High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (2024)

By Kelley | Muffins and BakingJump To Recipe

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A tried and true High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe, these muffins are eliable, perfectly sweet, and loaded with blueberries.

High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (1)

We are in the homestretch of the school year, people. Only a few days left and then it’s SUMMER. The word on the street is mixed. Some of the mamas I talk to are dreading the end of school and having their kids home all summer. The others, like me, are thrilled that school is coming to an end. I’m so ready for lazy days and no schedule. I’m sure I’ll feel differently come August but for now I’m looking forward to having my kids home for the next few months!

High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (2)

The kids are only signed up for one week of camp and we’ve got one family trip planned. Otherwise we’re on our own. I foresee pool days, play dates, sleeping in, late night movies, and hopefully a few camping trips. I’ve been cooking up a storm and photographing recipes so I’ll be well stocked with new recipes to share here. I’m really looking forward to relaxing with my kiddos this summer.

High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (3)

I’ve tossed around the idea of creating a “summer bucket list” with the kids but keep holding off because I’m afraid if we do a bucket list then we’ll feel obligated to get all the stuff done and it’s just not sitting right with me. Like it defeats the purpose of wanting to have a relaxed and schedule free summer, you know? Maybe we’ll each just pick few things we want to do and call it good.

High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (4)

One thing we’re for sure doing this summer is I’m teaching my boys how to do laundry. It’s time. They’ve always helped fold and put their clothes aways but I’m ready for them to be able to load, wash, dry, fold, and put away. The whole kit and caboodle in the laundry room if you will. So yeah, other than teaching how to do laundry we’ve got nothing planned. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled, don’t you think? #not #butoverit

High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (5)

I’m sure I’ll spend sometime in the kitchen- I can never stay away for long. It’s always been my happy place! These blueberry muffins are my go to and get made on the regular around here. Don’t let the dark edge turn you off- it’s the pan- not the recipe! These muffins are a family favorite and get gobbled up every time I make them. They’re loaded with wild blueberries, not overly sweet, and perfectly simple. I like mine slathered with butter aside my morning coffee while my boys like them in their lunchbox or as an after school snack. Either way, they’re simplicity at their best.

High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (6)

What are your summer plans? Hope you’re having a great week and, as always, thanks for reading! xo, Kelley

photos by Kellie Hatcher/ recipe by Mountain Mama Cooks

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  • Author: Kelley

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Description

A tried-and-true recipe for Blueberry Muffins that works perfectly at high altitude every time!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermill
  • 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425F degrees.
  • Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
  • Combine oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Whisk in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Whisk just until egg is incorporated.
  • Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the sugar/egg mixture. Stir just until combined- taking care not to over mix. Fold in the blueberries.
  • Evenly divide the batter between the 12 muffin pans. Go ahead and fill the muffin tins to the top! Bake muffins in a 425F degree oven for 5 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 375F degrees and cook for 18-20 minutes more. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a cooling rack.

37 Comments

High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (8)Kathy WilliamsPermalink

Hello Kellie,

We aren’t in Orange County, California anymore. Finding suitable recipes for baking in this state can be challenging. Thank you for blogging so the rest of us can follow your lead. Kind regards.

Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (9)PatriciaPermalink

Can I make mini muffins using this recipe? What would be the adjustments for time and temperature (if any)?

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    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (10)KelleyPermalink

    You sure can! Just decrease the baking time by 15-20%

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (11)NervousBakerPermalink

Perfect! I used melted butter instead of oil and I only baked at 375f. Came out delicious and my family is devouring the muffins. Success!

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (12)AllisonPermalink

Finally!! A muffin recipe that doesn’t come out flat! Since moving to Utah, all of my favorites have failed me! Thank you for making homemade muffins successful again!!

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    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (14)KelleyPermalink

    Oh! I’m so glad. My kids love them too. Enjoy!

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (15)Charlotte HPermalink

We just moved to Mexico and are at 5200 feet. This was my first high altitude recipe, as well as my first attempt baking in a Mexican gas oven. These turned out fantastic. I shared them with my new neighbors.

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    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (16)KelleyPermalink

    Lucky neighbors! Thanks for the comment and happy baking!

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (17)JDPermalink

I made these tonight as I wanted to have them for breakfast tomorrow. I swapped the flour for Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat, (stone ground whole grain), and kept everything else identical. I’m trying to be healthier with the carb intake.

I just ate one, what a wonderful recipe. Thank you for sharing. I would not change a single thing. We are at 6800′ and it worked perfectly.

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (18)JeanettePermalink

Could this same base recipe be used for cinnamon crumb or orange cranberry or apple cinnamon?

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (20)Nancee ConantPermalink

Best blueberry muffin I’ve tasted in Colorado! Not dry!

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    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (21)KelleyPermalink

    So happy to hear that! Enjoy and happy high altitude baking!!

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (22)CelePermalink

Perfect at 6k feet. Thank you for a high altitude staple. 🙂

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (23)WendyPermalink

Is it possible to replace all the sugar with coconut sugar?

Reply
    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (24)KelleyPermalink

    I haven’t used coconut sugar a ton so I’m not confident in it’s baking properties. With that being said…..I don’t know why not?! Give it a go and let me know how it turns out!

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (25)RonniePermalink

This recipe is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it. A question about freezing: When I worked at a morning cafe, we would make muffin batter ahead of time, portion into tins and freeze. Then we would take out and bake from frozen. We actually got a higher rise that way. Do you think that might work with this recipe or would it be better to bake now and freeze for later? High Altitude baking is so different. We are at 7,000 feet.

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (26)MarciaPermalink

Thank you for this recipe!! The muffins were delicious and I’ll be making them again. I was lookiing for a Blueberry Muffin recipe and read about your blog for high altitude cooking. I made some modifications (not because I didn’t like your recipe) because the guy at the olive oil store in town told me about making blueberry muffins with blueberry balsamic vinegar and tea rose olive oil. What??? I had to try it. I substituted half the tea rose infused oil for half the vegetable oil and instead of using buttermilk (which I didn’t have) I added 1/4 cup of the blueberry balsamic to 3/4 cup of cream (trying to use it up). I coated my frozen blueberries with a tablespoon of the 2 cups of flour, scooped that divine smelling batter into cupcake liners and baked as you directed. Wow! Heavenly! Next time I’m using blood orange infused olive oil, though. The tea rose was too subtle. Thank you Thank you Thank you! PS…Happy you have a lower altitude version of the recipe, too. Our cabin is at about 6000 feet, but the house is about a 1000.

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (27)Amy EmersonPermalink

Hi! Great recipe; I just made them and they are perfection!

When you say “buttermill”, do you mean buttermilk?

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (29)Blythe MilanoPermalink

Perfect!

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (30)lauraPermalink

These are delicious- thank you! You have a fan in Windhoek, Namibia

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (31)Sarah K.Permalink

Although they rose beautifully & were most, they had far too much. I found 1 Tablespoon of vanilla extract to be both flowery/cloying while also bitter. It overpowered the blueberries to where we could see & feel them, the berry taste was completely masked by vanilla. I may retry with only 1/2 tsp and see if that helps. I want to love these, if I can adjust the flavorings.

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    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (32)KelleyPermalink

    Did you use imitation vanilla? Pure vanilla extract is more subtle than the fake stuff. Adjust away to your taste. That’s the beauty of cooking!

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (33)BroePermalink

Just moved to 7400 feet and I’m excited to try these but would like to make 6 texas size muffins. How would that change bake time?

Reply
    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (34)KelleyPermalink

    I’d start by increasing the bake time by 5 minutes and then checking every few minutes until golden on top and a toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean.

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (35)BrookePermalink

Just moved to 7400 feet and I’m excited to try these but would like to make 6 texas size muffins. How would that change bake time? I’ve tried other recipes of yours and have had tremendous success. Thank you!

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (36)Julie MaxwellPermalink

I made these this morning in Windsor, CO. for friends from Kansas City. They turned out perfectly! I took three to some friends, and their son who is 6, said “these are the best blueberry muffins I have ever had!”

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    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (37)KelleyPermalink

    I’ll take the approval of a 6 year old any day of the week! 🙂

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (38)Ashley PowellPermalink

Hello,

Just wanted to let you know there is a typo for the blueberry muffin recipe. It seems to say buttermill rather than buttermilk.

Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (40)Rachael StalkerPermalink

Hi Kelley!
I have used other recipes of yours but have not tried this one yet (they have all been great!). I cannot find buttermilk anywhere, what can I use instead?
Thank you,
Rachael

Reply
    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (41)KelleyPermalink

    You can make buttermilk but mixing 1 Tablespoon of either lemon juice or red wine vinegar with 1 cup of whole milk. Let is sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to thicken.

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (42)RachaelPermalink

I’d love to try this recipe but I’m not at high altitude. Can you share the link to the recipe for sea level folks?:)

Reply
    High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (43)KelleyPermalink

    I create recipes for high altitude. There are so many blueberry muffin recipes out there for the sea level folk- I’m confident you’ll find an awesome one!

    Reply
High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (44)Ann HowellPermalink

Just made your high altitude blueberry muffins recipe, turned out great! I will definitely be using this recipe again. We at 7200ft. In elevation. Thank you!

Reply

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High Altitude Blueberry Muffin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to high muffins? ›

Option #2: High to Low Baking Temperatures

The idea here is to start the muffins in a very hot oven for just a short amount of time. This activates the baking powder and allows the muffins to shoot up in height quickly. We then turn the heat down and continue to cook for longer.

What is the secret to making moist muffins? ›

How to Make Homemade Muffins Moist: Our Top Tips
  1. Tips to Make Homemade Muffins Moist.
  2. Keep Wet and Dry Ingredients Separately.
  3. Add All Flavorings Last.
  4. Consider Paper Liners.
  5. Don't Overfill the Muffin Cups.
  6. Check the Temperature of Your Oven.
  7. Test if Muffins Are Fully Cooked.
  8. Top Your Muffins with Flavor.
Aug 9, 2021

How do you elevate muffins? ›

5 Ways To Jazz Up Muffin Mix
  1. Add Fresh or Frozen Fruit to the Batter. Our Wild Blueberry Muffin Mix comes with a can of blueberries for your convenience, but you can easily add fruit to any of our mixes. ...
  2. Add a Cream Cheese Filling. ...
  3. Add Nuts to the Batter. ...
  4. Add a Sweet Topping. ...
  5. Make Something Completely Different.

What is high altitude for baking? ›

At high altitudes, about 3,500 feet or more above sea level, foods bake and cook differently than if prepared at sea level. The charts below describe specific adjustments you can make when baking and cooking.

What does adding an extra egg do to muffins? ›

If there isn't enough egg, your batter or dough may not be able to hold its structure or could end up overly dry or dense. On the other hand, if there is too much egg, your baked goods could lose their shape due to excess liquid, or have a rubbery (or even overly cakey) texture depending on the recipe.

Should you let muffin batter rest? ›

Rest the Muffin Batter

The first, most hands-off way to make your muffins pop (literally) is to let the batter rest. Make the batter, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let the batter rest at room temperature for about 1 hour. If you're short on time, just 30 minutes can make a difference.

What to add to blueberry muffin mix to make it better? ›

If you're still on a baking streak, let's take a look at how you can take your blueberry muffin mix to new heights.
  1. Add Lemon to Your Blueberry Muffin Mix. ...
  2. Add More Berries. ...
  3. Cream Cheese Please! ...
  4. Spice It Up! ...
  5. Add a Streusel Topping. ...
  6. Add Nuts and More Fresh Fruit. ...
  7. Use Sour Cream or Yogurt for Fluffy Muffins.

How to enhance blueberry flavor? ›

Lemon: At the very top of the list is sweet-tart blueberries and sharp lemon, an almost unbeatable combination. (But don't sleep on blueberries + other citrus flavors, including lime, orange and even grapefruit.)

How to get domed muffin tops? ›

Giving your muffins a boost of extra hot heat (220C/420F) when they first go in the oven helps the outside of the muffin to set quickly whilst the inside of the muffin continues to rise, resulting in the muffin top/domed look.

How do you adjust recipes for baking at high altitude? ›

Increase 15 to 25°F; use the lower increase when making chocolate or delicate cakes. Since leavening and evaporation proceed more quickly, the idea is to use a higher temperature to “set” the structure of baked goods before they overexpand and dry out. Decrease by 5-8 minutes per 30 minutes of baking time.

How do you adjust baking in Colorado? ›

Turn down your oven temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit and increase your baking time by about 10 minutes. Use only about 1 Tbsp of oil, instead of half a cup. Add more flour (1/3 cup from 1 Tbsp) Add more water (the same ratio as flour)

How to cook in high altitude? ›

As altitude increases and atmospheric pressure decreases, the boiling point of water decreases. To compensate for the lower boiling point of water, the cooking time must be increased. Turning up the heat will not help cook food faster.

How can I make my cupcakes rise higher? ›

You can try self-rising flour and baking soda to get perfect rise on cupcakes, but for cupcakes to have an even rise, You can try use measuring tools. Cookie or an ice cream scoop. You can also try 2 to 3 tablespoon of batter to make even cup cake.

What is the best raising agent for muffins? ›

The two main candidates are Baking powder and Bicarbonate of soda. Yes, they both cause chemical reactions, give off bubbles, cause your muffins to rise.

What makes muffins peak? ›

Peaked Tops
  1. Ingredients were overmixed. SOLUTION. ...
  2. Too much batter in muffin cup. SOLUTION. ...
  3. Uneven oven heating. SOLUTION. ...
  4. Oven temperature too hot. SOLUTION. ...
  5. At high altitudes, leavening gases expand more and liquids foam more quickly, causing muffins to rise more during baking. SOLUTION.

What helps muffins to rise? ›

Muffins rise due to the expansion of gases, such as carbon dioxide, created by the interaction of baking powder, baking soda, or yeast (depending on the recipe you are using) with moisture and heat. Baking tall and fluffy muffins requires a combination of precision and intuition.

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