Stuffing Muffins
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Stuffing Muffins are a fun twist on a classic holiday side dish. They feature dried bread cubes, bacon, dried cranberries, and pecan pieces mixed with chicken stock, sage, and thyme baked in muffin tins until golden with crunchy edges and tender centers.
For a more traditional style holiday stuffing, check out our family’s favorite Bacon Pecan Stuffing, Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing or this small batch Sausage Apple and Cranberry Stuffing.
So let me ask….do you like your stuffing on the moist side or the crunchy side? I have always preferred a drier type of stuffing with my holiday turkey, and these stuffing muffins give me crispy edges on all sides while remaining moist and tender on the inside!
These individual portions are also perfect to serve with my Spatchcock Turkey that is butterflied with no cavity to “stuff”!
What you will need
- A combination of bread cubes that are dried in the oven. I used sourdough and whole grain, but any bread will work.
- The traditional combination onion, celery, and garlic cooked in butter. Feel free to substitute olive oil if you prefer.
- The stuffing is flavored with dried thyme, rubbed sage, and black pepper, but rosemary is delicious as well.
- Chicken stock adds moisture and eggs bind the stuffing together.
- I used my favorite combination of chopped bacon, pecans, and dried cranberries, but feel free to substitute equal amounts of your favorite add-ins.
Be sure to check out the detailed printable recipe card below
How to make stuffin muffins
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray muffin tin with with nonstick spray or rub with butter. Set aside.
Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring a few times until browned and crisp. Let cool.
Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and sauté the onion and celery until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, thyme, sage, and black pepper. Cook, while stirring, for one additional minute. Remove from heat.
Place the bread cubes, chopped bacon, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
Mix the chicken stock and eggs together in a separate bowl. Pour over the bread cubes mixture. Gently stir to combine.
Scoop the mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Press down on the top to remove any air pockets and top with additional mixture.
Bake the stuffing muffins at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes, until lightly browned and set in the center. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Loosen the edges with a knife, transfer to a wire rack and serve warm.
I wish I could describe how insanely delicious these stuffing muffins are!! Not only are they delicious as a side dish, but they work really well reheated in the morning for a quick breakfast on the go.
To make in advance, dry the bread cubes and store in an airtight container on the counter. Sauté the onions, celery, garlic, and herbs together, then allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. When ready to bake, stir in the remaining ingredients and bake as directed.
Store leftover muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Allow the muffins to come up to room temperature. Place the muffins back into a greased muffin tin and bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until warmed through.
Yes, allow the muffins to cool completely. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost muffins in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Tools used to create this recipe
You can see the rest of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets here in my Amazon Affiliate Page. I earn a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no cost to you, so I can keep bringing you more delicious recipes!
- Cutting Board & Chefs Knife
- Baking Sheet
- Garlic Mincer
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Measuring Cups
- Wood Turner
- Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Muffin Tin
Serving suggestions
- Herb Roasted Turkey
- Spatchcock Chicken
- Instant Pot Whole Faux-tisserie Chicken
- Simple Roasted Carrots
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Squash with Cranberries
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Enjoy!!
Stuffing Muffins
Equipment
- Muffin Tin
Ingredients
- 10 cups bread cubes cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup diced onion
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 large eggs
- 5 slices bacon cooked and cut into 0.5-inch pieces
- .75 cup dried cranberries
- .75 cup chopped pecan pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray muffin tin with with nonstick spray or rub with butter. Set aside.
- Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring a few times until browned and crisp. Let cool. Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter and sauté the onion and celery until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic, thyme, sage, and black pepper. Cook, while stirring, for one additional minute. Remove from heat.
- Place the bread cubes, chopped bacon, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans in a large bowl. Stir to combine. Mix the chicken stock and eggs together in a separate bowl. Pour over the bread cubes mixture. Gently stir to combine.
- Scoop the mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Press down on the top to remove any air pockets and top with additional mixture.
- Bake the stuffing muffins at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes, until lightly browned and set in the center. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife, transfer to a wire rack and serve warm.
Notes
- Can I make stuffing muffins ahead of time? To make in advance, dry the bread cubes and store in an airtight container on the counter. Sauté the onions, celery, garlic, and herbs together, then allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. When ready to bake, stir in the remaining ingredients and bake as directed.
- Got leftovers? Store leftover muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- How do I reheat stuffing muffins? Allow the muffins to come up to room temperature. Place the muffins back into a greased muffin tin and bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until warmed through.
- Can I freeze baked stuffing muffins? Yes, allow the muffins to cool completely. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost muffins in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
These sound amazing! Pinned!
Thank you Amy!!