Desserts

Irresistible Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins in 25 Minutes

By:

Christina R. Jones

Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins (Gluten-Free)

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You know those mornings when you want something sweet but don’t want to feel like you’ve wrecked your healthy eating before 9 AM? That’s exactly why I fell in love with these vegan carrot coconut muffins. They’re packed with all the cozy, spiced goodness of classic carrot cake—minus the guilt. The first time I made them, I was skeptical (gluten-free baking can be tricky!), but one bite of that moist, coconutty crumb with flecks of fresh carrot had me hooked. Now they’re my go-to for breakfasts, snacks, or when I need to impress my dairy-free friends. Trust me, even the skeptics will ask for seconds.

Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins (Gluten-Free) - detail 1

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins

These muffins are my little miracle workers, and here’s why:

  • Gluten-free magic: No weird aftertaste—just fluffy, tender crumb that even wheat-lovers adore
  • Crazy moist: Fresh carrots and coconut oil keep them from drying out (no sad, crumbly muffins here!)
  • Naturally sweet: Coconut sugar gives caramel notes without the sugar crash
  • One-bowl friendly: Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine—easy cleanup
  • Freezer heroes: Bake a batch Sunday, enjoy warm muffins all week

Seriously, they disappear faster than I can say “second breakfast.”

Ingredients for Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins (Gluten-Free)

Gather these simple, wholesome ingredients—I promise you probably have half of them already! The magic happens when they all come together.

  • Dry Team:
    • 2 cups gluten-free flour (my favorite blend is 1:1 baking flour)
    • 1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened for less sugar, sweetened for extra indulgence)
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp baking soda
    • 1 tsp cinnamon (don’t skimp—this is the cozy factor!)
    • Pinch of salt
  • Wet Team:
    • 1 cup grated carrots (packed—about 2 medium carrots)
    • 1/2 cup coconut sugar (see notes below for subs)
    • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted but not hot
    • 1 cup almond milk (room temp—cold milk will make the oil clump)
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Baking is flexible—here’s how to tweak things without disaster:

  • Flour swap: Regular all-purpose works if you’re not GF, but reduce liquid by 2 tbsp
  • No coconut sugar? Brown sugar or maple syrup (reduce milk by 1 tbsp) works
  • Oil alternatives: Melted vegan butter or applesauce (for oil-free, but texture will be denser)
  • Nut-free: Use oat milk instead of almond milk
  • Extra binding: Add 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water if your batter seems too loose

Pro tip: Grate the carrots yourself—pre-shredded bags are too dry and woody for muffins!

How to Make Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins (Gluten-Free)

Okay, let’s get baking! These muffins come together in a flash—just follow these steps, and you’ll have golden, fragrant muffins in no time. (And don’t worry, I’ve included all my little tricks to avoid common pitfalls!)

  1. Preheat & Prep: Crank your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly. This gives the oven time to get perfectly toasty while you mix.
  2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a big bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, shredded coconut, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. No lumps allowed—this is your flavor base!
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, almond milk, and vanilla until smooth. Pro tip: If your oil seizes up, just warm the mixture slightly—no stress.
  4. Combine & Fold: Pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Stop before it’s perfectly smooth—a few flour streaks are fine! Overmixing = tough muffins. Then fold in the grated carrots.
  5. Bake: Divide the batter evenly into the muffin cups (about 3/4 full). Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool: Let them chill in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. (Resist eating one immediately—they need to set!)

Tips for Perfect Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins

  • Grate carrots finely: Big shreds = uneven baking. Use the small holes on your grater!
  • Room-temp almond milk: Cold milk hardens the coconut oil. Microwave it for 10 seconds if needed.
  • Toothpick test: Check multiple muffins—edges bake faster than the center.
  • Rest the batter: Let it sit 5 minutes before baking for fluffier results.
  • Rotate the pan: At 15 minutes, spin it for even browning.

See? Easy as (vegan) pie. Or, well, muffins.

Storing & Reheating Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins

These muffins stay moist for days—if they last that long! Here’s how to keep them fresh:

  • Room temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days (great for grab-and-go breakfasts)
  • Freeze like a pro: Wrap individually in cling film, then toss in a freezer bag for 2 months. Thaw overnight or zap for 15 seconds
  • Reheat magic: 10 seconds in the microwave makes them taste freshly baked. For crisp tops, warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes

Bonus: Frozen muffins make killer “emergency snacks” when cravings strike!

Serving Suggestions for Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins

Oh, the possibilities! These muffins shine on their own, but here’s how I love to serve them:

  • Slathered with coconut yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup for breakfast
  • Toasted with a smear of almond butter for an afternoon pick-me-up
  • Warmed and paired with fresh berries for a dessert-ish snack
  • Crumbled over dairy-free vanilla ice cream (my guilty pleasure!)

Honestly? They’re irresistible any way you eat them—straight from the tin counts too!

Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins (Gluten-Free) FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are the most common things people ask me about these muffins:

  • Can I use regular flour instead of gluten-free? Absolutely! Swap in all-purpose flour 1:1, but reduce the almond milk by 2 tablespoons—regular flour absorbs less liquid.
  • How do I make these nut-free? Easy! Use oat milk instead of almond milk, and skip the coconut flakes if needed (though they add great texture).
  • What’s the best sugar substitute? Brown sugar works in a pinch, but for refined sugar-free, try maple syrup (reduce milk by 1 tablespoon) or date paste.
  • Why did my muffins turn out dense? Probably overmixed! Stir the batter just until combined—it should look lumpy. Overworking gluten-free flour makes hockey pucks, not muffins.
  • Can I add nuts or raisins? Go wild! Fold in 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or soaked raisins with the carrots. Just don’t go overboard or the batter won’t hold.

Still stuck? Leave a comment—I answer every one!

Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s talk numbers—but remember, these are estimates based on my specific ingredients. Your muffins might vary slightly depending on the brands you use (especially with gluten-free flours—they’re all so different!). Here’s the scoop per muffin:

  • Calories: 180
  • Fat: 7g (5g saturated from that dreamy coconut oil)
  • Carbs: 28g (only 8g sugar—thank you, carrots!)
  • Fiber: 3g (not too shabby for a muffin!)
  • Protein: 2g

Not bad for something that tastes like dessert, right? All that natural sweetness from carrots and coconut means you’re getting real food energy, not just a sugar rush. Now go enjoy one (or two) guilt-free!

Share Your Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins

Did you bake these little gems? I’d love to see! Snap a pic and tag me—nothing makes me happier than seeing your muffin triumphs (or even the funny fails—we’ve all been there!). Drop a comment below with your tweaks or questions too—I read every one.

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Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins (Gluten-Free)

Irresistible Vegan Carrot Coconut Muffins in 25 Minutes


  • Author: Christina R. Jones
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 12 muffins 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Delicious and healthy vegan carrot coconut muffins, gluten-free and packed with natural flavors.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups gluten-free flour
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Mix gluten-free flour, shredded coconut, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
  3. In another bowl, whisk coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, almond milk, and vanilla extract.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in grated carrots.
  5. Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Let cool before serving.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Use fresh carrots for best texture.
  • Substitute almond milk with any plant-based milk.
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: International

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: vegan muffins, gluten-free, carrot coconut muffins, healthy baking

Hi I’m Christina

I am a creator of delicious recipes. Cooking, baking, recipe development and kitchen consulting are my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food I prepare.

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