1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano.
4. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and cooked sausage until well combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, and eggs.
6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
9. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations & Tips
For a spicier version, try using spicy sausage or adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the dry ingredients. If you have picky eaters, consider chopping the sausage into smaller pieces to better blend into the muffins. You can also use a mix of different cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack, for a unique flavor profile. For a healthier twist, substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour and use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage.
