Name: Blood Orange Muffins
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: ⅔ pound blood oranges (peeled, chopped into small pieces (see Instructions)); Zest of 2 blood oranges; 1½ cups all-purpose/plain flour; 1½ cups less 1tbsp almond flour/ground almonds; 2½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ cup+1tbsp light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; Pinch of fine sea salt; 2 large eggs; ⅓ cup vegetable oil; 1 cup milk (any); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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These delicious blood orange muffins with a hint of spice are moist and fluffy, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or as a healthy snack on the go.

Top down view of muffins and halved blood oranges on rack.

These blood orange muffins are moist but also light and fluffy thanks to the combination of wheat flour and ground almonds, which always yields fantastic results.

Blood oranges have a beautiful red colour and a distinctive flavour, including citrus and raspberry notes. They are delicious as a snack but also make a very interesting ingredient to include in your bakes. Blood oranges have a pleasant bitter-sweet flavour, a bit like grapefruit only sweeter and without the acidity of the grapefruit.

Orange muffins ingredients and substitutions

Blood oranges: it's important to use both the flesh of the fruit as well as zest. If you prefer to use ordinary oranges try to remove the tough membranes before chopping the orange segments.
Flour: use white whole wheat or ordinary whole wheat flour instead of plain/all-purpose if preferred.
Almond flour/ground almonds: help make these muffins light and fluffy.
Baking powder.
Spices: add flavour but can be omitted or you could just use one.
Eggs.
Milk: use any.
Vegetable oil.
Sugar: use either light brown or regular sugar.
Vanilla extract: adds flavour.

How to prepare the blood oranges

Blood oranges tend to have more tender membranes than ordinary oranges, which makes the segments very easy to cut without having to remove the membranes. So they are quick and easy to prepare.

To peel the blood oranges start by cutting off both ends and placing the orange on top of a cutting board on one end. Then cut the skin off downwards all the way around removing also the white thin bitter skin under the peel.

Chop the oranges into small pieces removing the white middle bit and make the muffins (see Instructions below).

Peel and cut blood oranges and yellow knife on top of yellow board.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.Preheat the oven to 400 F/200 C/gas mark 6. In a bowl combine the flours, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and a pinch of salt. Stir well using a whisk. Set aside.

Flour and spice in large yellow bowl with green whisk.

2. In another bowl whisk together the milk, oil, eggs, orange zest and vanilla extract.

2 eggs, milk, oil and orange zest in white bowl with green whisk and zester in top right corner.

3. Add the chopped blood oranges and stir to combine.

Wet muffin mixture with chopped blood oranges and green whisk in large white bowl.

4. Combine both mixtures and stir only until the dry ingredients are no longer visible. Do not overmix.

Blood orange muffin batter in large white bowl with spoon.

5. Spoon the batter into the muffin cases.

Raw muffin mixture in paper cases in muffin pan.

6. Bake in the centre of the oven for approx. 25 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and set aside for 5 minutes then transfer onto a cooling rack.

Serving suggestions

These blood orange muffins are delicious as they are, but you can also decorate them with easy orange or lemon drizzle, melted chocolate or dust with powdered/icing sugar.

Top tips

Blood oranges: Weigh the oranges after you've peeled and chopped them.
Zest the orange before peeling them.
Stir both the dry as well as wet ingredients using a whisk.
The batter: Do not overstir the batter. Stop stirring once the dry ingredients are no longer visible.
Storing: Once completely cooled these orange muffins can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If possible pop in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Freezing: Freeze in a plastic container/freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the microwave.

Side view of muffins in blue and red paper cases and halved blood oranges on top of cooling rack.

Why not check out all my easy breakfast recipes as well as this collection of vegetable breakfast recipes.

Keep in touch!

If you make this orange muffin recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)

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