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Ricotta Lemon Muffins

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These Ricotta Lemon Muffins are super moist, fluffy, and packed with flavor! If you are looking for the perfect way to start off a summer morning, then this is the recipe for you. 

If you love lemon muffins then this is the recipe for you. The fresh burst of flavor and moist texture will have your entire family craving these muffins time and time again. 

Ricotta Lemon Muffins in a basket
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Lemon Ricotta Muffins

Ricotta is full of protein and calcium, making it a great way to start your morning. Not to mention, it also gives these muffins an ultra-moist texture. 

One of my favorite things about using ricotta in desserts is that it’s so versatile. You can use it in everything from cakes to pies for extra rich moisture. 

Why I Love This Recipe

When you need a recipe to start off your morning, look no further than these Ricotta Lemon Muffins. They’re super moist and fluffy with an amazing flavor that will have everyone asking for a second one. 

  • Ready in under 30 minutes
  • Easy to make
  • Perfect for picky eaters
  • It fills the house with a delicious aroma

If you love fruit-flavored muffins you may also enjoy these Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread Muffins

Ricotta Lemon Muffins in a basket
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Ingredients

Lemon Ricotta Muffins only require a few simple ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store. The muffins are also fun to make, always a hit at parties, and perfect for picky eaters.

  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • White Sugar
  • Lemon Zest (from 1 lemon)
  • Olive Oil
  • Ricotta Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Lemon Juice
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Milk
Ricotta Lemon Muffins ingredients

Substitutions

Cottage Cheese: If you don’t have ricotta cheese on hand, you can use cottage cheese as a replacement for ricotta cheese

Lemon: If you don’t have lemon zest, you can use the juice of 1/2 a lemon.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make these soft and moist muffins. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy the soft muffins. 

How to Make Ricotta Lemon Muffins

Making these ricotta lemon muffins is simple. Just follow the instructions below and you will have a tasty breakfast in no time at all. 

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Step 2: Prepare the baking muffin pan

Line a muffin tray with 12 muffin liners and set aside.

Step 3: Whisk together the dry ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

flour, baking powder, and salt in a small glass bowl

Step 4: Mix together sugar and lemon

Place the white sugar in a large bowl and zest the lemon directly over top. Rub the lemon zest into the sugar to impart the flavor. Remove 2 Tablespoons of the lemon sugar and set aside for topping the muffins.

sugar and lemon in a small glass bowl

Step 5: Add the oil and ricotta cheese and beat until fluffy

Add the oil and ricotta cheese and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

oil and ricotta cheese in a small glass bowl

Step 6: Add remaining wet ingredients

Add the eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and beat until combined.

eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a glass bowl

Step 7: Mix together the wet and dry ingredients until combined

Stir in the flour mixture until combined and no dry streaks remain, then stir in the milk until completely incorporated.

flour mixture and milk in a glass bowl being combined using a spatula

Step 8: Fill the cupcake liners with muffin batter and sprinkle with the remaining sugar mixture

Portion out the muffin batter into the prepared muffin liners. Sprinkle with the reserved lemon sugar.

closeup of cupcake liners filled with muffin batter in a muffin pan

Step 9: Bake until the muffins are golden brown

Bake for 22-25 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean and the muffins are golden.

Ricotta Lemon Muffins in a muffin pan

Step 10: Cool then serve

Cool muffins and then serve and enjoy. 

Ricotta Lemon Muffins in a basket and on a table with lemon and flour on the side

Variations / Options / Add-Ins

There are many ways that you can change up this recipe to make it your own. Here are a few ideas:

Berries: Add in blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a pop of color and sweetness.

Cheese: Swap out the ricotta cheese for cream cheese for a richer flavor.

Streusel: Add a streusel topping for a little extra sweetness and crunch.

Nuts: Add in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a little extra texture.

Serving Suggestions

These muffins are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with:

  • butter
  • honey
  • jam
  • maple syrup
  • fruit salad
  • yogurt
  • a cup of coffee or tea
a closeup of Ricotta Lemon Muffins with lemon and flour blurred in the background

Tips

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the perfect Ricotta Lemon Muffins:

  • Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
  • Zest the lemon directly into the sugar to help impart more flavor.
  • Don’t overmix the batter or the muffins will be tough.
  • For a streusel topping, mix together 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in 1 Tablespoon butter until the mixture resembles crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the muffins before baking.
  • I recommend using whole milk ricotta cheese as it will give you the best flavor and moisture in your muffins. 
  • You can use paper liners or silicone muffin cups whichever you prefer. 

FAQs

Do you have questions about these Lemon Ricotta Muffins? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about this recipe. 

How to store

These muffins are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for 2-3 days.

Can you freeze?

Yes, these muffins can be frozen. Just place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and they will keep for 2-3 months.

Do ricotta muffins need to be refrigerated?

No, these muffins do not need to be refrigerated.

a closeup of Ricotta Lemon Muffins

More Muffins Recipes

If you like muffins, give these recipes a try:

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📋 Recipe

Ricotta Lemon Muffins

Corinne Schmitt
These Ricotta Lemon Muffins are super moist, fluffy, and packed with flavor!
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Muffins
Calories 212 kcal

Equipment

  • hand mixer
  • muffin pan
  • Cupcake Liners
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large bowl
  • Wire rack

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup White Sugar
  • Lemon Zest from 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil
  • 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 cup Milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • Line a muffin tray with 12 muffin liners and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • Place the white sugar in a large bowl and zest the lemon directly over top. Rub the lemon zest into the sugar to impart the flavor. Remove 2 Tablespoons of the lemon sugar and set aside for topping the muffins.
  • Add the oil and ricotta cheese and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the eggs, lemon juice and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
  • Stir in the flour mixture until combined and no dry streaks remain, then stir in the milk until completely incorporated.
  • Portion out the muffin batter into the prepared muffin liners. Sprinkle with the reserved lemon sugar.
  • Bake for 22-25 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean and muffins are golden.

Nutrition

Serving: 1MuffinCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 6gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 132mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 139IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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a closeup of a ricotta lemon muffin with more muffins in the background and title text reading Ricotta Lemon Muffins

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