Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins Recipe

Buttery Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins: A Divine Breakfast Recipe

Small bakeries often surprise us with unexpected garlic parmesan herb cruffins that blend croissant flakiness and muffin charm.

Pastry enthusiasts quickly fall in love with these delicate, savory treats.

Crisp layers of buttery dough intertwine with aromatic herbs and sharp cheese.

Delightful golden edges promise a crunchy exterior that gives way to soft, pillowy insides.

Warm kitchen aromas will draw everyone near as these delectable pastries emerge from the oven.

Home bakers can master this impressive technique with just a few simple steps.

Why Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins Are a Favorite

  • Quick Weeknight Wonder: Transform basic crescent roll dough into impressive pastries with minimal kitchen effort and just 30 minutes total time.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Combine garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese to create an irresistible savory treat that delights both kids and adults at dinner or gatherings.
  • Versatile Party Starter: Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or brunch accompaniment that looks professionally made but requires zero advanced baking skills.
  • Budget-Friendly Gourmet Hack: Achieve bakery-quality results using affordable grocery store ingredients and simple techniques anyone can master in their home kitchen.

What’s Inside Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins

Bread Base:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: Soft, flaky base that creates the signature cruffin texture. Premade dough saves time and ensures consistent results.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic, Parsley: Fresh herbs that add aromatic depth and bright green color. Choose fresh garlic cloves for more intense flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances the buttery richness.
Cheese and Fat Components:
  • Parmesan Cheese, Butter: Rich, savory ingredients that provide creamy texture and golden-brown color. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor. Select high-quality unsalted butter for consistent results.

Garlic Parmesan Cruffins with a Buttery Twist

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Set your oven to 350°F.

Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of your delectable cruffins.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Butter Blend

Combine in a mixing bowl:
  • Softened butter
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped parsley
  • Salt

Set aside 1/4 cup of this magical butter mixture for later brushing.

Step 3: Transform Crescent Dough

Unleash your inner baker by rolling out each crescent roll dough sheet.

Use a rolling pin to smooth out perforated lines, creating larger rectangular canvases of deliciousness.

Step 4: Layer Flavor Explosion

Spread a thin, tantalizing layer of butter mixture across each dough rectangle.

Generously shower each sheet with grated Parmesan cheese, creating a flavor foundation.

Step 5: Roll and Shape Dough

Start from the long edge, roll each sheet into a log.

Slice each log in half, then cut each shorter log lengthwise to reveal beautiful interior layers.

Step 6: Form Cruffin Shapes

Wrap each dough piece around your finger, creating a muffin shape with layered sides facing outward.

Nestle these beauties into the prepared muffin pan.

Step 7: Add Final Flavor Touch

Gently melt the reserved butter mixture.

Brush generously over cruffin tops and sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese for a golden, cheesy crown.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating halfway through to ensure even, golden-brown deliciousness.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack.

These cruffins are divine when served warm or at room temperature – a perfect treat for any occasion.

Flaky Cruffin Know-How with Garlic Herb Perfection

  • Use room temperature butter for easy mixing and spreading, ensuring smooth incorporation of garlic and herbs into the mixture.
  • Pinch and blend crescent roll perforations thoroughly to create a seamless surface for even butter and cheese distribution.
  • When rolling dough, maintain consistent pressure to create uniform layers that will produce beautiful, intricate cruffin textures.
  • Sprinkle Parmesan cheese lightly to avoid excessive browning, and watch closely during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
  • Apply melted butter generously just before baking to achieve a golden, glossy finish that enhances both appearance and flavor.

Save Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins

  • Store leftover cruffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture buildup.
  • Warm cruffins at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior, bringing back their original delicious texture.
  • Briefly heat individual cruffins for 15-20 seconds to warm them quickly, but be careful not to overheat and make them tough.
  • Wrap cooled cruffins individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month and thaw at room temperature before reheating.

What to Plate with Parmesan Herb Cruffins

  • Savor Complementary Flavor Companions: Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins
  • Craft a Wine Wonderland: Pair these crispy, cheesy cruffins with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio. These white wines cut through the richness of the butter and Parmesan, creating a delightful balance that enhances the herb and garlic notes.
  • Craft Protein Partnerships: Serve alongside prosciutto-wrapped asparagus or a light chicken Caesar salad. The savory cruffins complement lean proteins and provide a delicious textural contrast that elevates the entire dining experience.
  • Design Dipping Delights: Create a quick herbed aioli or marinara sauce for dunking. The creamy or tangy dips add an extra layer of flavor that brings out the buttery, cheesy nuances of the cruffins and makes each bite more exciting.
  • Elevate Side Dish Selection: Add a fresh mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette. The crisp, acidic greens will cut through the richness of the cruffins and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the buttery, cheesy pastry.

Parmesan Cruffins Herb and Cheese Changes

  • Gluten-Free Herb Cruffins: Replace crescent roll dough with gluten-free puff pastry or almond flour-based dough for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Garlic Herb Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free alternative.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Cruffins: Swap crescent roll dough with a cauliflower-based dough or cheese-based wrap to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a similar texture.
  • Spicy Mediterranean Variation: Add red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and a sprinkle of za'atar spice blend to the butter mixture for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

FAQs

  • What are cruffins?

Cruffins are a hybrid pastry that combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the shape of a muffin, creating a unique and delicious bakery item.

  • Can I use pre-made dough for this recipe?

Yes, the recipe uses crescent roll dough, which makes it quick and easy to prepare without needing advanced baking skills.

  • How do I prevent the cruffins from sticking to the pan?

Lightly grease the muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray before placing the dough to ensure easy removal after baking.

  • Can I add other herbs to this recipe?

Absolutely! You can experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives to customize the flavor profile of your cruffins.

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Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Herb Cruffins Recipe


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4.9 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Garlic parmesan herb cruffins blend flaky croissant layers with savory herb-infused goodness, creating a mouthwatering fusion of pastry perfection. Mediterranean flavors and buttery textures invite passionate bakers to explore this delightful culinary adventure.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 (8-ounce) tubes crescent roll dough
  • 3/4 cup (170 grams) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (75 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Herb and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick spray.
  2. Create a zesty butter blend by mixing softened butter with finely minced garlic, freshly chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt. Set aside 1/4 cup of this aromatic mixture for later brushing.
  3. Carefully unfurl crescent roll dough sheets and use a rolling pin to smooth out perforated lines, creating uniform rectangular surfaces.
  4. Delicately spread the herbed butter across each rectangle, ensuring even coverage, then generously dust with grated Parmesan cheese.
  5. From the long edge, tightly roll each dough sheet into a compact log. Slice each log into halves, then split those segments lengthwise to reveal intricate interior layers.
  6. Artfully wrap each dough piece around your finger, forming elegant muffin shapes with layered sides facing outward. Gently nestle these into prepared muffin cavities.
  7. Warm the reserved butter mixture and lavishly brush across cruffin tops. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese for additional flavor and visual appeal.
  8. Rotate the pan midway through baking to ensure uniform golden coloration. Bake for 20-25 minutes until surfaces achieve a rich, appetizing bronze hue.
  9. Once removed from the oven, transfer cruffins to a cooling rack, allowing them to rest briefly before serving warm or at ambient temperature.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for easy mixing and spreading, ensuring smooth integration with garlic and herbs.
  • Seal crescent roll perforations completely to prevent butter leakage during baking and maintain layered structure.
  • For extra flavor, add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the butter mixture for deeper aromatic profile.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting crescent roll dough with gluten-free puff pastry or homemade gluten-free dough.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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