Can I make orange muffins using the whole orange?

Yes, using a whole orange—including zest and juice—adds natural sweetness and intense citrus flavor to your muffins. This method works perfectly for orange zest muffins recipe variations, simple moist orange muffins, or bakery-style orange muffins.

How can I make easy orange muffins with oil instead of butter?

Replacing butter with vegetable oil keeps muffins soft and moist. For orange muffins with Greek yogurt or simple moist orange zest muffins, using oil enhances tenderness while maintaining bright citrus flavor.

Are orange muffins with Greek yogurt healthier?

Adding Greek yogurt adds protein and moisture, making your orange muffins Nigella-inspired or simple moist orange muffins recipe healthier without compromising flavor.

What’s the secret to making bakery-style orange zest muffins?

The key is using fresh orange zest, folding the batter gently, and including oil or yogurt for moisture. This ensures soft, fluffy, and flavorful muffins every time.

Orange Zest Muffins – Easy, Moist, Bakery-Style Recipe 2026

Name: Orange Zest Muffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 37 min
Yield: 12 muffins
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup granulated sugar (or ⅓ cup for less sweetness); 1 large whole orange (zest and juice); ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; ½ cup Greek yogurt (optional for extra moistness); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional); Extra orange zest for garnish (optional)

Description

Light, fluffy, and bursting with citrus flavor, these orange zest muffins are a perfect breakfast treat or snack. Using fresh orange zest and optional Greek yogurt, they stay moist and tender, with a bright, refreshing aroma. Ideal for a quick homemade bakery-style muffin.

Ingredients

Scale

🛒 Ingredients (makes 12 standard muffins):

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar (or ⅓ cup for less sweetness)

Wet Ingredients:

1 large whole orange (zest and juice)
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
½ cup Greek yogurt (optional for extra moistness)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping:

2 tablespoons coarse sugar for sprinkling
Extra orange zest for garnish

Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare Wet Ingredients
Grate the zest from the orange and juice it. In a large bowl, whisk together the orange juice, zest, eggs, oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla until smooth.

Step 4: Combine
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups
Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling about ⅔ full. Sprinkle coarse sugar or extra zest on top if desired.

Step 6: Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Moist Muffins: Using Greek yogurt or oil keeps muffins soft for days.
Whole Orange: Blending the whole orange (without seeds) adds natural sweetness and a more intense citrus flavor.
Make Ahead: Muffins can be baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
Variations: Add chocolate chips, cranberries, or nuts for extra texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Category: Breakfast / Snack / Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American