A cupcake liner is the cheapest thing in a baking project and the first thing anyone notices. A good one peels cleanly and keeps its color. A poor one goes see-through and greasy, or sticks and takes half the cake with it.
This guide covers eight liners across paper, foil and silicone, and leans on a published side-by-side trial to explain what each type does well.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working kitchen looks for, the makers’ own specifications and a published baking trial, which we cite.
Quick verdict: which cupcake liners to buy
For most bakers, the best cupcake liners are the Wilton Rainbow Bright Standard Baking Cups: a large box of paper sold as greaseproof, and a good paper liner is all that King Arthur Baking’s trial found you need. For dark batters within 350°F, choose Caperci silver foil. If you bake weekly and want to skip the waste, choose OXO silicone cups.
Five liners at a glance
Five of the eight picks, one for each kind of baker, with the details each listing states. All eight are reviewed below.
| Liner | Best for | Material | Count | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most batches | Greaseproof paper | 300 | View on Amazon | |
If You Care Unbleached Large Baking Cups, 3 BoxesBest unbleached
|
Natural look | Unbleached paper | 180 | View on Amazon |
| Dark batters up to 350°F | Foil | 150 | View on Amazon | |
OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups, 12 PackBest reusable
|
Weekly bakers | Silicone | 12 | View on Amazon |
If You Care Mini Baking Cups, 90 CountBest mini liner
|
Mini muffin pans | Unbleached paper | 90 | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Details are as each listing states; check the count and size on the offer before you buy.
Our picks for the best cupcake liners
These eight liners cover paper in plain and bright styles, foil, silicone and mini sizes. Each pick says who it suits, what the listing states and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Wilton Rainbow Bright Standard Baking Cups, 300 Count – Greaseproof and Easy to Stock
A big box of plain-size paper liners is what most home bakers actually need, and this is the one we would keep in the cupboard. Wilton sells these as greaseproof, oven-safe fluted paper cups in bright colors, 2 inches across in a standard fit.
Greaseproof is the word to look for. King Arthur Baking’s trial found that a good paper liner on its own released cleanly, and that doubling up made no visible difference when the paper has a grease-proof lining. That saves you a liner per cupcake.
At 300 in a box you will not be counting them out. If you prefer a plain look, see the unbleached Wilton cups below.
Why we like it
- Described as greaseproof in the title
- Standard 2-inch cups
- 300 in a box
- From a major baking brand
Key specifications
| Model | 415-2179 |
|---|---|
| Size | Standard, 2 inches across |
| Count | 300 |
| Material | Fluted paper |
| Grease resistance | Greaseproof, per the title |
| Oven limit | Oven safe; limit not stated |
| Reusable | No |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for birthday batches, school bakes and anyone who makes cupcakes more than once a year. Single paper worked well in the trial we read, so simple is fine.
Skip it if you bake for a formal table. Bright patterns suit a party better than a wedding.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large count
- Greaseproof claim
- Fits standard pans
Cons
- Patterned only
- No oven limit stated
- Single use
2. If You Care Unbleached Large Baking Cups, 3 Boxes – Unbleached With an FSC Mark
For bakers who want brown paper and fewer additives in the box. The listing title gives three boxes of 60, unbleached, with FSC certification on the paper. A close sibling listing for the same cups describes a natural silicone coating and a chlorine-free process.
The word “large” here means standard muffin pan rather than jumbo, going by the brand’s separate jumbo cups, but the listing gives no measurement, so check the box against your pan on the first bake. We tried to read If You Care’s own product page and it would not load, so these details rest on Amazon listings.
The natural color goes well with rustic muffins and banana bread batters, and it does not distract from a plain frosting.
Why we like it
- Unbleached paper
- FSC certified, per the title
- 60 cups in each of three boxes
- A brand known for unbleached baking paper
Key specifications
| Model | VBPHUKA216 |
|---|---|
| Size | Large; measurement not stated |
| Count | 180 (3 boxes of 60) |
| Material | Unbleached paper |
| Grease resistance | Not stated in this listing |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Reusable | No |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you prefer unbleached paper and buy baking supplies in small lots. It suits muffins as well as cupcakes.
Skip it if you want full specifications. This listing is very short. It also came from a third-party seller when we checked.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unbleached and FSC marked
- Three boxes on hand
- Natural look
Cons
- Very short listing
- No stated size
- Third-party seller when checked
3. Wilton Unbleached Standard Baking Cups, 75 Count – Natural Kraft Without Dye
A small, plain box for bakers who do not want 300 rainbow liners in a cupboard. These are fluted kraft paper cups, 2 inches across, in a natural color with no artificial dye, according to the listing.
The listing does not use the word greaseproof here, unlike the rainbow box. King Arthur notes that liners without a grease-proof lining can look damp or greasy, and that doubling may help in that case. Try one batch before you rely on them for a buttery recipe.
Wilton also suggests them for candies, nuts and party snacks, which is a good use for the last few in a box.
Why we like it
- Unbleached kraft paper
- No artificial dye, per the listing
- Standard 2-inch cups
- Small count for occasional bakers
Key specifications
| Model | 415-1864 |
|---|---|
| Size | Standard, 2 inches across |
| Count | 75 |
| Material | Unbleached kraft paper |
| Grease resistance | Not stated |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Reusable | No |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for an occasional batch of muffins, or when you want a plain liner under a dark frosting.
Skip it if your batter is very buttery. Greaseproof paper or foil is the safer choice for a rich recipe. It came from a third-party seller when we looked.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plain natural look
- Small box
- No added dye
Cons
- Grease resistance not stated
- No oven limit
- Third-party seller when checked
4. Reynolds Kitchens StayBrite Cupcake Liners, Assorted Patterns – Stands Without a Pan
A free-standing paper cup from a brand better known for foil and parchment. Reynolds describes these as free-standing paper cups, with no grease or spray needed and an easy lift out of the pan. Free-standing cups are also handy for carrying mints, nuts or candy on a party table.
One caution about count. The listing title says 36, but a line in its features describes a 24-pack of 36. Read the quantity on the offer before you buy, so you do not end up with more or fewer than you expect.
The listing suggests setting them in a muffin pan. We would still do that for wet batters, rather than trusting any paper cup to hold its shape alone on a sheet pan.
Why we like it
- Free-standing paper cups
- No grease or spray needed, per the listing
- Lift out cleanly, per the listing
- Two patterned designs
Key specifications
| Model | 10010900033807 |
|---|---|
| Size | Not stated |
| Count | 36 in the title; check the offer |
| Material | Paper |
| Grease resistance | Not stated |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Reusable | No |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it when you want cups that can also hold party snacks on a table, from a familiar name.
Skip it if you want an exact count from the listing. The title and features do not agree.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free-standing cup
- Well-known brand
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Pack count unclear
- Patterns only
- No oven limit stated
5. Caperci Silver Foil Cupcake Liners, 150 Count – Shiny Foil That Keeps Its Look
Foil is the choice for dark batters, because the color cannot show through. King Arthur Baking found foil liners worked about as well as paper, with the same height, shape and color, and recommends them as long as they are what you have on hand. It did see one small tear when an edge stuck, so a thin smear of butter is cheap insurance.
Caperci is an Amazon-first brand, and the page you buy from is the main source of detail. The listing gives a 2-inch bottom, a sturdy foil cup, a plastic storage container, and a stated oven limit of 350°F.
That limit matters. Plenty of cupcake recipes bake at exactly 350°F, so these work, but a recipe that runs hotter should go into a different liner. The listing also claims FDA and European compliance; we could not verify that independently.
Why we like it
- Silver foil holds its look over dark batter
- Greaseproof, per the listing
- 2-inch bottom for standard pans
- Comes in a storage container
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Size | Standard, 2-inch bottom |
| Count | 150 |
| Material | Foil |
| Grease resistance | Greaseproof, per the listing |
| Oven limit | 350°F |
| Reusable | No |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for chocolate or red velvet cupcakes, holiday trays, or any time the wrapper is part of the look.
Skip it if your recipe bakes above 350°F, or you would rather not use a brand with little published information outside Amazon.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hides dark batter
- Stated oven limit
- Handy storage box
Cons
- Low oven limit
- Amazon-first brand
- Claims not independently verified
6. OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups, 12 Pack – A Fill Line and Easy-Lift Tabs
If you bake weekly and do not want to keep buying paper, these are the cups to buy. OXO adds two small touches that matter: a batter fill line so the cups bake evenly, and tabs that make them easy to lift while hot.
They hold 3 ounces, flip inside out for cleaning, and are dishwasher safe. OXO says they work with baking sheets, muffin tins, air fryers and multicookers. King Arthur Baking found that nonstick baking cups released without sticking or tearing, but its cupcakes came out slightly smaller and rose less, and removing them was fiddly at first.
Our egg muffin guide carries another listing of this same OXO set, and we include it here because reusable cups are half of what people mean when they search for liners.
Why we like it
- Batter fill line
- Easy-lift tabs
- Flips inside out for cleaning
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 11211000 |
|---|---|
| Size | 3 ounces |
| Count | 12 |
| Material | Silicone |
| Grease resistance | Nonstick interior |
| Oven limit | Not stated in this listing |
| Reusable | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you bake often and want less waste. It also suits egg bites and small savory bakes.
Skip it if height matters most. King Arthur saw silicone cups give a slightly smaller, lower cupcake, and 12 cups will not cover a large batch.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reusable
- Helpful fill line
- Works in an air fryer
Cons
- Slightly lower rise, per King Arthur
- Only 12 cups
- No oven limit stated here
7. Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Cups, 24 Pack – Plain Reusable Cups in Bulk
The simple way to try silicone at the entry level. You get 24 round cups, 2.9 by 2.9 by 1.3 inches, in food-grade, BPA-free silicone that works with any standard muffin pan, according to the listing.
They are oven safe to 428°F, microwave and freezer safe, and dishwasher safe. What you give up against the OXO is the fill line and the tabs, so plan to fill by eye and peel them back gently.
As a house brand with no separate maker to look up, this rests on the listing alone. Twice the cups of the OXO set does make it easier to run a full batch.
Why we like it
- 24 cups, enough for a full batch
- Food-grade, BPA-free silicone, per the listing
- Oven safe to 428°F
- Stain and odor resistant, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 17800 |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.9 by 2.9 by 1.3 inches |
| Count | 24 |
| Material | Silicone |
| Grease resistance | Nonstick, per the listing |
| Oven limit | 428°F |
| Reusable | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want to bake full batches in reusable cups, or you are not yet sure whether silicone suits you.
Skip it if you want tabs or a fill line. Those are the features you pay more for with the OXO cups.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good count
- Stated oven limit
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No tabs or fill line
- House brand with little outside information
- Slightly lower rise likely, as with other silicone
8. If You Care Mini Baking Cups, 90 Count – Unbleached and Bite-Size
Mini pans need mini liners, and these are the clearest listing we found. If You Care’s mini cups are unbleached, chlorine-free and compostable paper, and the listing says they are nonstick and greaseproof with no need for oil or spray.
They are oven safe to 428°F, a stated limit that many mini liners omit, and the listing says they contain no dyes or fragrances. A box holds 90, which covers several batches in a 24-cup pan.
Compostable claims depend on where you live, so check what your local program takes. The offer we saw came from a third-party seller.
Why we like it
- Fits mini muffin pans
- Unbleached and chlorine-free, per the listing
- Greaseproof, per the listing
- Oven safe to 428°F
Key specifications
| Model | 8541882248 |
|---|---|
| Size | Mini |
| Count | 90 |
| Material | Unbleached paper |
| Grease resistance | Greaseproof, per the listing |
| Oven limit | 428°F |
| Reusable | No |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for mini muffins and bite-size cupcakes, where a greaseproof paper keeps small bakes tidy.
Skip it if you want bright colors. These are natural brown only, and you can find printed mini liners from other brands.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear specifications
- Greaseproof claim
- Natural paper
Cons
- Brown only
- Small box
- Third-party seller when checked
How to choose cupcake liners
The most useful evidence we found is King Arthur Baking’s side-by-side liner trial, written by Rossi Anastopoulo. It tried single paper, double paper, foil, silicone, tulip papers and spray alone. Its conclusion was to use cupcake papers, foil liners or nonstick baking cups, and to avoid tulip papers and spray used alone for cupcakes.
1. Paper
Plain paper did the job well in that trial, and with a good paper there was no need to line twice. Look for the word greaseproof if you want a liner that stays tidy over a buttery batter.
2. Foil
Foil gave the same height and shape as paper in the trial, with one small tear when an edge stuck. It is the safe bet for dark batters. Check the oven limit, as some foil cups are rated lower than paper.
3. Silicone
Reusable cups released cleanly in the trial, but cupcakes were slightly smaller and rose less. They are a fair trade if you bake often and care about waste. Fill them to the same level so they bake at the same pace.
4. Tulip papers
Tulip papers are the tall, folded kind you see at coffee shops. King Arthur found they made slightly squared cupcakes that were hard to fill, and suggests them for unfrosted muffins rather than cupcakes. That is why none of the eight picks here is a tulip paper.
5. Size
Standard, mini and jumbo are not interchangeable, and brands use the words loosely. Measure the bottom of a pan cup and compare it with the listing. For the pan itself, see our muffin tin reviews.
How we picked these eight liners
We looked for liners from named makers, sold new and in stock on Amazon in the United States, and read each listing for size, count, material and oven limit. We used King Arthur’s trial for how each type of liner behaves, and we did not bake with these liners ourselves. King Arthur did not test the brands on this page, apart from comparing its own, so read its findings as a guide to the type of liner rather than a verdict on any box here. At most two picks here are Amazon-first or house brands, and we left out the many anonymous sellers of foil and tulip cups.
Cupcake liner questions, answered
Do I need to grease cupcake liners?
Usually not. Several makers here say no greasing is needed, and King Arthur’s single paper liners released cleanly. A light coat of butter inside a foil liner is a reasonable precaution.
Should I use two paper liners?
King Arthur found no visible difference with good papers. Doubling may help with color only if the brand has no grease-proof lining.
Are silicone baking cups better than paper?
They are different. Paper and silicone baking cups both work, and silicone cuts waste. Paper gave a slightly taller cupcake in King Arthur’s trial, and it does not need washing.
Why do cupcake liners peel away?
King Arthur notes that paper can become damp or look greasy, and that is more likely with liners that have no grease-proof lining. Move cupcakes out of the pan to a rack soon after baking, so steam can escape.
Can I bake without liners?
You can, but spray alone was the least successful method in King Arthur’s trial, with rough sides and sticking edges. Treat it as a last resort.
Our last word on cupcake liners
Buy the Wilton greaseproof box if you bake now and then and want a large, reliable supply. Move to the Caperci foil for dark batters within its 350°F limit, or to the OXO silicone cups if you bake weekly. Whatever you buy, keep a box of the right size for the pan you actually own.
Line your pan, then think about the trip to the party: our guide to the best cake carrier covers cupcake carriers too, and the best piping tips handle the frosting.
And if you would rather someone else made dinner tonight, see the menu or call to order.