Quick & Easy Savory Cheddar Dill Muffins

These Cheddar Dill Muffins are wonderfully savory, impossibly moist, and packed with cheesy goodness and bright, fresh dill. I find them completely irresistible, making them the perfect quick bite or simple side dish. They are a delightful departure from sweet baked goods, offering a satisfyingly dense yet tender texture that’s ready in about 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love Cheddar Dill Muffins

These savory muffins are a favorite for so many great reasons.

• Simple Preparation: They come together incredibly fast with only about 10 minutes of hands-on work. Then they bake in the oven for just 20 minutes. It’s a truly speedy recipe.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy these muffins for breakfast with your morning coffee, grab one as a quick snack, or serve them alongside your dinner. They fit into any mealtime need.
• Outstanding Taste and Texture: The combination of sharp cheddar cheese, fragrant dill, and a perfectly moist and tender crumb makes these muffins absolutely dreamy.

Ingredients

The full, detailed recipe card with exact measurements is available further down. Here is a little more information about the key ingredients needed.

• All-Purpose Flour: This provides the main structure for your muffins. It’s a standard base that works beautifully here.
• Baking Powder: This leavening agent is essential for giving the muffins a good rise and a lighter, more tender texture.
• Salt: Just a touch of salt helps to enhance all the savory flavors in the batter.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the savory elements without making the muffins taste sweet. It brings out the best in the other flavors.
• Dill: Freshly chopped dill is usually my first choice for its vibrant flavor. If fresh isn’t available, you can use freeze-dried dill or even dried dill in a pinch, adjusting the amount slightly as needed.
• Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding all the ingredients together and contributing to the overall structure of the muffins.
• Plain Yogurt: Using plain yogurt adds a subtle tang that complements the sharpness of the cheddar and the freshness of the dill. It’s also key to achieving that wonderfully moist texture.
• Milk: Additional moisture comes from the milk, ensuring the muffins aren’t dry. You can use whatever type of milk you typically have on hand.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds richness and moisture. I recommend unsalted butter so you have full control over the saltiness level of the finished muffins. Be sure it’s melted before you add it.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is a fantastic choice for these muffins. For the best texture and flavor distribution, I suggest using cheese you shred yourself from a block.

How to Make Cheddar Dill Muffins

Making these savory muffins is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for delicious results.

1. Start by combining your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. This includes sifting together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. This mixture should contain the egg, yogurt, milk, and melted butter. Once those are combined, stir the chopped dill into the wet ingredients. Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir everything gently until they are just combined. Be careful not to over-mix at this stage. Finally, gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.
2. Prepare your muffin pan by greasing it well or using paper liners. Fill each cup in the prepared pan with the batter, aiming to fill them about two-thirds full. Place the pan in your preheated oven set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Bake the muffins for roughly 20 minutes. You’ll know they are finished baking when you can insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin and it comes out clean, without any wet batter sticking to it.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need any fancy gadgets to make these muffins, but having a few basic kitchen tools on hand will help.

• Muffin pan
• Large mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or fork
• Spatula or wooden spoon for mixing
• Cooling rack (optional)
• Toothpicks for checking doneness

What to Serve with Cheddar Dill Muffins

These cheddar dill muffins are great on their own as a snack or light breakfast. They are also fantastic served as a side dish with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas for pairings.

• Alongside a hearty soup or chili. Their savory flavor complements many warm dishes.
• With scrambled eggs or an omelet for a satisfying breakfast.
• As a side for grilled chicken or fish.
• Next to a fresh green salad for a light lunch.
• Served warm with a little extra butter.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Keep these simple tips in mind for the best possible cheddar dill muffins.

• Prepare the muffin tin properly. Greasing your muffin pan with butter or cooking spray, or using paper liners, ensures the muffins won’t stick and are easy to remove after baking.
• Sift your dry ingredients. Taking a moment to sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar together helps prevent lumps in your batter, leading to a smoother texture.
• Do not over-mix the batter. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until they are just combined. Over-mixing develops the gluten too much, which can result in tough, dense muffins instead of light and tender ones.
• Check for doneness correctly. The toothpick test is the most reliable way to know if your muffins are fully baked. Insert a toothpick into the thickest part of a center muffin. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached, they are ready. If you see wet batter, give them a few more minutes.
• Let them cool slightly in the pan. Allowing the muffins to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack helps them set up. This makes them less likely to break when you take them out.

Variations and Substitutions

Feel free to get creative and adapt this recipe to your liking.

• Add some protein. For a heartier muffin, try folding in some cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham along with the cheese.
• Swap the cheese. While cheddar is classic, these muffins are also delicious with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Swiss, or a blend of cheeses.
• Experiment with herbs. Not a fan of dill? You could substitute other fresh herbs like chopped chives, parsley, rosemary, or thyme.
• Bring on the heat. For a bit of spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the dry ingredients. You could also swap the dill for diced canned green chiles for a Tex-Mex twist.
• Make them gluten-free. You can often swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, following the package instructions for any necessary adjustments.

Storage Instructions

Storing your leftover cheddar dill muffins is easy. Keep them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about 2-3 days.

To enjoy them again, you can serve them at room temperature or warm them up slightly in the microwave for a few seconds.

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