Why You’ll Love These Tofu and Maple Syrup Muffins
- One-pot, one-bowl recipe: Easy mixing and minimal dishes.
- Moist and tender: Silken tofu keeps the crumb soft and juicy.
- Naturally sweetened: Pure maple syrup adds a warm, caramel-vanilla sweetness.
- Dairy-free and egg-free: A win for dairy-free muffins and vegan baking.
- Protein boost: Tofu brings satisfying staying power.
- Versatile: Add berries, nuts, or chocolate for your vibe.
Craving more cozy bakes? Try our Banana Oatmeal Muffins, these Vegan Blueberry Pancakes, party-ready Crispy Baked Tofu Bites, or sweet-savory Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
Ingredients (One-Bowl Pantry Staples)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour for a wholesome twist)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for warm spice)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 g) silken tofu, drained
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) neutral oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsweetened plant milk (oat, almond, or soy)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (reacts with baking soda for a taller rise)
Optional Fold-Ins
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries or diced apples
- 1 tablespoon orange zest for a citrusy lift
Maple Glaze (Optional but so good)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1–2 teaspoons plant milk, as needed for drizzling consistency
- Pinch of cinnamon and a tiny pinch of salt
Quick Facts
- Yield: 12 standard muffins
- Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 18–22 minutes | Total: ~40 minutes
- Dietary: Vegan, dairy-free, egg-free; easy to make gluten-free
- Skill: Beginner-friendly, one-bowl recipe
How to Make Tofu and Maple Syrup Muffins (One-Pot)
We’ll blend the silken tofu until silky, whisk dry ingredients, then bring it all together in the same bowl. That’s your “one-pot meal” muffin magic.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with parchment liners or lightly grease.
- Blend the tofu: In a blender, combine silken tofu, maple syrup, oil, plant milk, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar. Blend until ultra-smooth and glossy.
- Whisk the dry: In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Combine: Pour the tofu mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined—no dry streaks, but a few small lumps are fine. Overmixing = tough muffins.
- Fold-ins: If using nuts, chips, or fruit, fold them in now.
- Rest the batter: Let it sit 5 minutes. This helps hydrate flour for a moist muffin crumb.
- Fill the cups: Divide batter evenly (a heaping 1/4 cup each). For bakery-style tops, fill to just below the rim.
- Bake: 18–22 minutes, until tops spring back and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool + glaze: Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack. Whisk the maple glaze and drizzle over warm muffins.
- Enjoy: Serve warm for a tender, fragrant bite with a hint of maple and cinnamon.
Pro Tips for Moist, Tender Muffins
- Blend the tofu smooth: Any tiny tofu bits won’t affect taste, but smooth equals ultra-tender texture.
- Don’t overmix: Gentle folds preserve lift for a light, fluffy crumb.
- Rest the batter: Five minutes helps with hydration and domed tops.
- Use fresh leaveners: Baking powder loses oomph; check dates for best rise.
- Maple intensity: Dark amber maple syrup offers deeper, richer flavor.
Flavor Variations
- Maple-Pecan Crunch: Fold in pecans and a pinch of flaky salt on top.
- Blueberry Maple: Add fresh blueberries and lemon zest.
- Chai-Spiced: Swap cinnamon/nutmeg for chai spice and add vanilla bean.
- Chocolate Maple: Stir in mini dairy-free chocolate chips and cocoa nibs.
Substitutions and Dietary Swaps
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend with xanthan gum. Let the batter rest 10 minutes before baking.
- Oil-free: Replace oil with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce plus 1 tablespoon nut butter for richness.
- Nut-free: Skip nuts and use oat milk or soy milk.
- Refined sugar-free glaze: Make a thinner glaze with maple syrup and a spoon of almond butter, no powdered sugar.
- Soy variation: Can’t do tofu? Use 3/4 cup thick dairy-free yogurt and an extra 1 tablespoon oil; texture will vary slightly.
Serving Suggestions
Pair a warm muffin with oat milk lattes, spoon on almond butter for extra protein, or crumble over coconut yogurt with berries for a healthy snack. They’re also dreamy with a drizzle of extra maple.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
- Counter: Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
- Fridge: Up to 5 days; warm briefly before serving.
- Freeze: Wrap individually and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight or warm 15–20 seconds in the microwave.
Tools I Love
- USA Pan Muffin Tin for even browning and easy release.
- OXO silicone spatula for gentle folding.
- High-speed blender (Vitamix or similar) for silky tofu.
- Trigger scoop for perfectly portioned batter.
Nutrition Notes
Each muffin (without glaze) is approximately 210–230 calories, 6–7g protein, 8–9g fat, and 30–32g carbs, depending on add-ins. Tofu brings complete plant protein and minerals. For a deeper dive, see the USDA nutrition data on tofu.
What Makes These Muffins Special?
These Tofu and Maple Syrup Muffins strike a balance: cozy spice, natural sweetness, and a soft, springy bite. The silken tofu reduces the need for eggs and butter—classic plant-based swaps—without losing that bakery-style dome and moist muffins texture. It’s an easy entry into vegan baking that’ll convert skeptics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use firm tofu instead of silken?
Silken tofu blends ultra-smooth, which keeps the crumb tender. If you only have firm tofu, blend longer with an extra tablespoon of plant milk until silky. Texture may be slightly denser.
How do I know they’re done?
Look for domed tops that spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick that comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Can I reduce the maple syrup?
Yes. Drop to 1/2 cup and add 2–3 tablespoons plant milk to keep the batter consistency. Expect less sweetness and slightly less browning.
What’s the best flour here?
All-purpose flour gives the most tender result. Whole wheat pastry flour works well, too. For gluten-free, use a cup-for-cup blend with xanthan gum.
Why the vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar reacts with baking soda to create lift, helping these eggless muffins rise tall and fluffy.
Helpful Resources
- Learn more about maple syrup varieties on Wikipedia.
- Muffin mixing basics via Food Network.
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Printable Recipe
Tofu and Maple Syrup Muffins (One-Pot, Dairy-Free)
Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 1 cup silken tofu (drained)
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup neutral oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Optional: 1/2 cup nuts, chips, or fruit
Maple Glaze
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1–2 tsp plant milk
- Pinch cinnamon + salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Blend tofu, maple syrup, oil, plant milk, vanilla, and vinegar until completely smooth.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
- Pour wet into dry; fold gently just until combined. Fold in optional add-ins.
- Rest batter 5 minutes. Divide into muffin cups.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until domed and a tester has moist crumbs. Cool 10 minutes; transfer to a rack.
- Whisk glaze ingredients until drizzle-able. Glaze warm muffins. Serve and enjoy.
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