Hearty Cheese Muffins Recipe

Fluffy Savoury Cheese Muffins Recipe: A Tasty Morning Treat

Warm, golden savoury cheese muffins burst with irresistible flavor that will make your taste buds dance with delight.

These delectable bites pack a punch of sharp cheddar and herbs in every single crumb.

Perfectly tender and light, they emerge from the oven with a gorgeous golden-brown top that beckons you closer.

Each muffin delivers a satisfying blend of rich cheese and subtle spices that complement any meal.

The aroma wafting through your kitchen promises a delightful culinary experience that’s both comforting and exciting.

Weekend breakfast or quick snack – these muffins stand ready to elevate your dining moment.

Dive into this simple recipe and transform an ordinary day into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 215 kcal

Servings: 13

What You Need for Savoury Cheese Muffins

For Dry Base:
  • Plain Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for muffin structure, choose high-quality unbleached flour for best texture.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential rising agents that create light, airy muffins with perfect crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the cheese's richness.
For Wet and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, select fresh room-temperature eggs.
  • Milk: Creates moisture and softness, whole milk works best for creamy texture.
  • Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and incredible tenderness to muffin crumb.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures muffins stay incredibly moist and soft.
  • Chopped Parsley: Introduces fresh herbal notes and vibrant green specks.
  • Crushed Garlic: Delivers bold, aromatic undertones throughout the muffins.
For Cheesy Goodness:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, providing sharp, savory flavor and delightful golden patches.
  • Garlic Butter: Adds luxurious richness and extra garlic punch when brushed on top.

Tools for Mixing and Muffin Success

Equipment & Tools:
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients with plenty of room to stir.
  • Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking wet ingredients smoothly.
  • 12-hole muffin tin: Standard size for creating perfectly shaped muffins.
  • Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients without lumps.
  • Cheese grater: Needed to shred fresh cheddar cheese.
  • Microwave-safe bowl: Quick and easy for melting butter with garlic.
  • Pastry brush: Great for generously coating muffin tin and topping with garlic butter.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for consistent results.
  • Cooling rack: Helps muffins cool evenly and maintain crisp texture.

How to Bake These Cheesy Muffins Right

  • Oven Warmup

Set the oven to a cozy temperature that will transform your kitchen into a delightful baking zone. Grab a muffin tin and give it a quick brush with garlic-infused butter.

  • Butter Magic

Melt butter with crushed garlic, creating an aromatic base that will make your taste buds dance. This magical mixture will coat your muffin tin and add a final flavor punch to the finished muffins.

  • Dry Ingredient Symphony

Whisk together flour and rising agents in a large bowl, creating a powdery landscape ready to become something delicious.

  • Wet Ingredient Harmony

Blend eggs, milk, and creamy additions in a separate bowl, mixing until smooth and inviting.

  • Batter Fusion

Gently combine wet and dry ingredients, folding in cheese with minimal stirring. The key is a light touch that keeps the muffins tender and soft.

  • Muffin Transformation

Carefully fill muffin holes with the thick batter, letting each cup become a potential pocket of cheesy goodness.

  • Golden Finale

Bake until the muffins turn a gorgeous golden brown, their tops crisp and centers perfectly soft. Brush with leftover garlic butter for an extra flavor kick and serve warm to eager taste buds.

Tips for Better Texture and Cheddar Flavor

  • Fold in crispy bacon bits, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, or chopped jalapeños to add exciting texture and unexpected flavor bursts that elevate the basic recipe.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter by using a light hand when combining wet and dry ingredients, ensuring tender and fluffy muffins with a delicate crumb every single time.
  • Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or freeze for up to 3 weeks. Warm briefly in the microwave or oven to restore their fresh-baked softness and revive the garlic butter's delicious aroma.
  • Prepare the dry and wet ingredient mixtures separately the night before, refrigerate, and combine just before baking to streamline morning preparation and enjoy fresh, warm muffins with minimal morning effort.

Serving These Savory Treats

  • Cheese Plate Paradise: Arrange a stunning cheese board with aged cheddar, soft brie, and gouda slices alongside these warm muffins for an elegant appetizer spread.
  • Weekend Brunch Companion: Serve these muffins alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit for a hearty weekend breakfast that will impress family and friends.
  • Soup Side Sensation: Pair these savory muffins with creamy tomato soup or hearty vegetable chowder to add a delightful bread component to your comforting meal.
  • Game Day Snack Upgrade: Break these muffins into chunks and serve as a delicious finger food during sports gatherings or casual get-togethers, perfect for munching between plays.

Storing Muffins for Days Ahead

  • Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep these savory cheese muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out quickly.
  • Quick Freezer Stash: Freeze muffins flat on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. These delightful treats will stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave for a quick breakfast or snack.
  • Reheating Magic: Revive cold muffins by warming them in the oven at 160°C for 5-7 minutes. This method helps restore their original crispy exterior and soft, cheesy interior. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent rubbery texture.
  • Portion Perfection: Divide muffins into individual servings before storing. This smart approach allows you to grab exactly what you need without repeatedly exposing the entire batch to air, keeping them fresher longer.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Hearty Cheese Muffins Recipe

Hearty Cheese Muffins Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Hearty cheese muffins showcase Canadian cheddar’s rich depth, blending sharp and creamy notes in a handheld breakfast treat. Crisp edges and tender interiors invite you to savor each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (200g / 7 oz) cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 cups (300g / 10.5 oz) plain flour, all-purpose
  • 1 cup milk, full-fat or low-fat
  • 3 tbsps (50g / 1.75 oz) butter, salted (or unsalted with a pinch of salt)
  • ¼ cup (60g / 2 oz) sour cream (or plain yogurt)
  • 1 large egg (about 60g / 2 oz), lightly whisked
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ tsps baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda (bi-carb soda)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup (85ml / 2.9 fl oz) vegetable oil (or any neutral-flavored oil, not olive oil)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F and coat a 12-hole muffin tin with fragrant garlic-infused butter, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Liquid Mixture: Combine whisked egg, milk, sour cream, vegetable oil, chopped parsley, and crushed garlic in a bowl, blending until smooth and uniform.
  3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl, creating a fine, consistent dry base.
  4. Batter Creation: Merge wet and dry ingredients with minimal stirring, gently folding to maintain a light texture. Carefully incorporate grated cheddar cheese, avoiding overmixing.
  5. Filling and Baking: Evenly distribute batter across muffin tin, filling approximately 11 cavities. Bake for 22-25 minutes until muffins achieve a golden, crisp exterior and respond with a springy touch when pressed.
  6. Finishing Touch: Remove muffins from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Brush tops with reserved garlic butter, allowing them to rest briefly before serving to enhance flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Butter Coating Technique: Brush muffin tin generously with garlic-infused butter to create a rich, aromatic base that enhances overall flavor and prevents sticking.
  • Mixing Method Matters: Fold wet and dry ingredients with minimal strokes to maintain a tender, light muffin texture; overmixing will result in dense, tough baked goods.
  • Cheese Distribution Tip: Gently incorporate grated cheddar to ensure even cheese spread throughout the muffins, creating consistent flavor in every bite.
  • Golden Doneness Indicator: Check muffins at 22 minutes; look for a springy center and golden-brown exterior as signs of perfect baking, preventing dry or undercooked results.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 215
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 330mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 19g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star