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    Home » Breakfast/Brunch

    Vegan Oatmeal Muffins

    The vegan recipe developer and author Connie Edwards McGaughy in her kitchen.
    Modified: Apr 19, 2026 · Published: Feb 22, 2020 by Connie Edwards McGaughy · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Vegan oatmeal muffins ☀️ Mornings just got brighter with these simply yummy, lightly sweet and satisfying plant-based and oil-free oatmeal muffins. Perfect as an easy grab and go breakfast or snack. Gluten-free option.

    Vegan oatmeal muffins on a plate.

    Oatmeal muffins are perfect to nibble on over a leisurely cup of coffee or tea or as a quick grab & go breakfast on the run. Loaded with the goodness of oats, 100 % vegan and oil-free, you can enjoy these vegan oatmeal muffins, 100% guilt-free! This recipe can also be prepared gluten-free. (See my notes on the recipe below).

    Oatmeal is one of the most popular ingredients used in many breakfast and baked good recipes like my favorite homemade oatmeal cookies and cranberry oat crumble bars. If you love muffins, be sure to check out or recipes for vegan blueberry muffins, and the best ever vegan banana muffins you've ever had!

    A vegan oatmeal muffin and a cup of coffee.

    "Wow these muffin's are fantastic. Thank you for another great recipe. I made the gf version and added coconut, craisins and pecans. Perfect for breakfast. Thank you." Linda

    How to make vegan oatmeal muffins

    We wanted to create a super yummy plant based oatmeal muffin recipe that had just the right texture and was 100% oil-free. Subtly sweet and full of flavor, with just enough spice with cinnamon and nutmeg, and a bright splash of fresh lemon and zest. This recipe is ideally suited to add other ingredients of your liking, such as:

    🥕Variations

    • Blueberries
    • Fresh or dried cranberries
    • Raisins
    • Dried cherries
    • Walnuts or pecans
    • Coconut
    • Diced apples
    A variety of vegan oatmeal muffins in a pan.
    A variety of vegan oatmeal muffins on a plate.

    🥕See the printable recipe below for complete details.

    Ingredients

    • Non-dairy milk
    • Quick cook oats
    • All-purpose flour
    • Baking powder
    • Baking soda
    • Cinnamon
    • Nutmeg
    • Salt
    • Brown sugar
    • Vegan egg replacer
    • Vanilla
    • Apple sauce
    • Lemon juice
    • Lemon zest
    Vegan oatmeal muffins on a plate.

    How to make this recipe gluten-free

    If you would like to make gluten-free muffins, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 all purpose gluten-free flour of your choice, or you can make your own using this blend:

    • 3 cups white rice flour
    • 3 cups potato starch
    • 2 cups sorghum flour
    • 4 teaspoon xanthan gum

    Whisk together in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container or at room temperature up to 3 months.

    Vegan oatmeal muffins on a plate.

    Love muffins & quick breads? Try these!

    A collage featuring vegan muffins and quickbreads including blackberry crumble muffins, banana bread, lemon blueberry bread, and oatmeal muffins.

    If you love this recipe ★★★★★ please be sure to rate it below! Sharing your experience lets me know that you enjoyed it and will help other readers decide if they should give the recipe a try too. Thanks a bunch!🥕

    Recipe

    vegan banana oat muffins

    Vegan Oatmeal Muffins

    5 from 3 votes
    by Connie Edwards McGaughy
    Mornings just got brighter with these delicious & nutritious all vegan and oil-free oatmeal muffins. This recipe is easy to adjust to make it gluten-free (see notes at the bottom of the recipe). Moist, lightly sweet and satisfying, you'll feel great starting your day off right!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 22 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American, oil-free, Plant Based, Vegan, whole food
    Servings 12
    Calories 97 kcal

    Equipment

    • Medium mixing bowl
    • large bowl
    • Measuring cup
    • Measuring spoons
    • Wire whisk
    • One rubber or silicone spatula
    • Cupcake/muffin pan
    • cupcake liners

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 C non-dairy milk
    • 1 C oats
    • 1-½ C all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ C apple sauce
    • ½ C brown sugar packed
    • 1 vegan egg replacer equivalent of one egg using vegan egg replacer
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 lemon juiced
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 425°
    • Fill muffin pan with paper liners
    • Soak oatmeal in milk for at least 10 minutes
    • In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients (except sugar). Make a well in the center.
    • In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine sugar and all wet ingredients and lemon zest
    • Add wet ingredients plus the oat and milk mixture to dry, stirring until just combined. Add any extra ingredients to batter. Don't over stir.
    • Spoon batter evenly into the 12 cups. Sprinkle top of each with a pinch of rolled oats and granulated sugar, if desired.
    • Bake on center rack in oven, at 425° for 5 minutes. Lower heat to 350° and continue baking for 16-17 minutes.
    • When ready, muffins should be golden-brown on top and the centers spring back when lightly pressed.
    • Allow muffins to cool for a few minutes before removing from muffin tin. Place on wire rack to continue cooling.

    Notes

    🥕If you add frozen blueberries, dust them in flour before adding to the batter. It helps keep them from sinking and from discoloring the batter.
    🥕We used applesauce instead of oil in these marvelous muffins. You can add a light vegetable or coconut oil if you want a fluffier texture by replacing the applesauce with oil. 
    🥕To make gluten-free muffins, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour of your choice. This is a brand I have used and recommend for gluten-free flour.
    🥕Nutritional values will vary depending on any additional or alternate ingredients not listed not the recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 156mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it below & tell us how it was!

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    About Connie Edwards McGaughy

    Connie Edwards McGaughy is a San Diego-based vegan recipe developer, cookbook author, and founder of The Carrot Underground. She began her journey toward plant-based living in 1977 and has spent nearly five decades creating plant-based recipes and inspiring compassionate living.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Becky says

      March 02, 2025 at 6:46 am

      5 stars
      Just made these and they are exactly what i want in a vegan muffin. I used oil instead of applesauce because thats what i had. Ive had 2 already so did my husband. I think i will freeze the rest because i love this for a quick breakfast with a strong cup of coffee.!

      Reply
      • Connie says

        March 02, 2025 at 10:56 pm

        Hi Becky! I'm so happy that you and your husband enjoyed the oat muffins! Now I wish I had some to go with my coffee tomorrow morning.😊 Thank you for your great comments!

        Reply
    2. Linda Nienhuis says

      May 11, 2023 at 9:29 am

      5 stars
      Wow these muffin’s are fantastic. Thank you for another great recipe. I made the gf version and added coconut, craisins and pecans. Perfect for breakfast. Thank you. 💕

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy says

        May 11, 2023 at 12:00 pm

        Yum! I love your choice of add-ins! I'm so happy you enjoyed the muffins & really appreciate you for letting me know. Thank you Linda!💚🥕

        Reply
    3. Connie Edwards McGaughy says

      January 19, 2022 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      Who doesn't love muffins? Particularly oatmeal muffins! You can enjoy indulging in this delish oil-free recipe!

      Reply
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