These delicious gluten-free carrot muffins sure make it easy to eat your vegetables! Enjoy these lightly sweet, tender muffins for breakfast or a snack!

Sometimes you just need a muffin. Something warm and cozy to eat. A way to use up those ingredients that are looking sad. A reason to warm up the kitchen. An excuse to bake something to soothe the mind and soul. These wholesome little carrot muffins can check all of those boxes. Plus they're:
- gluten-free & dairy-free
- reminiscent of carrot cake, albeit a little healthier
- lightly sweet
- tender
- fluffy
- have great texture, especially with the optional nuts included
- warm with cinnamon and spice
Having gluten-free muffins around makes for the perfect afternoon snack for the kiddos or the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for you. These gluten-free carrot muffins are quickly topping the list of our favorite muffins. A list that also includes these gluten-free, whole-grain banana muffins, gluten-free zucchini muffins, and these gluten-free blueberry muffins.
Ingredients You Need

- Gluten-free flour: I tested this recipe with three different gluten-free flour blends: Pamela's Artisan Blend, Bob's 1:1 baking flour, and Cup4Cup Multipurpose flour in the blue bag. They all worked very well in this recipe! I liked the flavor and texture of the Bob's muffins the best. While the Cup4Cup muffins were also great, the muffins baked up a little goofy looking.
- Carrots: Shred the carrots yourself with a box grater or food processor. This will ensure they have the proper moistness!
- Applesauce: Adds moisture and allows us to reduce the amount of oil.
- Oil: Any neutral flavor liquid oil is fine here, such as canola or melted coconut oil.
- Pecans or walnuts: The nuts are optional but I really enjoyed them in this recipe! They add the perfect amount of texture and crunch.
- Other pantry staples: including an egg, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
Making Gluten-free Carrot Muffins
Just like most muffins, these carrot muffins are quick and simple to make! You don't need a fancy mixer, just some elbow grease and a bowl, although you can use a mixer if you prefer.

- Whisk together the dry ingredients.
- Then whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Incorporate the dry into the wet mixture.
- Stir the carrots and nuts into the batter.
- Scoop into greased or lined muffin tins.
- Top each muffin with a sprinkle of nuts, if desired.
- Bake.

Once they've baked, just try to resist popping a steamy muffin in your mouth! I'm sure you won't be able to... I know we couldn't!

Storage Instructions
Store these muffins in an airtight container, at room temperature for 2-3 days. Leftovers can also be frozen.
Recipe

Gluten-free Carrot Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free flour blend,, such as Bob's 1:1 or Cup4Cup blue bag
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup canola oil,, or any neutral, liquid oil
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- ⅓ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans,, plus some extra to sprinkle on top, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a non-stick muffin tin with cupcake liners or grease well.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
- Whisk together the oil, applesauce, sugars, egg, and vanilla.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in the carrots and nuts.
- Scoop about ¼ cup of batter into each muffin cup. Sprinkle tops with extra nuts.
- Bake 20-25 min or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Notes
Nutrition

Carolyn Anne Ollington
just wondering what i could use instead of apple sauce?
Deanna
I've used pumpkin puree and banana, both have turned out well
Kathy
YUM!!! Boy do these look good! Great post.
Katie Olesen
Thanks!!! ?