With a base recipe that bakes fluffy and just-sweet-enough muffins—and 6 options to add flavors from fruit, veggies, spices, and chocolate chips—this Yogurt Muffin recipe is as versatile as it is delicious!
Yogurt Muffins
I love healthy muffins for snacks and easy breakfasts, and I am so happy to now have a basic muffin recipe that’s as good plain as it is with added flavorings. These are super fluffy, incredibly moist, and easy to vary. My kids love when I make a batch that has a few different flavors—so they each get to have their favorite flavor!
This muffin recipe works so well because the addition of yogurt makes them moist and tender. It also adds a nice dose of protein, calcium, and probiotics.
And then with the optional additions of blueberries, strawberries, cherries, chocolate chips, or carrots and raisins, you can chose your own flavor adventure each time you make a batch!
(You may also like my Spinach Banana Muffins and my Donut Muffins.
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Ingredients You Need
Here is a look at the ingredients you need to make this muffin recipe to share with the kids so you know what to have on hand and ready to go.
- Flour: I like to use a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour in this recipe for nutrition and lightness.
- Baking powder and soda: Using a combination of these rising agents ensures the muffins rise and bake through as intended. Be sure your baking soda is fresh.
- Whole-milk plain Greek yogurt: This type of yogurt is thick and creamy, and adds both protein and tenderness to the muffins. You can use reduced-fat yogurt if that’s what you have on hand, but whole milk yogurt is preferred.
- Maple syrup: I sweeten this recipe with maple syrup, though you can also use honey for kids over age 1 if you prefer.
- Unsalted butter: I like to bake with unsalted butter so I can control the salt in the recipe. You’ll want to melt it and let it cool slightly before adding it to the rest of the batter.
- Eggs: I bake with large eggs, so plan to use them here so the volume of wet ingredients is correct.
- Vanilla extract: You can use pure or artificial vanilla extract in this recipe.
- Add-ins: You can add berries, other diced fruit, and/or chocolate chips to make this any flavor you like.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in this recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information, including the amounts and timing.
- Stir together the wet ingredients in a medium bowl or large bowl.
- Stir in the dry ingredients, whisking gently to create a thick but uniform batter.
- Divide the batter among a greased muffin pan and distribute the add-ins—either using one for the whole batch or dividing up the batch.
- Bake until lightly golden brown around the edges.
TIP: I like to make a batch with a few different flavors, so I divide up the batter as shown here. You can do a batch all in one flavor or you can stir 1 tablespoon of any add-in into each muffin cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer to use plain whole milk Greek style yogurt in this recipe for the most tender and moist results.
These are great for babies eating finger foods on up. Dice them up as needed for younger kids.
Using yogurt in muffin batter is a great way to add moisture, tenderness, and richness without relying on butter or oil. It also adds protein, which makes the muffins more filling and satisfying.
Yogurt often replaces butter or oil in baking, adding similar richness and moisture, but also adding protein and beneficial fats.
How to Store
Once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm slightly to serve from the fridge. You can also freeze the muffins in a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in 15-second increments in the microwave.
Find more tips on How to Freeze Muffins, too.
Best Tips for Success
- Use one add-in per batch of these Greek yogurt muffins, or use 1 tablespoon of each per muffin to make a mixed batch.
- I like using whole-milk Greek yogurt in this recipe. (Regular yogurt will work, too.)
- Dairy-free: Use a nondairy Greek-style yogurt like the plant-based options from Siggis.
- Gluten-free: Use cup-for-cup gluten-free flour like the one from King Arthur flour.
- Egg-free: Omit the eggs. Reduce the yogurt to ¾ cup and add ¼ cup milk. Proceed with the recipe.
- Dice up as needed for younger eaters.
- Top with butter, nut butter, or jam as desired.
- Try my Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins, which are a version of this recipe.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe so please comment below to share!
Favorite Yogurt Muffins
Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole-milk plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Optional Add-Ins (Choose One)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup shredded carrots, ½ cup raisins, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cups finely diced strawberries (add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest if desired)
- 2 cups blueberries (add 1 teaspoon cinnamon if desired)
- 2 cups finely diced cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 12-cup standard muffin pan with nonstick spray.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, stir together the yogurt, maple syrup, butter, eggs, and vanilla.
- Gently stir the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture. (Expect the batter to be thick.)
- Add your desired add-in. (You can also add 1 tablespoon of any add-in to each muffin cup, using ¼ cup batter, to make a batch with a few different flavors. Or you can bake them plain.) Stir gently to combine.
- Divide batter among the prepared muffin tin, using about ¼ cup batter in each cup.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven, then transfer muffins to a wire rack to cool fully.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Warm slightly to serve from the fridge (they firm up a bit when they’re cold so warming slightly returns them to their softer texture).
- You can also freeze the muffins in a freezer bag with as much air removed as possible for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in 15-second increments in the microwave.
- Use one add-in per batch of muffin, or use 1 tablespoon of each per muffin to make a mixed batch.
- I like using whole-milk Greek yogurt in this recipe.
- Dairy-free: Use a nondairy Greek-style yogurt like the plant-based options from Siggis and a neutral oil like canola in place of the butter.
- Gluten-free: Substitute cup-for-cup gluten-free flour in place of the wheat flours.
- Egg-free: Omit the eggs. Reduce the yogurt to ¾ cup. Add ¼ cup milk. Proceed with the recipe.
- Dice up as needed for younger eaters.
- Top with butter, nut butter, or jam as desired.
Nutrition
This post was first published June 2021.
This recipe is so easy to follow and the muffins are absolutely delicious!!
My batter turned out to be a bit thick. Is that normal? I use stonyfield whole milk plain yogurt.
Yes, the batter is quite thick.
Brilliant recipe. Added the 1 cup chocolate chips. Got the tick of approval from the kids. These will be going into rotation around here. Made 12 large muffins exactly, all even with the 1/4 cup into each muffin hole. Love that!
I just made these with strawberry greek yogurt and added in some fresh strawberries, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder and WOW. So good!!! Thank you for this delicious recipe!!
I just made these with strawberry green yogurt and added in some fresh strawberries, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder and WOW. So good!!! Thank you for this delicious recipe!!
These look so yummy! Can I use granulated sugar in place of maple syrup? Thanks!
Can I use flavored Greek yogurt I have a big container er of pineapple Greek.yogurt that needs to be used.
Sure, I would probably omit the vanilla if using that.
Mine came out a little chewy and dry. Not cake like. Am I doing something wrong or is it supposed to be like this since there’s not that much fat. My kid are it up though. Thank you for all of your wonderful resources.
Hi- I’m not sure (and there is fat in the yogurt if you use whole milk yogurt) but I would check that your baking soda is fresh as that could impact these. Hope that helps!
Woohoo metric conversion on one go to recipe! Love!
I made these today, and they were a hit with everyone. I did the chocolate chip and blueberry cinnamon variations. The only thing I did different is that I made them mini on accident. I baked at the same temperature for about 13 minutes. They turned out great like this. I will definitely make again!
I’m not sure what happened to mine! After 40min, the skewer still wasn’t coming out clean. I cut one open and it was a gooey texture inside, nothing like your photo at the top! Any ideas what happened or if they’re safe to eat?
With that information, I would pretty certainly say that the baking soda wasn’t fresh or active. That’s really the only reason I know of that they wouldn’t cook through. I’m sorry that happened!
Amazing! The muffins were easy to put together. I used 1/4 cup of honey instead of 1/3 cup of maple syrup. I also used a silicone mini muffin pan and they baked for about 14 minutes.
They are not overly sweet and both my girls loved them.
My little girl loves a certain movie. I used blueberry/strawberry mix ins in 1/2 the batch and called them Elsa muffins. And I made the carrot/raisin/ginger variation and called them Sven muffins. I have made your banana/spinach muffins and called them troll muffins. 😂 she thinks it’s great.
Another winner from yummytoddlerfood. I effortlessly made these into about 26 mini muffins by reducing the cook time a few minutes. I used diced strawberries and topped up with some diced frozen cherries, maybe a cup and a half total. As usual, I’ve eaten most of them but the 3 and 1 year old like them too.
Delicious, we make these often. I actually prefer them with no add ins at all, just a healthy filling vanilla muffin.
These are extremely good. For some reason I thought yogurt would make them dense, but they were so light and fluffy!! My 3 year old loved them for morning snack and requested a second for afternoon snack! I used Fage 5% plain Greek yogurt and did frozen wild blueberries for my add-in. I also added about a TBS of lemon zest for a little something extra 🙂 delicious!! I loved them too.