Why This Recipe Works

Thick batter = tall muffins: A slightly thicker batter keeps blueberries from sinking and helps the muffins rise like champs.
Buttermilk (or faux buttermilk) adds tenderness: The acidity reacts with baking soda to create lift and a soft crumb.
Oil + butter combo: Oil keeps them moist for days; butter brings the flavor party. Best of both worlds.
High-heat start: A quick burst of heat sets the tops, then lowering the temp cooks them through without drying.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
- 1/4 cup (57 g) melted unsalted butter, slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (225 g) fresh bluberries (or frozen, unthawed)
- 1–2 tbsp coarse sugar for topping (optional but awesome)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for brightness)
Cooking Instructions

- Preheat and prep: Heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease lightly.
- Whisk dry: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix wet: In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Combine gently: Pour wet into dry. Stir with a spatula just until a few streaks of flour remain. Don’t overmix—lumpy batter is your friend.
- Add bluberries: Toss berries with a teaspoon of flour (prevents sinking), then fold into batter with 3–4 gentle strokes.
- Fill tins: Divide batter evenly, filling cups almost to the top for big muffin tops. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake hot, then cool it: Bake 5 minutes at 425°F (220°C), then reduce to 350°F (175°C) without opening the oven and bake 13–16 minutes more, until tops are golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Rest: Cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Try not to eat three immediately. Or do—your call.
How to Store
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days. Add a paper towel to absorb moisture.
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze up to 3 months. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave 20–30 seconds.
- Avoid the fridge: It dries muffins out faster than you can say “why are these stale?”

Health Benefits
- Antioxidants galore: Bluberries are loaded with anthocyanins that support brain and heart health.
- Fiber boost: Each muffin delivers a bit of fiber, especially if you swap in some whole wheat flour (see Alternatives).
- Controlled sweetness: You’re baking at home, so you choose the sugar level. FYI, these are sweet but not candy.
- Healthy fats: Using oil provides unsaturated fats that help keep the crumb tender.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Overmixing: It develops gluten and turns muffins tough. Stir until just combined—then stop.
- Sunken berries: Batter too thin or no flour toss on berries? Hello, soggy bottoms.
- Overbaking: Dry muffins happen fast. Start checking early; carryover heat finishes the job.
- Opening the oven early: This collapses the rise. Be patient; your muffins can’t text updates.
Alternatives
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. Batter may be slightly thicker; that’s fine.
- Dairy-free: Swap buttermilk for oat milk mixed with 1 tsp vinegar; use dairy-free butter or all oil.
- Whole grain: Replace up to 1/2 the flour with white whole wheat flour. Add 1 tablespoon extra buttermilk if batter feels too stiff.
- Flavor twists: Add 1/2 tsp almond extract, a cinnamon sugar swirl, or fold in lemon curd dollops for a bakery flex.
- Sweetness swap: Use 1/2 cup sugar plus 1/4 cup honey; reduce buttermilk by 1 tablespoon to balance moisture.
FAQ
Can I use frozen bluberries?
Yes. Don’t thaw them. Toss with a teaspoon of flour and fold in quickly to avoid tinting the batter purple. They’ll bake up perfectly juicy.
How do I get taller muffin tops?
Fill the cups nearly to the top, start with a hot oven (425°F for 5 minutes), then lower the temp. The initial blast sets the structure and boosts lift.
Why are my muffins dense?
Likely overmixed batter or expired leaveners. Check that your baking powder is fresh and mix only until you don’t see dry flour.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Absolutely. Drop to 2/3 cup without drama. Any lower and texture may change slightly; add an extra tablespoon of buttermilk if batter seems thick.
What’s the best pan prep?
Liners make life easy and keep muffins moist. If greasing, lightly oil and dust with flour for clean release and crisp edges.
The Bottom Line
These bluberry muffins bring bakery-level height, juicy bursts, and a soft, tender crumb with minimal effort. Keep the batter thick, respect the hot-start bake, and don’t overmix—simple rules, elite results. Whip up a batch today, stash a few in the freezer, and enjoy the kind of breakfast that feels like a win before 9 a.m., IMO.