Garlic Cheese Rolls

Featured in Artful Small Plates and Sharing Dishes.

Make buttery spirals layered with garlic butter and cheese using crescent dough. Baked till golden, they're topped with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

Rana
Updated on Sat, 12 Apr 2025 09:13:01 GMT
Close-up of baked flaky rolls with herbs on top, showing golden layers. Pin it
Close-up of baked flaky rolls with herbs on top, showing golden layers. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

I'm so excited to share my go-to breakfast twist that'll knock your socks off! I spent ages in my kitchen playing around until I stumbled on these amazing Cheesy Garlic Cruffins. They mix flaky crescent layers with gooey cheese and punchy garlic in ways that'll make you swoon. Whenever I bring these to a get-together, everyone wants to know how I made them!

Why These Treats Stand Out

There's a reason these cruffins have become my signature dish. Those crescent layers puff up into gorgeous flakes while baking. When you bite in, you'll find amazing pockets of melted cheddar that'll make your mouth water instantly. The fresh garlic and chives give that perfect flavor kick. I love how you can use them different ways—snacks, fancy brunch items, or just something warm with dinner. And they come together in under an hour!

What You'll Need

Let's grab our key items. You need some tubes of crescent roll sheets as your base. For the amazing filling, grab some butter, fresh garlic, chives, and lots of sharp cheddar. We'll top everything off with a tasty garlic butter wash, a bit of salt, and extra chives to make them look pretty.

Getting Started

Let's jump in! Heat your oven to 350°F and get your muffin tin ready with a good spray of cooking oil to stop sticking. Now for the fun bit—take your crescent sheets and press all the seams together. We want to make three big rectangles around 12 by 16 inches each that'll form the base of our tasty treats.

A close-up of golden, flaky pastry swirls garnished with green herbs on a wooden surface. Pin it
A close-up of golden, flaky pastry swirls garnished with green herbs on a wooden surface. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Whipping Up The Tasty Filling

While your dough sits, let's make that killer filling. Mix your soft butter with chopped garlic and fresh chives until everything's well blended. Smear this yummy mix all over your dough rectangles right to the edges. Then comes the best part—sprinkle tons of shredded cheddar all over everything.

Forming Your Cruffins

Now we'll turn flat dough into something special. Take each rectangle and roll it tightly from the long edge. Cut these rolls in half, then slice down the middle lengthwise to show off those lovely layers. Gently twist each piece into a coil and place them in your muffin tin. Don't stress if they look messy—they'll come out looking great!

Into The Oven

Stick your cruffins in the hot oven and let them do their thing for about 20-25 minutes. You want them to turn a nice golden color and puff up well. I always peek at the 20-minute mark because nobody wants burnt cruffins!

Adding The Last Bit Of Flavor

While they bake, make your flavor booster. Melt some butter and mix in minced garlic, chives, and a tiny bit of salt. As soon as you pull those beauties from the oven, brush this mix all over them. The hot pastry soaks up all that buttery goodness, making each bite amazing.

A basket filled with golden, spiraled pastry rolls topped with green herbs. Pin it
A basket filled with golden, spiraled pastry rolls topped with green herbs. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Nutrition Facts

If you're keeping track, each cruffin has about 270 calories with 18 grams of fat (10 grams are saturated). They've got 18 grams of carbs, 6 grams of protein, and roughly 310 mg of sodium. Totally worth it if you ask me!

Ways To Enjoy Them

These guys work for so many occasions. Put them out as party snacks with some marinara or ranch for dipping. They taste amazing with a hot bowl of tomato soup. When I add them to my brunch table, they vanish right away! They can even make a simple salad feel like a fancy meal.

Tricks I've Learned

After making tons of these, I've figured out some handy tips. Always take your time sealing those dough seams or your cheese might leak out. Keep the dough cold until you need it—it's way easier to handle. Try different cheeses too—my family goes crazy for them with gouda or parmesan. And don't forget that final garlic butter brush, it turns them from tasty to mind-blowing.

A close-up image of golden-brown, spiral-shaped pastry rolls garnished with green herbs, placed on a cooling rack. Pin it
A close-up image of golden-brown, spiral-shaped pastry rolls garnished with green herbs, placed on a cooling rack. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Questions You Might Have

Let me tackle the stuff people always ask me. Cruffins are basically what happens when croissants and muffins have a baby, that's where the cute name comes from. You can totally freeze them for up to two months. Any cheese that melts works great in this recipe. And if you want something sweet instead, try filling them with cinnamon sugar or chocolate for a completely different treat.

Make Them Your Way

What's great about this recipe is how easy it is to change up. Toss in some red pepper flakes if you want a spicy kick. Swap chives for whatever herbs you've got—scallions or parsley work great. Sometimes I even use pizza dough instead for a totally different but still yummy texture.

Building A Full Meal

These cruffins really shine when you pair them with comfort food. Serve them with a big bowl of soup, a creamy pasta dish, or some roast chicken. They're fantastic for sopping up sauces, and that garlic flavor goes with practically anything on your dinner table.

Golden, flaky pastries shaped like nests with melted cheese and herbs inside are presented on a plate. Pin it
Golden, flaky pastries shaped like nests with melted cheese and herbs inside are presented on a plate. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Storage Tips

Your cruffins will stay yummy for a couple days if you keep them in a sealed container at room temp. When you want to eat them again, warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5-7 minutes and they'll taste almost fresh-made. For longer storage, wrap them up tight and freeze them for up to two months, then just thaw and warm when you get a craving.

More Than Just Food

These Cheesy Garlic Cruffins have grown beyond just another thing I cook. They're what I make when I want to add something special to a meal, bring joy to family gatherings, and fill my home with awesome smells. Try making them yourself and I bet they'll become a staple in your house too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What are cruffins?

They're pastries shaped like muffins but with the layered texture of croissants. These are made with easy crescent roll dough for simplicity.

→ Can I make these ahead?

They're at their best when served fresh and warm. You can store leftovers in a sealed container for two days.

→ What if my crescent dough has perforations?

Just press the seams together gently to form a whole sheet before adding the filling.

→ Can I add more garlic?

Absolutely! Feel free to toss in extra garlic for bold flavor if you prefer.

→ How do I know when they're done?

They'll bake to a golden brown with puffed, flaky layers in 20-25 minutes.

Conclusion

These garlic cheese rolls combine the crisp, flaky texture of a croissant with a savory flavor twist. Using simple crescent dough, they're an easy way to serve a crowd-pleaser as a side or quick snack.

Garlic Cheese Rolls

Flaky, buttery spirals packed with garlic, cheese, and fresh chives. Great as a side or snack option for any gathering.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Rana


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 spirals)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3 packages of crescent roll dough.
02 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened.
03 1 tablespoon chopped chives.
04 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic.
05 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
06 3 tablespoons butter, melted, for brushing on top.
07 1 teaspoon garlic for the topping.
08 1 teaspoon chopped chives for the topping.
09 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and grease a pan for 12 muffins. Flatten out dough into large rectangles about 12x16 inches.

Step 02

Combine the butter, garlic, and chives. Spread the mixture over the dough and sprinkle the cheddar evenly on top.

Step 03

Roll each piece of dough into a log, slice each one into four, and twist each piece into a spiral shape.

Step 04

Put the spirals into the muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops look golden brown.

Step 05

Mix the topping butter with garlic, then brush it over the finished cruffins while they're warm.

Notes

  1. Tastes best fresh and served while warm.
  2. Feel free to add more garlic if you like.
  3. Good for up to 2 days if kept in a container.

Tools You'll Need

  • Muffin pan with 12 sections.
  • A rolling pin.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Contains wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 200
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
  • Protein: 5 g