A Mediterranean Savory Muffin - it is as good as it sounds! These are for my savory breakfast lovers. Filled with spinach, feta and spices, they are the perfect accompaniment to jammy eggs and a fresh spring salad.
For the past two years my daughter has been part of her school high school dance team. The demands are high for the dancers and as parents, we do everything we can to keep them fueled and nourished.
Our team parents make meals for the dancers on competition days. This allows us to not only keep our budget low but also gives us the opportunity to cater to the likes, dislikes and allergies of the dancers and make sure they are eating filling food they enjoy.
If you've followed me for a while, you know my oldest daughter has a number of food allergies so I'm always trying to invent new things for her to enjoy and not feel limited. This recipe came about because egg muffins or mini quiches are a super common breakfast food items - unfortunately she is allergic to eggs so those are out of the question for her. I thought, what about a savory muffin? Something that still has those savory notes but not egg forward like a quiche.
I developed a muffin base and filled it with delicious mediterranean ingredients that we use regularly: feta cheese, spinach and oregano are the main ones. I added some bell pepper (because she isn't into sun-dried tomatoes but those are PERFECT in here too) and a good dose of black pepper for a little bite.
You're left with a savory muffin that is packed with flavor on its own or pair it with a jammy egg for a complete breakfast. Mostly one bowl and quick to come together. You'll be snacking on these for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Let's jump in to see how to make them!
Ingredients
This is a great pantry muffin, most well equipped pantries should have everything on hand.
- Eggs - I know I said she's allergic to eggs, but in small doses like cakes and muffins when they are fully cooked through - they are a-okay! So we have 2 eggs as our binder.
- Milk - Whole milk is preferred but any milk will work
- Yogurt - These are a thick, hearty muffin, the yogurt helps bind everything together with a little tang.
- Oil - A neutral oil like canola, avocado or vegetable
- All purpose flour - Simple base of standard all purpose flour
- Leavening agents - We're using a combination of baking powder and baking soda
- Dried Oregano - Oregano gives a warm and earthy flavor.
- Black Pepper - The black pepper gives the muffins a little spice which is nice with the other flavors.
- Feta Cheese - A solid cup of crumbled feta which gives a nice salty component.
- Spinach - Greens are important!
- Bell Pepper - I'm using an orange pepper sautéed slightly with our spinach.
- Scallions - Another little bite to our muffins
- Salt, olive oil
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
These Mediterranean Savory Muffins come together really quickly - the hardest part is cooking up your spinach and pepper. I will also list a no-cook option down below as well using frozen spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil and add in your chopped pepper. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes then add your spinach and a pinch of salt. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until the spinach is wilted. Set aside and preheat oven to 400.
Whisk your wet ingredients into a large bowl: eggs, milk, yogurt and oil.
Add your dry ingredients to the wet: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, oregano, black pepper and fold until just combined.
Next add your add-ins: chopped scallions, cooked spinach and peppers and feta cheese. Fold until just combined.
Your mixture will be quite thick. Prepare your muffin tin with liners or spray with non-stick spray.
Fill your muffin tin until the batter is at the top edge. Grind a little extra black pepper on the tops. You should get about 10 muffins per batch. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and skewer comes out clean when inserted.
No Skillet Required Method
I am 100% about using the least number of pans and bowls when baking. Here is a quick little idea for a substitution that doesn't require cooking anything:
- Frozen Spinach - If you have frozen spinach on hand, you can use in place of fresh. You'll want to take a cup of frozen spinach and defrost, you can soak into cold water for a few minutes then strain and SQUEEZE DRY - very important to squeeze completely dry. Once dry, add to your muffin batter!
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes - Honestly, my preference for this recipe is using sun-dried tomatoes (in oil) in place of peppers. But alas, my kids prefer peppers to sun-dried tomatoes. You can skip the peppers and chop up about ½ cup of sun-dried tomatoes and toss in. I prefer tomatoes in oil.
Storage
These muffins are great for about 5 days, stash in the fridge and warm for a few seconds in the microwave.
They also freeze really well, so feel free to wrap a few and store in freezer. Remove from freezer and allow to thaw then warm as directed above.
Mediterranean Savory Muffins {with feta, spinach}
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 muffins 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern, American
Description
These one bowl savory muffins are perfect for breakfast or to accompany with a bowl of soup or salad. Very versatile! They are sure to be a hit in your home.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces of fresh spinach (you can also sub 1 cup frozen spinach thawed and SQUEEZED DRY - see notes)
- 1 bell pepper, diced (you can also substitute ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomato - see notes)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil *omit if using frozen spinach + sun-dried tomatoes
- pinch of salt *omit if using frozen spinach + sun-dried tomatoes
- ¾ cup milk - 178grams
- ¼ cup yogurt - 63 grams
- ¼ cup neutral oil (canola, avocado, vegetable) - 55 grams
- 2 whole eggs
- 2.5 cups flour - 312 grams
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt - half if using table salt
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese - 208 grams/8oz
- 1 bunch of scallions (about 10 scallions), chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Prepare standard sized muffin tin by spraying with non-stick spray or use muffin liners.
- In a medium sized skillet, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil on medium heat. Add your diced peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add your fresh spinach and a pinch of salt, allow to cook and wilt for another 3-5 minutes. Set aside**see notes for frozen spinach/sun-dried tomato no cook option
- 6 ounces of fresh spinach (you can also sub 1 cup frozen spinach thawed and SQUEEZED DRY - see notes)
- 1 bell pepper, diced (you can also substitute ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomato - see notes)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil *omit if using frozen spinach + sun-dried tomatoes
- pinch of salt *omit if using frozen spinach + sun-dried tomatoes
- In a large bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients.
- ¾ cup milk - 178grams
- ¼ cup yogurt - 63 grams
- ¼ cup neutral oil (canola, avocado, vegetable) - 55 grams
- 2 whole eggs
- Add your dry ingredients and fold until just combined.
- 2.5 cups flour - 312 grams
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt - half if using table salt
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- Fold in cooked spinach/peppers, scallions and crumbled feta cheese.
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese - 208 grams/8oz
- 1 bunch of scallions (about 10 scallions), chopped
- Fill your prepared muffin tin with batter, fill each cavity to the top.
- Grind some additional black pepper on the tops.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes on the center rack of your oven until golden brown on top and a test skewer comes out clean when muffin is tested.
- Remove from oven and place muffins on wire rack after 3-4 minutes to cool or simply pop out and tilt in muffin tin to keep bottoms crisp.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Frozen Spinach - If you have frozen spinach on hand, you can use in place of fresh. You'll want to take a cup of frozen spinach and defrost, you can soak into cold water for a few minutes then strain and SQUEEZE DRY - very important to squeeze completely dry. Once dry, add to your muffin batter!
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes - Honestly, my preference for this recipe is using sun-dried tomatoes (in oil) in place of peppers. But alas, my kids prefer peppers to sun-dried tomatoes. You can skip the peppers and chop up about ½ cup of sun-dried tomatoes and toss in. I prefer tomatoes in oil.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Carolyne says
These are Fab.U.lous~! I love using a 'power greens blend' with spinach, baby kale and Swiss chard.
Cosette Posko says
YES, YES! Power greens are an amazing option! Thanks for sharing!
Xoxo,
Cosette
Carolyne says
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟~definitely 5-star. These muffins are Fab.U.lous~! I love using a 'power greens blend' with spinach, baby kale and Swiss chard.
Cosette Posko says
Thank you! I love the power greens, such a good use!!!!! Enjoy!
Xoxo,
Cosette
Susan E Sivyer says
Hi Cosette,
This recipe sounds amazing. Have you ever made this in a standard baking dish instead of muffins? I find making muffins to be fussy and prefer, when possible, to just pour all the batter into a baking dish and bake it like I would a cake or corn bread. Do you think that would work with this recipe?
Thanks,
S-squared
Cosette Posko says
Ooooo! That would be tasty as a bread - I have not tried it but I would try a 9x13 baking dish if you wanted to experiment. For 25-30 minutes
Or a loaf pan for 45-50 minutes. Do let me know if you give it a go🥰🥰
Xoxo,
Cosette
Susan says
I will definitely let you know how it turns out when I try it. 🙂
Cosette Posko says
Thank you!!
xoxo,
Cosette
Susan says
I will let you know!
Maha says
The muffins turned out delicious despite not having milk or Feta. I used capers and a little extra yogurt to compensate for the missing ingredients. Thank you for the recipe, it is a keeper!
Cosette Posko says
Oh yay, so glad to hear and love the adaptations to make it work for you!
xoxo,
Cosette