moisture. Fresh lemon zest is essential for bright flavor. Do not overmix batter to keep muffins tender. Drizzle glaze while muffins are warm for best absorption. Room temperature eggs improve texture. For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. Vegan option available using flax eggs and plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon muffins, zucchini muffins, poppy seed muffins, moist muffins, lemon glaze, easy muffins, homemade muffins, healthy muffins