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Studded with cranberries and tart apples, these individual Stuffing Muffins with sausage and herbs are a playful way to serve a classic Thanksgiving side dish.

Best Easy Stove Top Stuffing Muffins on a serving plate

They’ll keep your menu feeling traditional without being stodgy, a balance that can be hard to strike.

How ironclad is your family’s Thanksgiving menu?

Do you follow the exact same recipes year after year, or do you leave wiggle room for a few creative additions?

Individual Stuffing Muffins with Cranberries on cutting board

Our family would mutiny, if my mom replaced her Glazed Sweet Potatoes with any other sweet potato recipe (even if it was this incredible Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole), or dared to vary from our Chestnut Stuffing.

Ben’s family is more open to experimentation (hello, Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese).

Though his family always serves a lineup of the classics, the actual recipes themselves change from year to year (so Cornbread Stuffing would be rightfully embraced for the deliciousness that it is).

Stuffing muffins with sausage in a muffin tin

5 Star Review

“Everyone loved these stuffing muffins. I’m going to make them every Thanksgiving!!!”

— Amanda —

About These Individual Stuffing Muffins

These stuffing muffins begin like any traditional stuffing recipe (for example, this Crock Pot Stuffing) with a few added surprises and bonuses.

  • Sweet and savory. A combination of tart apples, sweet dried cranberries, and zesty Italian turkey sausage offer an enchanting blend of flavors that might just upstage the turkey.
  • Easy to serve. No serving spoon required. Easy individual stuffing muffins will keep the Thanksgiving buffet line moving.
  • The CRUST. Each stuffing muffin has a delicious golden crust on the top AND sides that contrasts beautifully with the moist, fragrant apple and sausage interior.
Three golden stuffing muffins with sausage on a plate with herbs

How to Make Stuffing Muffins

Infused with Thanksgiving spices and flavorful Italian turkey sausage, this stuffing muffin recipe with apples and cranberries will win over even the staunchest of stuffing traditionalists.


The Ingredients

  • Whole Grain Bread. To sneak in some whole grain goodness that offers extra fiber, iron, and nutrients.

Substitution Tip

You may use any type of sturdy bread you like for this recipe. For best results, stick to those with some heartiness (e.g. not Wonderbread) as they will hold their shape best once moistened and bake.

  • Onions + Celery + Garlic. Add texture and quintessential flavor.
  • Sausage. I went for lean turkey sausage to reduce the fat in this recipe. You could also swap for regular pork sausage, chicken sausage, or even a vegan sausage alternative.

TIP!

If using a fattier sausage product, drain the extra fat from the pan after browning to prevent the stuffing muffins from being too greasy.

  • Apple. A diced Granny Smith apple adds just the right amount of tartness, moisture, and cozy apple flavor to these stuffing muffins.

Market Swap

If you would like a sweeter apple, you could swap for Honey Crisp, Jonagold, or Pink Lady.

  • Dried Cranberries. Stud each of these savory little muffins with red jewels of sweetness.
  • Eggs. Bind the stuffing ingredients together so the muffins hold their shape once baked.
  • Milk. Contributes moisture and richness.

Substitution Tip

I used skim milk in my stuffing muffins, but you can use any type of milk or plain, unsweetened dairy-free alternative of your choice.

  • Chicken Broth. For additional moisture. You can also use vegetable broth or turkey broth.
  • Sage + Rosemary. A classic Thanksgiving herb duo that no stuffing recipe should be without.

The Directions

bread cubes to be toasted for stuffing on a sheet pan
  1. Toast the bread cubes, in a preheated oven, until golden and crisp.
a mixture of onions and celery in a skillet
  1. Sauté the onions and celery.
sausage, celery, and onions being sautéed in a skillet
  1. Brown the sausage with the apples and garlic.
a mixture of bread cubes, apples, sausage, and cranberries in a glass bowl for stuffing muffins
  1. Toss the sausage mixture with the breadcrumbs Whisk the wet ingredients together, then pour over the breadcrumb mixture, and stir in the cranberries, sage, and rosemary.
stuffing pressed into a muffin tin for stuffing muffins
  1. Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin.
a plate with freshly baked stuffing muffins with cranberries
  1. Bake stuffing muffins until lightly browned and set in the center. Let cool slightly, transfer to a wire rack. ENJOY!

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Leftover stuffing muffins may be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze. Allow the baked muffins to come to room temperature, tightly and individually wrap them in plastic, then freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • To Reheat. Allow the muffins to come to room temperature. Place the room-temperature muffins (unwrapped) back into a lightly greased muffin tin, then reheat in a 350 degree F oven for 10-20 minutes, until warmed through.

Meal Prep Tip

To make stuffing muffins ahead:

  • Toast the bread cubes (Step 1) and sauté the apple-sausage mixture (Step 3).
  • Store the bread cubes in an airtight container at room temperature and the apple-sausage mixture in the refrigerator.
  • The day you plan to bake the muffins, stir together the rest of the ingredients and press into the muffin tins.
  • You can then refrigerate the muffin tins, unbaked, for up to 4 hours, then bake as directed.

Note: If the stuffing comes out of the refrigerator cold, you may need to add a few minutes to the baking time.

Leftover Ideas

My favorite way to use leftover stuffing muffins is to reheat them the morning after Thanksgiving served with a bit of leftover turkey and a sunny-side-up egg. (See my Leftover Stuffing Cakes recipe.)

Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins with Sausage, Apples, and Cranberries on a plate

What to Serve with Stuffing Muffins

Recommended Tools to Make Stuffing Muffins

  • Skillet. No kitchen should be without a large, everyday skillet.
  • Mixing Bowls. This nesting glass mixing bowl set I use daily for sweet and savory recipes alike.
  • Muffin Tin. This standard 12-cup muffin tin is my favorite for muffins and cupcakes.

All in favor of a new tradition of stuffing muffins, say “aye!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Stuffing Muffins with Leftover Stuffing?

I have not tried making these with leftover stuffing so it would be an experiment. I imagine it could be done by rehydrating your leftover stuffing with a smaller amount of milk, chicken stock, and eggs and then baking as directed. If you try making stuffing muffins with leftover stuffing, I’d love to hear about your results in the comments.

How Can I Make Vegetarian Stuffing Muffins?

Yes. You can make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the sausage and opting for vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. I would increase the amount of herbs and salt slightly to compensate for the loss of spices in the sausage.

Can I Make Mini Stuffing Muffins?

I have not tried making these as mini stuffing muffins. However, I imagine it could be done. You will likely need to reduce the baking time considerably so they don’t burn or dry out. So keep a close eye on them. If you attempt, let me know your results.

Stuffing Muffins

5 from 14 votes
These individual stuffing muffins with cranberries, apples, and sausage update classic Thanksgiving stuffing by baking it in a muffin tin.

Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 1 hour

Servings: 24 muffins

Ingredients
  

  • 10 cups whole grain bread cubes loosely packed 1-inch-sliced, about 16 ounces
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 medium red onion diced
  • 3 stalks celery diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 pound sweet Italian turkey sausage
  • 1 medium-sized firm tart apple such as Granny Smith or Cortland, finely diced (ok to leave peel on), about 1 cup
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup milk any kind you like (I used skim)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup reduced-sugar dried cranberries
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon rubbed dried sage
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried

Instructions
 

  • Place two racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spread the bread cubes out in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until browned and crisp. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Generously grease two 12-cup muffin tins (butter works best) or line with paper liners, then coat the liners with baking spray. Set aside. Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Once hot, add the onion, celery, salt, and pepper. Let cook 4 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Remove the sausages from their casing and place in the skillet. Break the sausage into crumbles, turning and sautéing the meat as you go.
  • Once the sausage is broken up, add the apples and garlic. Let cook until the sausage is browned, stirring occasionally, about 2 additional minutes. Place the sausage mixture in the bowl with the bread cubes.
  • In a separate bowl, stir together the chicken broth, milk, and eggs until combined. Pour over the cubes. Add the cranberries, sage, and rosemary, then stir gently with a large spoon, tossing the ingredients until they are well distributed and the bread is evenly moistened.
  • Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin tins. Firmly press down on the tops of the bread cubes so that they touch the sides of the muffin tin (this adds a delicious crunch to the exterior and keeps the muffins from falling apart). Spoon more stuffing on top and press again.
  • Bake the stuffing muffins at 350 degrees F for 25 to 28 minutes, until lightly browned, and set in the center. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the outsides to loosen them. Transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Notes

  • MAKE-AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Toast the bread cubes (Step 1) and saute the apple-sausage mixture (Step 3). Store the bread cubes in an airtight container at room temperature and the apple-sausage mixture in the refrigerator. The day you plan to bake the muffins, stir together the rest of the ingredients and press into the muffin tins. You can then refrigerate the muffin tins, unbaked, for up to 4 hours, then bake as directed. If the stuffing comes out of the refrigerator cold, you may need to add a few minutes to the baking time.
  • TO STORE: Leftover stuffing muffins may be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • TO FREEZE: Allow the baked muffins to come to room temperature, tightly and individually wrap them in plastic, then freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • TO REHEAT: Allow the muffins to come to room temperature. Place the room-temperature muffins (unwrapped) back into a lightly greased muffin tin, then reheat in a 350 degree F oven for 10-20 minutes, until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffinCalories: 111kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 6gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 71IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg

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Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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22 Comments

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  1. I made this tonight for our second thanksgiving at home, and they smell sooooo good! I only have one muffin pan so I put the rest in a loaf pan. Can’t wait to dive in!5 stars

    1. Hi Taleen, yes, I think you could try this without the sausage. I haven’t experimented with it myself, but you may want to bump up the spices slightly since the flavor and spices in the sausage won’t be present. I’d love to hear how it goes if you decide to give it a try!

  2. Everyone loved these stuffin muffins. I’m going to make them every thanksgiving!!! Every recipe I’ve made off this site has been great! Looking forward to the cookbook5 stars

  3. They are AWESOME. I have made it several times. I made it as per the recipe the first time -perfect outcome. Sine then I’ve tweaked it to suit our tastebuds. I don’t add the cranberries just because I serve the muffins with homemade cranberry sauce (a little on the tart side-so yummy) and I double the sage (2 heaping teaspoons dried sage) just because we love the flavour. Definitely in our Thanksgiving and Christmas repertoire but we also make a smaller half batch, with pork chops and a garden salad, for an any night supper. Great recipe!5 stars

  4. An excellent recipe!!! I tried many others before I happened to find this one. These muffins are always at our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. There’s always a fight to take home any leftovers.
    I don’t put in the cranberries because I serve the muffins with homemade (and slightly tart) cranberry sauce. I also double the sage just because we like the flavour.
    We make a half batch for an any day of the week dinner, served with pork chops and a salad. So easy and so tasty!
    Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’ve passed it on to anyone who asks.. I don’t usually post comments but this recipe is a keeper and everyone should know.5 stars

  5. Your recipe exactly duplicates our turkey stuffing except we use currants rather than cranberries. Exactly. Your muffins have to be great. Cheers!

    B35 stars

  6. Oh… my… gosh! I needed a vegetarian recipe for stuffing for my son-in-law. I took your recipe and just substituted vegan sausage, egg substitute and everything else the same. Erin! It was sooooo delicious ! Thank you!5 stars

  7. Hi, hopefully you’ll see this since your recipe post is from a few years ago. Would I be able to use fresh cranberries rather than the sweetened dry ones? This is exactly the type of stuffing I would like to make.

    1. Hi Hayley, I’v only tested the recipe as written so I wouldn’t be able to advise how fresh cranberries would work. They likely would I just haven’t tested it out. If you decide to experiment let me know how it goes!

  8. These are excellent! Loved them. I added fresh thyme and extra salt and pepper which I think amped up the flavor even more. Two of these make an excellent, filling meal! Thank you for this excellent recipe which I will be making all year, not just at Thanksgiving time!5 stars

  9. Hello- I made these years ago and everyone LOVED them. My question is though, I recently discovered I have a gluten intolerance. Can these be made with gluten free bread?5 stars