Grapefruit poppy seed muffins

5 from 2 votes

Light & fluffy with a big poppy seed flavor and a hint of grapefruit, made in one bowl.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Servings: muffins

Calories: 169kcal

Ingredients

DRY INGREDIENTS

1 ⅓ cups white, unbleached flour (6 ounces)
¾ cups quick oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup sugar
2-3 tablespoon poppy seeds see note
2 tablespoon grapefruit zest, divided reserve half for sugar topping

WET INGREDIENTS

1 large egg
½ cup milk whole preferred
½ cup unsweetened applesauce see note
¼ cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice about ½ a medium grapefruit
3 tablespoon vegetable oil (melted butter or melted coconut oil work too)

SUGAR TOPPING

3 tablespoon sparkling sugar (for topping) see note
grapefruit zest

Instructions

PREHEAT OVEN to 375℉. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray or use muffin liners.
MIX DRY INGREDIENTS: In a large bowl, stir together all of the dry ingredients. Remember to only add half of the grapefruit zest (1 tbsp), and reserve the other half for the sugar topping.
ADD IN WET INGREDIENTS: Add all of the wet ingredients to the large bowl. Stir until combined. Don't over mix or they can become tough.
GET READY TO BAKE. Transfer to greased muffin tin. Mix the remaining grapefruit zest with the sparkling sugar in a small bowl. Add about ¾ of a teaspoon to the top of each muffin.
BAKE for about 15 minutes, or until the centers are 200℉ - 205℉. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before removing from the muffin tin.

Notes

Applesauce: sweetened applesauce has about 13 grams of added sugar for a ½ cup serving. That amounts to about 1 extra tablespoon of sugar. If you want to use (or only have) sweetened applesauce, it will taste great! Or reduce the added white sugar by 1 tablespoon.

Sparkling sugar: It's a type of sugar that doesn't melt when baked - it's what is found on top of bakery style muffins and sugar cookies. I use the King Arthur version ( If you don't have any, use a course sugar if you can (like an unrefined cane sugar). See blog post for links.

Poppy seeds: 2 tablespoon will have a medium poppy seed flavor, whereas 3 tablespoon will have a strong poppy seed flavor that can't be ignored!

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Nutrition