Cheesy Garlic Cruffins | Flaky, Buttery & Irresistibly Savory Rolls

🎉 Introduction

When buttery crescent roll dough meets the rich flavors of garlic, chives, and melty cheddar cheese, something magical happens—Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are born. These savory, muffin-shaped rolls are flaky, cheesy, and fragrant with fresh herbs, making them the perfect side dish for everything from hearty soups to holiday feasts.

A cruffin is the delightful hybrid of a croissant and a muffin, but here, we’re keeping it easy by using refrigerated crescent roll sheets. You get the signature flaky layers without the time-consuming process of making laminated dough from scratch. Each bite delivers a buttery crunch on the outside and cheesy, garlicky goodness on the inside.

Whether you serve them warm out of the oven, pack them for a picnic, or pair them with a salad for a light lunch, these cruffins will quickly become a household favorite.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Muffin tin (12-cup standard size)
• Mixing bowls (medium)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Pastry brush
• Rolling pin (optional)
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter
• Cooling rack

🛒 Ingredients

Fruits & Vegetables:

• 1 ⅓ tablespoons chives, finely chopped
• 1 ⅓ tablespoons garlic, minced

Culinary Aids & Spices:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Breads & Pastries:

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

Dairy Products:

• 11⁄16 cup unsalted butter, melted (about 11 tablespoons)
• 3 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin

• Lightly grease each muffin cup or line with parchment liners to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture

1. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, and kosher salt.
2. Stir in chopped chives and set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Cruffins

1. Roll out one crescent roll sheet on a lightly floured surface.
2. Brush evenly with garlic butter mixture.
3. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
4. Roll the sheet into a tight log, then slice it lengthwise to expose the layers.
5. Twist each half and coil into a muffin cup.

Step 4: Repeat & Fill the Pan

• Repeat the process with remaining crescent roll sheets until all muffin cups are filled.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

• Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until cruffins are puffed and golden brown, with cheese bubbling on top.

Step 6: Serve Warm

• Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm to enjoy the melty cheese at its best.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12 cruffins
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Bake Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: ~40 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Room Temperature:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Refrigerator:

• Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer:

• Freeze baked cruffins for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen.

Reheating:

• Warm in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes, or in an air fryer for 3–4 minutes.

🥄 Variations

• Herb Lovers’ Cruffins: Add parsley, thyme, or rosemary along with chives.
• Spicy Kick: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños with the cheese.
• Cheese Blend: Mix cheddar with mozzarella or gouda for extra gooeyness.
• Everything Bagel Cruffins: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning before baking.
• Garlic Parmesan Cruffins: Swap cheddar for parmesan and add extra garlic.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Twist: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy burst.
• Mini Cruffins: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized versions.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use homemade dough instead of crescent rolls?

Yes—any laminated or croissant-style dough will work.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes—assemble, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

3. Can I make them without cheese?

Yes—they’ll still be flavorful thanks to the garlic butter.

4. Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

Yes, but freshly shredded melts more smoothly.

5. Can I bake them in silicone muffin molds?

Yes—they release easily and require less greasing.

6. Can I freeze unbaked cruffins?

Yes—freeze assembled cruffins and bake from frozen, adding 3–5 minutes to bake time.

7. Can I add meat?

Yes—try diced chicken or turkey sausage for extra protein.

8. How do I make them extra flaky?

Keep dough cold until baking for the best layers.

9. Can I brush with butter after baking?

Yes—for extra shine and flavor.

10. What can I serve them with?

They pair beautifully with soups, salads, pasta, or holiday roasts.

🏁 Conclusion

Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are a fun, flavorful twist on traditional bread rolls. With flaky crescent layers, rich garlic butter, and gooey cheddar cheese, they’re a perfect side for almost any meal—or a snack all on their own. Simple enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for guests, they’re a recipe you’ll want to bake again and again.

Adam

Cheesy Garlic Cruffins | Flaky, Buttery & Irresistibly Savory Rolls

When buttery crescent roll dough meets the rich flavors of garlic, chives, and melty cheddar cheese, something magical happens—Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are born. These savory, muffin-shaped rolls are flaky, cheesy, and fragrant with fresh herbs, making them the perfect side dish for everything from hearty soups to holiday feasts. A cruffin is the delightful hybrid of a croissant and a muffin, but here, we’re keeping it easy by using refrigerated crescent roll sheets. You get the signature flaky layers without the time-consuming process of making laminated dough from scratch. Each bite delivers a buttery crunch on the outside and cheesy, garlicky goodness on the inside. Whether you serve them warm out of the oven, pack them for a picnic, or pair them with a salad for a light lunch, these cruffins will quickly become a household favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

bake time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 12 cruffins

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Fruits & Vegetables:

• 1 ⅓ tablespoons chives finely chopped
• 1 ⅓ tablespoons garlic minced

Culinary Aids & Spices:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Breads & Pastries:

• 3 tubes 8 ounces each refrigerated crescent roll sheets, chilled

Dairy Products:

• 11/16 cup unsalted butter melted (about 11 tablespoons)
• 3 cups mild cheddar cheese shredded

Equipment

• Muffin tin (12-cup standard size)
• Mixing bowls (medium)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Pastry brush
• Rolling pin (optional)
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter
• Cooling rack

Method

 

Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin

1. Lightly grease each muffin cup or line with parchment liners to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Mixture

1. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, and kosher salt.
2. Stir in chopped chives and set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Cruffins

1. Roll out one crescent roll sheet on a lightly floured surface.
2. Brush evenly with garlic butter mixture.
3. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
4. Roll the sheet into a tight log, then slice it lengthwise to expose the layers.
5. Twist each half and coil into a muffin cup.

Step 4: Repeat & Fill the Pan

1. Repeat the process with remaining crescent roll sheets until all muffin cups are filled.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

1. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until cruffins are puffed and golden brown, with cheese bubbling on top.

Step 6: Serve Warm

1. Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm to enjoy the melty cheese at its best.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature:

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Refrigerator:

Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer:

Freeze baked cruffins for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen.

Reheating:

Warm in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes, or in an air fryer for 3–4 minutes.

🥄 Variations
Herb Lovers’ Cruffins: Add parsley, thyme, or rosemary along with chives.

Spicy Kick: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños with the cheese.

Cheese Blend: Mix cheddar with mozzarella or gouda for extra gooeyness.

Everything Bagel Cruffins: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning before baking.

Garlic Parmesan Cruffins: Swap cheddar for parmesan and add extra garlic.

Sun-Dried Tomato Twist: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy burst.

Mini Cruffins: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized versions.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use homemade dough instead of crescent rolls?
Yes—any laminated or croissant-style dough will work.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes—assemble, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

3. Can I make them without cheese?
Yes—they’ll still be flavorful thanks to the garlic butter.

4. Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, but freshly shredded melts more smoothly.

5. Can I bake them in silicone muffin molds?
Yes—they release easily and require less greasing.

6. Can I freeze unbaked cruffins?
Yes—freeze assembled cruffins and bake from frozen, adding 3–5 minutes to bake time.

7. Can I add meat?
Yes—try diced chicken or turkey sausage for extra protein.

8. How do I make them extra flaky?
Keep dough cold until baking for the best layers.

9. Can I brush with butter after baking?
Yes—for extra shine and flavor.

10. What can I serve them with?
They pair beautifully with soups, salads, pasta, or holiday roasts.

🏁 Conclusion
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are a fun, flavorful twist on traditional bread rolls. With flaky crescent layers, rich garlic butter, and gooey cheddar cheese, they’re a perfect side for almost any meal—or a snack all on their own. Simple enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for guests, they’re a recipe you’ll want to bake again and again.