Jamie Oliver's cheese and chive hot cross bun Easter recipe sparks outrage

Would you? Photo / Supplied

Every Easter we end up more and more spoiled for choice when it comes to hot cross bun flavours.

Forget traditional – there's white chocolate and raspberry, sticky date, dark chocolate mocha and even brioche or croissant variations.

But while it seems like anything goes when it comes to hot cross buns, fans appear to have drawn the line at celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's suggestion.

The UK celebrity chef has sparked a divide online after sharing his version of cheese and chives hot cross buns, with people labelling them "wrong".

In a post on his Instagram page Oliver shared a photo of the cheesy buns, writing in the caption: "Freshly baked hot cross buns … but these aren't just any hot cross buns, these are CHEESE & CHIVE hot cross buns! Who would like this recipe??"

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Oliver's post got hundreds of comments from people unconvinced by his savoury version of the sweet treat.

"You know, I know food evolves, but I'm not so convinced by anything that's not a traditional hot cross buns," one wrote.

"I love cheese – but I'm not sure a cheesy hot cross bun is OK," one person said.

"No thank you. Non traditional hot cross buns are not for me," another commented, while another simply asked: "Why?"

Others said that while they were a fan of Oliver's recipes they were not going to be trying out this one.

"Absolutely love your cooking Jamie but these are too wrong! I'm a hot cross bun purist," one said.

"As much as they look great Jamie, I'm out," another said.

"You can't beat a traditional Hot Cross Bun, warm with beautiful plump fruit, hint of cinnamon, sticky top and lashings of butter!"

But others were a fan of Oliver's recipe saying that his version was the perfect alternative for those who don't have a sweet tooth.

"Never liked the traditional ones, these on the other hand … Cheese please!" one wrote.

"Ooohhh these look AMAZING. I bet the smell is divine," another commented.

For those interested, Oliver has shared his cheese and chives hot cross bun recipe on his website, along with a loaf, orange and lemon, and coffee, date and hazelnut hot cross bun versions.

The tradition of hot cross buns date back to pagan times but have been used to celebrate Easter by Christians for centuries.

The traditional hot cross bun contains dried fruit such as sultanas and is flavoured with nutmeg and cinnamon while being topped with a white cross to symbolise Jesus' crucifixion.