01 -  Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cavity. 
 02 -  In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground black pepper until well mixed. 
 03 -  In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, large eggs, melted unsalted butter, and Dijon mustard until smooth and fully combined. 
 04 -  Pour wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure muffins remain tender. 
 05 -  Fold in shredded sharp cheddar, finely chopped dill pickles, and fresh or dried dill until evenly distributed throughout the batter. 
 06 -  Divide batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full. 
 07 -  In a small bowl, toss crushed mini pretzels with shredded cheddar and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the tops of the batter in each muffin cup. 
 08 -  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
 09 -  Cool muffins in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Serve warm or at room temperature.