The Best Muffin Pan

Buying Guide

Muffins pack plenty of versatility. They make a tasty snack any time of day, but they come in extra handy for breakfast. You can eat one on the go or enjoy it at your kitchen table.

But if you’ve ever made muffins, you know muffin pans have some issues. Baked goods can tend to stick to the interior of the cups, making them tough to clean. Some muffin pans aren’t dishwasher safe, either, which means you’ll have to hand wash them after you’ve scraped off the remnants of your yummy creations.

Luckily, muffin pans have come a long way in recent years. Most manufacturers apply a nonstick coating to keep pans easy to clean while also ensuring the foods slide out easily once cooled. But this nonstick coating means many pans can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher. The heat and detergent can start to degrade the coating. There are some that claim to be dishwasher safe, but chances are, they’ll suffer the same fate.

That’s where silicone can help. Some muffin pans are either fully silicone or use silicone cups to give you the dishwasher safety you need. If you choose one that’s fully silicone, you’ll need to combine it with a cookie sheet to support it. The FDA has approved silicone as safe for cooking, and you may even be able to use cooking spray to ensure your muffins release easily.

Muffin pans aren’t just for muffins, either. You can use them for cupcakes, egg cups, hash brown cups, vegetable frittatas and more. There are plenty of recipes online for use with muffin pans, so you’ll be able to have some fun with your new kitchen tool.

• Muffin pans come in a variety of sizes. You can find some made for baking much smaller muffins, while others have jumbo-sized muffin cups. Choose the one that matches your preferences.
• Many nonstick muffin pans are made from steel, but don’t count aluminum pans out. These usually won’t be nonstick, but they’re great for conducting heat. With an aluminum pan, you’ll also be able to clean it in the dishwasher and use cooking spray, although you may find it’s tougher to get a clean lift on your muffins and cupcakes.
• It’s best not to use cooking spray on nonstick pans. The lecithin in cooking sprays tends to cling to nonstick pans, building up over time and eventually becoming hard to clean off. Over time, the integrity of the pan will start to degrade.
• Dark pans can be problematic when you’re baking cakes and sweet breads. The dark color tends to absorb heat more quickly than lighter colors and therefore can lead to the exterior overcooking.
• Unless your muffin recipe directs otherwise, only fill each cup to about ¾ full. This will allow the extra room necessary for the muffin to rise without forcing it to spill too far over.
• Muffin liners can be great if you’re making muffins or cupcakes to take to an event or party. It will give others a way to hand out the treats without touching them. If you’re making baked goods at home, though, liners are likely unnecessary.
• Pay close attention to the material used to make any muffin pan you’re buying. You’ll want durable steel with a nonstick coating that is designed to last through many uses.
• Silicone pans bring plenty of convenience, but you may find they don’t conduct heat in the same way metal does. You’ll probably find you need to spend time experimenting with your silicone muffin pan to know how to adjust cooking time and temperature. You can also find muffin recipes designed specifically for silicone pans.