I am always looking for an on-the-go snack that is tasty and satisfying. A bakery near my house makes delicious savory muffins with cheese and vegetables that they call pizza muffins. They are delicious, although I am quite certain those muffins would derail my diet.
I decided to try and adapt a traditional recipe to make my own savory muffins and came up with these red pepper feta muffins. This is a recipe I think I will definitely come back to and play around with. I'd love to switch up the herbs, vegetables, and cheese and see what turns out!
Key Ingredients For Feta Cheese Muffins
These muffins are so good for you because they use whole ingredients. You won't find any shortcuts here! Here are some details on the ingredients I used.
- Flour: I used both whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. If you want to make a gluten-free muffin, use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Baking Powder: This makes the muffins light and fluffy. Do not use baking soda in its place because it will throw off the texture and composition of the feta muffin.
- Feta Cheese: If you are trying to eat less fat, use the reduced-fat feta cheese. Not a fan of feta? Try swapping it out for goat cheese.
- Spices: Use more or fewer spices, depending on your tastes. I used minced onion, fresh garlic, salt and pepper, and oregano.
- Red Pepper: This ingredient brings the savory to the recipe! Fresh red bell pepper is preferred. Dried flakes are fine, but will add heat without the fiber or nutrients.
- Tomato Paste: There really isn't a good replacement for tomato paste. I only added two teaspoons to the entire batter, and I think it gives it a deeper flavor profile.
- Milk: For this recipe, I used skim milk. If you are lactose intolerant or don't like using dairy, unsweetened almond or soy milk is perfect.
- Sugar: I only used two teaspoons in the entire batch. If you are trying to consume less sugar, use your favorite sugar substitutes, such as erythritol or monk fruit extract!
- Egg: Use any type of egg (you only need one) to bind all the ingredients together.
What To Serve With Savory Muffins
These muffins are savory and mild, so they make the perfect side dish for just about any dinner you cook! I think they will pair amazingly well with slow cooker tomato balsamic chicken. If you want something sweet to go along with the savory muffins, make a honey pork tenderloin.
Also, the Mediterranean flavors of these muffins will really shine if you pair them with creamy tomato, mushrooms, and spinach pasta. Then, top it with your favorite meat, and you have a complete meal.
These are also delicious with salads. Serve them as a side dish with an easy Spring Mix Salad, Arugula Salad, or Caesar Salad.
Recipe Tips And Ideas For Red Pepper and Cheese Muffins
Follow these tips to make sure that your muffins turn out perfectly golden every single time!
- Spray the muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray as these muffins tend to stick. Alternatively, you could also use muffin liners.
- Saute the onion, garlic, and red peppers before you add them to the batter. This releases their sweet taste and softens the veggies too.
- Do not overmix the batter after you combine the dry and wet ingredients. It is going to be a bit lumpy or grainy, but that is okay! They will still taste good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…
How do you store any leftover muffins?
Store the extra muffins in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to a week! You can also freeze these muffins for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, in your lunch pack, or in the microwave.
What other spice combinations can I add to the muffins?
I've seen lots of different recipes for feta muffins, and they all use different spices. Some of my favorites are chives and rosemary. Chives add a distinct aroma and bite to the muffins.
What other veggies can I add to the muffins?
I love sneaking vegetables in my recipes because it's a fun way to eat more of them without feeling like I'm always eating the same thing.
Spinach and red pepper are perfect in these muffins. Just add a handful of fresh baby spinach and pepper finely chopped. It adds bright red and green color to the muffins - so fun!
I've also seen people add a little bit of sundried tomatoes to their muffins. That will make them have an even more savory taste.
More Muffin Recipes You’ll Love:
- Black Bean Egg Muffins
- Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins
- Broccoli Cheddar Muffins
- Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Chocolate Banana Muffins