Easy Blueberry Muffins
Easy Blueberry Muffins – this whole wheat blueberry muffins recipe gets its fluffy, moist texture from buttermilk, frozen wild blueberries, and coconut oil.
Easy Blueberry Muffins
I’ve had an unexplained infatuation with blueberry muffins for as long as I can remember. I don’t even understand where the obsession began, but I’ve been searching for an incredible blueberry muffin recipe for a very long time.
To be specific, a whole wheat blueberry muffin recipe that doesn’t have that cloying, stick-to-the-top of your mouth texture and flavor that is common in generic blueberry muffins. You know the ones I’m talking about? Well, I’ve finally met my match.
These whole wheat blueberry muffins are the polar opposite of that. They’re incredibly tender, fluffy, and packed with frozen wild blueberries, which means that you can bake these up any day of the year. They have a perfect balance of sweetness complemented by a touch of cinnamon and crunchy Demerara sugar topping.
The batter comes together in a grand total of 10 minutes (or less!) with just two mixing bowls. Let’s do this.
How to Make Fluffy Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins:
Many basic blueberry muffins are insanely sweet and offer little to no nutritional value. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s a classic example of muffins masquerading as cake.
While there is nothing wrong with that every now and then, I wanted to create a whole wheat blueberry muffin recipe that was just as fluffy and tender and offered some nutritional value. To achieve this, I turned to one of my favorite baking staples: whole wheat pastry flour.
Whole wheat pastry flour is made with soft winter wheat and contains lower protein than traditional whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. Less protein ensures a tender crumb and produces an incredibly soft, fluffy texture. I always keep a bag of it on hand. Since all whole wheat flours contain natural oils and are more likely to go rancid, I store the flour in my freezer. Just remember to bring it to room temperature before using in this recipe.
–> To understand more of the science behind this, check out my baking science post on different types of baking flour.
Ingredient Breakdown:
-> WHOLE WHEAT PASTRY FLOUR – whole wheat pastry flour is made from soft winter wheat and is lower in protein than all-purpose or regular whole wheat flour, producing an extra tender muffin. If you don’t have it on hand, feel free to substitute white whole wheat flour or all-purpose.
-> BUTTERMILK – the acidity in buttermilk helps break down gluten strands (which can lead to tough muffins). A slightly thinner batter improves rise and helps create an even domed muffin top.
-> COCONUT OIL – oil-based baked goods generally retain their moisture better than butter-based baked goods, allowing them to hold up fairly well. Coconut oil is more nutritious and less processed than standard vegetable or canola oils. Unrefined, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil offers a stronger coconut flavor (although it is undetectable in these muffins!) than refined coconut oil. Either option will work for these easy blueberry muffins.
Baking Tip: Coconut oil is solid at temperatures below 76 degrees, I spoon mine into a measuring cup and microwave it at 10 second intervals until it reaches liquid state.
-> FROZEN WILD BLUEBERRIES – wild blueberries are my secret weapon for these blueberry muffins. I find that they lend themselves to better distribution and ensure the batter is not weighed down. Not only are wild blueberries affordable and available year-round, they have a more concentrated flavor (due to their lower moisture level) than fresh or frozen regular blueberries. They are also much higher in antioxidants.
Looking for more blueberry recipes? Try this blueberry almond tea cake, gluten free dutch baby, or these whole wheat blueberry pancakes.
Tools and Ingredients Used In This Recipe:
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (*I use Bob’s Red Mill brand, but any brand will do) – affiliate link
- Coconut Oil – affiliate link
- 12-Cup Muffin Tin + Unbleached Baking Cups – affiliate link
Easy Blueberry Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 g) whole wheat pastry flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup (150 g) 150 grams granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (80 mL) melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup (240 mL) buttermilk room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (100 g) frozen wild blueberries or fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon (16 g) demerara or turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) with a rack in the center position. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with liners, lightly grease with baking spray, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Set aside. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, melted coconut oil, and eggs until smooth. Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture and whisk together.
- Pour the wet mixture in the dry flour mixture. Stir together with a spatula until the dry ingredients have just been absorbed. Avoid over mixing. Gently fold in the frozen wild blueberries (or fresh blueberries, if using) - if you start to see any blue streaks appear, stop mixing.
- Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, divide the batter evenly among the muffin pan until each cup is about ¾ full. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with demerara or turbinado sugar. Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 16 to 18 minutes, rotating the pan halfway, or until the muffins are lightly golden and domed and the tops spring back when gently pressed.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes, then carefully remove them from the pan and place on the rack to cool. Serve lukewarm or at room temperature. Muffins can be stored in a Ziplock bag or in an airtight container at room temperature for about to 1 to 2 days - place a paper towel on the surface of the muffins to prevent gumminess during storing.
Tips for Success:
- Baking Tip: Coconut oil is solid at temperatures below 76 degrees, I spoon mine into a measuring cup and microwave it at 10 second intervals until it reaches liquid state.
- Whole wheat pastry flour is made from soft winter wheat and is lower in protein than all-purpose or regular whole wheat flour producing an extra tender and fluffy whole grain muffin. If you don't have it on hand, feel free to substitute white whole wheat flour or all-purpose in this recipe. Either will work.
- I prefer using frozen wild blueberries as they are available year-round and have a more concentrated flavor (lower moisture level) than fresh or frozen regular blueberries. I also find that they lend themselves to better berry distribution.
7 Comments on “Easy Blueberry Muffins”
I have been making these muffins for years! They are always beautiful when I take them out of the oven and they’re always delicious! Thank you for a darned near perfect recipe!
Help! When I added the buttermilk to the wet ingredients my coconut oil solidified! I put the entire bowl in the preheating oven to re-liquify the oil and remixed. Fingers crossed…
Was your buttermilk very, very cold from the fridge? This would cause the coconut oil to solidify. It’s really important to have all of your ingredients at a similar temperature, particularly when baking with liquid coconut oil (it solidifies at a relatively lower temperature). I always use room temperature ingredients for most baking – as the recipe specifies! Was that the issue? You can try to whisk up the chunks as much as possible and try baking them, but the texture will be off! I wouldn’t keep the batter in the oven, because the leaveners will start to work. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful!
I don’t usually work with whole wheat pastry flour so definitely intrigued by the extra fluffiness that it brings to the muffins. Looks delicious!
I made the muffins this morning. My picky eater ate two.
So thrilled to hear that! Thank you!
Thanks so much for a healthy muffin that can be made in winter with frozen berries. Going to get the berries tonight. Another winning recipe!