Take advantage of rhubarb’s limited season with these Vegan Rhubarb Muffins! These fluffy muffins are refined sugar free and topped with crunchy sliced almonds.
Folks, we’ve had a long road of rhubarb recipe testing to get us to this point. I randomly found rhubarb way back in early February before the season really started and posted this Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp recipe, but back then no one else had found rhubarb yet so I was alone in my rhubarb excitement.
Now, rhubarb has taken OVER the entire food internet, and of course until a few weeks ago, I couldn’t find any more rhubarb ANYWHERE. Then, finally, a few Sunday’s ago, I saw bunches of it piled on the tables at my local farmer’s market.
Of course, I grabbed more of it than I knew what to do with and started testing rhubarb recipes galore in my kitchen. And had recipe fail, after fail, after fail…it seemed as if the universe did NOT want me to be enjoying delicious rhubarb baked treats this year. And that, my friends, was making me very sad, because I want me and rhubarb to be besties.
And on that pursuit to best-friendship, I will not give up – especially when I know rhubarb will be disappearing again until next Spring rather shortly. Thankfully, after a couple not-so-good batches, I got these vegan rhubarb muffins down. There’s also a few other finnicky rhubarb recipes that have been making me want to pull my hair out, but I am determined to perfect them and get ’em to you before rhubarb disappears again. Send me good rhubarb vibes!
But back to these muffins! They’re quick and simple to throw together (like all good muffin recipes should be) and they highlight the tart and tangy flavor of the rhubarb. Rhubarb is so often paired with another fruit, like strawberries, in baking recipes, but I love to highlight the flavor of it all on it’s own.
When developing this recipe, I consulted the rhubarb page of The Flavor Bible (which EVERY cook and baker should have…I seriously have this book open constantly on my desk and I no doubt use it every. single. day.) and saw that cardamom was a recommended spice pairing. I rarely use cardamom, but I had some in my spice cabinet so I added just a hint to these muffins. I adored the slightly lemon-y note that the cardamom added – it paired so beautifully with the rhubarb! Of course, if you don’t have any or aren’t a fan, it can be skipped or replaced with a little cinnamon.
I kept these rhubarb muffins both refined sugar free and vegan as well. The moisture and binding properties of the egg were replaced with applesauce, and I used almond milk in place of regular (though rice, soy, or coconut milk would also work). For the sweetener, I switched out the regular sugar for coconut sugar, which leaves the muffins a little more brown than other muffins – I promise, they’re not over-baked!
These muffins are super moist and fluffy, and the rhubarb almost melts into them, creating these little pockets of juicy tartness! I like a little texture, so I threw some sliced almonds on top for some crunch too. Make a batch of these to keep around for breakfast or a snack – they’d also be a great addition to your Mother’s Day brunch. Go get your hands on some rhubarb and enjoy!
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PrintVegan Rhubarb Muffins
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Ingredients
- 1½ cup (6 oz.) all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ⅓ cup coconut oil (melted)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ⅓ cup non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chopped rhubarb
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease 12 muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
- Combine the flour, coconut sugar, salt, baking powder, and cardamom. Add in milk of choice, applesauce, and coconut oil and stir until just moistened. Fold in the rhubarb. Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups, they should be about ¾ full. Sprinkle the sliced almonds on top of each of the muffins.
- Bake for 17 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Best eaten the same day, but they will keep covered at room temperature for a few days.
- Category: Breakfast
Comments
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Rhubarb is one of those veggies that I absolutely love, but always forget about! And I’ve only had it in pies and crisps, so I’m loving these muffins! They look like little pillows of perfection. Wish I had a few for breakfast!
Rachel says
Haha, “pillows of perfection” – I love that! Thanks so much Gayle.
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
I’m so ashamed to admit I’ve never had rhubarb. It looks too much like celery, which I despise. I should just suck it up and give it a try, starting with these muffins. They look so tasty!!
Rachel says
I hadn’t had it until a few years back but now I LOVE! It does look like celery, but all cooked down, it DEFINITELY doesn’t taste like it. Thanks, Jen!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
These look so great, Rachel. Love that they are vegan and rhubarb – a great creative twist on the usual muffin!
Rachel says
Thanks so much, Geraldine!
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says
To be completely honest, I have yet to join the whole rhubarb excitement. And these muffins seem like a perfect way to start! Love the pictures (and your silver tray! Where did you get it?)! Pinning!
Rachel says
Thanks, Olivia! The tray was a random find at a thrift store last week…I wandered in while waiting for an Uber and had to have it :) sorry I can’t give a link, haha!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I can’t get enough rhubarb this time of year! I wish I was snacking on one of these muffins right now!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Can you believe I have NEVER used rhubarb!? And I’ve only even ever eaten it maybe once or twice, in strawberry rhubarb pie. I will definitely have to be on the lookout for some! These muffins look awesome… definitely a success. :)
Rachel says
Thanks so much, Jess! You’ve got to get rhubarb on your grocery list :)
Medha (Whisk and Shout) says
These muffins look so moist and packed with flavor! I need to try rhubarb stat :)
Florentina says
Just what i need to pack on a plane. I bet they keep pretty well so I can make enough for at least a couple days. I need more rhubarb in my life for sure !
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
These muffins look perfectly moist and delicious Rachel! I’ve been on a rhubarb kick lately, so these are positively going on my breakfast treat list!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
YAY to rhubarb season! So….I have to admit that I’ve never cooked with it but have been super fascinated by it, so I’m going to make these delicious sounding and looking muffins, can’t wait!!
Ashley says
I meant to grab some rhubarb when I saw it at the store a few weeks ago but didn’t … and now it’s mostly gone!! I need to keep my eyes peeled this week because these muffins sound fantastic!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Rhubarb has taken over the internet! I posted a recipe using rhubarb and almonds today too… totally hopping on board the bandwagon. Plus #GreatMinds and all. ;) These muffins look fabulous, girlfriend! Totally can’t believe these are vegan! Amazing! Cheers, girl!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
Would you believe…I’ve never used rhubarb? Like WHAT. These muffins look so insanely delicious that I need definitely NEED to give rhubarb a try. Sharing!
Lucia @ The Foodwright says
These muffins look SO DELICIOUS!!! I’m completely obsessed with rhubarb everything, yet I can’t find it anywhere yet and it makes me so sad!
Rachel says
That’s the worst! That used to always happen to me in San Diego but it’s plentiful here in Seattle – hopefully you can find some! Thanks, Lucia.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
I think I’m the only food blogger out there who hasn’t done a rhubarb recipe ;) That’s okay because it means everyone else can do the hard work and I’ll reap the benefits. I need to make these so I can have them for a quick breakfast in the morning. Delicious! :)
Nicoletta @ sugarlovespices says
They look beautiful and so good with those chunks of rhubarb! And I like the rich color and flavor they get with the coconut sugar.
Rachel says
Thanks so much, Nicoletta!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
What a great idea to use rhubarb in a muffin! These have breakfast written all over them. Delicious! Take care.
Ramona's Cuisine says
Rhubarb is such an underrated vegetable, it needs more coverage in recipes.
I love the recipe photos, so tempting!
Chris says
Thank you for a great recipe! I think you left out adding the vanilla extract in your directions from step 2.
Thank you for so many great vegan recipes!
Geordie Nelson says
This was a great recipe! These were my first muffins in years, and my first vegan muffins. My alterations were using red fife flour over conventional, brown sugar instead of coconut sugar, and I added a sprinkle of hemp seeds and a raspberry or strawberry on top.
Rachel says
So glad you enjoyed them, Geordie! Thanks for your feedback.
Dragon says
Just made these muffins this morning and omg they are AMAZING!! I love a good rhubarb muffin, this is the best recipe I have found! The touch of cardamon is sensational and gives that extra burst of flavour, that accompanies the rhubarb perfectly. Thank you so much! :)
★★★★★
Bakerita | Rachel Conners says
So glad you’ve loving this recipe! The cardamom adds a little something special, right?! :D glad you’re enjoying them!