A high-protein sweet snack that uses up some sourdough discard? Sign us up! Moist, rich, and bursting with flavor—the perfect baking recipe for blueberry season. Enjoy these blueberry protein muffins for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.

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Low-sugar Blueberry Protein Muffins

If you love baking with sourdough starter and are looking for a creative way to use your sourdough starter discard, we have a delightful treat for you—Blueberry Protein Muffins with Sourdough Discard!

These muffins include fresh, juicy blueberries and organic whey protein powder for delectably nutritious muffins.

Blueberry Protein Muffins with Sourdough Discard

Sourdough is a beloved ingredient in bread-making and offers numerous health benefits.

The fermentation process used to create sourdough bread enhances its nutritional profile. Sourdough is easier to digest than traditional yeast bread. In sourdough, lactic acid bacteria break down gluten, fructans, and phytic acid. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with gluten or FODMAP sensitivities.

Muffins are not usually long-fermented, but they can be! I don’t long ferment these blueberry sourdough muffins, but many readers have told me they have successfully fermented the batter overnight in the fridge for easier digestion. You can try fermenting the muffin batter overnight in the fridge before preheating your oven and filling your muffin tin with batter.

Don’t Over-Mix These Blueberry Protein Muffins

One crucial tip when making these blueberry protein muffins is to avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing can result in dense muffins rather than light and fluffy protein muffins, and the reason behind this is the formation of gluten.

Gluten, a protein present in flour, gives structure to baked goods. However, excessive mixing develops gluten strands, leading to a denser texture. To prevent this, gently mix the dry and wet ingredients until they are just combined, ensuring there are still some lumps and streaks of flour in the batter.

This technique allows the muffins to rise correctly, resulting in a tender crumb.

My other muffin baking tip is always to use a thin metal aluminum muffin tin with paper liners. A metal muffin tin works way better than a silicone muffin pan.

Why Are My Protein Muffins Dry?

Dry protein muffins can result from several factors related to ingredients and baking techniques. Here are some common reasons and tips to help you troubleshoot:

Too Much Flour: Adding too much flour can make muffins dry. For accuracy, measure your flour correctly using the spoon-and-level method or a kitchen scale.
Overmixing: Overmixing the batter can cause too much gluten to develop, making the muffins dense and dry. Mix until just combined to avoid this.
Baking Time: Baking muffins for too long can cause them to dry out. Check them a few minutes before the recipe’s suggested time by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean but not dry.
Protein Powder Type: Different protein powders absorb moisture differently. Whey protein, for example, can sometimes make baked goods dry. The blueberries used in this recipe add enough moisture to keep the muffins moist, even with protein powder.
Low-Fat Content: If your recipe uses low-fat ingredients or substitutes, the muffins may lack moisture. My recipe calls for grass-fed butter, which helps keep the muffins from drying out.

What is the Secret to Moist Muffins?

Adding fruit into muffins is the secret to achieving a moist and tender texture that keeps these baked treats irresistibly soft.

Fruits like blueberries, apples, and cherries naturally contain high water content, which releases moisture as the muffins bake. This moisture infusion prevents the muffins from drying out and enhances their softness. Moreover, fruits contribute to the flavor profile, adding a fresh, natural sweetness that complements the other ingredients.

The natural sugars in blueberries also caramelize during baking, creating pockets of juicy, flavorful bites within the muffin. The pectin found in fruits is a natural thickener, contributing to the moist, luscious crumb. Incorporating fruit elevates the taste and ensures that each muffin is tender and deliciously moist.

blueberry protein muffins on some crinkly brown parchment paper. One muffin is torn in half to display the moist and fluffy inner texture.

Storing Blueberry Protein Muffins

Storing baked blueberry protein muffins properly ensures they remain fresh and delicious. Here are some tips on how to store them effectively:

Room Temperature Storage:
- Allow muffins to cool completely.
- Place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
- Store at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Refrigeration:
- If the weather is hot or humid, consider refrigerating muffins.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Freezing Muffins:
- Cool muffins completely before freezing.
- Place muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label it with the date and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Reheating Frozen Muffins:
- Remove the desired number of muffins from the freezer.
- Microwave on high for 20-30 seconds or until warm.
- Alternatively, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat muffins for 10-15 minutes until warmed.

More Sourdough Discard Muffin Recipes

Kaitlynn Fenley Author, Educator, Food Microbiologist

Kaitlynn is a food microbiologist and fermentation expert teaching people how to ferment foods and drinks at home.

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