Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan?180°C/gas Grease and line a 12-hole muffin tin with muffin cases (or see tip). Heat the oil in a pan and fry the bacon for 3-4 minutes until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on kitchen paper.

Step 2

Meanwhile, wilt the spinach by putting it in a colander in the sink and pouring over boiling water from a kettle. Refresh under cold water, then use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Transfer to a chopping board and chop finely.

Step 3

Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and most of the cheese in a large bowl. In a separate bowl or large jug, mix the beaten eggs, melted butter and buttermilk. Pour the egg mixture over the dry ingredients and stir, using a spatula, until just combined. Fold in the cooled bacon, chopped spinach and chives until everything is evenly distributed but the batter is still lumpy. Incorporating all the ingredients quickly without over-mixing will give light, fluffy muffins.

Step 4

Spoon the batter equally among the cases, scatter over the remaining cheese, then bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and risen, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the tin and place on a cooling rack until ready to serve.