If you love the irresistible combination of cheesy goodness and garlicky warmth wrapped in a flaky, buttery pastry, then you are going to adore this Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe. These delightful treats bring together everything you want in a snack or brunch item—melted mild cheddar cheese, fragrant garlic, and fresh chives layered inside perfectly tender crescent roll dough, baked until golden and brushed with a garlicky butter glaze. Whether you’re serving these for a cozy family breakfast or an impressive party appetizer, these cruffins will quickly become a favorite that everyone requests again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated by fancy baking because this Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients that each shine in their own way, building layers of flavor and texture that feel special but are effortless to combine.
- Refrigerated crescent roll sheets (3 tubes, 8 oz each): The base for our cruffins, these provide a flaky, buttery pastry that’s easy to work with and bakes up beautifully.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup softened + 3 tablespoons melted): Adding richness and a tender crumb, plus the melted butter is essential for that final garlic brush on top.
- Chives, finely chopped (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon): Fresh and mild onion notes that brighten the dish without overpowering it.
- Garlic, minced (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon): The star of the show, infusing savory depth into both the filling and the buttery glaze.
- Shredded mild cheddar cheese (3 cups total): Melts gorgeously inside, offering creamy, cheesy pockets in every bite.
- Kosher salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the richness.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures your cruffins come out effortlessly from the muffin tin.
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray so your cruffins won’t stick and will have a nice, crispy bottom. Getting this step right sets you up for perfect baking results.
Step 2: Roll Out and Seal the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, unroll each tube of crescent roll dough and gently press seams together to create one continuous sheet measuring about 12×16 inches. This layering is essential to your cruffins’ signature flaky texture and lets the cheese meld beautifully within the dough.
Step 3: Make and Spread the Garlic-Chive Butter
Whisk together softened unsalted butter, finely chopped chives, and minced garlic until fragrant and smooth. Spread a generous third of this mixture evenly over one dough sheet—this garlicky layer will infuse every bite with savory richness.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Cheese
Now, sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese evenly over the buttered dough sheet. The cheese melts during baking to create fun, gooey pockets inside your cruffin, making every mouthful a delight.
Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Shape the Dough
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Then cut it in half to make two shorter logs. Cut each of those in half lengthwise, creating four long strips with lovely layers. Roll each strip into a tight cinnamon-roll shape, tucking the ends underneath. Place these in the prepared muffin tin with the layered sides facing outward so all that cheesy goodness is visible.
Step 6: Repeat for Remaining Dough
Repeat the butter, cheese, roll, and shape steps with the other two sheets of dough until you have 12 lovely cruffins nestled in your tin.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake the cruffins for 20 to 25 minutes. Your kitchen will fill with the inviting aroma of baking garlic and cheese, and you’ll be rewarded with golden brown, flaky cruffins that have puffed up beautifully—perfectly baked with just the right amount of crispness.
Step 8: Prepare and Brush the Garlic Butter Glaze
While the cruffins bake, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, chopped chives, and kosher salt. As soon as the cruffins come out of the oven, brush each one generously with this flavorful garlic butter glaze while they are still warm to add shine and that extra burst of garlicky goodness.
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle some extra fresh chopped chives or a light dusting of Parmesan cheese over the top just before serving. These simple touches boost both the presentation and the flavor, turning each cruffin into a star that looks as delicious as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins pair wonderfully with fresh salads, soups, or even a light tomato dipping sauce. A crisp green salad with a vinaigrette will balance the richness, while a creamy tomato bisque complements the garlic and cheddar perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunch or parties, serve the cruffins arranged on a rustic wooden board with bowls of garlic aioli, marinara sauce, or sour cream. You can also cut the cruffins in half and layer some fresh greens or smoked ham inside for a savory sandwich twist. The versatility makes them a crowd-pleaser every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cruffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep them away from moisture so they stay crisp on the outside but soft inside.
Freezing
If you want to save them longer, freeze the baked cruffins individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. This way, you can enjoy fresh-tasting cruffins anytime with minimal effort.
Reheating
To reheat, unwrap the cruffins and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-12 minutes until heated through and crisp on the outside. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the flaky texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese for this recipe?
Absolutely! While mild cheddar melts beautifully, you can experiment with mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a sharp white cheddar to adjust the flavor profile to your liking.
Is it necessary to use crescent roll dough, or can I make the dough from scratch?
Crescent roll dough is key for this recipe’s signature flakiness and ease. While homemade dough can work, it requires more time and skill, so using refrigerated crescent dough keeps the process simple and foolproof.
Can I make these cruffins vegan or dairy-free?
Yes, by substituting vegan butter and dairy-free cheese alternatives, you can create a tasty vegan Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe. Just ensure your crescent dough is vegan-friendly too.
How can I make the garlic flavor milder?
If you prefer a less intense garlic taste, reduce the amount of minced garlic in both the butter mixture and glaze, or substitute with roasted garlic for a sweeter, more mellow flavor.
What’s the best way to warm leftover cruffins without drying them out?
Reheating gently in the oven is best. You can loosely cover them with foil for the first few minutes to prevent drying and then uncover to crisp up the exterior.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe is a true showstopper that brings warmth, flavor, and that unbeatable flaky texture into one delightful bite. Whether you’re serving friends, family, or just treating yourself, these cruffins are bound to bring smiles and satisfied sighs at the table. Give it a try—you’ll wonder why you didn’t make these sooner!
Print
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are a delightful hybrid of croissants and muffins, filled with garlic butter and mild cheddar cheese. Perfectly golden and flaky on the outside with a gooey cheesy center, they make an irresistible savory treat ideal for breakfast, brunch, or snack time.
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 Glaze
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Prepare the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each tube of crescent roll dough to a 12×16-inch rectangle. If using perforated dough, pinch the seams to seal them together to make a smooth sheet of dough.
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, finely chopped chives, and minced garlic until well combined. Spread one-third of this garlic butter mixture evenly over one sheet of dough.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle one cup of the shredded mild cheddar cheese evenly over the buttered dough sheet.
- Roll and Cut the Dough: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Cut the log in half to make two shorter logs, then cut each half lengthwise again to result in four sections.
- Shape the Cruffins: With the layered sides of each dough section facing outward, roll each piece into a cinnamon roll shape, tucking the ends neatly underneath. Place each rolled dough piece upright into the prepared muffin tin.
- Repeat with Remaining Dough: Repeat steps 3 to 6 with the remaining two sheets of dough and filling, so you have a total of 12 cruffins arranged in the muffin tin.
- Bake the Cruffins: Bake the cruffins in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they are puffed and golden brown on top.
- Make the Garlic Butter Glaze: While baking, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped chives, and kosher salt in a small bowl to prepare the finishing glaze.
- Finish the Cruffins: Once baked, remove the cruffins from the oven and immediately brush the warm cruffins generously with the prepared garlic butter glaze. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute mild cheddar with other cheeses like mozzarella or Monterey Jack for different flavors.
- Make sure to pinch the seams of the crescent dough well to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- Serving the cruffins warm enhances the melty cheese and garlic butter flavors.
- These cruffins can be stored in an airtight container and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
