Lemon Chia Seed Muffins

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Get ready to brighten your day with a burst of citrusy goodness and a dose of healthy nutrition with these Lemon Chia Seed Muffins. Whether you're looking for a wholesome breakfast, a satisfying afternoon snack, or a lunchbox treat for your kids, these muffins have got you covered!

Lemon chia seed muffins on a baking rack with a bowl of chia seeds and a cut lemon

These Lemon Chia Seed Muffins are a simple yet scrumptious treat that's sure to become a favorite in your kitchen! With bright lemon flavor and a delightful crunch from chia seeds, these tasty treats are a healthy twist on classic lemon poppy seed muffins.

Whether you choose to make regular-sized muffins for a hearty breakfast (or mini muffins for a quick and portion-controlled snack, these Lemon Chia Muffins are a hit with both kids and adults.

They're the perfect wholesome addition to a lunchbox, too, ensuring your little ones get a dose of healthy ingredients with each bite. Some of my other lunchbox favorites are my sugar-free banana date muffins, blueberry French toast muffins, and spiced apple muffins.

Are you ready to savor the zesty goodness of these healthy lemon chia seed muffins? Let's get baking!

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Why You'll Love This Dish
Healthy Lemon Chia Seed Muffins
Doctor's Tips:
Ingredients
Step-By-Step Instructions
Chef's Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Tasty Muffin Recipes
Recipe
Reviews

Why You'll Love This Dish

Quick and Easy- simply stir all your ingredient together in a bowl- no mixer or special equipment needed!
Healthy- packed with wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients like whole grains, yogurt, and chia seeds. Lightly sweetened
Versatile: Enjoy as a satisfying breakfast, a grab-and-go snack, or a lunchbox addition.
Tasty- your whole family will love these lemon muffins that are packed with bright lemon flavor
Perfect for Meal Prep- make a batch of these tasty muffins on the weekend and enjoy them for breakfast or as a snack all week; they freeze well too!

Healthy Lemon Chia Seed Muffins

These healthy lemon chia seed muffins are as nutritious as they are delicious! I've made a few swaps to the recipe with nutrition in mind, but you won’t be sacrificing any flavor. They're packed with nutrient-dense ingredients including:

Whole Grains: These muffins use a mixture of all purpose flour and white whole wheat flour to incorporate healthy whole grains. Whole wheat flour provides essential fiber and nutrients, making these muffins heartier and more filling than their refined counterparts.
Yogurt: Yogurt not only adds a creamy texture but also provides a generous dose of protein and probiotics for a healthy gut. It also is the base of the glaze that I drizzle on top of the muffins.
Chia Seeds: These tiny powerhouses are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. They add a nice crunch and a boost of nutrition to every bite.
Lemons: Freshly grated lemon zest and juice infuse these muffins with a zesty, citrusy flavor, along with a dose of vitamin C.

Doctor's Tips:

Chia seeds are one of the most concentrated sources of omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also rich in antioxidants and are an excellent source of fiber and a good source of protein.
They can be added to dishes like my chia pudding, overnight oats or fruit jam. They add a delightful little crunch that works perfectly with the crumbly, lemony muffins.
To learn more, read my post about the nutritional benefits of chia seeds.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this lemon chia seed muffin recipe.

Ingredient Notes and substitutions. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Flour- I use a 50:50 mixture of all purpose flour and white whole wheat flour to incorporate some healthy whole grains into the dish. White whole wheat flour is excellent for baking because it has all of the health benefits of whole wheat flour but with a lighter, more delicate texture.
Yogurt- adds moisture to these muffins; for bright lemony flavor, I recommend using lemon-flavored yogurt. You can substitute vanilla yogurt.
Chia seeds- these little powerhouses are packed with healthy fat and fiber, and offer numerous health benefits; they're a nice change from the usual poppy seeds
Lemon- I use both fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice to add great lemon flavor

Step-By-Step Instructions

Steps for making lemon chia seed muffins.

See recipe card below for full recipe instructions.

Step 1- Whisk the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, chia seeds, and salt) together in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2- Whisk the wet ingredients (yogurt, oil, eggs, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla extract) together in a separate bowl.
Step 3- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not over-mix the batter.
Step 4- Scoop the muffin batter into a muffin pan sprayed with non-stick spray, filling the wells about ¾ full. The best way to do this is with a cookie scoop. If desired, you can line the muffin cups with cupcake liners. Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes and then turn the muffins out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Lemon chia seed muffins in a muffin pan.

This recipe is part of my Best Healthy Snacks for Kids Collection.

Chef's Tips

Use room temperature ingredients (yogurt, eggs) for best results.
To avoid tough muffins, don't over-mix the batter. Mix the dry and wet ingredients until they're just combined.
You can make regular size muffins or mini muffins. I use a mini muffin pan to make snack-sized muffins because my kids love bite-sized food and they're perfect for packing into their lunchboxes.
The easiest way to scoop the batter into the muffin pan is with a cookie scoop. This will ensure that all of the muffins are the same size.
As a final touch, you can top the muffins with a light glaze made with yogurt, lemon juice and a touch of honey. You can drizzle it on top or dip the muffins into the glaze to cover the tops completely.
You can store these lemon chia muffins in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or in the refrigerator up to 1 week. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Lemon chia muffins in muffin pan on a baking rack

Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze lemon chia seed muffins?

Yes, these muffins freeze well. Store them in a freezer-safe storage bag for up to 3 months. Muffins can be defrosted overnight in the refrigerator or they can be microwaved.

Do chia seeds need to be refrigerated?

No, chia seeds do not need to be refrigerated. However, if you want to extend their shelf life, then store them in the refrigerator.