Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line cups with paper liners.

Stir flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl; make a well in the center.

Beat egg with a fork in a small bowl or 2-cup measuring cup; whisk in milk and oil.

Pour egg mixture all at once into flour mixture; mix quickly and lightly with a fork until just moistened. The batter will be lumpy. (Fold in additional ingredients if using; see variations below).

Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.

Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 25 minutes.

Enjoy! Get back to basics with this top-rated muffin recipe that comes together easily with kitchen staples.