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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Baked Goods

Savoury Muffins with Cheese and Vegetables

Nov 6, 2024 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 9 Comments

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Diet: Vegetarian
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Savoury muffins with a text title overlay.
Savoury muffins with a text title overlay.

A quick and easy savoury muffin recipe, that is packed full of cheese and vegetables. Perfect for putting in packed lunches for kids and grown-ups, for picnics or lunch on the go. Light savoury muffins with sweetcorn, peas, carrots and courgette are a great way to get more veg into your kids' diet. They freeze well too - so make a big batch.

Savoury muffins on a wooden board next to a tea towel.

We make this savoury muffin recipe a couple of times a month and keep a stash in the freezer for the kid's lunch boxes. Packed with 4 different vegetables, this veg muffin recipe is great if your kids aren't big fans of vegetables, as the flavour of the cheese kids them!

If you are looking for some more vegetable packed recipes, why not try our comforting Vegetable Pasta Bake, easy Creamy Vegetable Soup or our super quick 10 Minute Vegetable Teriyaki?

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love It
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • How to Make Savoury Muffins- Step by Step
  • Serving Suggstions
  • Storage
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Savoury Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why You Will Love It

  • Quick and easy - Only 5 minute prep goes into making these cheese muffins and there is minimal washing up too.
  • Adaptable - These mini savoury muffins are so easy to adapt with different cheese and vegetables. Carry on reading for all our suggestions.
  • Lunchbox filler - These make a great lunch box filler, and you can be happy knowing your kids are having some vegetables. Not just for kids though, grown-ups will love them in the packed lunch too.
  • Kids LOVE them - The vegetables aren't exactly hidden, but these are cheesy enough that kids love them. Slather them in butter too!

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Flour - We used self raising flour to get a rise out of the muffins. If you don't have self raising, you can make your own with plain flour and baking powder.
  • Baking powder - This is to get the muffins light and fluffy.
  • Salt - It helps to bring out all the other flavours. If you are making these for little kids, then leave the salt out.
  • Sweetcorn and peas - We used frozen as that is what we had and we find it much easier. If you used canned sweetcorn, then it would give a sweeter flavour.
  • Courgette and carrot - This is an easy way to add some extra vegetables and they are grated so are fairly hidden. Make sure to squeeze the liquid out so the muffins are not too wet.
  • Cheese - This is where most of the flavour comes from, so try to use a cheese with a strong flavour. We used a mature cheddar, but there are some suggestions below for other cheeses.
  • Oil - We used vegetable oil, but sunflower oil will work too. Don't use oil with a strong flavour like olive oil.
  • Eggs - We use medium eggs. Use room temperature eggs for best results.
  • Milk - Use full fat milk for the best flavour, but any milk will work.

Variations

The great thing about this savoury muffin recipe is that it is easy to adapt so you can make lots of different ones at the same time. Here are some of our favourite ways to change them up:

  • Bacon - Add some cooked chopped bacon to the mixture. The saltiness compliments the other flavours really well. If you do use bacon, then leave the salt out. Cooked chorizo, ham or pepperoni works well too.
  • Cheese - Pretty much any cheese works here. Cheddar, mozzarella, feta, Swiss, goat's cheese and Stilton are all some of our favourite additions. Try to use a strong cheese for the best flavour.
  • Vegetables - Some other vegetables that work well are spring onions (scallions) that add a nice crunch, but aren't usually a favourite with kids. Bell peppers add a nice colour and crunch too. Tomatoes add a lovely freshness and go well with the cheese giving a kind of pizza flavour. We love chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Chopped spinach is a nice way to give a green veggie boost and this pairs well with feta.
  • Herbs - This is an easy way to give an easy flavour boost. Personally, my favourite would be chives, as they go well with the cheese. But any leafy (not woody) herb like parsley, dill or coriander would work well.
  • Spice - If you are making this for adults or older kids that can handle spice, then some chipotle paste or a little cayenne is a good addition.

How to Make Savoury Muffins- Step by Step

Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Brush a muffin tin with oil.

Two shot collage of a bowl containing flour, sweetcorn, peas and grated vegetables, before and after mixing.
  1. Step 1: In a bowl, add the flour, salt, baking powder, sweetcorn, peas, courgette, carrot and cheese (a). Mix well to combine (b).
Oil, eggs and milk mixed together in a bowl.
  1. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, eggs and oil.
Wet mixture added to the dry mixture then all mixed together.
  1. Step 3: Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and gently fold everything together.
A twelve hole muffin tin filled with the muffin mixture.
  1. Step 4: Divide the mixture equally into the oiled muffin tin. This recipe makes 18 muffins, so you may need two tins or cook in batches.
Twelve savoury muffins cooling on a wire rack.
  1. Step 5: Put into the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. Carefully remove from the tin and cool on a wire rack.

Serving Suggstions

We add these to a packed lunch or picnic, but if you wanted to just eat one as a snack then we have some suggestions. I think that butter is a must. It just makes them really creamy and delicious.

If you wanted to dip these savoury muffins in something, then why not try our Homemade Ketchup Recipe, Healthy BBQ Sauce or Healthy Ranch Dressing?

These also go really well with soup. Why not try our Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup, Easy Tomato Soup or Potato and Leek Soup?

A savoury muffin broken in two showing the filling.

Storage

Store: You need to let the muffins completely cool before storing them. Keep them in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They will go a little stale after a while though, which is why we recommend keeping them in the freezer.

Freeze: Individually wrap the muffins in cling film, and then store them in a freezer bag. They will keep in the freezer for about 3 months.

Defrost: You can defrost them in the fridge overnight, but they also don't take long to thaw at room temperature.

Reheat: These savoury muffins are best served warm, so put them in the microwave for 30 seconds.

A board full of savoury muffins in front of a checked towel.

Extra Tips

  • Make sure to squeeze all the excess liquid out of the carrots and courgette, otherwise the muffin mixture will be too wet. Don't throw that juice away though - it has loads of goodness in it and can be added to smoothies.
  • If you are making these for little kids, then leave the salt out. Also be mindful of the cheese you are using, as some can be high in salt.
  • Don't over-mix the batter, as this will cause the muffins to be dense. You want to fold it until the flour is just mixed in.
  • Make sure to grease your muffin pan really well. We have tried this with muffin cases before, but they were hard to get out. The best results we have had is with a really well oiled muffin tin.
  • Keep an eye on the muffins, as every oven cooks differently. They will take between 20 and 25 minutes. You don't want dry muffins.
  • Leave the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
A child holding a muffin in front of her face.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make vegan savoury muffins

To make a vegan version of this, you can swap the egg for flax egg and use a plant based milk. You can either use your favourite vegan cheese, or swap it for nutritional yeast.

Are savoury muffins gluten free?

As long as you use your favourite gluten free flour and make sure there is no cross contamination, then these can be gluten free.

Why are my muffins dry?

If they are dry and dense, then you have either over-mixed the batter, or cooked them for too long. Remember, every oven cooks things at different rates.

How do I know when the muffins are cooked?

Check them from around 18 minutes. Stick a skewer in them and it should come out dry. If it has any wet mixture on it, then it still needs cooking more.

More Savoury Recipes

  • Cheese and onion rolls on a serving board.
    Cheese and Onion Rolls
  • Cooked air fryer camembert on a wooden board.
    Air Fryer Camembert
  • Cheese biscuits on a board with some Stilton.
    Cheese Biscuits
  • A pile of Cheese and Onion Pasties, one is brokin open.
    Cheese and Onion Pasty (Greggs Copycat)

If you’ve tried this savoury muffin recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

A pile of savoury muffins on a wooden serving board.

Savoury Muffins with Cheese and Vegetables

By: Dannii Martin
A quick and easy savoury muffin recipe, that is packed full of cheese and vegetables. Perfect for packed lunches, picnics or lunch on the go.
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
5 from 12 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Snack
Cuisine: British
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 22 minutes mins
Total: 27 minutes mins
Servings: 18 servings
Calories: 162kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of a cracked egg.
Eggs
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten

Ingredients

  • 250 g (2 cups) Self-raising flour
  • 1 pinch Sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 100 g (0.66 cups) Frozen sweetcorn
  • 50 g (0.33 cups) Frozen peas
  • 1 Courgette (zucchini) - grated
  • 1 Carrot - grated
  • 175 g (1.5 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated
  • 100 ml (0.5 cups) Sunflower oil
  • 2 Eggs
  • 250 ml (1 cups) Milk

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6. Brush a muffin tin with oil.
  • In a bowl, add 250 g Self-raising flour, 1 pinch Sea salt, 1 teaspoon Baking powder, 100 g Frozen sweetcorn, 50 g Frozen peas, 1 Courgette (zucchini) (grated), 1 Carrot (grated) and 175 g Cheddar cheese. Mix well to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together 250 ml Milk, 2 Eggs and 100 ml Sunflower oil.
  • Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and gently fold everything together.
  • Divide the mixture equally into the oiled muffin tin. This recipe makes 18 muffins, so you may need two tins or cook in batches.
  • Put into the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. Carefully remove from the tin and cool on a wire rack.

Recipe Tips

  • Make sure to squeeze all the excess liquid out of the carrots and courgette, otherwise the muffin mixture will be too wet. Don't throw that juice away though - it has loads of goodness in it and can be added to smoothies.
  • If you are making these for little kids, then leave the salt out. Also be mindful of the cheese you are using, as some can be high in salt.
  • Don't over-mix the batter, as this will cause the muffins to be dense. You want to fold it until the flour is just mixed in.
  • Make sure to grease your muffin pan really well. We have tried this with muffin cases before, but they were hard to get out. The best results we have had is with a really well oiled muffin tin.
  • Keep an eye on the muffins, as every oven cooks differently. They will take between 20 and 25 minutes. You don't want dry muffins.
  • Leave the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 771IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 0.4mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Elisa says

    March 26, 2023 at 12:41 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for the recipe, will be making it really soon, I am really looking for vegetarian recipes. :)

    Reply
  2. Janessa says

    March 25, 2023 at 11:33 pm

    5 stars
    I'm not really a sweets person so these savory muffins are the perfect snack for me.

    Reply
  3. Lima Ekram says

    March 25, 2023 at 11:11 pm

    5 stars
    I made a batch for myself (not my kids!) Very tasty and so portable! What a great idea!

    Reply
  4. cyndy says

    March 25, 2023 at 10:49 pm

    5 stars
    Love these - I had some left over roasted broccoli so I put that in because I was out of corn. So perfect because this recipe is so adaptable.

    Reply
  5. Alison Saalbach Corey says

    March 24, 2023 at 2:32 pm

    5 stars
    These muffins are a flavor festival! The cheese and vegetables blend perfectly together and create a delicious savoury taste. It's a hard to resist combo. Perfect!!!

    Reply
  6. Andrea says

    March 24, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    Super easy to make, great flavors and perfect for on the go lunches or snacks.

    Reply
  7. Tara says

    March 24, 2023 at 1:47 pm

    5 stars
    So many amazing flavors packed into these muffins! I love the use of all the vegetables. So easy too!

    Reply
  8. Katherine says

    March 24, 2023 at 1:46 pm

    5 stars
    These muffins would be perfect for the kids' lunchboxes!

    Reply
  9. TAYLER ROSS says

    March 24, 2023 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    I made these muffins for breakfast this morning and they were delicious! So great for grab and go breakfasts too!

    Reply
5 from 12 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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