Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Line your mini muffin tins with liners or lightly grease them with cooking spray. This helps ensure the bites pop out easily after baking.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease and let it cool slightly.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pancake mix with water. Stir just until blended—don’t overmix! Then fold in the browned sausage, shredded cheese, and maple syrup. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined.
Using a spoon or small scoop, fill each muffin cup with the batter mixture. Don’t overfill—just enough to fill each cavity to the top. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and firm to the touch.