Cheesy Garlic Cruffin Recipe

The Easiest Cheesy Garlic Cruffin Recipe For Pastry Lovers

Cheesy garlic cruffins blend the most incredible textures from two beloved pastry worlds into one irresistible creation.

These multilayered delights merge delicate laminated pastry with rich, savory cheese and aromatic garlic notes.

Crisp exterior layers give way to soft, pillowy interiors that melt deliciously in your mouth.

Each bite promises a symphony of buttery, golden complexity that upgrades ordinary breakfast into a gourmet experience.

Flaky, golden-brown surfaces hint at the culinary magic waiting inside these remarkable pastry hybrids.

Culinary innovation reaches new heights with this remarkable fusion that challenges traditional baking boundaries.

You won’t be able to resist the temptation of these warm, fragrant masterpieces.

Cheesy Garlic Cruffin Is a Flaky, Savory Treat Worth Baking

  • Craft Gourmet Hybrid: Blending the flaky layers of a croissant with the shape of a muffin, these cruffins offer a unique culinary experience that surprises and delights taste buds.
  • Effortless Flavor Explosion: With simple ingredients like crescent roll dough, cheese, and garlic, home cooks can easily create a restaurant-quality appetizer that tastes incredibly sophisticated without complicated techniques.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in under an hour, these cheesy garlic cruffins are perfect for spontaneous gatherings, weekend brunches, or as a show-stopping side dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients to Make Cheesy Garlic Cruffins from Scratch

Dough Base:
  • Crescent Roll Sheets: Convenient premade pastry dough that provides a quick and flaky foundation for the cruffin, perfect for easy baking.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter, Chives, Garlic: Creamy base that adds rich flavor and aromatic depth to the filling, with fresh herbs bringing brightness.
  • Mild Cheddar Cheese: Melty, classic cheese that provides a smooth and comforting taste, best when freshly shredded for optimal texture.
Garlic Butter Topping:
  • Unsalted Butter, Garlic, Chives, Kosher Salt: Flavorful finishing mixture that enhances the cruffin with a savory, aromatic glaze and adds a delicious golden exterior.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Cheesy Garlic Cruffins

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab a muffin tin and give it a quick spray of nonstick magic.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough Canvas

Dust your countertop with a light sprinkle of flour. Unroll those crescent roll tubes and stretch them into rectangular masterpieces. Pinch those sneaky seams together to create a smooth dough surface.

Step 3: Create the Flavor Explosion

Grab a mixing bowl and blend these tasty ingredients:
  • Softened butter
  • Fresh chives
  • Minced garlic

Whip them into a creamy, aromatic mixture that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Build Cheesy Layers

Spread the butter mixture across your dough like an artist. Shower the surface with a generous blanket of shredded cheddar cheese. Each inch should scream with cheesy potential.

Step 5: Transform Dough into Rolled Treasures

Start from the long edge and roll the dough into a tight log. Slice it into quarters:
  • Cut the log in half
  • Split each half lengthwise

Repeat with remaining dough sheets until you have 12 delightful sections.

Step 6: Sculpt the Cruffin Magic

Twist each dough section into a spiral, keeping the cheesy layers exposed. Tuck the ends underneath to lock in all that goodness. Nestle each spiral into the muffin tin.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the tin into the oven for 20-25 minutes. Watch for a beautiful golden-brown color that signals deliciousness is imminent.

Step 8: Drench in Garlic Butter Glory

Whisk together:
  • Melted butter
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped chives
  • Kosher salt

Brush this liquid gold over the warm cruffins, creating a glistening, flavor-packed finish.

Tips for Layering and Rolling the Perfect Cruffin

  • Seal the Seams: Carefully pinch together the perforated edges of crescent roll dough to prevent separation during baking, ensuring a uniform and cohesive texture.
  • Roll with Precision: When creating the log, roll the dough tightly and evenly to maintain consistent layers and prevent air pockets that could disrupt the cruffin's structure.
  • Check Golden Perfection: Monitor the cruffins closely during the last 5 minutes of baking to achieve a rich, golden-brown color without overcooking or burning.
  • Butter Brush Technique: Apply garlic butter generously but gently, using a soft pastry brush to evenly coat each cruffin while they're still warm for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Storage Secret: Allow cruffins to cool completely before storing in an airtight container, and reheat briefly in the oven to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Leftover Cheesy Garlic Cruffins

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
  • Reheating in Oven: Warm cruffins at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and gooey cheese center. Wrap loosely in aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying and preserve moisture.
  • Microwave Option: Reheat individual cruffins for 15-20 seconds on medium power. While quick, this method may slightly soften the crispy layers, so oven reheating is recommended for best results.

Great Pairings for Cheesy Garlic Cruffins

  • Savor Robust Red Wine: Pair these cheesy cruffins with a bold cabernet sauvignon or zinfandel, which cuts through the rich, buttery layers and complements the sharp cheddar cheese perfectly.
  • Complement with Crisp Salad: Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the cruffins' heavy, garlic-infused texture and provide a fresh, tangy counterpoint.
  • Match with Hearty Soup: Serve alongside a creamy tomato basil soup or a classic french onion soup, where the cruffins can be used for dipping and soaking up the warm, comforting broth.
  • Cool Down with Herb Dip: Prepare a quick herb-based dipping sauce using sour cream, chives, and a touch of garlic powder to enhance the cruffins' already robust flavor profile.

Flavorful Variations for Cheesy Garlic Cruffin Lovers

  • Herby Parmesan Cruffins: Swap cheddar with grated parmesan and add fresh rosemary and thyme to the butter mixture for an elegant herb-infused version.
  • Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Cruffins: Mix diced jalapeños into the cheese filling and sprinkle red pepper flakes for a zesty, heat-packed cruffin that packs a punch.
  • Mediterranean Feta Cruffins: Replace cheddar with crumbled feta cheese, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and dried oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that transports your taste buds.
  • Bacon and Cheddar Cruffins: Incorporate crispy chopped bacon bits into the cheese mixture, creating a savory combination that will satisfy meat lovers and cheese enthusiasts alike.
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Cheesy Garlic Cruffin Recipe

Cheesy Garlic Cruffin Recipe


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4.7 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Cheesy garlic cruffins blend croissant-like pastry with mouthwatering garlic and cheese, creating a delightful fusion of French and Italian flavors. Crispy, flaky layers promise a savory treat that elevates breakfast or brunch with irresistible comfort and gourmet charm.


Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (339 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Dough Ingredients:

  • 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets

Seasoning and Fat Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chives, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the workspace by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and coating a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray.
  2. Unroll crescent dough sheets on a floured surface, carefully sealing any perforations to create smooth rectangular surfaces.
  3. Craft a savory butter mixture by blending softened butter with minced garlic and fresh chives, creating an aromatic spread.
  4. Generously apply the herbed butter across each dough sheet, ensuring even coverage to maximize flavor distribution.
  5. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese uniformly over the buttered dough, creating a rich and tangy layer.
  6. Tightly roll the dough from the long edge into compact logs, then slice each log into quarters to create individual sections.
  7. Transform each dough section into a spiral shape, positioning the layered side outwardly and tucking the end to maintain structure.
  8. Nestle the rolled dough spirals into the prepared muffin tin, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cruffins develop a golden, crispy exterior.
  10. Whisk together melted butter, additional garlic, chives, and kosher salt to create a finishing glaze.
  11. Immediately brush the warm cruffins with the garlic butter mixture, allowing the flavors to penetrate and create a glossy surface.
  12. Serve hot, pairing with a fresh salad or soup for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Embrace the magic of combining flaky crescent rolls with cheesy, garlicky goodness for an irresistible twist on traditional pastries.
  • Handling the dough requires gentle precision, creating layers that transform ordinary ingredients into a spectacular bakery-style treat.
  • Melted cheese and buttery garlic create an aromatic experience that elevates this simple recipe into a crowd-pleasing sensation.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 360 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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