Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate springtime treat, these Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins are a ray of sunshine you can eat. They’re bursting with vibrant lemon flavor, flecked with cheerful poppy seeds, and have a tropical twist thanks to sweet coconut—all tucked into a tender, bakery-style muffin. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, a snack, or a light breakfast, these muffins are impossible to resist!

Ingredients You’ll Need
These Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins come together with a handful of simple ingredients, each one playing a unique part in building that craveable flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The balance of citrus, coconut, and creamy yogurt is what makes them unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for light and fluffy muffins with just the right structure.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness while helping the tops turn beautifully golden.
- Poppy seeds: Tiny but mighty, these bring a gentle crunch and signature look to each bite.
- Baking powder: Essential for rise, so your muffins are beautifully domed instead of sad and flat.
- Baking soda: Works hand in hand with yogurt and lemon juice for a soft, tender crumb.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances all those bright flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Shredded sweetened coconut: Brings tropical flair, extra moisture, and a hint of chewiness.
- Plain Greek yogurt: The secret to super moist, rich muffins—don’t skip it!
- Large eggs: Bind the batter and add lovely richness so your muffins don’t dry out.
- Melted coconut oil or vegetable oil: Keeps everything ultra-moist, while coconut oil adds more flavor.
- Lemon zest: Packed with essential oils for an intensely fresh, citrusy aroma.
- Fresh lemon juice: Lends brightness and a clean tang that makes these muffins sing.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds a gentle, comforting sweetness.
How to Make Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Muffin Tin
Before you even touch the ingredients, get your oven heating to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or give each cup a quick spritz of nonstick spray for easy removal. Proper prep means your muffins bake up perfectly and slide out in one beautiful piece!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and shredded coconut. Whisking ensures everything is evenly distributed, so you’ll get a perfectly balanced bite of Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins every time. Plus, who doesn’t love the aroma of coconut wafting up as you stir?
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Grab a separate bowl and whisk the Greek yogurt, eggs, melted coconut oil (or vegetable oil), lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until completely smooth. You want the mixture fully combined for best texture and maximum lemony punch throughout your muffins.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour your wet ingredients over the dry. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix—stopping as soon as you don’t see pockets of flour will keep your Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins tender instead of tough. The batter will be lusciously thick and fragrant!
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Divide the muffin batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters of the way full. This helps you get those gorgeous domed tops. Slide the tin into your preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean and the tops are a sunny golden hue.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the muffins rest in the pan for 5 minutes (they finish setting up here), then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For maximum zing, drizzle with a simple lemon glaze. Now—grab one while they’re fresh and bask in their citrusy, coconutty glory!
How to Serve Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins

Garnishes
Keen to dress your Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins up? Dust the tops with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a dainty finish, or drizzle on a zippy lemon glaze for extra citrus sparkle. A pinch of extra shredded coconut or lemon zest also makes them pop, both visually and flavor-wise!
Side Dishes
These muffins shine alongside a bowl of fresh berries or a fruit salad at brunch. For something heartier, pair them with creamy scrambled eggs or a simple frittata—it’s a match made in breakfast heaven! And don’t forget a mug of tea, coffee, or even a tall glass of cold milk for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
You can transform your Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins into a beautiful brunch centerpiece by piling them onto a cake stand with slices of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of coconut scattered around. Or, for morning meetings and school lunches, wrap them individually in parchment and tie with twine—a charming homemade touch that makes anyone smile.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins irresistibly moist, store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Pop a folded paper towel in the container to help prevent sogginess while locking in freshness.
Freezing
These muffins are freezer-friendly, which means you can stash extras away for busy mornings. Simply let the muffins cool completely, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep their deliciousness for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temp when you need a treat!
Reheating
If you want that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, reheat a muffin in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or pop it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. They’ll taste just as delightful (and possibly even more aromatic!) as the day you baked them.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?
You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a heartier, nuttier muffin. Just know they may be a little denser, but still delicious!
What if I don’t have Greek yogurt?
Sour cream or plain regular yogurt works just as well in place of Greek yogurt, keeping your muffins tender and moist.
How do I make the muffins dairy-free?
It’s easy! Use a plant-based yogurt (like coconut or almond) and swap the Greek yogurt, plus choose vegetable oil instead of coconut oil if you prefer.
Can I add more lemon flavor?
Absolutely! Add an extra tablespoon of zest or a few drops of lemon extract to really maximize the citrus punch in your Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins.
What’s the best way to prevent overmixing my batter?
Mix until the last streaks of flour have disappeared, then stop. If in doubt, it’s better to under-mix—this keeps the crumb tender and prevents tough muffins.
Final Thoughts
If you love a burst of citrus and a playful crunch in your baking, you won’t want to miss these Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins. Every bite feels like a little celebration of spring and sunshine. Gather your ingredients and treat yourself—you (and anyone you share with) will be so glad you did!
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Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lemon Coconut Poppy Seed Muffins are a delightful blend of citrusy lemon, nutty coconut, and crunchy poppy seeds. Moist and flavorful, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or a snack. The easy recipe ensures you can whip up a batch in no time.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a muffin tin with liners or grease.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and coconut.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix Greek yogurt, eggs, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter into muffin cups and bake for 18–22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let muffins cool before serving.
Notes
- Add a simple lemon glaze by mixing ½ cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice and drizzling over cooled muffins.
- For a tropical twist, replace half the Greek yogurt with crushed, well-drained pineapple.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg