Homemade Basic Muffin Recipe Recipe

This homemade basic muffin recipe is made with simple ingredients and bakes up soft and tender every time. It’s an easy base recipe that’s perfect for customizing with chocolate chips, fruit, nuts, or a crumb topping!

This homemade basic muffin recipe is the perfect way to add something special to a meal, or to whip up an easy breakfast or simple snack. Made with everyday ingredients, the batter comes together quickly and bakes into muffins that everyone loves.

What I love most about this recipe is how flexible it is, so you can enjoy the muffins as they are or easily change them up with your favorite mix-ins. Whether you’re making streusel blueberry chocolate chip muffins, classic chocolate chip muffins, or bright lemon muffins, this simple recipe makes it easy to create a variety of muffins.

Why I Love This Basic Muffin Recipe

• This one-bowl plain muffin batter can handle up to ¾–1 cup of add-ins without becoming heavy or dense.
• A well-balanced ratio of flour, sugar, and liquid helps create bakery-style muffins every time.

Ingredient Notes

• All-purpose flour: Regular all-purpose flour works best for this recipe and gives the muffins structure without making them heavy.
• Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create a light texture.
• Baking powder This is what gives the muffins their rise. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor. If you are using unsalted butter or oil, a little extra salt helps balance the sweetness.
• Egg: One large egg binds the batter and adds richness. Using a room-temperature egg helps the batter mix more evenly.
• Milk: Whole or 2% milk works well here. Use buttermilk for a slight tang! Room-temperature milk helps create a smoother batter.
• Oil or melted butter: Both options work beautifully. Oil gives the muffins a slightly lighter crumb, while butter adds a richer flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and flavor to the muffins without overpowering any add-ins.

How to Make Basic Muffins

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center, then add the egg, milk, oil or melted butter, and vanilla. Stir just until the batter is moistened. It should look slightly lumpy. Be careful not to overmix.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. If you’re adding a crumb topping, sprinkle it over the batter before baking.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Plain Muffin Add-Ins

This basic muffin batter is easy to customize, just be careful not to overload it. As a general rule, use no more than ¾–1 cup of add-ins, or about 1 teaspoon of a warm spice. 

• Lemon Poppy Seed: Add fresh lemon zest and poppy seeds for a bright, classic muffin.
• Blueberry: Gently fold in fresh or frozen blueberries. If using frozen, add them straight from the freezer.
• Chocolate Chip: A simple favorite. Mini or regular chocolate chips both work well.
• Cinnamon Raisin: Add raisins and a touch of cinnamon for a warm, bakery-style muffin.
• Fruit and Nut: Chopped fruit, nuts, or a combination of both add texture and flavor.
• Extract: It’s easy to swap vanilla extract for almond extract, lemon, or even orange to experiment with different flavors.
• Streusel Crumb Topping: Sprinkle my recipe for a crumb topping over the batter just before baking for a bakery-style finish.

These basic muffins are the kind of recipe every baker should have tucked away — simple, reliable, and endlessly adaptable. Enjoy them just as they are, or stir in your favorite add-ins like berries, chocolate chips, or nuts to make them your own. Whether served warm with a pat of butter or packed for an on-the-go breakfast, they’re a comforting classic you’ll come back to again and again.

recipe FAQs

Related

It’s All About Pasta

Amazing pasta recipes to make your mouth water!

Authentic Italian Desserts

75 Traditional Desserts Made Easy