If you are ready to elevate your baking game with something irresistibly tasty and uniquely delightful, then this Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe is your new best friend. These golden, flaky cruffins combine the flaky layers of croissants with the tender crumb of muffins, all packed with garlicky butter, fresh chives, and loads of melted cheddar cheese that gushes out with every bite. Whether you’re craving a savory breakfast treat, a warm snack, or something to impress at your next brunch, these cruffins deliver a perfect balance of buttery, cheesy, and garlicky goodness that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things straightforward with simple ingredients that are pantry staples but come together to create a flavor and texture powerhouse. Each component plays a key role: from the crescent roll dough’s layers providing that cruffin’s signature flaky rise, to the garlic butter infusing each bite with a burst of aromatic richness.
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets: These create the flakey, tender layers that form the base of each cruffin.
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened: Essential for mixing with garlic and chives to coat the dough for flavor and moisture.
- 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and vibrant green flecks throughout.
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced: Infuses the cruffins with that unmistakable savory aroma and taste everybody loves.
- 3 cups (339 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded (divided): Melts beautifully inside and on top, creating gooey, cheesy pockets.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: Used as a brush-on glaze for the finished cruffins, boosting flavor and shine.
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced: Added to the glaze for an extra punch of garlicky goodness.
- 1 teaspoon chives, finely chopped: Sprinkled in the glaze for a delicate herbal note.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances all the flavors perfectly in the glaze.
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Muffin Tin
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature allows the cruffins to bake evenly and develop a gorgeous golden crust. Lightly spray your standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal after baking.
Step 2: Roll Out the Crescent Dough
On a lightly floured surface, unroll each tube of crescent roll dough into a 12×16 inch rectangle. If your dough has perforations, gently pinch them closed to create one seamless sheet. This helps ensure the dough layers stay intact and bake uniformly during the process.
Step 3: Spread the Garlic Herb Butter
Mix softened butter with minced garlic and chopped chives in a bowl until you have a fragrant, flavorful spread. Take one sheet of dough and spread about one-third of this butter mixture evenly over it. This step is key as it infuses every layer of the dough with savory garlic and fresh herbs.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle one cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese evenly on top of the buttered dough to ensure pockets of melty cheese inside each cruffin. Mild cheddar’s creamy texture and gentle tang make it the perfect match here.
Step 5: Roll and Slice the Dough
Starting at the long edge of your dough rectangle, roll it tightly into a log shape. Cut this log in half, then slice each half lengthwise to form four long strips. This technique creates layered sections that will puff and separate beautifully in the oven.
Step 6: Shape the Cruffins
Take each dough strip and roll it up like a cinnamon roll, making sure the layers face outward. Tuck the ends tightly to keep the shape intact. Place each rolled piece into a prepared muffin cup. This shaping method gives the cruffins their signature ridged texture and structural lift.
Step 7: Repeat with Remaining Dough
Follow the previous steps for the remaining two crescent roll sheets to yield a total of 12 cruffins ready to bake. This uniformity ensures all your cruffins bake evenly and look picture perfect.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden
Slide the muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cruffins develop a beautiful golden-brown crust and the cheese is bubbling enticingly. This baking time is just right to let the dough rise and cook through without drying out.
Step 9: Prepare the Garlic Butter Glaze
While your cruffins bake, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, chopped chives, and kosher salt in a small bowl. This luscious glaze will be brushed over the cruffins after baking to add an extra layer of garlic chive flavor and a lovely glossy finish.
Step 10: Brush the Warm Cruffins
Once your Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe treats come out of the oven, brush each warm cruffin generously with the garlic butter glaze. The heat allows the butter to soak in, delivering a fragrant, savory kick that makes these cruffins absolutely addictive.
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
Garnishes
These cruffins are already bursting with flavor, but a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives or a dusting of flaky sea salt on top elevates their appearance and sharpens the fresh herb notes beautifully. Imagine the bright color and subtle crunch!
Side Dishes
Pairing the cheesy garlic cruffins with fresh salads like a crisp arugula tossed in lemon vinaigrette or a bowl of creamy tomato soup makes for a well-rounded meal. The cool, acidic or creamy sides balance the rich, buttery goodness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cruffins nestled in a rustic wooden basket lined with a plaid napkin for a charming brunch vibe, or stack them high on a tiered cake stand at a party. They also taste amazing dipped into roasted red pepper or basil pesto sauces for a fun, interactive experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe goodies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps their texture fresh while preserving flavor.
Freezing
Want to keep them longer? Wrap each cruffin tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to two months, making these cruffins a convenient grab-and-bake option for busy mornings.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy, reheat frozen or stored cruffins in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to regain their crunch and melty cheese allure. Avoid microwaving as it tends to soften the flaky layers.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese for this recipe?
Absolutely! While mild cheddar is wonderful for its meltiness and mild flavor, feel free to experiment with Gruyère, mozzarella, or a sharp white cheddar for different cheesy profiles.
Is it possible to make these cruffins gluten-free?
To keep them gluten-free, you would need to find gluten-free crescent roll dough brands or make homemade gluten-free puff pastry. The texture may vary but flavor can still shine through with the garlic and cheese.
Can I prepare the cruffins ahead of time before baking?
Yes, you can assemble the cruffins and store the muffin tin covered with plastic wrap in the fridge overnight. Just bake them fresh in the morning for the best rise and flaky texture.
What if I don’t have fresh chives? Can I substitute dried ones?
You can use dried chives but reduce the quantity since dried herbs are more concentrated. Fresh chives offer brighter, more vibrant flavor and texture, so they are preferable if you can get them.
Are these cruffins suitable for breakfast or more of a snack?
They are so versatile! Their cheesy garlic essence makes them perfect for a satisfying savory breakfast, a party appetizer, or a comforting snack any time of day.
Final Thoughts
Trying this Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe is like discovering a little slice of savory heaven. The flaky layers, rich garlic butter, and melty cheddar come together in a way that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, these cruffins are sure to become an instant favorite you’ll want to make again and again. So grab those crescent rolls and dive into the magic of these cheesy, garlicky delights—you won’t regret it!
Print
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cruffins
- Category: Breakfast / Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are a delightful hybrid of croissants and muffins, filled with rich cheddar cheese and a flavorful garlic chive butter. Perfectly flaky, golden, and buttery, they make an irresistible snack or breakfast treat that combines the best of flaky pastry and savory fillings.
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3 cups (339 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
Garlic Butter Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each tube of crescent roll dough to a 12×16-inch rectangle. If the dough sheets are perforated, pinch the seams firmly to seal them together for uniform layers.
- Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, finely chopped chives, and minced garlic. Spread a third of this mixture evenly over one sheet of the rolled dough.
- Add Cheese: Evenly sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese over the buttered dough sheet to ensure every bite is cheesy.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log in half to make two shorter logs, then cut each of these in half lengthwise, creating four layered dough sections per sheet.
- Shape Cruffins: Place each dough section with the layered sides facing outward and roll into a spiral shape resembling a cinnamon roll, tucking in the ends to secure the layers. Arrange each rolled piece into the prepared muffin tin cups.
- Repeat: Follow the same steps with the remaining two sheets of crescent dough, resulting in a total of 12 cruffins ready for baking.
- Bake: Bake the cruffins in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown and the cheese filling bubbles.
- Make Garlic Butter Glaze: While the cruffins bake, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped chives, and kosher salt in a small bowl to create a flavorful glaze.
- Brush and Serve: Once the cruffins are freshly out of the oven and still warm, brush them generously with the prepared garlic butter glaze for an extra burst of flavor and shine.
Notes
- Lightly flour your surface to prevent sticking while rolling out dough.
- Sealing the seams of perforated dough is key to maintaining the layers as you roll and bake.
- Use sharp cheddar or your favorite cheese for richer flavor variations.
- Brush the garlic butter immediately after baking for best absorption and flavor.
- Cool the cruffins slightly before removing from the muffin tin to keep their shape intact.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently to maintain flakiness.
