Spinach Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
Stuffed with spinach and cheese, these Spinach Cheddar Cornbread Muffins are great alongside a hot bowl of chili or stew!
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We’ve all heard the saying that “we eat with our eyes,” right? If something looks delicious, then we’re more likely to want to eat it. Food that looks delicious > Food that doesn’t look delicious. Basic math. But what about the naming of recipes? I run across this problem a lot when coming up with names for my recipes. Do I just simply list out all of the ingredients? Do I try to make them sound catchy? I mean, who wants to make a recipe that doesn’t sound good?
This same question reminds me of a conversation I had with one of my good friends back in Atlanta. We were listening to some classic 80’s tunes, and “Jack & Diane” by John Cougar Mellencamp came on the radio. (On a side note, that song has to be one of the classic American songs of all time.) My buddy pointed out that John Cougar Mellencamp was not Mellencamp’s original name. Nope. Mellencamp was just that. John Mellencamp. But his first manager decided that he needed a catchier stage name. And that’s where John Cougar came from.
Mellencamp later went to John Cougar Mellencamp before dropping the Cougar middle name entirely. (He admitted much later that he didn’t like the Cougar addition, but kept it so as to have a better stage name.) Lots of musicians and actors use stage names. I get it. But it still seems kinda odd to me. But then again, it does sound pretty cool to just add Cougar to your name. I think I shall add something cool like Bear or Tiger as my new middle name.
Applying the same logic to these delicious cornbread muffins, I should call them something epic like Tiger Shark Muffins. Talk about a killer name! But then you wouldn’t have a clue what this recipe tasted like. I’m not sure it really matters, though…with a name like Tiger Shark Muffins, you’d just have to make them, right? Haha!
Spinach Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
Seriously, though, these Spinach Cheddar Cornbread Muffins are quick and easy to whip together, and they make one heck of a side dish for winter soups and stews. They’d also be great for Thanksgiving!
I prefer to go with a sharp cheddar cheese (my personal favorite is Cabot Seriously Sharp) for these muffins along with just a dash of cumin for a boost in flavor, but you could easily adapt this recipe in a variety of ways. Heck, you could even create Yeti Track Muffins. But if you do, make sure to send me that recipe!
The key to these muffins is making sure to squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the spinach. (It’s truly shocking how much liquid is in spinach!) I just put the thawed spinach in a colander and press on the top with paper towels until most of the liquid has drained off.
Leftover Corn Bread Muffins
Any leftover muffins should be placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let the muffins come back to room temperature before serving. (For a real treat, slice the muffins in half, add some butter and toast ’em in a toaster oven for a few minutes!)
These muffins also freeze quite well. Just store them for up to 3 months in a freezer bag. Let the muffins thaw in the refrigerator overnight (or at room temperature for a couple of hours) before serving.
Did you make a batch of these Spinach Cheddar Cornbread Muffins? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Spinach Cheddar Corn Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 10-oz box of frozen spinach, thawed
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups milk
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1¾ cups cheddar cheese shredded and divided
Instructions
- Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray (or line with paper liners); set pan aside.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Squeeze as much liquid from the spinach; set aside.
- Using a large mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, cumin and salt.) Stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and melted butter. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients along with the spinach and 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese; gently fold until well combined.
- Fill each muffin liner about ¾ full.
- Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup of cheddar cheese on top of muffins before baking.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out mostly clean.
Looking for more cornbread recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
So what you’re saying here is that these bad bays should be called Spinach Cheddar “Cougar” Cornbread Muffins or “Cougar” Spinach Cheddar Cornbread Muffins?
Either way they look insanely delish. Great job D!
#WolfpackNomenclature
I’m absolutely saying that, Mike! I mean don’t you want to eat a Cougar Muffin this morning?? It sounds so much more appealing than a boring cornbread muffin, right? #MikeTheIronCougar
Hmmm…a anew name…I dunno …I’ve been called something new by so many – squishy, squashy, sushi, sloshi, charley, well, maybe I could add Bear or Tiger to my repertoire, but definitely NOT cougar! No way! 🙂
I struggle with naming recipes too – some list all the main ingredients – some throw you off completely though I must say I would have been so intrigued by “Tiger Shark Muffins” but I’m an odd one! No matter what you call these – these look incredible – LURRVE the cumin added in!
I seem to recall some other nicknames for you, Shashi…you’re holding back! And you know you’d want to eat a Tiger Shark muffin…if for no other reason than to tell lil Shashi that you ate a Tiger Shark muffin! 🙂
LOL! I like the middle name thing. Adding bear or tiger is super FUNNY!
Although.. these muffins don´t need any more adjectives as they look really good already 🙂
Haha, well thank you Johlene! These muffins were indeed delicious…but come on, Spinach Cheddar Bear Muffins just sound so much better, right?? 🙂
Hi David! These looks fabulous! I add spinach to many recipes. My favorite old weather dish is chili – I have concocted at least ten different chili recipes ,using beef, pork, chicken as well as different vegetables. I was once nicknamed “Elle” (short for elephant, but more polite) by the guys who lived in the apartment below me because I am heavy heeled when I walk, despite the fact that I only weighed 100 pounds at the time! 🙂
Spinach is such a fun addition to so many recipes! I totally agree, Dorothy! And chili = the ultimate winter comfort food. And it’s easy…and it feeds a crowd! I suspect we’ll have a pot or two of chili going here soon. Wow, the guys who lived below you were rude…I would’ve given them an extra stomp or two for that one! Haha!
David these look amazing and I am on board with Tiger shark muffins name!! I love reading small stories you attach with food! Pinning!
Thank you so much, Ami…you are too kind! Some stories are better than others, but I just need something more than “These muffins were tasty. You should make them.” 🙂
As much as a i love the name Tiger Shark Muffins..i totally understand where your dilemma comes form because it definitely isn’t descriptive enough. Maybe next time you can try mixing both titles together 🙂 Regardless of the name these look great!!
Hmmm…so Tiger Shark Spinach Cornbread Muffins? Or Spinach Cheddar Tiger Shark Muffins? I like where you’re going here! 🙂
Yeti Truck! Ok, that made me cry a little I laughed so much! Lol David Cougar. These looks phenomenal and I would love to crumble on into a bowl of chili.
Oh c’mon, Katie…you know you want to eat a Yeti Track Muffin! I don’t know exactly what it tastes like, but you know that would be one epic muffin. 🙂 And yes, we might have eaten these cornbread muffins alongside your maple chili. Just sayin’.
I always struggle with naming recipes, but unfortunately as bloggers we have to think about SEO, so although the name might be boring, describing what it exactly is, is the best way to go.
These look super delicious though. I love spinach and cheddar together.
Tell me about it, Dannii! If it wasn’t for SEO, I would’ve named these Tiger Shark Muffins and been done with it. 🙂
David, if you like your food sound epic, you should include a world “lavender” in all your names. That always works. Always. Lavender Tiger Shark Muffins. How does this sound now, eh? Yup, that would be still a bit difficult to figure out what’s inside, but at least this name sounds fantastic! And I promise to make Lavender Yeti Track Muffins and send you a recipe (along with 6 dozens of these muffins)!
Hmmm…I agree with you on a lot of things, Ben. But I’m not so sure about lavender and epic. But I tell you what. You make Lavender Yeti Track Muffins, and I’ll eat one. How about that? Yes, lavender.
Cool names aside, these are some pretty killer muffins friend. Love the cumin addition and I’m with you on the sharp cheddar.
Thanks, Kevin! It’s hard to go wrong with sharp cheddar. I swear I could eat that stuff by the block! 🙂
These just may be the perfect muffins. Yum!!
I couldn’t agree more, Regan! These muffins were perfect alongside a bowl of hot chili for dinner. 🙂 Thank you!!
Naming recipes = the worst thing ever. These are epic tiger shark muffins. I mean cheddar cornbread avec spinach muffins. Pass them over!
You know you only want them because they’re called Tiger Shark Muffins!
I’d like to know how many muffins I should expect to get with the recipe. Thanks!
Hey Melanie! This recipe makes 12 standard-sized muffins. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! (They’re really, really good!) 🙂
Hi,I made these today into a loaf pan n baked it for 45mins,they tasted really nice, thanks for the recipe
Ooo! Good tip about baking these in loaf pan form, Zahabia! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe, and thank you SO much for coming back and leaving a comment. Have a great weekend! 🙂