Air Fryer Basil Bacon Cheddar Cheese Savory Muffins
Fluffy savory muffins packed with smoky bacon pieces, sharp cheddar cheese, and aromatic dried basil. These quick air fryer muffins make an excellent breakfast, brunch side, or snack that comes together in just 20 minutes. The air fryer creates perfectly golden tops while keeping the interior tender and moist. Great for meal prep or entertaining when you want something more substantial than sweet muffins.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cup all-purpose flourgluten-free flour blend1:1gluten-freegluten-free
works well but may be slightly denser
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- 1
Mix flour, cheddar cheese, baking powder, dried basil, and salt together
- 2
Mix in vegetable oil, egg, crumbled bacon, and milk
- 3
Mix well until combined
- 4
Spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray
- 5
Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full with batter
- 6
Set air fryer to 350 degrees F for 15 minutes
- 7
Check doneness with toothpick after 15 minutes, add 5 minutes if needed
- 8
Carefully remove hot muffin tin and let cool slightly
- 9
Repeat with remaining batter
- 10
Plate and serve
Tips
Don't overmix the batter to keep muffins tender and avoid tough texture
Cook bacon until crispy before crumbling for better texture and flavor distribution
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week
Can make batter night before and refrigerate, or freeze baked muffins up to 3 months
Serve warm or at room temperature, reheat in air fryer for 2-3 minutes if desired
Common Mistakes
Don't overfill muffin cups to avoid overflow and uneven cooking
Check doneness with toothpick to avoid underbaked centers
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
works well but may be slightly denser
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use fresh basil instead of dried?
Yes, use 1 tablespoon fresh basil, but dried works better for even distribution and longer storage.
What if my muffins are browning too fast?
Lower temperature to 325F and extend cooking time, or cover with foil halfway through cooking.
How long do these keep?
Store covered at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerated for 1 week, or frozen for 3 months.