Quick and easy homemade Lemon Poppyseed Muffins with Yellow Squash are the perfect lemon muffin that's both sweet, tart, and hint of healthy. A great way to make a toddler muffin with hidden vegetables, this poppyseed muffin is delicious for all. It's a perfect summer breakfast, or a quick evening treat or snack. You can even substitute the yellow squash (summer squash) for zucchini and make a zucchini muffin. Whether you use lemon juice, or fresh squeezed lemons, these versatile and tasty muffins are a winner.
During the summer months, our garden is full of yellow squash and zucchini. We started asking, "What can we make with yellow squash?" It just so happens that lemon and poppyseed pair perfectly with yellow squash (summer squash). You can't even tell they are in these homemade muffins!
Try out other tasty lemon treats like, Strawberry Lemon Cookies, Lemon Cookies with Tart Lemon Glaze.
Be sure to check out our other breakfast muffins, Old Fashioned Blueberry Muffins, Cinnamon Spice Apple Muffins, and Pumpkin Donut Muffins.
Ingredients
- all purpose flour
- white sugar
- baking soda
- table salt
- egg
- Butter, melted
- Milk - whole, 2%, 1%, and skim all work.
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla
- Lemon zest
- Poppyseeds
- Yellow Squash
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- If using fresh lemon juice, squeeze lemons into a small bowl. Skip this step if using lemon juice from the bottle.
2. With a small grater, grate the yellow squash into a small bowl and set aside. I like using a finer grater so the yellow squash pieces aren't as big.
3. In a stand mixer, combine the dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated.
4. In a separate bowl, add the wet ingredients. Mix well until it is a smooth mixture.
5. Pour the mixed wet ingredients into the stand mixer bowl with the combined dry ingredients. Combine the wet and dry ingredients to make a batter.
6. Add grated yellow squash, lemon zest (optional), and poppyseeds into the batter. Mix well until both the poppyseeds and yellow squash are incorporated.
7. Divide the batter into 12 equal muffin liners or a well greased muffin tin.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until the center is set. Remove from the muffin tin and enjoy!
Hint: Yellow squash is the same as summer squash and crooked neck squash! So if you have summer squash ready to be used, this is a perfect recipe for you. Or try this same recipe with zucchini.
Substitutions
- Lemon Juice - instead of using fresh squeezed lemons, use lemon juice.
- Zucchini - use zucchini instead of yellow squash to make a zucchini lemon muffins. Another great way to get toddlers to eat their vegetables and so delicious.
- Almond Flour - Substitute all purpose flour for almond flour to make these gluten free. The texture will change.
Variations
- Zucchini - add zucchini to these homemade lemon muffins instead of yellow squash for similar results.
- Deluxe - top with a glaze to make a tasty summer treat.
Equipment
To make these delicious homemade muffins you will need a stand mixer, muffin tin, and muffin liners. I love using silicone muffin liners and my KitchenAid Stand Mixer.
Storage
Store muffins in an airtight container for 3-4 days. They are better fresh, but if they are several days old, reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Freeze in an air tight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Toddler Friendly
These are a perfect muffin for little hands. These toddler friendly muffins are healthier than other muffins, have yellow squash in them that can easily go undetected for picky eaters. My kids eat these up without blinking and eye!
Top tip
Because yellow squash is abundant in the summer, make the night before when it's cooler outside as to not run the hot oven during the heat of the day. You will have a delicious breakfast ready in the morning. A great make ahead treat or meal.
Recipe
Summer Squash Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Equipment
- Muffin Tin
- Muffin Liners
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest - optional
- 1 tablespoon poppyseeds
- 1 cup yellow squash grated (about 1 squash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a muffin tin by generously greasing the muffin pan, to prevent sticking, or use muffins liners.
- With a smaller grater, grate the yellow squash.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together. In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix altogether.
- In a separate bowl mix together the wet ingredients. Add the egg, melted butter, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well.
- Pour mixed wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix together in a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer. Batter will look fluffy. See photos above for a great visual on what this looks like.
- Add the poppyseeds, lemon zest, and grated yellow squash. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Divide batter into 12 equal parts in your prepared muffin tin.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until center is set.
Notes
- Use zucchini instead of yellow squash for similar and delicious results.
- Yellow squash is the same as summer squash! So if you have yellow squash ready to be used, this is a perfect recipe for you.
- Make the night before when it's cooler outside as to not run the hot oven during the heat of the day. You will have a delicious breakfast ready in the morning!
- A great way to check for doneness is to put a toothpick down the center of a muffin and if it comes back clean, they are done.
- Another helpful way is to lightly tap the top center of the muffin. It should bounce back and not cave down.
- Store summer squash lemon poppyseed muffins in an airtight container for 3-4 days. They are better fresh, but if they are several days old, reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Nutrition
These lemon muffins are a great way to eat up extra yellow squash during the summer harvest months.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Great idea to hide the veggies and such a great taste too. Delicious! Lemon poppyseed muffins are some of my favorite and this recipe did not disappoint.
Madison
Loved the zest of the lemon! Such a great way to use all the yellow squash
Casey
I feel kinda guilty for fooling my kids with these healthy muffins! LOL! Sorry not sorry! They were a hit!
Katherine
Such a tasty hidden veg muffin! Love it. Love how yellow squash and lemon poppyseed muffins go so well together.
Alexis
These were so yummy! My kids loved them, and I can't wait to make them again!
Anita
These muffins are delicious, and it's really hard to tell that there's squash in it so it's a perfect way to sneak in extra veggies for the family.
JCaryl
My daughter made these and they were goooood. Texture was almost like a cupcake, light and airy. YUM!
Claudia Lamascolo
We made these and they were moist and tender perfect instructions!
Leslie
I made this recipe x6 to stock the freezer for easy breakfasts. Kiddos said these are the best muffin they’ve ever had! I did reduce the sugar, without issue for those wondering.
Andrea
I love hearing this! I'm so happy you guys love them so much!