43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (2024)

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (1)

By Heath Goldman

Published Apr 7, 2020

Let's be honest: Your muffin tins are probably gathering dust on an impossible-to-reach shelf in the pantry right now. But if you've only been using them for muffins, you're in for a surprise. There are a ton of recipes you can make (and the meal prepping options are endless). So dust off your pans and try one of these 43 muffin-tin recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.

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Half Baked Harvest

1. Oatmeal Chocolate-chip Breakfast Cups

Who said you can't have milk and cookies for breakfast?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Vegetarian Sushi Cups

No chopsticks required.

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Muffin-tin Lemon Meringue Tarts

The sweet treats look like they belong on a bakery shelf, but we promise they’re easy enough to whip up at home (with the help of your trusty muffin tin, of course).

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Stuffing Muffins

Get ready for Thanksgiving, year-round.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (6)

Averie Cooks

5. Easy Mini Pot Pies

The easiest pies you'll ever make.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Ice-cream Cupcakes

You’re welcome.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Poached Eggs

Does poaching eggs seem like a daunting task? With the help of your muffin tin, now you can offer them to a crowd.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (9)

Minimalist Baker

8. Seven-ingredient Vegan Key-lime Pies

Pies have never been easier.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Cheesy Polenta Bites With Brussels Sprouts And Pancetta

How to seriously up the app’s ante.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Bacon-wrapped Eggs

Two of your favorite breakfast foods, reinvented.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (13)

Minimalist Baker

12. Mini Vegan Pumpkin Pies

Comfort food is honestly the best food.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (14)

Well Plated By Erin

13. Homemade Tater Tots

With cheese and bacon, of course.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (15)

Well Plated by Erin

14. Spinach Puffs

Easy, cheesy, crowd-pleaser!

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (16)

Wholesum Yum

15. Low-carb Zucchinipizza Muffins

Not your average healthy snack.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (17)

Minimalist Baker

16. Five-ingredient Chocolate Coconut Butter Cups

We've just found our new favorite dessert.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (18)

Oh My Veggies

17. Mini Vegetable Lasagnas

You won't miss the meat, we promise.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (19)

Wholesum Yum

18. Keto Cheesecake Bites

Low-carb deliciousness.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (20)

Minimalist Baker

19. Vegan Peanut Butter Mousse Cups

You haven't tried mousse until you've tried peanut butter mousse.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (21)

Oh My Veggies

20. Huevos Rancheros Tortilla Breakfast Cups

Your favorite brunch recipe is now portable.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (22)

Oh My Veggies

21. Brown Sugar Peach French Toast Cups

Delicious french toast, zero technique required.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (23)

Damn Delicious

22. Mini Lasagna Cups

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (24)

Half Baked Harvest

23. Easy Cheese And Prosciutto Croissants

Hooray for mash-ups.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (25)

Oh My Veggies

24. Spinach Goat Cheese Mini Quiches

Introducing the star of your next potluck.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (26)

Oh My Veggies

25. Vegan Aussie Bites

A healthy cookie-muffin hybrid.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (27)

Yellow Bliss Road

26. Cranberry Brie Bites

Fall vibes, year-round.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (28)

Dinner at the Zoo

27. Baked Oatmeal Cups

If you thought oatmeal was boring, think again.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (29)

Ambitious Kitchen

28. Cheesy Chicken And Quinoa Enchilada Meatloaf Muffins

A creative way to use up leftover quinoa.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (30)

Dinner at the Zoo

29. Ham And Egg Cups

A breakfast recipe the whole family will love.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (31)

Gimme Some Oven

30. Buffalo Chicken Cups

And next up in our perfect-for-football-Sunday category…

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

31. Baked Mac-and-cheese Bites

We dare you to just have one.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (33)

Spend with Pennies

32. Mini Meatloves

Make these whenever someone says “I don’t like meatloaf.”

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (34)

Damn Delicious

33. Mini Garlic Monkey Bread

This is the stuff dreams are made of.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (35)

Half Baked Harvest

34. Crispy Cheesy Potato Snacks

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (36)

Gimme Some Oven

35. Spinach And Artichoke Cups

It’s important to eat your veggies.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (37)

Damn Delicious

36. Mini Taco Salad Cups

The crispy layers are so addicting.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (38)

Recipe Tin Eats

37. Garlic Bread Mini Pizzas

Our favorite vehicle for sauce and cheese.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (39)

Recipe Tin Eats

38. Spicy Muffin Tin Chicken Tostadas

They’ll never guess these are made with store-bought tortillas.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (40)

Minimalist Baker

39. Crispy Hash Brown Haystacks

Basically a potato living its best life.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (41)

Two Peas and Their Pod

40. Mini Quiche With Kale, Roasted Red Peppers And Feta Cheese

A timeless classic.

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (42)

Gimme Some Oven

41. Five-ingredient Caprese Phyllo Cups

Fresh, easy, light.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

42. Mini Lasagnas

Way easier to whip up than the O.G. dish.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (44)

Damn Delicious

43. Mini Corn Dog Muffins

Even tastier than pigs in a blanket.

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43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (45)

Heath Goldman

Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?

read full bio

43 Unexpected Muffin-Tin Recipes You've Never Tried (2024)

FAQs

How to make muffins without a muffin tin? ›

Take any basic batter, from brownie batter to cake batter to muffin batter, and spread it onto a parchment-lined (or well-greased) sheet pan with high edges. Bake until just set and golden on the edges, then remove from the oven and let it cool.

Why are my muffins rubbery? ›

What causes the muffins to be tough, heavy or rubbery? A. Two things: too much egg and using a dark, nonstick pan. A large-size egg, about 1/4 cup, will give you the best results.

Should you take muffins out of pan right away? ›

Allowing them to cool slightly in the pan before removing them will help keep them from falling apart. This being said, you only want to leave them in the pan for a short amount of time—about five minutes. Any longer, and you run the risk of your muffins going soggy as they cool off.

What can you use instead of a muffin pan? ›

You can use alternative items such as ramekins, silicone baking cups, or even a regular baking sheet lined with parchment paper to bake muffins without a muffin tray.

Can you bake in a muffin tin without liners? ›

Making Cupcakes Without Liners

While sticking is a bit of a risk, you can always spray down your muffin pan and bake the cupcakes as normal. (Baker's Joy is a good product to consider using.) Make sure to evenly coat each and every cup, and to coat not only the base but also the sides of the cup.

Can you make muffins in a muffin pan without liners? ›

You can. I did for years, still do when I make corn muffins. You must grease the cupcake muffin/cupcake pan well. For corn muffins I just grease, for cupcakes I grease and flour.

What is the secret to moist muffins? ›

Chilling your muffin batter overnight in the fridge is the BEST thing you can do for amazing muffins. It makes them more moist, tender, and TALLER! It's very similar to chilling cookie dough, which if you know me you know I'm obsessed with chilling cookie dough. Think of it like marinating.

Is it better to make muffins with milk or water? ›

We recommend using water; however we know that some Makers prefer to use milk to make muffins. Using milk can change the texture of the muffin to be more like a cupcake.

What is the secret to fluffy muffins? ›

Having eggs, butter, and milk at room temperature helps them form a smooth mixture that traps air and expands when heated in the oven. That expansion makes your muffins fluffy and light. Room-temperature butter should indent easily when you press it.

What are some mistakes to avoid when making muffins? ›

Common Muffin Making Mistakes To Avoid
  1. Over mixing the batter.
  2. Overfilling the muffin tray.
  3. Leaving the muffins in the pan after they have baked.
  4. Berries, nuts, and chocolate chips sink to the bottom.
Mar 12, 2019

Why do my muffins fall when I take them out of the oven? ›

When the cell structure doesn't set, the air spaces created by the leavening in the recipe collapses, causing the muffin to sink. Oven temperatures vary over time. To insure the correct temperature each time you bake, always use an oven thermometer. The oven temperature in the recipe may not have been hot enough.

Why do you need to spray the muffin pans? ›

Muffins are great, but it's frustrating when they get stuck in the pan. The trick to preventing muffins from sticking to the muffin tins is to grease each muffin cup thoroughly.

What can I use if I don't have muffin liners for cupcakes? ›

First, cut a sheet of parchment into five-to-six-inch squares. Then, place the squares over the holes in the muffin tin, and use the heel of a small glass to mold the paper into the indent.

What is the difference between muffin pan and cupcake pan? ›

Muffin pans and cupcake pans are exactly the same.

However, in yet another difference between cupcakes and muffins, cupcakes always use liners and muffins are often baked without liners.

Can you make muffins without muffin holders? ›

You can bake excellent muffins or cupcakes and remove them safely from pans without using baking liners as long you effectively grease your baking pan. If you don't want to bother with liners or make a special trip to the store, you're not alone. Here are some reasons to avoid muffin liners: Liners are not required.

Can you use muffin cups without a muffin tin? ›

If you need to make cupcakes but don't have a cupcake tray, it's still possible to bake those cupcakes. If you have cupcake liners, all you need to do is create stronger liners by stacking them on top of one another before placing them in a regular baking tray.

Can you make muffins without cupcake holders? ›

Use parchment paper instead of cups, Chapple says, for an upgraded case for your muffins or cupcakes, and you'll never worry about cupcake liners again.

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