Stuffing Muffins

These individual Stuffing Muffins are baked right in a cupcake pan for the perfect little single-serving side dish. Baking them this way gives every muffin golden and crunchy crispy edges with an irresistible soft, savory center, just like the best part of a good Southern stuffing.

Easy Stuffing Muffins Recipe with Apples and Sausage

In the South, cornbread dressing is the gold standard when it comes to Thanksgiving and holiday side dishes. I love it, and it has certainly earned its place as one of our favorite parts of the holiday. But this recipe takes a different route with an all-bread stuffing, and I have to admit, I’d be just as happy to see it on our holiday table. I bake it in a muffin pan for a pretty presentation, but there’s an added bonus: it creates perfect individual portions that kids, and grown-ups, too seem to love.

These individual stuffing muffins make a pretty addition to the Thanksgiving or Christmas table and are easy to serve, too. Drizzle with turkey gravy, chicken gravy or enjoy it all on its own with pork chops year-round.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Stuffing Muffins: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card and quantities.)

• Bread – Seasoned rosemary olive oil bread or Italian herb bread adds extra flavor.
• Sausage – Italian sausage for a meaty rich taste.
• Apples – Chopped Granny Smith apples add a hint of sweetness.
• Vegetables – Celery and onion add texture. I also use fresh garlic to expand the flavor profile.
• Liquid – Chicken stock and milk for moisture.
• Butter – Melted butter to saute the celery, onions and garlic.
• Fresh Herbs – Sage and rosemary for an earthy flavor.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs stabilize the stuffing mixture and help hold the muffins together.
• Spices – Poultry seasoning, salt and black pepper. chicken broth or chicken stock, large eggs and milk.

How to Make Stuffing Muffins Recipe

• Toast Bread – Cube bread and toast in the oven until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.
• Brown Sausage – Brown sausage over medium-high heat in a large skillet until no pink remains, breaking up into smaller pieces. Remove from the pan and discard fat.
• Saute Veggies – To the same skillet add butter, celery and onion. Cook over medium-high heat until softened and beginning to brown, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Apple and Spices – Add apple, garlic, sage, poultry seasoning, rosemary, salt and pepper cooking just until the apple begins to soften. Remove from heat.
• Combine – Whisk together chicken broth, milk and eggs. Add cubed bread, sausage and vegetables. Mix well, adding more stock if needed, to fully moisten.
• Prep Pans and Divide Stuffing Mixture – Spray 18 cups of two standard size muffin pans liberally with cooking spray. Divide stuffing mixture between muffin cup wells of the prepared pan.
• Oven – Bake in preheated oven per the baking time in the recipe just until cooked through and the tops are crusty.
• Serve – Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Bread Stuffing Muffins

• One large skillet.
• Large bowl.
• Sharp knife and chopping board.
• Two 12 cup standard size muffin tins (to make 18 stuffing muffins).
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Balloon whisk.
• Rubber spatula or spoon for stirring.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Bread – I use a loaf of rosemary olive oil bread in this recipe and it complements the flavor of the Italian sausage beautifully. You can also opt to use an Italian herb bread, plain focaccia or French bread.
• Use Dry Bread – Dry bread is your friend when making these sorts of recipes. You can toast it or after cubing the bread spread it in a single layer on a large sheet pan uncovered. Leave it on the counter to dry out for several hours, or overnight. Dry bread will soak up the liquid and flavors the best.
• Sausage – You can use mild or spicy Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, turkey sausage or chicken sausage in this muffin recipe. You can also omit the sausage altogether for a meatless version.
• Apples – You can use a different variety of apples. Granny smith apples, Braeburn apples, honeycrisp apples or your favorite variety. You can choose to peel or not peel the apples, it’s your call. You may also use a different variety of apples.
• Fresh Herbs and Aromatics– You could use thyme or fresh parsley.
• Adjust Salt as Needed – When making adaptations to the flavor of bread used consider the amount of salt and seasonings. For example, if you choose a different bread that isn’t seasoned at all, you may want to amp up the fragrant herbs and increase the other seasonings. Taste and adjust as needed to your personal taste.
• Cut into Bite-Size Pieces – When cubing the bread and apple, big chunks won’t work here, If they’re too big, the muffins won’t hold their shape.
• Stir Thoroughly – When mixing the stuffing mixture, it’s important to keep mixing until all of the liquid has been absorbed by the bread, then divide into the wells of the muffin pan.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftover Stuffing Muffins in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in a 325°F oven with a piece of aluminum foil on top just until heated through, in an air fryer or in single servings or in the microwave.
• Freezer – You can freeze leftover stuffin muffins for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Holiday Side Dish Recipes to Make

Other side dish recipes you may also like to try:

• Stuffed Sweet Potatoes can be made into any amount of servings depending on the size of your gathering.
• Easy No Knead Yeast Rolls with sweet cream butter is a given for any special meal.
• Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash is packed with flavor.
• Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Gratin recipe is rich and full flavored.
• Garlic Chive Mashed Potato Puffins  is another single serving recipe using fluffy mashed potatoes.
• My Mom’s Corn Pudding Soufflé.
• Cranberry Apple Fruit Chutney is a delicious alternative to cranberry sauce.
• Roasted Butternut Squash from Gimme Some Oven.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Muffin and Cupcake Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Hand Mixer
• Measuring Set