Lemon Blueberry Gluten Free Muffin Tops (No Special Pan Needed)
With a slightly crisp outer layer and a deliciously soft middle, these Lemon Blueberry Gluten-Free Muffin Tops are packed with flavor. Whip up a batch of these dairy-free treats for a weekend breakfast or prep them to enjoy throughout the week.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
These gluten-free lemon blueberry muffin tops are bright, slightly tangy, and packed with lemon zest, cardamom, and plump blueberries. They are gluten-free and lactose-free ~ but not taste-free.
I love to make these easy muffin tops on those days when I don’t want to spend too much time flipping pancakes for breakfast. In order to enjoy these, all I have to do is mix and bake, and boom – breakfast is ready!
Why This Gluten-Free Muffin Tops Recipe Works
- Crispy edges + soft centers – a soggy bottom
- No muffin top pan needed
- Easy, one-bowl method
- Easily adaptable to fit your dietary needs
- Perfect balance of lemon and blueberry flavor, balanced with cardamom
Why muffin tops?
Do you remember that Seinfeld episode that involved Elaine and muffin tops?
If I recall correctly, in this episode, Elaine shared her love of muffin tops (the baked variety) as well as opening a muffin-top-only store with her boss.
In that episode, in order to get those muffin tops, whole muffins were baked, and the muffin top was pulled off the bottom or “stump” of the muffin. Of course, no one wanted the stumps, and I don’t blame them.
There have been way too many times when I have picked at a bakery/store-bought muffin, nibbled off the top of it, and left the stump behind for another day (that usually doesn’t come).
I figured I would start my own adventure in muffin-top baking with these Lemon Blueberry Gluten-free Muffin Tops.

Ingredients You’ll Need
These Lemon Blueberry Muffin Tops are gluten-free and lactose-free but not taste-free, and are made with the following 13 ingredients:
- Fresh Blueberries
- All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
- Almond Flour
- Granulated Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Cardamom
- Egg
- Coconut Milk
- Coconut Oil, melted
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Lemon

How to Make Gluten-Free Muffin Tops
1. Prep
Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together:
flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine:
eggs, oil, yogurt, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla.
4. Combine
Gently mix wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix—this is key for tender muffin tops.
5. Fold in Blueberries
Carefully fold in blueberries to avoid breaking them.
6. Scoop & Shape
Scoop batter onto the baking sheet (about ¼ cup each), leaving space for spreading.
7. Bake
Bake for 14–18 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are set.
Would You Like to Save This?
When they are just out of the oven, I would strongly urge you to let them sit on a baking rack until they cool down a little, as oven-hot blueberries bursting in your mouth isn’t a whole lotta fun!
I speak from experience, y’all. By the way, these muffin tops last about four days in an air-tight container in your fridge.
Pro Tips for Perfect Muffin Tops
- Use parchment paper to encourage spreading
- Don’t overmix—this prevents a dense texture
- For crispier edges, sprinkle a little sugar on top before baking
- Let batter rest 5–10 minutes for better hydration (especially gluten-free flour)
Common Problems (And Fixes)
Why did my muffin tops spread too much?
Your batter may be too thin—add 1–2 tbsp extra flour next time.
Why are they dry?
Overbaking or too much flour. Measure carefully and check early.
Why didn’t they spread?
The batter is too thick, or the oven is too cool. Slightly flatten before baking if needed.

Substitutions
I made these muffins with a combination of gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond flour. I also used coconut milk and coconut oil, but if coconut isn’t your thing, then you can substitute vegan butter or regular butter.
And, if gluten is your friend, you could also use regular all-purpose flour instead of gluten-free flour.
Variations
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based yogurt and oil instead of butter
- Vegan: Use flax eggs + dairy-free yogurt
- Extra Lemon Flavor: Add lemon glaze on top
- Low Sugar: Reduce sugar slightly or use a substitute

Storage & Freezing
- Store these muffin tops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm them slightly by heating them in a 350-degree oven for 5-8 minutes.
- These can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them on the kitchen counter until room temperature and warm them as above.

These gluten-free lemon blueberry muffin tops are simple, bakery-quality, and perfect for breakfast or snacks. With the right texture, balanced flavor, and easy method, this recipe results in four muffin tops, but you can easily double or triple the quantities of ingredients to make more ~ as I hope you will do this weekend!
If you love muffin tops, here are a few more recipes:


F.A.Q.’s
Yes—this recipe is designed specifically for baking on a sheet pan.
Make sure to space out the spoonfuls of the muffin top mix, as it tends to spread as it bakes. Unlike these Lemon Blueberry cookies, these muffin tops need plenty of room to expand while they bake.
Higher baking temp + spaced batter + a little sugar on top helps create crisp edges.
Yes—just don’t thaw them before mixing in.
Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin.
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour
- 1/2 cup Almond Flour
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom
- 1 Egg beaten
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Milk
- 3 tablespoons Coconut Oil melted
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- zest from one whole and juice from half a Lemon
- 1 cup Fresh Blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Add gluten free all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom to a bowl and stir well.
- Then add in the beaten egg, coconut milk, coconut oil, and vanilla extract and mix well with a spoon.
- Add in the lemon zest and juice and blueberries and gently fold in so blueberries don’t break.
- Then, pile 4 roughly equal mounds of dough onto a baking tray – making sure they are spaced far apart.
- Bake for 30-32 minutes.
- Let cool and enjoy.
Would You Like to Save This?
Nutrition
This recipe first appeared on Food Fanatic ~ if you are looking for more delicious treats, make sure to stop by Food Fanatic.


Yup, muffin tops are my favorite part, too. These look terrific! And bonus that they’re GF — I can serve them to more people that way. 🙂 Thanks!
We make these often and everyone loves them. I quadruple the recipe and they do not last long!
I never usually comment on anything but noticed all your comments nobody accurately made these, but I did and there Amazing, only thing I changed was I used frozen blueberry because I didn’t have any fresh, and I didn’t see a baking temperature so I baked them at 350 for 30 minuets and they turned out perfect…thank you so much for this recipe, it was perfect.
These lemon blueberry muffin tops look amazing Shashi! I can imagine enjoying one (or two, or three..) of these with my morning coffee or afternoon cuppa.
Dear Shashi – I was once told by a dear friend that I reminded her of Elaine. Since then, I have adored Elaine even MORE. (How narcissistic, right?) Elaine totally cracks me up and I will always credit her with creating the fabulous muffin top. Yours look to die for and I totally must try them. You had me at cardamom. I love all things lemon and blueberry, and it is high blueberry season here right now. Hope you and little Shashi are having the best summer ever. It’s been a tough one around here and I’ve been barely able to work on my blog on account of that. Many appointments at Boston Children’s for Hudson, but I do think we are making progress and perhpas it will be a better fall? Although both he & I are scheduled for tonsillectomies in the fall… maybe you could say a prayer? Have a fabulous day my friend. XOXO
What an awesome show! Love those muffin tops too and what a brilliant recipe!! Now all I need is a nice cuppa cofee and 2 or 3 of these and I’m set 😉 Hope you’re having a lovely week, my friend! XOXO
Muffin tops are wonderful! And I LOVE the blueberry/lemon flavor combo. So you made these for me, right? 🙂
Hahaha! I totally remember that episode! And I totally agree with Elaine. Why bother with the muffin stumps? Just gimme the tops! I’m loving this recipe and need to try it soon!
Ah! My absolute favorite part of the muffin…the yummy top. 🙂 I totally know what you mean about eating only the top. For me, I’ll eat the bottom, but I eat it first and then save the top for last. No need to do that with this recipe! Also, I’ve totally seen a muffin top pan before. What the heck do I need that for now?? Haha. Love the recipe, Shashi!
Muffin tops are my favourite! These look fantastic, Shashi.
This is such an amazing and yummy recipe. Flavors awesome.
I love the idea of just making the tops, they are obviously the best part! I can’t wait to try these soon!
These muffins tops look so good! The perfect breakfast or afternoon treat and I love that they are gluten-free too.
The muffin tops are the best part!! Love this
Muffin tops are the BEST! These look so good.