Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Muffins (Dairy-Free Option)

This delicious, fluffy Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe is bursting with fresh, tangy cranberries and sweet orange zest, perfect for the holidays!

Three gluten-free cranberry orange muffins stacked on top of one another with the top muffin having a bite taken out of the middle exposing the cranberries.

Why You Will Love These Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Muffins

These gluten-free Cranberry Orange Muffins are pillowy soft and incredibly moist, finished with a delightful crunchy sugar topping. Each bite bursts with the bright flavor of tart cranberries and fragrant orange zest. You can easily make these muffins with fresh cranberries when they're in season, or use up any leftover cranberries from the holidays. They also turn out beautifully with frozen cranberries if fresh ones aren't available. Here are some more reasons why you will love this recipe:

Perfect for the holidays: Their cheerful appearance makes them a festive addition to any table, especially during the holidays for Thanksgiving or Christmas morning.
Easy to make: Despite their gourmet taste, the recipe is straightforward and accessible.

Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Muffin Ingredients

Cranberry orange muffin ingredients. A large clear bowl with cranberries next to a bowl with flour, almond flour, eggs, yogurt, milk, butter, coconut oil, navel oranges, extracts, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

Ingredient Notes

Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make these gluten-free cranberry orange muffins. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Unsalted Butter and Refined Coconut Oil: Using both butter and refined coconut oil is the secret to these muffins' rich, buttery taste and wonderfully soft texture. While you can use all butter or all coconut oil, doing so might result in slight differences in the final texture and flavor.
Orange Zest and Orange Juice: You'll need the zest from two large navel oranges and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Yogurt and Milk: You can use either dairy or non-dairy milk and yogurt in this recipe; both options will work great.
Cranberries: You can use fresh or frozen cranberries in this recipe. If you're using frozen, do not thaw them; keep them in the freezer until you're ready to add them.

How To Make Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Muffins

Here's an overview of how to make this recipe. For complete instructions, you can jump to the recipe card.

A step by step process showing the creation of cranberry orange muffins. Starting with a clear bowl and mixed flours. Next is a clear bowl with orange zest and sugar, followed by a large clear bowl of the wet ingredients.

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients.
Step 2: Infuse Sugar with Orange Zest: In a medium bowl, combine the sugar with the zest from two large navel oranges. Stir and press the zest into the sugar for a few minutes until it's fragrant, evenly combined, and has a wet, sandy texture.

a clear bowl with orange zest and sugar, followed by a large clear bowl of the wet ingredients. The last photo shows the wet ingredients combined with the dry ingredients, and a spatula folding in the mixture.

Step 3: Whisk in Wet Ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the zest-infused sugar. Whisk until well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Using a rubber spatula, stir just until no streaks of flour remain, being careful not to overmix.

Cranberry orange muffin mixture shown being baked in a muffin tin.

Step 5: Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the cranberries until just combined. Then, cover the batter with aluminum foil and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking: Line a standard muffin pan with paper baking cups; if not using liners, grease the pan with coconut oil. Fill each cup to the top with batter using a large cookie scoop or spoon. Sprinkle tops with sugar and extra cranberries. Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F. Then, reduce the temperature to 375°F and bake for another 15-18 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Three cranberries orange muffins with one muffin liner pulled down exposing the muffin.

Storage

To Store: These muffins are best served the day they are made. Any leftover muffins can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
To Make Ahead: The muffin batter can be made one day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
To Freeze: Once your muffins are completely cool, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped muffins into a large zip-top bag or an airtight container. You can freeze them for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, you have a couple of thawing options: either let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator or defrost them quickly in the microwave.

Three cranberry orange muffins, one with a bite take out of the middle showing the crumb and cranberries.

Common Questions

Can I use dried cranberries?

If you're using dried cranberries, you'll want to adjust the amount and preparation slightly. Use 1 cup of dried cranberries, and soak them in warm water for 10 minutes to help soften them up. After soaking, be sure to pat the cranberries thoroughly dry before adding them to your mixture.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes! You can use frozen cranberries in this recipe, and they turn out wonderfully. The key is to add them directly from the freezer – do not thaw them first. Thawing will cause the berries to bleed into the batter and can change the final texture. Just note that the baking time might increase by a minute or two since the fruit is starting cold.

Should you chop the cranberries before baking?

Cutting the cranberries can distribute them more evenly, but it is not necessary.

More Muffin Recipes You'll Love

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I hope you love this gluten free cranberry orange muffin recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.