These mandarin orange muffins with Greek yogurt are fresh, tender, and wonderfully moist. They make an easy breakfast on the go, a bright afternoon snack, or a simple homemade dessert. A light mandarin orange glaze is optional, but it adds extra citrus flavor and just the right touch of sweetness.
When mandarin oranges are in season, they are hard to resist. The best ones are sweet, juicy, easy to peel, and full of bright citrus aroma. We often receive a generous bag of them, and while they are perfect eaten fresh, they are also wonderful in baking. Their flavor is softer and more delicate than regular oranges, with a slightly floral note that works beautifully in muffins.
These muffins are a lovely way to use fresh mandarins when you have more than you can eat out of hand. The zest brings most of the citrus flavor, while the Greek yogurt helps create a soft, moist crumb. The muffins are not overly sweet on their own, which makes them ideal for breakfast or snacking. If you want something a little more dessert-like, the simple orange glaze gives them a glossy finish and a stronger mandarin flavor.
This recipe was inspired by a classic orange muffin recipe, but using mandarin oranges gives the finished muffins a lighter, more fragrant citrus taste. Regular oranges will also work well, and you can use clementines, tangerines, or another sweet citrus fruit if that is what you have. Lemon or lime would change the flavor quite a bit and may require extra sugar, since those fruits are much more tart.
The best part about these mandarin orange muffins is their versatility. They are simple enough for a weekday breakfast, pretty enough for brunch, and sweet enough to serve with coffee or tea. They also keep well, and after a day the glaze settles slightly into the tops, making the muffins even more moist.
Zesting Citrus
Fresh citrus zest is one of the easiest ways to add big flavor to baked goods. The zest contains the fragrant oils from the peel, so a small amount can make muffins, cakes, and glazes taste bright and fresh. For this recipe, the mandarin zest is gently heated with sugar, water, and butter before being mixed into the batter. This helps distribute the citrus flavor throughout the muffins.
When zesting mandarins or oranges, remove only the colorful outer layer of the peel. Try to avoid the white pith underneath, which can taste bitter. A fine zester or microplane makes the job quick and gives you small, delicate pieces of zest that blend easily into the batter. If you want a simple garnish, you can also use a vegetable peeler to remove a thin strip of peel and slice it into very fine pieces.
Greek yogurt is another important ingredient in these muffins. It helps keep the crumb moist and tender without making the muffins feel heavy. The texture is soft but still sturdy enough to pack for breakfast or enjoy as a snack later in the day. Because the muffins are only lightly sweetened, the glaze is a nice finishing touch, though you can leave it off if you prefer a simpler muffin.
For the best results, mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined. Overmixing muffin batter can make the texture tough instead of light and tender. Fill the muffin cups about three-quarters full, then bake until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool before glazing so the glaze sets nicely instead of melting completely into the warm tops.
A Few More Favorite Muffins
If you enjoy homemade muffins, banana pecan muffins are always a reliable choice, with or without the pecans. Apple cinnamon muffins are another cozy option, especially when you want something soft, cakey, and warmly spiced. Cherry muffins with coconut streusel are also a long-time favorite for anyone who likes a sweet crumb topping.
These mandarin orange muffins are especially good when you want something fresh, citrusy, and easy to bake. They are simple enough for everyday baking but flavorful enough to feel special.
Mandarin Orange Muffins with Greek Yogurt
Ingredients
Mandarin Orange Muffins
- 6 mandarin oranges or 3 regular oranges
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar divided
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter plus extra for greasing
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup milk
Orange Glaze (Optional)
- 1 cup icing sugar confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh mandarin orange juice
- 2 teaspoons mandarin orange zest
- Pinch salt
Instructions
Mandarin Orange Muffins
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a standard muffin pan. This recipe makes enough batter for 16 to 18 muffins, so bake in batches or grease extra muffin cups if you have a second pan.
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Finely zest the mandarin oranges until you have about 1/4 cup, or 30 grams, of zest. If desired, peel a thin strip of zest with a vegetable peeler and slice it finely for garnish.
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In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the zest, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and the water. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the butter and stir until melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.
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In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In a large mixing bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, eggs, milk, and orange sugar mixture until well combined.
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Add the flour mixture to the yogurt mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
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Fill the prepared muffin cups about three-quarters full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
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To make the optional glaze, stir together the icing sugar, mandarin juice, zest, and salt in a small bowl until smooth. If the glaze is too thick to drizzle, add a little more juice until it reaches a pourable consistency.
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Drizzle the cooled muffins with glaze and garnish with thin slices of mandarin peel, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 21g
| Protein: 3g
| Fat: 4g
| Sugar: 9g