Apple Cheddar Muffins with Rosemary Recipe
Introduction
These Apple Cheddar Muffins with Rosemary offer a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors, perfect for breakfast or a snack. The sharp cheddar cheese pairs beautifully with fresh rosemary and crisp apples, creating a unique and tasty treat.

Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups peeled, cored, finely chopped apple (about 2 apples)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by greasing it or lining with paper muffin cups, or use a non-stick pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and chopped rosemary until evenly combined.
- Step 3: Stir the grated sharp cheddar cheese into the dry mixture until well distributed.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat the egg with the milk and melted unsalted butter until smooth.
- Step 5: Add the finely chopped apples to the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
- Step 6: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the apple mixture. Stir gently but swiftly until just moistened; do not overmix.
- Step 7: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
- Step 8: Bake in the center of the oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Step 9: Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- Use a tart apple variety like Granny Smith for a nice contrast to the sharp cheddar and rosemary.
- Swap fresh rosemary with 1 teaspoon dried rosemary if fresh is not available.
- Add a pinch of black pepper or smoked paprika for an extra layer of flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
Storage
Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm in a toaster oven or microwave until heated through.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-shredded cheddar cheese for this recipe?
Yes, pre-shredded cheddar works fine, but freshly grated cheese tends to melt better and creates a better texture in the muffins.
Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
You can substitute the cheddar with a dairy-free cheese alternative and use plant-based milk and vegan butter to make these muffins dairy-free.
PrintApple Cheddar Muffins with Rosemary Recipe
These Apple Cheddar Muffins with Rosemary offer a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors. The sharp cheddar complements the fresh apples and aromatic rosemary perfectly, creating moist, flavorful muffins ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups peeled, cored, and finely chopped apple (about 2 apples)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the muffins evenly.
- Prepare Muffin Pan: Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line it with paper liners to prevent sticking, or use a non-stick pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and chopped fresh rosemary to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese, mixing well to combine with the dry ingredients.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then add milk and melted butter, stirring until combined.
- Add Apples: Stir the finely chopped apples into the wet mixture, incorporating them thoroughly.
- Mix Batter: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet mixture in. Stir swiftly but gently until just moistened; do not overmix to keep muffins tender.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Bake: Bake in the center of the oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep muffins light and tender.
- Fresh rosemary should be finely chopped to distribute flavor evenly.
- Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor contrast with the apples.
- You can substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative to make the recipe lactose-free.
- The muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
Keywords: Apple muffins, cheddar muffins, savory muffins, rosemary muffins, breakfast muffins, cheese apple muffins

