Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick spray.
Cook the sausage in a skillet until browned and crumbly. Drain and let cool slightly.
Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk milk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth.
Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; a few small lumps are fine.
Fold in the cooked sausage and cheddar, if using.
Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake 14–17 minutes, until tops are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in the pan 5 minutes. Release edges and serve warm with maple syrup.
Notes
Variation: Swap cheddar for pepper jack and add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy twist. For a sweeter bite, fold in 1/2 cup blueberries and reduce sausage to 8 oz.Make-ahead: Cool completely, then refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in a 325°F oven for 8–10 minutes.This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Easy Sausage Pancake Muffins flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.