Basic Muffin Recipe

Muffins are a great way to start your day, and this Basic Muffin Recipe is one of the easiest you’ll find. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have fresh muffins in no time! PLUS you can add your favorite mix-ins for even more variety!

Try it out with different mix-ins, or top them with your favorite frosting or glaze. No matter how you make them, muffins are always a delicious breakfast treat.

You absolutely can’t go wrong with this simple base muffin recipe. It will be all you need to start and then the sky is the limit when it comes to changing them up for a whole lot of variety.

When we first moved to Idaho I was on a mission to make the kids breakfast from scratch. No pre-packaged foods, cereals, or anything like that.

So each weekend I would whip up some sort of breakfast casseroles, muffins, donuts, pancakes, eggs, bacon, and waffles – enough to last the week. They only had to reheat and they had a homemade breakfast.

We kept that going for many years – until life shifted and they weren’t here for breakfast as often as they once were. But it was sure nice to be able to do that – and this muffin recipe made it so much easier to make it happen.

how to make muffins

Here are some commonly asked questions

What Is a Master Muffin Recipe?

A master muffin recipe is a basic recipe that can be used to make a variety of different flavors of muffins. The beauty of a master muffin recipe is that it can be easily customized to create any flavor you desire. All you need to do is add your desired ingredients to the basic batter and bake as usual.

What is the best way to store leftover muffins?

These muffins will keep well for up to 5 days at room temperature when placed in an airtight container or ziptop bag. You can refrigerate them to give them another couple of days if needed.

I recommend refrigeration if you live in a hot or humid climate.

Can these muffins be made in a mini muffin pan?

You can certainly make mini muffins by using a mini muffin pan. The bake time will be shorter, so keep an eye on them and check for doneness earlier than the recipe indicates.

Can these be made into jumbo muffins?

Yes, these muffins can easily be made into jumbo muffins. Just increase the bake time by a few minutes. Check for doneness using the toothpick test – insert a toothpick into the center of the muffin, and if it comes out clean, they’re done.

Basic Muffin Ingredients

• all-purpose flour
• granulated sugar
• salt
• baking powder
• oil – vegetable or canola
• egg – lightly beaten
• milk

Optional Mix-In Ingredients

Blueberry Muffins

• blueberries – fresh or frozen

Chocolate Chip Muffins

• chocolate chips – semi-sweet, milk, or mini

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

• grated apple – granny smith is best
• ground cinnamon

What are some good flavors to add to a basic muffin mix?

If you want to add some extra flavor to your basic muffin mix, consider adding in some fruit, chocolate chips, or spices. For fruit, try blueberries, raspberries, or diced apples.

Chocolate chips always make a delicious addition. And if you want to add some spice, cinnamon or nutmeg are both great options.

Basic Muffin Variations

• Lemon Poppy Seed – Add 1 teaspoon lemon extract and add 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds.
• Almond – Use 1 teaspoon almond extract and mix in slivered almonds.
• Morning Glory – Use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 cup of raisins, and 1/4 cup of walnuts. You can also add oats to the top if desired.
• Cinnamon Raisin – Use 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/3 cup raisins.
• Snickerdoodle – Add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and coarse sugar on top before baking.

How to Make a Basic Muffin

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place liners in a muffin tin.
3. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder, and reserve 1-2 tablespoons of this dry mixture.
4. Pour the oil into a 1-cup glass measuring cup.
5. Beat an egg and add it to the oil.
6. Fill the measuring cup to the 1-cup mark with the milk.
7. Beat until well combined.
8. Add that wet ingredient mixture to dry ingredients and stir until well combined, but don’t over mix.
9. If you are going to add any mix-ins – fold them in now.
10. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin liners.
11. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. Serve warm or at room temperature.
13. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

How to Add Optional Mix-Ins

Blueberry Muffins

1. Add the berries to a bowl and sprinkle them with the reserved dry mixture, toss to coat.
2. Gently fold the berries into the batter.
3. Divide the batter into the muffin tin, filling each well ⅔ full.
4. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature.
6. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

1. Follow the directions for blueberry muffins, but use the chocolate chips.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place liners in a muffin tin.
3. Whisk together the dry ingredients.
4. Pour the oil into a 1 cup glass measuring cup.
5. Beat the egg and then add it to the oil.
6. Fill the measuring cup to the 1 cup mark with the milk.
7. Beat until well combined.
8. Add that wet ingredient mixture to dry ingredients and stir until well combined, but don’t over-mix.
9. Stir in the apples and cinnamon.
10. Divide the batter into the muffin tin, filling each well ⅔ full.
11. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. Serve warm or at room temperature.
13. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Do I need to use paper liners when baking muffins?

No, you don’t necessarily need to use paper liners when baking muffins. However, they can help to keep the muffins from sticking to the pan and make cleanup a little easier.

If you don’t have paper liners, you can also grease the muffin pan with some butter or cooking spray. I like to use my own homemade baker’s release.

What is baker’s release?

Baker’s release is a combination of oil, flour, and shortening that makes releasing cakes and other baked goods almost effortless.

To make Bakers Release – it is as simple as 1,1 & 1. 

• equal parts of all-purpose flour, shortening, and cooking oil – I like to do 1 cup of each.

Mix the ingredients together – whisking well. Store in an airtight container in the pantry or refrigerator. When ready to use, dip a pastry brush into the mixture and spread it over the cake pan.

What’s the difference between a muffin and a cupcake?

The main difference between a muffin and a cupcake is that muffins are typically less sweet than cupcakes. They also often have less frosting, if any at all.

Additionally, muffins are usually baked in a more casual style, without much decoration. Cupcakes, on the other hand, are often more elaborately decorated and can be quite sweet.

Other Recipes to Try

• Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Skinny Blueberry Muffins
• Monkey Muffins
• Chocolate Overload Muffins
• Oatmeal Date Protein Muffins
• Banana Apple Muffins
• Homemade Corn Muffin Mix
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins – with an additional recipe for a Keto Version
• Best Blueberry Streusel Muffins
• Rhubarb Muffins

How to make muffins moist

There are a few things you can do to make sure your muffins are moist. First, be careful not to overmix the batter – mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the muffins tough.

Second, add some fat – yogurt, buttermilk, or even just an extra egg yolk will help to keep the muffins moist. Finally, don’t overbake them – they should be just lightly golden brown on top when they’re done.

Can these muffins be frozen?

You bet! These muffins freeze quite well. I recommend waiting until they have completely cooled. Then wrap them individually with plastic wrap.

Then place them in a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving again.

How to make muffins from scratch

Products I love when making basic muffins…

This breakfast recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand

OR maybe you have never made homemade muffins before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love them. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this breakfast recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)

• prep bowls
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• muffin tin
• cooling rack

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If you love this easy muffin recipe, you’re going to love these other muffin recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

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