There’s something magical about combining the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant with the playful, muffin-shaped form of a cruffin. Add a generous amount of garlic butter, chives, and plenty of cheddar cheese, and you have the Cheesy Garlic Cruffin — a savory spin on a pastry that’s sure to be the star of your next brunch, holiday table, or even weeknight dinner.
These cruffins are made easy with refrigerated crescent roll dough, so you don’t need to fuss with homemade laminated pastry. The cheesy chive garlic butter melts beautifully into the delicate dough, creating cheesy, garlicky layers that pull apart with every bite. Brushed with extra garlic butter while warm, these Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are the perfect savory treat to wow guests — and yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Garlic Cruffin
- Quick and easy: Store-bought crescent roll dough saves time
- Incredibly flavorful: Packed with garlic, herbs, and melted cheddar
- Perfect for any season: A cozy winter bread or a summer brunch side
- Freezer-friendly: You can prep and freeze them for later
- Fun to make: Rolling, twisting, and layering is a hands-on, satisfying process
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll sheets
Filling
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3 cups (339 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded (divided evenly)
Garlic Butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Equipment You’ll Need
- Standard 12-cup muffin tin
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Silicone or pastry brush
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll each tube of crescent roll sheet into a 12×16-inch rectangle. If using perforated crescent roll dough, pinch the seams well to seal.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Chive Butter
In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped chives, and minced garlic. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
Step 3: Fill and Roll
Spread about one-third of the butter mixture over one sheet of prepared dough. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
Starting on the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log in half crosswise to make two shorter logs, then slice each half lengthwise to expose the layers, creating four sections total.
Repeat with the other two crescent roll sheets, giving you a total of 12 sections.
Step 4: Shape the Cruffins
Working with one section at a time, roll it up like a cinnamon roll, with the layered side facing out. Tuck in the end piece of dough underneath to secure. Place each cruffin into the prepared muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining sections.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cruffins are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Step 6: Garlic Butter Topping
While the cruffins are baking, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, chives, and kosher salt in a small bowl.
Once the cruffins are baked and still warm, brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture.
Serve warm, and enjoy the cheesy, garlicky layers.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter for a subtle kick
- Different cheeses: Swap the cheddar for shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a milder flavor
- Fresh herbs: Use fresh parsley or rosemary instead of chives for a twist
- Freezer tip: Freeze cooled cruffins in an airtight bag for up to 2 months; reheat in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes
- Mini cruffins: Make them smaller by cutting the logs into smaller sections and using a mini muffin pan
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 4 days
- To reheat, warm in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp the layers
Serving Suggestions
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with:
- A bowl of tomato soup for dipping
- A fresh garden salad
- Roasted vegetables
- An antipasto platter
- Your favorite pasta dish
Nutritional Information (approximate, per serving)
Servings: 8
- Calories: ~420
- Fat: 28 grams
- Carbohydrates: 32 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cruffin?
A cruffin combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the shape and style of a muffin — essentially a hybrid pastry.
Can I use homemade croissant dough instead?
Yes, you can, but it will take more time. Crescent roll sheets are a convenient shortcut that still produces delicious results.
Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely! Prepare and shape the cruffins the day before, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh the next day.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
You can, but freshly shredded cheese will melt more smoothly and taste better.
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Garlic Cruffins are a perfect savory twist on a trendy pastry, with layers of flaky crescent dough wrapped around garlicky, cheesy filling. Baked until golden brown and finished with a garlic butter glaze, they’re irresistibly delicious whether served warm for breakfast, as a snack, or alongside a cozy dinner.
If you decide to try these Cheesy Garlic Cruffins, I’d love to hear about your experience — feel free to add your own twist with new cheeses or herbs!
The Goods
Cheesy Garlic Cruffin
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Recipes
Dough
- 3 tubes 8 ounces each refrigerated crescent roll sheets
Filling
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon chives finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 3 cups 339 g mild cheddar cheese, shredded (divided evenly)
Garlic Butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chives finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll each tube of crescent roll sheet into a 12×16-inch rectangle. If using perforated crescent roll dough, pinch the seams well to seal.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Chive Butter
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped chives, and minced garlic. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
Step 3: Fill and Roll
- Spread about one-third of the butter mixture over one sheet of prepared dough. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Starting on the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log in half crosswise to make two shorter logs, then slice each half lengthwise to expose the layers, creating four sections total.
- Repeat with the other two crescent roll sheets, giving you a total of 12 sections.
Step 4: Shape the Cruffins
- Working with one section at a time, roll it up like a cinnamon roll, with the layered side facing out. Tuck in the end piece of dough underneath to secure. Place each cruffin into the prepared muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining sections.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cruffins are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Step 6: Garlic Butter Topping
- While the cruffins are baking, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, chives, and kosher salt in a small bowl.
- Once the cruffins are baked and still warm, brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- Serve warm, and enjoy the cheesy, garlicky layers.
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