Lemon Poppy Seed Sourdough Discard Muffins

[email protected]

August 23, 2025

15

easy

12 muffin

Afterglow Quick Breads

Lemon Poppy Seed Sourdough Discard Muffins 🍋 Fluffy & Bright

Got discard? Let’s make it sing! 🎶🍋 These Lemon Poppy Seed Sourdough Discard Muffins are fluffy, zesty, and a little crunchy — the happiest way to turn “extra” into extraordinary. 🧁☕

Your discard deserves better… and these muffins prove it. 🍋 These Lemon Poppy Seed Sourdough Discard Muffins are an easy sourdough discard muffin recipe that bakes up fluffy, tangy, and full of fresh lemon flavor. The sourdough discard keeps them tender and moist, while poppy seeds add that irresistible little crunch.

They’re everything you love in a classic lemon poppy seed muffin — with an upgrade. Golden tops, zesty aroma, and a soft crumb that feels bakery-worthy yet simple to make at home. Pair them with coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast, or enjoy them warm from the oven with a drizzle of glaze for an afternoon pick-me-up.

This is proof that sourdough discard isn’t just for bread. It can deliver bright, happy muffins that taste like pure comfort in every bite. 🧁☕🍋

💚 Why You’ll Love These Lemon Poppy Seed Sourdough Discard Muffins

🍋 Bursting with bright lemon flavor in every bite
🌱 Poppy seeds add the perfect little crunch
🥖 Sourdough discard keeps them extra tender & moist
☕ Bakery-style muffins you’ll crave with your morning coffee

👩‍🍳 A Baker’s Tease

Rubbing the lemon zest into the sugar before mixing wakes up the oils and makes the whole kitchen smell fresh and happy. It’s a tiny step that makes a big difference. 🍋✨

🛒 Shop My Kitchen Favorites!

Love the tools and ingredients used in this recipe? I’ve gathered my favorite must-haves to make cooking easier and more enjoyable. [Click here] to check out my Amazon store for everything I used!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Looking for more comforting, flavor-packed meals? Check out our [other recipes here]!

No Reviews

Ingredients

Adjust Servings

	2 tbsp Lemon Zest (from 2 lemons)
	165 g Granulated Sugar (¾ cup)
	50 g Light Brown Sugar (¼ cup, adjustable)
	210 g All-Purpose Flour (1 ¾ cups)
	½ tsp Kosher Salt
	2 tsp Baking Powder
	2 tbsp Poppy Seeds
	2 Eggs, room temperature
	120 g Ricotta, whole milk yogurt, or sour cream (½ cup, room temp)
	2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (from 1 lemon)
	120 g Sourdough Discard (or active starter, ½ cup)
	113 g Unsalted Butter, melted (1 stick, 8 TBS)

Lemon Glaze

	100 g Powdered Sugar
	2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (from 1 lemon)
	Poppy Seeds, for sprinkling

Nutritional Information

245 Calories

33g Carbs

4g Protein

11g Fat

1g Fiber

150mg Sodium

Directions

1.

Infuse the sugar

In a medium bowl, rub the lemon zest into both sugars with your fingers until fragrant. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and poppy seeds. Whisk and set aside.

Bowl of fresh lemon zest with zested lemons beside it for lemon poppy seed sourdough discard muffins

Mark as complete

2.

Mix the wet ingredients

Melt the butter and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, ricotta, lemon juice, and sourdough discard until smooth. Whisk in the melted butter last.

Mark as complete

3.

Bring it together

Add the wet mixture to the dry bowl. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined — don’t overmix.

Bowl of lemon poppy seed sourdough discard muffin batter mixed and ready to bake with lemons in the background

Mark as complete

4.

Chill the batter

Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to overnight) for the best rise.

Mark as complete

5.

Bake

Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a muffin pan and lightly grease. Divide batter evenly into cups and bake 23–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Muffin tray with lemon poppy sourdough batter in paper cup and sourdough starter in wooden bowl ready to bake

Mark as complete

6.

Make the glaze

Stir powdered sugar and lemon juice until you have a thick but pourable glaze. Adjust with more sugar or juice if needed.

Half a lemon poppy seed sourdough discard muffin drizzled with lemon glaze, frosting spoon in front

Mark as complete

7.

Remove from oven and cool

Remove muffins from the oven and let them cool slightly. Place them on a wire rack, drizzle with the lemon frosting, and sprinkle a few extra poppy seeds on top for good measure. 🍋🧁✨

Lemon poppy seed sourdough discard muffins in paper holders cooling on a black wire rack

Mark as complete

8.

Finish & enjoy

Pour coffee or tea, take a bite, and smile. 🍋🧁☕ That lemon zing is the sweet little treat you didn’t know you needed.

Sourdough lemon poppy muffin on a plate with frothy latte in the background

Mark as complete

9.

Tray of sourdough lemon poppy muffins fresh from the oven on counter with glaze in background and green tea towel

Mark as complete

10.

Golden spoon with lemon frosting and poppy seeds, with a muffin and coffee cup in the background

Mark as complete

Notes

I almost skipped the glaze (thinking it might be too much), but wow — paired with the lemony muffin, the sweet drizzle hits just right. 🍋✨ Not overpowering, just the perfect bright little finish that makes these muffins feel bakery-fancy at home. 🧁💛

0

Tags

lemon poppy seed muffins sourdough discard muffins easy muffin recipe lemon sourdough muffins poppy seed sourdough discard quick bread with sourdough sourdough breakfast recipes bakery style muffins sourdough discard baking

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.