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Best Muffin Pans

Updated April 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Rachael Ray Oven Lovin' Nonstick 12-cup Muffin and Cupcake Pan
Rachael Ray
Oven Lovin' Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin and Cupcake Pan
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Most Convenient
Bottom Line

The wide handles with silicone grips make it easy to get in and out of the oven and earn it our baking expert's praise.

Pros

Nonstick coating helps muffins come out of the pan easily. Quality construction from a trusted name. Cooks evenly and reliably. Orange edges brighten up a normally drab kitchen product. Sturdy and easy to clean.

Cons

The little silicone handles on this pan make it difficult to stack with other items in storage.

Best Bang for the Buck
Chef Buddy 12-Cup Silicone Muffin Pan
Chef Buddy
12-Cup Silicone Muffin Pan
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Bargain Buy
Bottom Line

A nonstick option that will not lose its nonstick quality over time and will let you get those perfect muffins out of every baking session.

Pros

BPA-free silicone. Nonstick really works. Bends and twists to help you get your muffins out of the pan perfectly. No rubbery odor. Works great for eggs. Clean and smooth finish on the interior of the muffin cups. Dishwasher-safe.

Cons

The cooking times with this muffin pan tend to be longer than metal tins of the same size.

Wilton Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Regular Muffin Pan
Wilton
Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Regular Muffin Pan
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A reliable, simple, and affordable pan that can cook an even dozen muffins reliably; earns our expert's approval.

Pros

Nonstick. Muffins come out of this pan easily. Good value for the price. Thick metal. Pan sits in the oven flat for even cooking. A quality pan from a company with a good name in bakeware.

Cons

Some say their muffins and cupcakes bake faster than expected in this pan.

Farm Table Chef Silicone Muffin Pan Set
Farm Table Chef
Silicone Muffin Pan Set
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Solid Set
Bottom Line

Silicone muffin pan that comes as a set with a mini-muffin pan and a regular-sized pan, plus accessories.

Pros

Thick, heavy-duty silicone construction is not floppy like other silicone products. BPA-free. Nontoxic. You get a nice set for the money on this product. Pretty color. Comes with a set of scoops and mini spatulas. Great gift set.

Cons

Price on this set is higher than the single pans alone.

USA Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan
USA Bakeware
Cupcake and Muffin Pan
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A metal tin that holds true to its nonstick promise; cooks well and then releases the muffins with ease.

Pros

Nonstick function still works well with wet batters. Can handle a lot of use. Works best without spray oils or butter. Designed to last a lifetime. Good size for hamburger buns. Also comes in a 6-muffin size, which can fit in a toaster oven.

Cons

This muffin tin is rated to be hand-washed only.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
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60
Consumers
Consulted
8
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best muffin pans

If you are longing for the ability to make those yummy, fluffy muffins from the bakery at home, you are going to need the right equipment. A muffin pan is a baking pan designed with individual cooking cups. These cups will help you bake up creations like muffins, cupcakes, and mini quiches that are easy to take on the go, freeze, or share with friends.

Unlike a cupcake, a muffin is usually a healthier option. It is best to think of the muffin as more of a quick-bread than a cake. While there are thousands of easily available recipes, many are filled with nuts, fruit, seeds, and oats. The pan you choose can make a difference in how successful you are with the final product, particularly if you are hoping to get a crispy, high, and rounded “dome” top, like the ones professional bakers produce.

While a muffin pan may seem like a simple product, there are a lot of things to consider before you buy. Size, material, nonstick material, and the number of cups will vary from pan to pan. We want you to be successful with your purchase, so take a look at the shopping guide below to get an idea of the kinds of things you should consider before you buy.

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A muffin pan will ideally have more distance between the cups than a cupcake pan, allowing space for muffin tops to expand without overlapping.

Muffin pan considerations

Size

Muffin pans come in three sizes: standard, mini, and jumbo. There are also pans specifically designed to only create muffin tops.

  • Standard: A standard-sized muffin pan will hold about one-half cup of batter or slightly less in each muffin cup. This is the most common size for homemade muffins.

  • Mini: Mini muffins are roughly half the size of a standard muffin. You should be able to put somewhere between one eighth to one-fourth cup of batter in each cup. These muffins will be just one or two bites. They are great for portion control if you’re watching caloric intake, or for light eaters like kids who never finish a whole standard-sized muffin.

  • Jumbo: These tins are much larger than your standard muffin. They will vary in size based on the manufacturer. Jumbo muffin pans will hold somewhere between one half to 1 cup of batter. If you are trying to make a bakery-style muffin at home, you may want to try the jumbo-sized pan. These are the size many bakeries use.

  • Muffin top: These are shallow cups that bake up most people’s favorite part of muffins — the tops.

Depth

The depth of the cup will vary, even on standard-sized pans. On the short side, a standard-sized muffin pan will offer a depth of about 1 inch. Deeper pans will be closer to 1.5 inches. Muffin top pans will be less than 1 inch deep.

Number of cups

Pans come with a standard number of cups that range from 6 to 24 (although some of the jumbo cupcake pans may only have 3 or 4 in a pan). A standard-sized muffin pan with six cups might be the best choice for a single person or small household. The most common muffin pan has twelve standard-sized muffin cups and is a good number for most families, or if you hope to freeze some for later. If you want to have muffins to share with friends or co-workers, you will want to get a 24 cup pan. The 24-cup pan is quite large, however, so if you are short on storage space but still plan to bake the muffins to share, consider getting two stackable 12-cup muffin pans.

Materials

The most common materials for muffin pans on the market are coated steel or stainless steel, aluminum, and silicone. You can find some muffin pans in cast iron, stone, or glass, but these are not common. Here are some things to keep in mind when you choose a material.

  • Coated steel: Coated steel pans will have a nonstick coating over steel. They are sturdy, reliable, and cheap. However, the pans are prone to rust and become unusable when the nonstick coating wears off.

  • Stainless steel: Stainless steel muffin tins clean easily and resist both scratching and rust. They are also beautiful. Some don’t think they bake as evenly as aluminum, but they are very durable and will keep their shape better than aluminum.

  • Aluminum: A favorite choice for muffin pans, aluminum is a smooth heat conductor and will bake your muffins evenly. These pans will be lightweight and should not corrode. They can be more difficult to clean, though, and over time they could develop little holes which may affect your baking. You can find aluminum in a variety of thicknesses. The thicker aluminum will last longer, but be heavier.

  • Silicone: The silicone muffin pan is made from a flexible material that is lightweight and feels a little bit like rubber. You can actually invert the holes on this to easily pop muffins out of the pan after they are baked and cooled off. Silicone is lightweight and can be used in the microwave. While these pans are limited on the temperatures they can withstand, most can handle up to 500º F, which is sufficient for just about every muffin recipe.

  • Cast iron: This traditional material is most often used for corn muffins. These are heavy, like the pans your great-grandparents would have used. After seasoning, they are naturally nonstick. However, care of cast iron is a bit tricky, and they require regular “seasoning”, or treating them with oil so food doesn't stick to them. If you want this type of pan, make sure you learn how to clean it: don’t use soap and never put it in the dishwasher.

  • Stoneware: While not as common, if you like baking with stoneware, there are muffin pans available in this material. These should be seasoned like cast iron. Some are only rated for 400º F max, which makes them a poor choice for getting those beautiful raised tops on your muffins.

Pan color

The color of your pan can make a difference in your finished product. If you buy a metal pan, you will notice variations in the color of the metal.

  • Darker pans will bake quicker and be able to deliver a crispier edge.

  • Light-colored pans will distribute the heat more evenly. They can bake slower and are able to maintain more moisture in your final product.

This rule does not apply to silicone pans, which usually come in bright or primary colors. Because silicone pans do not conduct heat, the color you choose should simply be one you like.

Expert Tip
Cornbread tastes great baked in half-inch or one-inch high bites. Top with a sprinkle of sugar for a sweeter bite.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Additional features to consider

Nonstick coating

The most frustrating thing about baking muffins is when you are not easily able to get them out of the pan after they bake without a mess. Spraying or greasing each individual muffin cup can be a tedious experience (as can using paper liners), so many bakers opt for a pan with a nonstick coating. If you want this option, there are three main choices:

  • Teflon: This slippery coating is the most common nonstick option for metal pans. While considered generally safe and effective, it is important to keep in mind that Teflon breaks down at temperatures over 500º F. Never bake with a nonstick coated baking pan at this temperature.

  • Ceramic: This environmentally friendly option is created by spreading a thin layer of ceramic over the inside of a metal baking pan. It is very effective, but usually costs a lot more. It can also lose its nonstick properties with wear over time.

  • Superhydrophobic coating: This is the newest type of nonstick coating. It can be created from a variety of materials. The word refers to a coating designed to repel water — making it roll up into drops. This function can make it very effective at keeping your muffins from sticking to the pan.

Side grabs

A handy feature you may overlook is the side-grabs. The simple function of this feature on your muffin pan is to make it easier to take out of the oven without touching the baked goods. Some also come with holes that will allow you to grab the muffin pan out with a potholder or oven mitt more easily. You can find metal muffin pans with silicone grabs. The drawback to this kind of grab is that it will make your muffin pans more difficult to stack in the cabinet.

Lip on the cups

You may have noticed a small extra ridge near the top of the cup on some muffin pans. The function of this ridge is to help the muffin top rise up rather than out. Choose this style if you are trying to get those lovely high domes on your homemade muffins.

Expert Tip
Your muffin pans are for more than just muffins and cupcakes. Try scrambling a few eggs with bacon bits and a little chopped green onion then filling each cavity in the pan about a half-inch high. Slide it in the oven and bake for a healthy egg bite.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Muffin pan prices

Since most recipes are created to make 12 standard-sized muffins. We have compared prices for you on those muffin pans that make a dozen.

Inexpensive

At under $10, these pans will usually be of lower quality. They are often steel with a nonstick coating. These pans must be cared for properly, or they will lose their nonstick quality and potentially rust. You can also find silicone models at this price point. Unless you only plan to make muffins on a very rare occasion, we recommend at least spending $10.

Low mid-range

At $10 to $15 you will start to find wider side grips and holes for hanging which will make your storage options more flexible. You will also find some more creative designs for helping you achieve the desired shape for your muffins.

High mid-range

These still reasonably priced models will start at about $15 to $25. At this price point you will begin to see aluminum or aluminum mixed with other metals like copper or steel. These may be considered industrial grade. You can purchase a ceramic coated pan in this range.

Expensive

For $25 and up you are going to find better quality and longer-lasting muffin pans. The exact price will likely depend on the material. A stainless steel muffin pan will cost about $35. A cast iron muffin pan at the same price will likely only be a six-cup pan.

Expert Tip
Try baking in your muffin pan upside down. You can make upside-down pineapple cupcakes by placing a ring of fruit at the bottom of the tin, pouring the batter on top, and turning them out upside-down after baking.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Tips

  • If you want your muffins to have a beautiful domed top, try baking them for the first five minutes at a higher temperature (for example, 425º), then reduce the heat to the normal baking temperature called for in the recipe for the rest of the cooking time.

  • To get an attractive domed top on a muffin, you should fill the cups most of the way to the top with the thick muffin batter. This is different than a cupcake, which is a cake batter and rises more. If you are making cupcakes, fill the cups only about three-quarters of the way to the top.

  • If you choose a dark-colored muffin tin, you may want to lower your baking temperature by 25º F, or shorten your baking time.

  • While your muffins may look done, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin in the center of the pan and see if it comes out clean. Also, be careful not to overcook them, or they will take on a rubbery texture.

  • The biggest mistake people make before they even bake muffins is to overmix the dough. Only mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated, or they will turn out tough and not rise as high.

  • Some muffin pans come with an attachable lid with a handle on top and plenty of space so that high-topped muffins or frosted cupcakes can easily be taken on the go.

Content Image
Most recipes that say they will yield a dozen muffins are referring to the cup volume in standard sized pans.

FAQ

Q. Is there any difference between a muffin pan and a cupcake pan?

A. A lot of people just use the same pan for either a muffin or a cupcake. However, there is a difference. Muffin pans tend to have straight sides and may be a little deeper than a standard cupcake pan. Cupcake pans have slightly slanted sides.

Q. What is the difference between an enameled pan and a ceramic coated pan?

A. Both are types of nonstick coating that are durable and considered safe. Enameling is usually done with porcelain on cast iron. This is a type of coating that can provide a nonstick surface that is stronger and lasts longer. Ceramic coated pans over steel are a good option for an eco-friendly nonstick pan.