Description

A quick, 20-minute weeknight dinner hack that combines spicy sausage and sharp cheddar cheese in a sweet cornbread batter. These baked muffins offer the comfort of corn dogs without the deep fryer or mess.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (120g) yellow cornmeal (medium-grind)
½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
¾ cup (180ml) milk (whole or buttermilk)
¼ cup (55g) melted butter
12–16 small canned sausages (cocktail wieners)
1 cup (100g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons jalapeños, diced (optional)
½ cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and lightly grease with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until no lumps remain.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth. Stir in optional add-ins like jalapeños or corn.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula until just combined. The batter should remain lumpy; do not overmix.
Spoon batter into each muffin cup, filling about 1/3 full. Place a piece of sausage in the center of each cup.
Cover the sausage with more batter, filling the cup about 3/4 full. Press a pinch of shredded cheddar cheese on top of each muffin.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack or serving warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to ensure tender muffins. Use sharp cheddar for better flavor. For crispy edges, brush tops with melted butter before baking. Sausages should be cold to prevent bursting. Reheat in air fryer for best texture.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 180
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 450
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 20
Fiber: 1
Protein: 6

Keywords: corn dog muffins, quick dinner, weeknight meals, kid-friendly, baked corn dogs, cheddar cornbread, easy recipes