Sausage muffins with cheese are perfect for breakfast on-the-go, holiday brunches, or a satisfying savory snack. Fluffy sausage cheddar muffins recipe are take on a southern favorite, sausage balls, but made with flour so it can be enjoyed in a gluten-free version as well. Welcome to your complete breakfast in one gnoshing-sized package!

Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get affordable and easy gluten-free recipes delivered each week!
Easy Cheddar Sausage Muffins
Enjoy a comforting, filling grab-and-go breakfast all in one powerhouse muffin package! This sausage muffins has the savory goodness of gluten-free cheese scones with lots of cheddar and flavor packed in each finger-licking bite!
An easy basic muffin recipe replaces Bisquick, traditionally used in another southern favorite – sausage balls. While you could still use Bisquick as a short cut, sausage muffins recipe is still a breeze to throw together. I’ll show you how!
These were outstanding!! Teen approved! So easy to take on the go! Tastes like a sausage egg and cheese biscuit in muffin form!! I rarely post! This recipe was so worth a comment!! Follow recipe exactly will continue to make these on a regular basis!!
—Alysia
I can’t even count how many times I have made these!!! Over and over again – sometimes gluten free, sometimes not. Perfect every time…and people are always asking for them!
—Carmen
Free Guide! Receive a Free Gluten Free Breakfasts Cookbook
TOP 5 Highest Rated Recipes!
Ingredients Tid Bits
These sausage muffins are made with flour, baking powder, milk, and butter so it may easily be adapted to gluten-free sausage muffins. To substitute Bisquick for the flour, use 1 cup Bisquick, 4 eggs, and cheese with the sausage, omitting the other ingredients. (More on that below!)
Like my highly-reviewed crustless sausage quiche recipe, readers really like to put their own spin on the recipe. Scroll down for for some inspo on additions and modifications.
- Ground pork breakfast sausage – Cook, crumbled, and excess grease drained on paper towels.
- Flour – Use regular all-purpose or substitute gluten-free flour for gluten-free sausage muffins. Similar to gluten-free sausage balls, I prefer using flour, rather than Bisquick, so they are easily adaptable to GF.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Substitute any preferred cheese, pepper jack for a spicier flavor or mild cheddar for a more subdued cheese taste.
- Pure maple syrup or sugar adds a tiny hint of sweetness.
- For an extra hint of spice, add 1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper or use spicy breakfast sausage.
Let’s Make This Together!
(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)
Brown the sausage
Before mixing together all the ingredients, you’ll have to cook the sausage, unlike sausage balls, which uses raw sausage. I brown it in a skillet and then transfer it to a paper towel lined plate to absorb the extra grease. Set it aside while you make the muffin batter.

Whisk the dry ingredients
Grab a large sized mixing bowl because all the ingredients will be mixed together in this. First whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt.

Add sausage and cheese (the good stuff!)
Before adding the wet ingredients, stir in the sausage and cheese. This prevents you from accidentally over-mixing the batter to incorporate everything.

Final touches and bake
Pour in the wet ingredients – egg, milk, and pure maple syrup. Combine that and then stir in the melted butter. If you add the butter with the milk mixture you will risk the butter getting cold and re-solidifying. Divide into prepped muffin tins, sprinkle on more cheese (can never have too much cheese!), and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes.


Let’s Talk Options
One of the reasons I love this recipe so much is how adaptable it is. Need a gluten-free sausage muffin? I’ve done this plenty of times! Just swap out the all purpose flour with a GF blend. I highly recommend Cup4Cup gluten-free flour, and no other adjustments are required.
- Instead of pork sausage, use turkey breakfast sausage.
- Add fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped apples, raisins, or dried cranberries to make a sweet and savory treat.
- Increase the sweetness by adding up to 1/4 cup sugar or maple syrup.
- For a garlic cheddar flavor add 1 tsp garlic powder.
- Sauté onions, bell pepper, or any other preferred veggies with the sausage and stir into the muffin batter.
- For spicy sausage muffins add 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper or use spicy breakfast sausage.
Can I Substitute Bisquick For The Flour?
Yes. If you’d rather do a bit of a shortcut, you can swap out the Bisquick for the flour. Use 1 cup Bisquick (regular or gluten-free), 4 eggs, and cheese with the cooked sausage, omitting the other ingredients.

Save this recipe to your pinterest board!
Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!
Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa

Crazy-Good Cheesy Sausage Muffins (No Bisquick)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups all purpose flour, regular or gluten-free, (Cup4Cup gluten-free flour recommended)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or sugar
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- (optional) additional cheese, for topping
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Begin by cooking the sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Grease the muffin tins liberally with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.1 pound ground breakfast sausage
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar (if not using maple syrup). Stir in the cooked sausage and cheddar cheese.2 cups all purpose flour, regular or gluten-free, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- In a small bowl whisk together the milk, egg, and maple syrup (if using). Pour into flour mixture then add the melted butter. Stir to combine until flour is incorporated.1 cup milk, 1 egg, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or sugar
- Spoon into muffin tins, filling to the top of each tin. Sprinkle additional cheese on top, if desired.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes clean and tops are golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack. Serve warm.
Notes
storing and freezing
After they have cooled completely refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 days. If storing longer than 2 days, I recommend freezing so they don’t dry out. To freeze, wrap the muffins individually in plastic wrap and transfer to an airtight container or ziplock freezer bag. Freeze up to three months. Thaw at room temperature for one hour and then wrap in a paper towel to warm in the microwave for 20 seconds.This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.



Just finished making these and they are sooo good! I did like 3 TBS of maple syrup and a little extra salt after reading the comments and it was perfection! Will definitely be making more!
So happy to hear, Ashley! These are an absolute fave in our family!
Best,
Melissa
I have never left a comment on a recipe before, but I will for this one… I absolutely love these muffins, I have been making them for two years and I’m about to make a big batch for the freezer so I will have quick and easy to grab postpartum snacks!
I love adding sauteed onion and I always do a little extra maple syrup and an extra egg in the batter. It’s fun to change up the cheese, too, adding half cheddar and half something else, younger Gouda or swiss is good!
This recipe is absolutely a keeper!
I’m honored that you would take the time to leave a comment for this recipe. Thank you, Allison!
Best,
Melissa
Good recipe, but I added 8oz of shredded potatoe/smashed tater tots and half of a small onion. I only use 8-10oz of sausage.
Thanks for commenting!
Best,
Melissa
This recipe is a good “base” – but it needs tweaking.
I only used about 3/4 of required milk.
Maybe because the sausage I used wasn’t as salty, but I added about 3/4 tbs, not one tsp AND I used salted butter. Otherwise they would have been extremely bland.
In regard to syrup, I think it’s essential to the muffins. I added about a quarter cup the batter and then about a tsp to the top of each muffin and swirled it in with a toothpick.
They went over well, but they would have been very bland if I’d left them as the recipe states.
Delicious!!!!! Had enough protien and carbs for a meal for this T1D. Quick breakfast. Love it!Thank you for sharing
So glad you enjoyed it, Maxine! Thanks for leaving me this note.
Best,
Melissa
Hi! I have made these so many times and I love them so much. I am planning on making these tomorrow but I am out of eggs, will it be okay to still make them?
Sorry for the delay, Megan. I’m sorry I haven’t tried it without the eggs. I’m afraid they would be crumbly because there would be nothing to bind the ingredients.
Best,
Melissa
Hey Melissa, just to let you know I used a chia seed egg with 1 tablespoon chia seeds and 3 water and they came out just perfect! Moist and cakey. In fact I might make them like this from now on. I wish I could include a photo!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Megan. That’s so helpful for others to know. 🙂
Best,
Melissa
Made these many times. It aways comes out better with very sharp cheddar. I might try adding some shredded parm next time. I use half whole wheat and half all purpose flour most of the time. You can add more seasoning too if you want. If I wasnt making these for the kids there would be some crushed red pepper flakes.
Do you add 1 or 3 eggs???
Hello,
Sorry there was an issue with the formatting. Fixed now and just 1 egg.
Best,
Melissa
I found these to be pretty dry. Was surprised only one egg. I added another egg and it was still dry. I used sugar in the recipe but a drizzle of maple syrup after baking added some moisture.
Hi Amy,
Were you using regular flour or GF? If the dough was that dry, adding a little more helps as well. The batter will be pretty thick (but shouldn’t be dry) before baking.
Best,
Melissa
I made these using King Arthur gluten free flour. When they first cooled down I thought , these are just ok. An hour later when they firmed up I shared one with hubby. Oh my gosh. These are the best muffins ever. They could be addictive for sure. Gluten free items, in my opinion do not taste as good first out of the oven. But when they are completely cooled the texture changes at well as the flavor. I put the second muffin in the refrigerator and then popped it into the toaster oven just to take the chill off of it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience, Linda! I appreciate it.
Best,
Melissa
Would the oat flour I just bought for your biscuits work in this muffin recipe?
I have soooo many bags of ingredients already. Most premade gf flours are mainly starch anyway.
Thank you!
Hi Rita,
Yes, let’s put those ingredients to work! What I would do is follow this recipe for oat flour muffins, but only add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and leave out the cinnamon. Use the same amount of sausage and cheese this recipe. Hopefully that works out well for you!
Best,
Melissa
Would it be possible to add more eggs? My son wants to pack as much protein in there as possible. If so, can you please tell me what ingredients I need to change. Can’t wait to make them!!!
Hi Pamela,
Hmm, I’m not sure what adding more eggs would do besides adding more liquid to the recipe. I’d imagine the dough would be wetter and there would be a longer bake time. I also have a recipe for egg frittata muffins that contain no flour, which might be more along the lines of what you are looking for.
Best,
Melissa
Thank you so much for your prompt reply and the other recipe!!!! Will definitely check it out!
Hi Melissa, I just made these and they are amazing!!! So cheap and easy to make and absolutely delicious! All I needed was sausage and a bag of shredded cheese and I made a full tray of breakfast muffins. I’m a big guy and these are so much more filling than store bought muffins that are 2 tiny muffins for like 3 dollars. These are legendary and will always be my go to whenever I need a easy and quick breakfast thank you so much!
Oh, thank you so much, Angel! I appreciate you taking a moment to let me know.
Best,
Melissa
We have a pot luck every Friday night during ski season. When I saw this recipe as muffins it would work perfect! Depending on how busy we are during the evening these are perfect to pick up and eat quickly.
I had an oops, I only used 2 teaspoons of baking powder along with King Arthur gluten free measure for measure flour. The muffins rose as expected. They turned out perfect and taste is exceptional. Everyone loved them. Great recipe!
So happy to hear, Diane! These would make the perfect pot luck treat. I love that you have that every Friday during ski season!
Best,
Melissa
These muffins were fast & simple to make and were just delicious! It’s by far the best muffins I’ve had since becoming GF. Even my non-GF husband said, “You’ll be making these again.” Yay!
Yay is right! Love hearing this, Kathleen. Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Melissa
These were so good! Kids loved them!
Love hearing this, Kayla. Thank you!
Best,
Melissa
These are so tasty and beautiful!
Thank you!
Best,
Melissa
This is the absolute BEST recipe I have tried others and they were so dry. VERY Good we put syrup on the they taste like a McGriddle !!!!
Thanks, Candice! I appreciate you taking the time share.
Best,
Melissa
These are the best. They stay crispy and do really well being reheated in the air fryer. Highly recommend!
Thanks so much for leaving a note, Chrissy! I appreciate it.
Best,
Melissa
Why so many eggs using bisquick when the recipe calls for 1 egg? Does this make 24 muffins?
Hi Elle,
It makes 12 and the eggs replace the liquid for the milk too.
Best,
Melissa
I’m thinking about using pimento cheese! Any suggestions about adjusting recipe? Maybe omit butter since cheese will have more fat. What do you think.
Oh gosh, this sounds like an amazing idea, Michelle! No, i wouldn’t omit the butter, I would just add it with the wet ingredients, but cut back the milk with how much pimento cheese you add. So if you add 1/2 cup pimento cheese, reduce milk by 1/2 cup. If the mixture seems too dry you can always add in a splash more milk. Let me know how it goes!
Best,
Melissa
Hi Melissa, when substituting with bisquick, do you omit the milk and butter? Or just the flour, baking soda and salt/sugar?
Here’s the tips for that, Victoria. Use 1 cup Bisquick (regular or gluten-free), 4 eggs, and cheese with the cooked sausage, omitting the other ingredients.
Best,
Melissa