If you love the idea of something flaky, buttery, and bursting with cheese and garlic flavor, then you’re absolutely going to adore this Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe. These delightful treats marry the best qualities of croissants and muffins into one incredible handheld snack. With a golden, crispy exterior and a rich, gooey center, every bite feels like a celebration of savory goodness that’s surprisingly simple to whip up. Whether you’re making them for a cozy brunch or an impressive appetizer, these cruffins bring magic to your table with their irresistible combination of flaky pastry and melted cheese infused with garlic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with the Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe is a breeze thanks to this handful of essential ingredients. Each one plays a special role, bringing layers of flavor, melty texture, and beautiful color to the final dish.
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed: The golden, flaky canvas that makes these cruffins delightfully crisp and tender.
- 3 tbsp butter, melted: Adds richness and helps carry the garlic flavor beautifully throughout.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: The star of the show, delivering a fragrant punch that’s perfect for garlic lovers.
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella: Provides that irresistibly stretchy, melty cheese filling.
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese: Brings a sharp, nutty dimension that balances the gooey mozzarella.
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped: Freshens things up with a subtle herbal note and a pop of green color.
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Puff Pastry
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring it reaches the perfect temperature for golden, flaky cruffins. Lightly roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to smooth it out and prepare for spreading the flavorful garlic butter.
Step 2: Create the Garlic Butter Spread
Mix the melted butter with the minced garlic, stirring to perfectly combine. This garlic butter will infuse the whole cruffin with a rich, fragrant flavor, making every bite sing with savory goodness.
Step 3: Brush and Sprinkle the Fillings
Generously brush the garlic butter all over the puff pastry, ensuring every inch is covered. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley evenly on top. This creates layers of cheesy, garlicky goodness locked inside each cruffin.
Step 4: Roll, Slice, and Twist
Carefully roll the pastry sheet into a log, then slice it lengthwise down the middle. Twist each strip a few times to expose the cheesy layers and coil them into muffin shapes. This technique gives the cruffins their signature, slightly rustic swirl that’s both beautiful and delicious.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place your cruffins onto a lined baking tray and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are puffed up with a flaky, golden crust. This step delivers that perfect contrast between the crisp outside and the soft, melty inside everyone will love.
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
Garnishes
While the Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe is a star on its own, sprinkling a bit more fresh parsley or even a pinch of chili flakes over the top right after baking adds an extra touch of color and complexity. A drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil can elevate the aroma and richness even further.
Side Dishes
These cruffins pair wonderfully with a fresh green salad or a bowl of tomato soup, combining crisp freshness or comforting warmth with their cheesy texture. They also make fantastic accompaniments to a charcuterie board, standing out with their unique flaky crunch and melty middle.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your cruffins stacked on a rustic wooden board garnished with sprigs of parsley. You can also offer dipping sauces like marinara, pesto, or a creamy ranch to add variety and encourage guests to get creative with every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover Cheesy Garlic Cruffins, which is hard to imagine, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the pastry from drying out while preserving the melty cheese inside.
Freezing
You can freeze the cruffins before baking by shaping them and placing them on a tray to freeze individually, then transferring them to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This way, homemade cheesy goodness is always close at hand.
Reheating
To bring leftover cruffins back to life, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 to 7 minutes. This will refresh their flaky texture and melt the cheese back into that gooey perfection you fell in love with originally.
FAQs
What can I substitute for mozzarella in the Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe?
If mozzarella isn’t your favorite, try using provolone, fontina, or even a sharp cheddar for different flavor profiles. Each cheese will bring its own twist to the gooey texture and taste.
Can I make these cruffins vegan?
Yes! Swap out butter for vegan margarine, use a plant-based puff pastry, and replace the cheeses with vegan alternatives. The technique remains the same, so you won’t miss out on the flaky, garlicky goodness.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Using minced fresh garlic mixed with melted butter spreads the flavor evenly and protects it during baking. Avoid adding raw garlic directly on the hot pastry or it can turn bitter, so mixing in butter is key.
Can I add other fillings to the cruffins?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with cooked spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or cooked mushrooms. Just be mindful not to add too much moisture, or it may affect the pastry’s crispness.
Are these cruffins good for meal prepping?
They make fantastic grab-and-go snacks or breakfast treats and can be prepped ahead and frozen. Just reheat before serving for a fresh-baked taste any time of day.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe that feels both indulgent and simple to make. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to share with friends and revisit whenever you need a flaky, cheesy pick-me-up. So go ahead—roll up your sleeves, get twisting, and enjoy the deliciously satisfying results. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a beloved favorite in your kitchen too!
Print
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 cruffins
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are delightful flaky pastry muffins infused with rich garlic butter and a blend of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. With a crispy golden exterior and a soft, savory interior, these cruffins make for an irresistible snack or appetizer, perfect for sharing or enjoying as a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Garlic Butter
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese and Garnish
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to allow it to reach the perfect baking temperature for your cruffins while you prepare the ingredients.
- Prepare the puff pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet slightly to smooth out folds and create a workable dough surface for layering the flavors.
- Apply garlic butter: Combine the melted butter and minced garlic, then brush this aromatic mixture evenly over the entire pastry sheet to infuse it with garlicky richness.
- Add cheeses and parsley: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley evenly over the buttered pastry to ensure every bite has a cheesy, herby burst of flavor.
- Form the cruffins: Roll the pastry sheet into a tight log, then slice the log lengthwise to expose the cheese layers. Twist the two halves together and coil each twisted strip into muffin shape for the signature cruffin texture.
- Bake the cruffins: Place the shaped cruffins on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crisp on the outside, with melty cheese inside.
Notes
- Serve cruffins warm to enjoy the best cheesy pull and soft interior texture.
- For a spicy kick, sprinkle chili flakes over the garlic butter before rolling the pastry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack / Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
