Bored of sandwiches for lunch? Try these grab-and-go savoury cheese muffins to change things up a bit. They’re not only delicious but quick to make and healthy too. Flecks of tart apple marry well with salty cheese and there’s also a few spices to liven things up.
Apple and cheese is a classic combination which people have enjoyed for years. They go together like tea and biscuits or strawberries and cream. In other words, neither item is quite as good on its own as it is with the other. The crisp sweetness and tartness of apples cuts through the creamy umami saltiness of cheese. This has to be one of my favourite pairings.
These savoury cheese muffins with apple are very different to my apple chocolate chip muffins. They’re also made with apple and cheese, but they’re sweet dessert muffins not savoury ones.
Savoury Cheese and Apple Muffins
When I’m dashing off to work, I sometimes find making a packed lunch a real pain. These grab-and-go savoury cheese muffins avoid that pain. OK, you have to prepare and bake a batch of them, but you can do this at your leisure and they will last for 3-4 days. And really, they don’t take very long to make.
Slightly more work is needed with these savoury cheese muffins than normal ones because you need to grate both the apple and the cheese. But this only takes a couple of extra minutes. It’s fine to leave the skin on the apples, but if you really prefer it otherwise, just peel them before grating.
Don’t think these cheese and apple muffins are only good for lunch though. I’ve been known to have them for an easy grab-and-go breakfast. They also make a great accompaniment to soup for a simple supper. And, of course, they are just perfect for a healthy snack when the need arises. It’s hard to think of eating outdoors right now, but don’t forget these savoury muffins when you plan your next summer picnic.
They’re particularly delicious eaten warm from the oven. I’m also rather partial to them in sandwich form with a little butter and some cress. But if you can’t face eating the same thing several days running, don’t panic. These cheesy apple muffins freeze really well. Just pack them into a suitable sized container and pop them in the freezer. They will be fine for up to three months.
Don’t Over Mix
Like most muffin recipes, these savoury cheese muffins don’t require much effort. It’s a simple process of mixing the wet ingredients into the dry. The real key to a good muffin is not to over mix. You just need to combine the ingredients with as few stirs as possible. This helps to give a lovely light texture. Use a knife or a fork to stir the mixture rather than a spoon, which is my top tip for preventing it being over mixed.
As soon as you’ve combined the ingredients into a batter, spoon into muffin holes and bake.
Do I Need To Use Paper Muffin Cases
The simple answer to this is no. Just grease your muffin holes with oil or butter before filling with the cheese and apple mixture. I use silicone moulds as the muffins come out really easily.
Ingredients for Savoury Cheese Muffins
What Sort of Cheese Can I Use?
I used mature cheddar cheese as I usually have some stored in my fridge. It’s also easy to get hold of and relatively cheap. But most well flavoured hard cheeses would work in these savoury cheese muffins. Red Leicester, Gruyère or Double Gloucester, for example, would all be good.
Does it Matter What Apples I Use?
When it comes to the apple, it’s best to use a tart flavoursome one where possible. A large cooking apple is ideal. I used windfalls as I have a load of them knocking around in the garden at the moment. But the most important thing is to use what you have to hand. The beauty of these savoury cheese and apple muffins is that you shouldn’t need to go on a shopping trip to buy anything.
Do I Have to Use Quinoa Flour?
I’ve added quinoa flour to this recipe to give a bit of extra nutrition. Quinoa is very good for that. But if you don’t have any or are unable to find any, just use 100% wholemeal spelt flour instead. Spelt creates a lovely light textured muffin and as regular readers know, it’s my favourite baking flour. However, a half wholemeal, half plain flour mix is probably the next best thing.
Can I Use Powdered Mustard?
You can use either ready made mustard or powdered. If you use the ready made, add it along with the eggs. If you use powdered, add it along with the other dry ingredients.
Where Do I Get Sour Milk?
If you’re lucky, you might get naturally occurring sour milk. Leave your milk in the fridge long enough and it will either go off or go sour. You’ll know the difference.
Raw milk is great for this and when I had access to it, I used sour milk a lot in my baking. Having said that, it’s really easy to create a cheat’s version. Just add a teaspoon of lemon juice to 200ml milk. Stir and leave for five minutes to thicken.
Alternative Muffin Flavours
- Swap 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for the cayenne or use a quarter teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper instead.
- Add finely shredded cabbage along with the apple. Or have a go at these cabbage & cheddar muffins with carrot and garlic.
- You can swap the apple for sweetcorn. Or follow my recipe for chilli corn chocolate muffins.
- Add a handful of snipped chives to the mix instead of the apple.
- Swap grated carrots or beetroot for the apple.
- Go vegan and use this recipe for savoury vegan muffins as a template.
- Add a handful of chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch and extra flavour. Or try my recipe for beetroot muffins with walnuts and goat’s cheese.
- Forget savoury and go for these sweet apple chocolate chip muffins made with cream cheese.
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make these savoury cheese muffins with apple, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And do please rate the recipe. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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If you’d like more apple recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious, of course.
Choclette x
Cheese and Apple Savoury Muffins. PIN IT.
Savoury Cheese Muffins with Apple – The Recipe
Savoury Cheese Muffins with Apple
Ingredients
- 200 g wholemeal spelt flour
- 50 g quinoa flour (or just use more spelt)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 100 g mature cheddar cheese grated (reserve 20g for the top)
- 1 large flavoursome apple or two smaller ones – cored and grated
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp English mustard
- 4 tbsp rapeseed oil or sunflower oil
- 200 ml kefir, buttermilk, sour milk or watered down yoghurt
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 180℃ (350℉, Gas 4).
- Place all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and give them a quick whisk. This will make sure everything is evenly mixed and there are no lumps. Alternatively sieve the dry ingredients into the bowl.
- Stir in the grated cheese and apple.
- Make a well in the centre and add the wet ingredients, ie the eggs, mustard, oil and kefir or sour milk.
- Stir with a knife or fork from the inside out until everything is just combined. Try not to over mix.
- Divide the mixture between 12 greased or lined muffin cases. Top with the reserved grated cheese.
- Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for about 25 minutes or until the muffins are well risen and golden on top.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Alternatively devour whilst still warm.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sharing
I’m sharing this recipe for savoury cheese and apple muffins with Recipes Made Easy for #CookBlogShare. It also goes to Jo’s Kitchen Larder and Apply to Face Blog for #BakingCrumbs.
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
I love this flavour combination in a muffin, great idea!
Choclette says
Me too Kat. And once made, they are great for a quick and easy lunch when you’re in a hurry.
Jenny Walters says
What a tasty recipe and just perfect for so many occasions. I actually eat cheddar and apple together most days for my lunch! It is such a great combo so I am loving these beauties. Thank you so much for bringing them to #BakingCrumbs
Choclette says
I have to confess that cheese and apple is often my go to lunch too. But these muffins are good for livening up the combination from time to time.
Michelle Rolfe says
I love a savoury muffin and these look tasty Choclette! I must try them soon, and I really like the use of spelt flour and kefir in them. Michellex #CookBlogShare #BakingCrumbs
Choclette says
Thanks Michelle. I don’t know why I don’t make them more often, they’re really tasty, quite healthy and so much easier as a packed lunch than sandwiches.
Kavita Favelle says
These look wonderful. I’ve not made muffins for too long and even then, the last ones were sweet. These look great for packed lunches.
Choclette says
Thank you. Fabulous for packed lunches indeed and in so many ways.
Sisley White says
I will be making these for the next movie night. I’ve been on the hunt for a while for cheese muffin recipe. This looks gorgeous.
Choclette says
Oh what a good idea. I’ve been having them for packed lunches, but a movie night munch sounds much preferable.
Sylvie says
I love a good savoury muffin and the addition of apples is just great! Couldnt think of a better way to eat more fruits 😉
Choclette says
Hahaha, I’m not sure you’d get much of your five a day from eating one of these muffins, but they go really well with the cheese.
Jo Allison says
I make all sorts of savoury muffins for my boys lunchboxes all the time to jazz things up a bit and of course to sneak some goodness from the certain veggies they would otherwise not touch lol. I will be adding these apple and cheese ones to my repertoire for sure as I know we will all love them! Thank you for sharing your recipe with #BakingCrumbs 🙂
Choclette says
Thanks Jo. Savoury muffins are a great way to get that sneaky veg in, not that these have any. But keep the skin on the apples and they’ll be getting some goodness there.
Rosemary says
I make a lot of savoury muffins as they are a great lunch-box staple but have never tried cheese and apple. It sounds a perfect flavour combination and I will certainly be making these.
Choclette says
They are so good for lunches. Cheese and apple is a lovely combination, but now I’m intrigued to know what goes into yours?
Janice Pattie says
I love a savoury muffin or scone. The addition of the apple is a really nice touch, and these would be great with a nice bowl of soup!
Choclette says
They go with soup really well. We had the last of them with a bowl and it was all very satisfying.
Melanie says
Hello could I use a non dairy milk instead of kefir?
Choclette says
I’ve not tried souring non-dairy milk, so I don’t quite know how it would behave. You really want something that’s a little bit thicker than just milk. So, maybe try adding a little lemon juice as I’ve suggested in the post and see if it thickens up. If it doesn’t it might be an idea to use a bit less milk so the mixture isn’t too wet.
Emmeline says
This is such a great idea! You had me at cheese 😉
Choclette says
I’m with you there, cheese generally does it for me too.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I love savory muffin and using whole grain flours is a great idea. I love the earthiness of whole grain flours and I am eager to try the taste of apple and cheese together. This is a great ‘on the go’ breakfast option.
Choclette says
I nearly always bake with whole grain flours. I’ve done it all my life because not only are they much better for you, but they taste good too.
Lesley Garden says
I love to look of these savoury muffins. Cheese scones are easily my favourite scone, but I’ve never used cheese in a muffin and am now asking why not. Like the addition of apple and mustard to the mix. I will have to try these. Thank you for sharing to #cookblogshare
Choclette says
If you like cheese scones, you’ll love these too. I adore cheese scones too, but these are easier to make, keep better and aren’t as crumbly.
johanna @green gourmet giraffe says
These sound lovely – I’ve tried the apple and cheese combo a few times and not always loved it – esp in a sweet cake – but yours sound great! I am a big fan of soup and scones in winter but it is more picnic weather here!
Choclette says
Yes, I’mm not so sure about the sweet apple and cheese combo either. But it sounds like these would be perfect for your lovely picnic weather. Hard to imagine picnics at the moment.
Helen - Cooking with my kids says
I love the sound of these. I’m very bored of sandwiches at lunch time so these sound like the perfect alternative.
Choclette says
What’s good about them is you can make 12 at once and then they last a few days. I really hate making sandwiches when I’m dashing off to work.
angiesrecipes says
Cheddar and apple are wonderful together. These muffins look fantastic!
Choclette says
Thanks Angie. Apple and cheese is one of my favourite combinations.
Leslie says
I love this recipe! It will be perfect to pack for my son’s lunch. He needs more variety in his lunch box. This is perfect!
Choclette says
These muffins are just brilliant for lunchboxes. You can always leave out the chilli or swap it for something else if your son is sensitive to it.