Name: Garlic Butter Cruffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, very soft; 2-4 large garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped) or 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional); Pinch of salt; Pinch of black pepper (optional); 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed; 2 tablespoons melted butter, optional

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These garlic butter cruffins are crispy, buttery, and bursting with flavor—perfect for any meal or snack!

garlic butter cruffins piled on a large white plate

There’s something irresistible about the combination of flaky, buttery pastry and the bold flavor of garlic, and these garlic butter cruffins deliver both in every bite. Made with the convenience of frozen puff pastry, these savory cruffins are easy to whip up while still looking impressive. Whether you’re serving them alongside a cozy bowl of soup, as a side for your favorite pasta, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these cruffins are sure to be a hit.

New to cruffins? Try my cinnamon-sugar cruffins, too!

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Cruffins Recipe

Easy to make. Using store-bought puff pastry makes these cruffins super simple to prepare.
Deliciously savory. The rich garlic butter filling combined with the flaky puff pastry creates a perfect savory pastry that’s hard to resist.
Versatile. Enjoy them as a snack, side dish, or even a unique appetizer at parties. They pair wonderfully with soups, salads, and pasta.
Customizable. You can easily tweak the recipe by adding cheese, herbs, or even a bit of spice for a flavor variation that suits your taste.

overhead view of labeled ingredients for garlic butter cruffins

What You’ll Need

See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Butter – This needs to be very soft for making the filling. I prefer to use unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter if that’s what you have, although you’ll likely want to omit the salt in the recipe. For extra flavor and richness, brush extra melted butter over the cruffins when they come out of the oven.
Garlic – Mince the garlic before mixing. I’ve listed a range for the amount in the recipe, but feel free to adjust to your tastes if you want a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
Parsley – You can use either fresh or dried parsley.
Parmesan cheese – This is optional but adds a bit of extra flavor.
Salt
Pepper
Puff pastry – Pepperidge Farm is the most common brand—you’ll need a full package. Let the sheets thaw but keep them cool for the best texture.

How to Make Garlic Butter Cruffins

overhead view of butter, garlic, parsley, cheese, salt, and pepper in a small bowl — Mix butter, garlic, parsley, cheese, salt, and pepper.

overhead view of puff pastry rolled into a large rectangle — Mix butter, garlic, parsley, cheese, salt, and pepper.

Prepare for baking. Heat the oven to 375°F. Grease 8 standard muffin cups.
Make the filling. Mix together the butter, garlic, parsley, cheese, salt, and pepper.
Roll out the pastry. Work with one sheet at a time, keeping the other refrigerated. Aim for a rectangle about 10″ x 12″ and 1/8″ thick.
Add the filling. Spread half of the butter mixture evenly over the pastry.

overhead view of garlic butter cruffins pastry rolled and cut in half — Roll pastry and cut in half.

overhead view of garlic butter cruffins pastry pieces cut in half lengthwise — Roll pastry and cut in half.

Cut and shape. Roll up the pastry tightly from a long end. Cut in half to make two logs and then cut each of those pieces in half lengthwise. Shape each into a coil. Place in the muffin pan and refrigerate.
Finish with remaining pastry. Repeat rolling, filling, and shaping with the other sheet of puff pastry.
Bake. Place the pan in the oven, and bake 20 to 25 minutes. If you like, brush more melted butter over the tops of the cruffins when they come out of the oven.
Cool. Let the cruffins cool for 5 to 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

overhead view of melted butter being brushed over freshly baked garlic butter cruffins

Tips for Success

Thaw the pastry properly. Make sure to thaw the puff pastry in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This will ensure it’s pliable without becoming too soft. If the pastry becomes too warm, it can be difficult to handle and won’t puff up as much when baking.
Soften the butter. It should be soft enough to spread easily without tearing the pastry. Take it out of the refrigerator ahead of time or give it a quick zap in the microwave for 5-10 seconds (just be careful not to melt it).
Adjust to taste. These garlic butter cruffins have a nice garlic flavor that’s not too overwhelming. Feel free to give the filling a taste and adjust if you like.
Spread the filling evenly. Spread an even, thin layer of garlic butter over the puff pastry. You may think there’s not enough filling here, but it’s plenty once it’s rolled and makes all those layers. Too much butter can make the pastry greasy and cause it to separate when baking, while too little may result in dry cruffins.
Roll tightly. When rolling up the puff pastry, do so tightly so they’ll hold their shape while baking. This will help achieve that beautiful layered look.
Shape into coils. When shaping the cruffins before baking, aim for a coiled shape. You can do this by wrapping it around your finger or just shaping by hand. That gives them some height while assuring they’ll bake thoroughly and evenly. They don’t have to be perfect—their rustic look is part of their charm!

a garlic butter cruffin on a wire rack along with more cruffins

Variations

Add herbs. Mix fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil into the garlic butter for an extra layer of flavor. Dried herbs will work, too—just use a smaller amount.
Spice it up. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter for a subtle heat.
Make them cheesy. After baking your garlic butter cruffins, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the cruffins while they’re still warm. This will add a crispy, cheesy crust.
Add everything! Sprinkle the tops with “everything bagel seasoning” before baking for added flavor and texture.

a garlic butter cruffin next to a plate of more cruffins

Serving Suggestions

Serve for snack time. These cruffins can be served as a snack on their own or as an appetizer at parties or gatherings. Pair them with a dipping sauce like marinara, warm cheese sauce, or even a garlic aioli.
Pair with soups and stews. Serve alongside hearty soups like tomato basil, creamy mushroom, or minestrone. The cruffins make a great alternative to bread for dipping.
Serve with pasta. Garlic butter cruffins make a great alternative to garlic bread. Serve them with pasta dishes like spaghetti, lasagna, or fettuccine alfredo.

overhead view of garlic butter cruffins on a large white plate

How to Store

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature if you plan to eat them the same day. They’ll keep fairly well for another day, but they’re best when they’re fresh.
Refrigerator: For longer storage, place the container in the refrigerator, where they should keep up to 5 days. Before serving, reheat at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes.
Freezer: Wrap each cruffin individually, and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. They should keep in the freezer up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

a pulled-apart garlic butter cruffin and another cruffin on a white plate

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