Yogurt Muffins

12 comments

5 from 46 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Learn how to make moist and fluffy yogurt muffins using my one bowl recipe! They’re naturally sweetened, kid-friendly, and a family favorite.

yogurt muffins.

Need more recipes with Greek yogurt? Try my protein pancakes, yogurt banana muffins, yogurt cookies, and Greek yogurt brownies next. 

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Key Ingredients
  3. How to make yogurt muffins
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Frequently asked questions
  6. Yogurt Muffins (Recipe Card)
  7. More healthy muffin recipes to try

I’m a sweets-for-breakfast guy–in case you can’t tell. If I can satiate my sweet tooth AND squeeze some protein into my breakfast, I’m all in. 

That’s where this yogurt muffin recipe comes in. It’s every bit as light and fluffy as old-fashioned muffins, just with a healthy dollop of yogurt for some protein, probiotics, and a tangy twist. My family cannot resist these!

Why I love this recipe

  • Healthy. They’re naturally sweetened with bananas and maple syrup, and you only need ¼ cup of butter for the full dozen!
  • Perfect texture. Each one is fluffy and soft with the most delicate crumb. 
  • Easy to customize. I included the base recipe plus several equally appetizing flavor swaps. 
  • Freezer-friendly. Make a double-batch and grab them from the freezer as you need them. 

★★★★★ REVIEW 

“I just made these. So light and fluffy. Delish” – Nafisa

Key Ingredients

  • Bananas. Brown and spotty bananas are best since they’re the sweetest. I usually keep a bunch of brown bananas in my freezer for this very recipe. If you use frozen bananas, let them thaw completely (or pop them in the microwave). 
  • Butter. Use unsalted butter softened at room temperature. 
  • Maple syrup. For sweetness and to bind the ingredients. 
  • Yogurt. I tested a few different types: Greek yogurt, vanilla yogurt, and plain yogurt, and all three turned out equally good. I do suggest full-fat yogurts over low-fat or fat-free. 
  • Eggs. Preferably room temperature eggs. 
  • Vanilla extract. A must for any good muffin!
  • All-purpose flour. Either regular flour, white whole wheat flour, or gluten-free flour. If you use the latter (as I did), ensure you use a blend with added xanthan gum.
  • Baking powder and baking soda. Both are needed to give the muffins rise and tenderness.
  • Salt. Just a pinch. 
  • Mix-ins. I typically use walnuts and chocolate chips, but you can use anything you like (I’ll provide some suggestions in the variations section!) or omit them completely!

How to make yogurt muffins

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

muffin batter in a mixing bowl.

Make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bananas, butter, and wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients and combine.

12-count muffin tin with batter in it.

Bake. Divide batter into the muffin tin and bake for 17-19 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.

Cool. Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

homemade yogurt muffins.

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Don’t have yogurt? Fear not! I’ve made this same recipe with sour cream, and they turned out pretty darn good. 
  • Don’t overmix the muffin batter. Otherwise, too much gluten develops and you’ll lose air, making dense and chewy muffins. 
  • Remove the muffins from the tin. Transfer them to a wire rack once they’re cool enough to handle. If they stay in the tin for too long, they’ll overcook. 
  • Sift your dry ingredients. I’ll admit I don’t always do this, but it helps when mixing the batter… and it yields lighter, fluffier muffins.

Variations

  • Make them vegan. Replace the eggs with an egg substitute, use dairy-free yogurt (coconut yogurt is fantastic!), and swap the butter for coconut oil or canola oil. 
  • Blueberry. Use blueberry-flavored yogurt and fold in 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
  • Strawberry. Use strawberry-flavored yogurt and fold in ½ cup of fresh strawberries. 
  • Chocolate chip. Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
  • Lemon blueberry. Use lemon-flavored yogurt and fold in 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
  • Pumpkin. Replace the bananas with 1 cup of pumpkin puree.

Frequently asked questions

What does yogurt do in muffins?

Adding yogurt to muffins gives them a moist center and a tender crumb. If you use flavored yogurt, like blueberry yogurt, it will give the muffins a subtle blueberry flavor, too.

What does yogurt replace in muffins?

Yogurt typically replaces all or some of the fat used to make muffins, like butter or oil. It can also sometimes be used to replace eggs. Saying that, please do not omit the yogurt and add butter or oil instead. I’ve specifically formulated this recipe to bake accordingly.

yogurt muffins on a chopping board.
yogurt muffins recipe.

Yogurt Muffins

5 from 46 votes
My family adores these moist and fluffy yogurt muffins. They are wholesome, naturally sweetened, and so easy to customize. Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Servings: 12 servings
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 17 minutes
Total: 19 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 12-count muffin tin and fill them with muffin liners. Set them aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bananas, butter, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix until combined. Fold through any mix-ins of choice.
    muffin batter in a mixing bowl.
  • Distribute the batter evenly amongst the muffin tin and bake for 17-19 minutes, or until a skewer comes out mostly clean.
    12-count muffin tin with batter in it.
  • Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

* Plain all-purpose flour can also be used. If you use the gluten free flour, be sure it has added xanthan gum in it. 
TO STORE: Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They will keep longer if you store them in the refrigerator.
TO FREEZE: Place leftovers in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSodium: 192mgPotassium: 208mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 67IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 33g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

More healthy muffin recipes to try

Originally published December 2022, updated and republished September 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

You May Also Like

5 from 46 votes (37 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Extremely great tasting yogurt muffins I made for my husband who’s not a carb watcher like I am; he’s a bread & muffin lover. He absolutely ❤️ed the taste w/ the bananas & maple syrup. As an added extra for him, my dark chocolate ❤️er, I added a decent amount of dark chocolate chips. He told me can make these Yogurt Muffins anytime for him. I’d say they’re a WINNER in my house!

  2. 5 stars
    Loved this recipe! I used gluten free baking flour (bobs red mill) I wanted to see if I could replace the bananas with apples/ apple puree/ apple sauce?

  3. 5 stars
    Whoops typical me I forgot to add the Yogurt! A pretty key ingredient in a Yogart muffin…. And they still came out Amazing!

  4. Your recipes all look so delish and simple to make. Only issue – could they be in metric (g) as well please? It would be such a breeze not to have to convert the recipe myself. TIA.

  5. Do you think sour cream could be substituted for the yogurt in this recipe? Mostly I’m asking because I have sour cream I want to use up. I know sour cream and yogurt can often be used interchangeably in baking, but I wasn’t sure if it would be okay to do with this recipe.

    The muffins look beautiful! I’m about to quit doing keto and just go back to calorie counting and these look like a good way to make a healthy break back into carbs. 🙂