Easy One-Bowl Orange Muffins (Incredibly Moist!)

These Sunshine Orange Muffins are wonderfully bright and irresistibly moist, bursting with tangy fresh orange flavor in every bite. I think they are incredibly simple to whip up and make a truly delightful treat any time of day.

Close-up of orange muffins with white icing, displayed on a marble surface.

I just love baking muffins so much. They really are so quick to prepare, usually only require one bowl for mixing (easy cleanup is a bonus!), and they stay fresh for several days so I can easily grab one on my way out the door in the morning. These sunshine orange muffins also freeze wonderfully, so please feel free to make a double batch if you like.

This recipe for me is really inspired by a couple of my all time favorite baked goods. The light and fluffy muffin base reminds me of my popular Lemon Muffins, and the vibrant, tangy orange flavor comes from my Orange Juice Cake recipe. It truly feels like getting the very best of both worlds in one bite, and it has quickly become one of my new go to snacks.

If you enjoy baking muffins as much as I do, you might also love trying my recipes for Cranberry Orange Muffins, Morning Glory Muffins, Classic Banana Muffins, Sweet Cherry Muffins, and Cozy Pumpkin Muffins too.

Iced orange muffins stacked on a wire rack

Why You’ll Adore These Muffins

There are several reasons why I think you will absolutely adore baking and eating these muffins.

Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: These muffins aren’t overly sweet at all. In fact, they have just the right amount of sweetness to highlight the natural flavors. The slightly tangy and vibrant flavor of fresh oranges really gets a chance to shine in this recipe without being hidden by a ton of added sugar. If you happen to prefer your muffins on the sweeter side, please feel free to add a little extra sugar directly to the batter.
Dreamy Light and Fluffy Texture: I find these muffins have such a lovely cake like texture that is made just a little bit richer and more dense by the addition of yogurt to the batter. It creates what I feel is simply the perfect texture combination for a muffin.
Simple and Sweet Orange Glaze: While the muffins themselves are not excessively sweet, the bright orange glaze truly is pure sugar bliss in the best way. A simple mix of fresh orange juice and powdered sugar creates a delightful topping that enhances the muffins so beautifully. It adds that perfect finishing touch.

Cross-section of a golden-orange muffin showing its moist interior, surrounded by whole muffins.

Essential Ingredients

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to baking these wonderful orange muffins. You will find a complete list of ingredients and the exact amounts needed in the recipe card below, but here are some of the key players.

Eggs: I always recommend letting your eggs come to room temperature before you begin mixing up this batter. This step really helps all of your ingredients blend together much more smoothly.
Vegetable Oil: I personally love the wonderfully moist texture that oil adds to muffins. You certainly can use melted butter instead if you prefer, or even a combination of both for a slightly different flavor profile.
Plain Yogurt: You can easily use regular or Greek yogurt for this recipe. Non dairy yogurt varieties will also work just fine. Yogurt is truly key to achieving that lovely light texture in the muffins and it also adds a nice subtle tang.
Orange Juice and Zest: Using freshly squeezed orange juice along with the fragrant zest from the oranges is absolutely essential for getting that bright, authentic citrus flavor these muffins are known for. Fresh is best here if you can manage it.
Orange Extract: This ingredient is completely optional, but I find it really makes these muffins extra intensely orange y which I personally love. It just boosts that citrus punch.
Pure Vanilla Extract: This is that wonderful flavor that makes your entire kitchen smell absolutely amazing while these muffins are baking. It adds a lovely warmth.
Granulated Sugar: This provides just the right level of sweetness for the muffins themselves. As I mentioned before, these aren’t overly sweet, so if you crave more sweetness, add a bit more sugar here.
Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt: These are your standard, reliable dry ingredients that form the structure of the muffin. They are common baking staples you likely already have on hand.
Orange Glaze: The simple yet decadent glaze that is drizzled over these orange muffins is made from just two ingredients powdered sugar and orange juice. It is truly easy and delicious.

Orange muffins with white glaze and orange zest, presented on a plate.

Preparing Your Orange Muffins

Making these sunshine orange muffins is a straightforward process that yields delicious results every time.

Collage of four images showing how to make orange muffins

Follow these steps for baking success.

Get Ready: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (which is 180°C). Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper muffin liners. Set the prepared pan aside for now.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently beat the large eggs using a whisk until they are lightly combined. Then, add the vegetable oil, plain yogurt, fresh orange juice and orange zest, the pure vanilla extract, and the orange extract if you are choosing to use it. Whisk all of these wet ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth.
Add Dry Ingredients: Next, add the all purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt directly into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Using your whisk, mix the batter until the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet ones. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
Bake: Carefully divide the muffin batter evenly between the 12 prepared muffin cups in your pan. I find using a cookie scoop works perfectly for getting consistent sizes. Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin (it should come out clean). Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before you even think about adding the glaze.
Glaze: To make the simple orange glaze, combine the powdered sugar and fresh orange juice in a small bowl. Mix them together until you have a smooth glaze. You can easily adjust the consistency of the glaze to exactly how you like it by adding a little bit more orange juice if it seems too thick. Drizzle the delicious icing generously over the cooled muffins, and if you like, you can garnish them with a little extra orange zest for a burst of color and extra aroma.

Helpful Baking Tips

Here are a few extra tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way to help ensure your orange muffins turn out perfectly every time.

Don’t have any muffin liners on hand? No problem at all. Instead of lining your muffin tins, simply spray each individual muffin space generously with cooking spray before adding the batter.

Golden-brown orange muffins drizzled with white glaze and sprinkled with orange zest, sitting on a marble tray.

Avoid Overmixing the Batter: This is a really crucial tip for achieving those wonderfully light and fluffy muffins we all love. You should truly resist the urge to stir the batter past the point where the dry ingredients have just been moistened by the wet ones. Mixing the batter too much will definitely create muffins that are dense and heavy instead of light and airy.
Using Fresh Oranges is Key: If you have access to beautiful fresh, juicy oranges, I highly recommend juicing them yourself to make this recipe. Using fresh juice provides the absolute best, most vibrant flavor. However, if you can’t find good fresh oranges or it is not convenient, please know that it is absolutely fine to use bottled orange juice instead. Your muffins will still be delicious.
Tips for Zesting Oranges: The most effective tool I have found for zesting any kind of citrus is a very fine grater. This tool is often called a Microplane grater. This particular tool allows you to remove only the bright, dark orange outer layer of the orange peel while carefully leaving behind the bitter white layer underneath, which is called the pith. It is usually much easier to zest your oranges before you cut and juice them.
Orange Extract is Optional (But Recommended): While the orange extract is technically optional, it adds a truly lovely depth of flavor when you are baking. It is also very handy to keep in your kitchen pantry as it can provide a concentrated orange flavor when you might not have fresh zest available. In this specific recipe, I like using both the fresh zest and the extract together to get the absolute best and richest orange flavor possible. If you prefer not to use the extract, you can simply add a bit more fresh zest to the batter for extra flavor.
Pro Tip for Extra Intense Orange Flavor: Here is a little trick for making the orange flavor even more pronounced in your muffins. Instead of simply adding the zest towards the end when you mix in the dry ingredients, try infusing the granulated sugar with the orange zest first. Use your fingertips to rub the orange zest directly into the granulated sugar before adding it to the wet ingredients. This process releases the oils from the zest and makes the orange flavor much more noticeable in the finished muffins.
Try Making Orange Cranberry Muffins: If you are looking for a delicious variation on this recipe, try adding at least one cup of fresh or frozen (and thawed) cranberries to the muffin batter. The tart cranberries pair wonderfully with the sweet orange flavor. Adding cranberries will also likely yield a few extra muffins which is always a good thing.
Storing Your Muffins: These delicious orange muffins will stay fresh when stored at room temperature for up to 4 days. Be sure to keep them covered tightly to prevent them from drying out. You can also easily freeze orange muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 months. For the very best results when freezing, I recommend wrapping each muffin individually in plastic wrap before placing them in the freezer container.

What to Serve with Orange Muffins

These are slightly sweet and delightfully tangy orange muffins that work wonderfully as a quick breakfast option, but they are also absolutely perfect for enjoying as an afternoon snack.

With Breakfast or Brunch

Pair a warm orange muffin with something more substantial like easy Breakfast Burritos, or keep things a little lighter and enjoy your muffin alongside a healthy Berry Breakfast Smoothie.

As a Snack

Take a well deserved break with one of these delicious muffins and a comforting cup of perfectly brewed French Press Coffee or your very favorite tea. They are the perfect little treat.

A batch of freshly baked orange muffins with white glaze, arranged on a marble tray.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about baking these muffins.

Can I use store bought orange juice?

Yes, absolutely. While fresh squeezed orange juice offers the best flavor, using good quality bottled orange juice works fine in this recipe.

How do I know when the muffins are done baking?

You can tell the muffins are ready when they are lightly golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean without any wet batter attached.

My batter looks lumpy is that okay?

Yes, it is actually preferred. You only want to mix the batter until the dry ingredients are just moistened. A few small lumps are totally fine and help ensure a light texture. Overmixing is what you want to avoid.

Can I make these muffins gluten free?

I have not personally tested this recipe with gluten free flour blends. You might need to adjust the liquid amounts or add a binder like xanthan gum depending on the blend used.

How should I store leftover glazed muffins?

Glazed muffins are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If stacking them, you might want to place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Can I skip the glaze?

Of course. The muffins are delicious even without the glaze if you prefer them less sweet. The glaze just adds an extra layer of sweetness and orange flavor.

What if I don’t have orange extract?

No worries. The recipe includes plenty of fresh orange zest and juice for flavor. You can skip the extract or add a little extra zest if you want more citrus intensity.