Rachael Ray Oven Lovin' Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Most Convenient
With its stainless steel handles and silicone grips, it's simple to get in and out of the oven, earning it our expert's approval.

PROS
The nonstick coating makes it easy to remove muffins from the pan. A wonderful choice for a rustic or industrial-style kitchen. It cooks evenly and effectively, and its orange edges brighten up an otherwise drab cooking product. 

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

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Chef Buddy 12-Cup Silicone Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Bargain Buy
It's easy to clean, and the nonstick surface will not deteriorate with time, allowing you to make perfect muffins every time.

PROS
The exterior is constructed of FDA-approved BPA-free silicone. Nonstick technology works. There was no rubber odor to it. The interior of the muffin cups has a clean, smooth finish. It's dishwasher safe.

CONS
The cooking times for these cups are often longer than those for comparable-size metal tins.

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Wilton Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Trusted Brand
It features two ovens, so you can make an even dozen muffins at once.

PROS
This pan is made of nonstick stainless steel, so it's easy to clean. The muffins come out easily from this pan. For the price, it's a good value. Metal is thick. Pan sits level in the oven for uniform cooking. A bakeware pan from a company with a reputable reputation.

CONS
Some users claim that their cupcakes and muffins cook faster in this pan.

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Farm Table Chef Silicone Muffin Pan Set

BOTTOMLINE
Solid Set
Silicone muffin pans come as a set with a tiny-sized muffin pan and a regular-sized pan and accessories.

PROS
It's not floppy like other silicone goods, and it's not flimsy or light. Not a BPA-free product. It is non-toxic and safe for consumption as food. If you're looking for a nice stainless steel pans, this is a good buy. A set of scoops and tiny spatulas are included. This is a fantastic gift package.

CONS
The cost of this set is greater than the sum of its components.

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USA Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Simple Yet Solid
A tin made of metal that maintains its nonstick promise cooks well and then easily releases the muffins.

PROS
The nonstick function is still effective with wet batters. It can endure a lot of use. Spray oils or butter should not be used with it. Designed to endure a lifetime. Perfect for burger buns. It's also available in a 6-muffin size that can be cooked in a toaster oven.

CONS
The manufacturer recommends hand-washing this muffin tin.

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Buying Guide for Best Muffin Pans

You'll need the correct equipment if you want to make those delicious, fluffy muffins from the bakery at home. A muffin pan is a specific-size baking dish with separate compartments for each cup. The small-sized cups will assist you in developing dishes like muffins, cupcakes, and tiny quiches that are simple to carry, freeze or share with your pals.

A muffin, unlike a cupcake, is generally a better choice. The term "quick bread" refers to any food baked in less than an hour and contains no refined flour. Many of the recipes are high in nuts, fruit, seeds, and oats, which means they're not suitable for restricted diets. The pan you pick may significantly impact the finished product, especially if you want to form a crisp, high, and rounded "dome" top like those produced by professional bakers.

While a muffin pan appears to be an easy item, several factors to consider before purchasing. The size, material, nonstick surface, and the number of cups will vary from pan to pan. We want you to be satisfied with your purchase, so look at the following shopping advice to get an idea of what to consider before purchasing.

The distance between the cupcakes in a muffin pan should exceed that of a cupcake pan, allowing larger muffin tops to expand without touching.

MUFFIN PAN CONSIDERATIONS

Size

Muffin pans come in three different sizes: regular, mini, and jumbo. There are also pans created to produce only the tops of muffins.

• Standard: A standard-sized muffin pan holds approximately one-half cup of batter or less per muffin cup. Homemade muffins are usually made in a size of this sort.
• Mini: Mini muffins are somewhat smaller than standard muffins. Each cup should be able to hold between one eighth and one-fourth cup of batter. These muffins will serve only one or two people. Tiny muffins are ideal for portion control if you're monitoring calorie intake or for youngsters who can't finish a whole regular-sized muffin.
• Jumbo: These tins are significantly larger than a regular muffin. They vary in size based on the maker. Typically, a single cup of batter will fill two 12-cup jumbo muffin pans. If you're attempting to make a bakery-style muffin at home, the jumbo-sized pan is an excellent option. These are the same size as many bakeries use.
• Muffin top: The tops of muffins are often preferred by most people, so these shallow cups bake up the majority of people's favorite part of a muffin.
  

Depth

Even on regular-sized pans, the breadth of the cup will vary. A typical muffin pan has a depth of about 1 inch on the short side. The bottom of the frying pan will be about an inch or two from the top. A deeper dish would be closer to 1.5 inches deep. The depth of a muffin top pan will be less than 1 inch.

Number of cups

A standard number of cups may be found on a pannier (6 to 24, depending on the model), which is determined by the size and shape of your pans. A single person or a small family might use a standard-sized muffin pan with six cups. The most frequent muffin pan has twelve standard-sized cup capacities and is appropriate for most families. If you want to store some of them for later, it's a decent number. If you want to share muffins with friends or coworkers, a 24-cup pan is best. The 24-cup pan is rather big, so if you're short on storage space but still want to make the muffins to share, get two stackable 12-cup muffin pans instead.

Materials

Muffin pans are usually made of stainless steel, aluminum, or silicone. Muffin pans are available in various materials, including cast iron, stone, and glass. These are not as popular as metal or silicone muffin pans. Here are some things to consider when selecting a material.

• Coated steel: Pans with a nonstick coating on steel are called coated steel pans. They're reliable, robust, and affordable. On the other hand, the pans are prone to rust and become unusable when the nonstick coating fades away.
• Stainless steel: Cleaning stainless steel muffin tins is simple, and they resist scratching and rust. They're also stylish. Some believe they bake as evenly as aluminum, but stainless steel is more durable and retains its form better than aluminum.
• Aluminum: Aluminum is a good heat conductor and bake your muffins uniformly. These pans will be light and non-corrosive. It's harder to clean, and as time goes on, they might acquire tiny holes, possibly affecting your baking. Aluminum comes in a wide range of thicknesses. The thicker the aluminum, the longer it will endure, but the heavier it will be.
• Silicone: The silicone muffin pan is made of a flexible material that feels somewhat like rubber and is light. You may invert the holes to easily extract baked muffins from the pan after they've been cooked and cooled. Silicone is a flexible material that can be heated in the microwave. The temperatures these pans can endure are quite low, except this pan, which has an interior coating of stainless steel, allowing it to tolerate up to 500° F.
• Cast iron: The bread most often made with this traditional material is corn muffins. These are substantial, like the cookware your grandparents would have used. They're naturally nonstick after seasoning. On the other hand, cast iron is more difficult to maintain, and it must be treated with oil once a month to prevent food from sticking. If you want this pan style, remember to learn how to maintain it: don't use soap and never put it in the dishwasher.
• Stoneware: If you enjoy baking with stoneware, muffin pans are available in this material, although they are not as popular. These should be seasoned like cast iron. Some are only capable of reaching 400°F, which is not suitable for producing the lovely rounded tops on your muffins.
  

Pan color

The color of your dish may differ depending on the color of your pan. If you get a stainless steel pan, you'll notice changes in the metal's hue.

• Pans with a darker color will bake faster and be better able to produce a crisp edge.
• Pans with a light color will distribute the heat more evenly. They take longer to cook and can retain more moisture in your final product.
  

This restriction does not apply to silicone pans, typically available in bright or primary hues. Because silicone cookware does not conduct heat, the color you choose should only be one you like.

EXPERT TIP

Cornbread can be sliced into half-inch or one-inch squares and baked in the oven for a sweeter flavor; top with a sprinkle of sugar.

Revuu Buddy Cooking and Baking Expert

ADDITIONAL FEATURES TO CONSIDER

Nonstick coating

The most frustrating aspect of baking muffins is cleaning up afterward since they don't readily come out of the pan without a mess. Many bakers prefer a pan with a nonstick coating for this step. Spraying or greasing each muffin cup might be time-consuming (as may using paper liners), so many bakeries choose not to use them. If you want it, you have three primary alternatives:

• Teflon: This slippery substance is the most frequent nonstick coating for metal pans. Teflon is a proven substance that has been used to coat cookware and other kitchen items for decades. It's considered fairly safe and successful, but it's worth noting that it degrades at temperatures higher than 500 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, do not use a nonstick-coated baking dish.
• Ceramic: A modest layer of ceramic is applied to the interior of a metal baking pan to produce this ecologically benign option. It's quite powerful, but it often costs a lot more. It may also lose its nonstick properties with use over time.
• Superhydrophobic coating: This is the newest nonstick surface available. It may be produced from several materials. The word "waterproofing" refers to a coating that repels water, causing it to roll up into droplets. This technique can help your muffins keep their shape while cooking.
  

Side grabs

Another useful function is the side grasps, which you may overlook. The basic operation of this feature on your muffin pan is to make it simpler to remove from the oven without touching the baked items. Other designs have cavities that make it easier to remove the muffin pan with a potholder or oven mitt. Silicone-coated metal muffin pans are available. The disadvantage of this type of grab is that it makes stacking your muffin pans in the cabinet more difficult.

Lip on the cups

Some muffin pans have a tiny extra ridge near the top of the cup, which may be seen if you notice a similar feature on other pans. Most of the time, a person's muffin top rises above their breasts rather than out. This technique will help you achieve those lovely high domes on your baked goods.

EXPERT TIP

You may use your muffin pans for much more than cupcakes and muffins. Spicy chicken and cheese quesadillas with a side of avocado salad. Serve on rustic bread for dipping in the salsa. Bake for a delicious egg bite, then slide it into the oven and cook for 10 minutes.

Revuu Buddy Cooking and Baking Expert

MUFFIN PAN PRICES

Because most recipes are constructed to make 12 standard-sized muffins, we've compared pricing on those muffin pans that produce a dozen.

Inexpensive

Pans with similar characteristics but at a lower price will have less-than-ideal quality to distinguish themselves from the competition. They're generally constructed of steel with a nonstick coating. Silicone cookware is less expensive than its stainless steel counterpart, but it also has a shorter lifespan. These pans will retain their nonstick quality and perhaps rust over time if properly cared for. Silicone versions may also be found in this price range. We suggest investing at least $10 if you only intend to make muffins on a rare occasion.

Low mid-range

At approximately $10 to $15, you'll notice wider side grips and holes for hanging, allowing you to store items in more places. Check out these interesting variations if you are still looking for some muffin-shaped ideas.

High mid-range

The initial cost of a muffin pan is generally between £15 and £25. These reasonably priced models will start at around $15 to $25. You'll notice aluminum or metal minerals like copper or steel in this price range. These are industrial-grade pans. A ceramic-coated pan may be found in this price range.

Expensive

Heavier stainless steel, aluminum, and even ceramic muffin pans are available for around $25. You'll pay more for higher-quality ones that will endure longer. The material will determine the cost. A stainless steel muffin pan will set you back around $35. A cast iron muffin pan at the same range will most likely only be a six-cup pan.

EXPERT TIP

Turn the muffin pan upside down in the oven to create warped, flip-top cupcakes. To prepare upside-down pineapple cupcakes, start by filling your tin with a ring of fruit at the bottom and baking as directed.

Revuu Buddy Cooking and Baking Expert

TIPS

• If you want your muffins to have a lovely domed top, bake them for the first five minutes at a higher temperature (for example, 425°F), then reduce the heat to normal oven settings for the remainder of their cooking time.
• To create a beautiful domed top on a muffin, use the thick muffin batter to fill the cups halfway. This is not the same as a cupcake, a cake batter that rises higher. If you're making cupcakes, fill them only three-quarters up.
• If you use a dark-colored muffin tin, you may want to reduce your baking temperature by 25°F or decrease the baking time.
• When your muffins appear done, insert a toothpick into the center of one to see whether it comes out clean. Finally, keep an eye on them while they cook; they'll get a rubbery texture if you overcook them.
• The most common baking blunder is overmixing the dough. Simply combine all ingredients until they are completely incorporated, or they will become hard and fail to rise as high.
• The conventional measurement for a muffin pan is 12 cups. Some muffin pans have an attachable lid with a handle on top and adequate space for high-topped muffins or frosted cupcakes to be readily carried.
  
  

Many recipes use the cup volume in normal-sized pans to describe how many muffins are supposed to be produced.

FAQ

Aside from the shape, is there any difference between a muffin pan and a cupcake pan?

A. A lot of consumers simply use the same pan for both a muffin and a cupcake. However, there is a difference. Muffin pans are slightly deeper than standard cupcake pans and have straight sides, although they may steeper. Cupcake pans have slanted sides that are somewhat more angled.

What's the significance of a ceramic-coated pan compared to an enameled one?

A. Both are nonstick coatings that are long-lasting and deemed safe. Enameling is often done on cast iron using porcelain. This is a specialized type of paint that makes nonstick surfaces more durable and long-lasting. An environmentally friendly nonstick pan is best prepared on stainless steel or enameled cookware.

Rachael Ray Oven Lovin' Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Most Convenient
With its stainless steel handles and silicone grips, it's simple to get in and out of the oven, earning it our expert's approval.

Shop Now

Chef Buddy 12-Cup Silicone Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Bargain Buy
It's easy to clean, and the nonstick surface will not deteriorate with time, allowing you to make perfect muffins every time.

Shop Now

Wilton Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Trusted Brand
It features two ovens, so you can make an even dozen muffins at once.

Shop Now

Farm Table Chef Silicone Muffin Pan Set

BOTTOMLINE
Solid Set
Silicone muffin pans come as a set with a tiny-sized muffin pan and a regular-sized pan and accessories.

Shop Now

USA Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan

BOTTOMLINE
Simple Yet Solid
A tin made of metal that maintains its nonstick promise cooks well and then easily releases the muffins.

Shop Now