These gluten free orange cranberry muffins are quick and easy to make in just one bowl in 35 minutes. They’re made with almond flour and tapioca flour and are packed with fresh citrus, dried cranberries and a dairy-free orange icing on top. These healthy muffins are sweetened with honey, and they’re an easy-to-love breakfast on-the-go, snack or treat! They’re Paleo friendly and can easily be adapted to be Vegan friendly as well.

Horizontal image of gluten free orange cranberry muffins. Some on a plate. One on the table next to plate with a bite taken out of it. Orange icing drizzled on top.

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What gluten free flour do you use to make these orange cranberry muffins?

For gluten free and Paleo friendly baking flours, we typically turn to Bob’s Red Mill. Their flours have been a staple in our pantry for years. You’ll see us using their flours in lots of our recipes – from sweet like these healthy muffins to savory like our creamy Tuscan chicken! We love the quality of their products from mill to table and the fact that they’re a local Oregon company!

For these easy orange cranberry muffins, we used their Almond Flour and Tapioca Flour. Both flours are certified gluten free and non-gmo as well. The Almond Flour is made from whole, blanched almonds. You want blanched almond flour rather than almond meal for this recipe. Here’s why: 

  • It is finer, lighter and results in a fluffier texture. They’d be more dense with almond meal.
  • If you used almond meal the muffins would be more of a brown color, so aesthetically they look prettier with blanched almond flour. This is important when it comes to food photography.
Close up angled image of one orange cranberry muffin with a bit taken out of it.

Tips for making these orange cranberry muffins Vegan friendly

These muffins can easily be make Vegan friendly. Just note the color of the muffins will come out more brown than yellow. Here are some swaps you could make:

  • Eggs => use 3 flax eggs
  • Honey => use 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • Ghee => use 1/3 cup coconut oil
Close up angled shot of stacked orange cranberry muffins on plate. Orange icing drizzled on top.

Making the dairy free orange icing

You’ll want to note that we used traditional powdered cane sugar to make the orange flavored icing white for these photos. If you want to stay refined sugar free, make sure to use powdered maple sugar instead. The glaze will turn out brown, but still tastes delicious! I think I actually prefer the flavor of the glaze with the maple sugar. To make powdered maple sugar you just pulse maple sugar in a high powered blender or food processor until powdery. You could also use coconut sugar – I can never seem to get it as fine as maple sugar though.

Close up of two orange cranberry muffins stacked. Top muffin has a  bite taken out of it.

Other gluten free and healthy muffin recipes to try

Overhead image of muffins on a plate with a few scattered off to the side. Orange icing drizzled everywhere.

Your turn to try these gluten free orange cranberry muffins

These healthy, gluten free orange cranberry muffins are great for meal prep to have on hand for breakfast on-the-go, snacks or treats! They are quick and easy to make, made in just 35 minutes and with one bowl for less cleanup, too! Leave a comment below to let us know how it goes. Also, take a pic to share on Instagram, and tag us @realsimplegood so we can check it out! We love to see what you’re making. Make sure to give us a follow if you don’t already – let’s stay connected!


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Vertical split image with text overlay in the middle. Top image is overhead shot of orange cranberry muffins on a plate. Bottom image of one muffin with a bite taken out of it.

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Easy Gluten Free Orange Cranberry Muffins

These gluten free orange cranberry muffins are quick and easy to make in just one bowl in 35 minutes. Easily modified to be vegan friendly too.

Ingredients

Optional icing:

  • 1/2 cup (118.29 g) powdered maple sugar, (Pulse maple sugar in a high powered blender or food processor until powdery. Coconut sugar works or regular powdered sugar.)
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) orange juice, (or non-dairy milk and add a drop of therapeutic grade orange essential oil)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a muffin pan with parchment liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk almond flour, tapioca flour, baking powder and sea salt. Make sure there are no clumps. Make a hole in the center of the flour mixture.
  • Add eggs, honey, orange zest and juice, coconut oil and vanilla extract to the hole. Whisk and then combine the wet and dry ingredients until smooth, and fold in dried cranberries.
  • Scoop mixture into lined muffin tin, and transfer to oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • While the muffins cool, make optional topping if using. Whisk powdered maple sugar and orange juice in a small bowl.
  • Once muffins have cooled, drizzle with topping and serve. Enjoy. Store in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge to keep longer.

Last Step:

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Easy Gluten Free Orange Cranberry MuffinsEasy Gluten Free Orange Cranberry Muffins