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Filled with fresh, bright, and zesty flavor, these lemon chia seed muffins are so lemony scented and full of springtime nostalgia!
Fresh and Zesty Vibes: Lemon Chia Seed Muffins
Whenever I make anything lemon (such as lemon pound cake or lemon blueberry muffins), they remind me of springtime. There is something about the brightness of lemon that really uplifts your day! These lemon chia seed muffins are the perfect treat to brighten your day. They’re so full of lemon flavor that it seems like you’re smelling a lemon.
On top of being so fresh and zesty, these chia seed muffins are also the lightest and fluffiest muffin thanks to ricotta cheese as the secret ingredient! The chia seeds give these muffins a nice, crunchy texture and adds a bit of extra protein. Poppyseeds are probably what you expect in these muffins, but give chia seeds a try and use your extra chia seeds to make chia seed pudding!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Make this into a lemon flavor combo with another fruit. Try using raspberries, blueberries, or even blackberries! You’ll want to be careful folding the berries in, taking care to not burst them so they don’t turn the batter a weird color.
- I do not recommend substituting Greek yogurt for the ricotta cheese. The ricotta cheese is what makes this muffin light and fluffy. I feel that Greek yogurt makes baked goods have a spongy texture that is not pleasant.
- If you prefer to use poppyseeds, you may substitute them for the chia seeds.
- Slice in half and warm these chia seed muffins up in the toaster oven before digging in! The warm muffin is the perfect environment for slathering on a pad of butter!
Storage Instructions
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. After 3 days, you can put them in the refrigerator to stretch their shelf life, however, they might dry out a bit so it won’t be as moist and bouncy as when they’re fresh.
Lemon Chia Seed Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 ¾ cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (185 g) part-skim ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (118 ml) water
- ¼ cup (59 ml) olive oil
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons honey, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (191 °C). Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and lightly spray them with cooking spray. Set aside.Cooking spray
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.1 3/4 cups (219 g) all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, water, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and egg.3/4 cup (185 g) part-skim ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup (118 ml) water, 1/4 cup (59 ml) olive oil, Zest of 2 lemons, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 egg
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour the wet ingredients into the middle then mix together with a wooden spoon.2 tablespoons chia seeds
- Add the chia seeds then gently fold into batter.
- Evenly divide batter into prepared muffin pan using a large scoop.
- Bake for 16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5 minutes then with a pastry brush, gently brush melted honey onto the tops of the muffins.2 tablespoons honey
- Cool completely then enjoy!
- Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Video
Nutrition
Photographs by Meg McKeehan Photography
Mmmm these sound wonderful! When my mum comes to visit me from England this year, I am going to HAVE to make her these, they would be perfect for her! Thank you :)
LOVE that interior shot! So light and fluffy!!!
Love the chia seeds! These look like the perfect spring muffin. I love the honey + lemon combo!
I have to see Divergent after reading this!
I fell in heart with Theo James the moment he died in the bed of Lady Mary in Downton Abbey in the first season!! He was Mr. Pamook!! HAWTTTTT!! And yeah- I will totally go see Divergent just for that hot man. No shame.
Someone has taken the place of Tim Riggins?? Say it ain’t so. I might have to go see this movie just for that. ;)
These muffins look delish! Love the combo of honey and lemon (and chia seeds, for the health).
I’m still not over how beautiful your new site design is! Wow! Plus lemon is my favorite. YOU are my favorite today :)
Oooo, loving these Julie! Perfect for Spring!
Sad, but true….I have no idea what Divergent is even about. Must change this immediately. On a brighter note, these muffins = amazing!!
Omg, Kelli – you MUST change it immediately! Dare I say I think it’s better than Hunger Games?? At least to me, personally, I think it is!
And with that, I’m SOLD :)
I have never actually baked with chia seeds before, just used in yogurt and coconut milk. They look just like poppy seeds in the muffins, looks delicious!
I totally agree with the yogurt in baked goods, it has too much protein for baked goods most of the time. Lemon is my favorite muffin of all time!