The best part of a muffin is the top, with its crisp edge and domed center. A muffin top pan bakes only that part. Each cup is wide and very shallow, about half an inch deep on the pans that state it, so the batter spreads out and browns over more of its surface. The same shape makes a good bun, a neat egg for a breakfast sandwich and the two halves of a whoopie pie.
This page is not about standard tins. Our muffin tin reviews cover those, with deep cups for ordinary muffins and cupcakes. Here we look only at shallow pans, and what separates them: cup width and count, coating, oven limit and care. Everything comes from what each maker or Amazon listing states, and we flag where a listing contradicts itself.
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Quick verdict: which muffin top baking pan to buy
For most home bakers, the best muffin top pan is the Chicago Metallic Muffin Top Pan: six cups, each 4 inches wide and half an inch deep, in carbon steel with a nonstick coating and a lifetime limited warranty in the listing. If you want a full dozen and a dishwasher-safe pan, choose the Wilton Gold Non-Stick Muffin Top Pan, described as made without PFAS. If you want no coating at all, the Fox Run Stainless Steel Whoopie Pie Pan is rated to 572 degrees.
Five picks are compared below, and all seven are reviewed in full after the table.
Five muffin top pans side by side
Who each pan suits, what it is made of and its cups, as each maker or listing states.
| Pan | Best for | Material | Cups | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago Metallic Muffin Top Pan, 6-CupBest overall
|
Bakery-sized tops at home | Nonstick carbon steel | 6, each 4 in x 0.5 in | View on Amazon |
Wilton Gold Non-Stick Muffin Top Pan, 12-CupBest big batch
|
Big batches, dishwasher users | Nonstick; listing mixed on metal | 12; cup size not stated | View on Amazon |
Norpro Puffy Muffin Top Pan, 6-CupBest for eggs and buns
|
Egg sandwiches and buns | Nonstick steel | 6, each 4 in x 0.5 in | View on Amazon |
Fox Run Stainless Steel Whoopie Pie Pan, 12-CupBest uncoated
|
Bakers avoiding coatings | Stainless steel | 12; cup size not stated | View on Amazon |
HONGBAKE Large Muffin Top Pans, Set of 2Best for small ovens
|
Two small pans, big tops | Nonstick carbon steel, set of 2 | 4 per pan, each 4 in | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best muffin top pan
These fall into two groups: six-cup pans with larger, bakery-style tops, and twelve-cup pans with smaller tops in larger numbers. If a listing doesn’t give a figure, we say so.
1. Chicago Metallic Muffin Top Pan, 6-Cup – Wide, Shallow Cups in Heavy Steel
This pan is what the category should look like. It has six cups, each 4 inches wide and half an inch deep, in a pan that measures 15.75 by 11 inches. The maker calls it heavy-weight carbon steel, and at half an inch deep, the wide cups let the batter spread and brown across its surface.
The listing suggests baked eggs, oversized cookies for ice cream sandwiches and small layer cakes, and all of those suit the shape. Six cups is also an honest amount for a household, since most muffin recipes will fill the pan and leave a little more batter for a second round.
It needs a bit of care. Chicago Metallic recommends hand washing to extend the life of the pan, so it is not the one to choose if everything in your kitchen goes in the dishwasher. The listing does not state an oven limit or the kind of nonstick coating. The warranty field reads lifetime limited.
Why we like it
- Cups stated at 4 inches wide and 0.5 inch deep
- Heavy-weight carbon steel, per the maker
- Lifetime limited warranty in the listing
- Sold by Amazon
Key specifications
| Model | 16640 |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | 4 x 0.5 in |
| Pan size | 15.75 x 11 in |
| Coating | Nonstick; type not stated |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home baker who wants larger bakery-style tops and is happy to wash a pan by hand to make it last.
Skip it if you want a dishwasher-safe pan or a coating you can identify, because this listing recommends hand washing and doesn’t name its coating.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clearly stated cup size
- Long warranty field
- Suits eggs and buns too
Cons
- Hand wash recommended
- Oven limit not stated
- Only six cups
2. Wilton Gold Non-Stick Muffin Top Pan, 12-Cup – A Full Dozen, Dishwasher Safe
Wilton’s pan gives you twelve cups at 11 by 16 inches, and its size field calls it a muffin top pan of 12 cups. It is the easiest here to live with: oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, dishwasher safe, with extended handles that make it simpler to lift.
The listing describes the coating as a premium nonstick made without PFAS, which will matter to some buyers. It says scratch resistant and warp resistant as well, but those are the maker’s words.
The material is the listing’s weak spot. The title says non-stick steel, and one feature line says heavy-duty aluminum, so we can’t tell you which is right. With twelve on an 11 by 16 pan, each cup must be smaller than the 4-inch ones above, though the listing doesn’t state the size.
Why we like it
- Twelve cups in one pan
- Oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Described as made without PFAS
Key specifications
| Model | 191011494 |
|---|---|
| Material | Listing says both steel and aluminum |
| Cups | 12 |
| Cup size | Not stated |
| Pan size | 11 x 16 in |
| Coating | Nonstick, made without PFAS |
| Oven limit | 450°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone baking for a crowd or a bake sale who wants one big pan that can go in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you want large 4-inch tops, since twelve cups on this pan will be smaller.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A dozen at once
- Dishwasher safe
- Extended handles
Cons
- Listing contradicts itself on material
- Cup size not stated
- Too wide for some small ovens
3. Norpro Puffy Muffin Top Pan, 6-Cup – Sized for Egg Sandwiches and Buns
Norpro’s cups match the Chicago Metallic’s size at 4 inches wide and half an inch deep, but it talks about them differently. The listing leads with baked eggs that fit English muffins and bagels, and low-carb buns made from almond flour or flaxseed.
The overall pan is the largest of the six-cup group at 17.25 by 11.25 inches, so check that it fits your oven and your rack. It has a steel core with a nonstick coating, and it comes with recipes and instructions.
Norpro recommends hand washing. This listing is sold by a third-party seller, Hour Loop, so read the return terms. The listing does not give an oven limit or say what the coating is.
Why we like it
- 4 inch by 0.5 inch cups, per the listing
- Egg sandwiches and keto buns named
- Steel core with nonstick coating
- Recipes included
Key specifications
| Model | 3973 |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | 4 x 0.5 in |
| Pan size | 17.25 x 11.25 x 0.5 in |
| Coating | Nonstick; type not stated |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits low-carb bakers and anyone making breakfast sandwiches at home, more than someone chasing a muffin top alone.
Skip it if your oven is small, as this is the largest six-cup pan here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stated cup size
- Recipes included
- Many named uses
Cons
- Large overall
- Hand wash recommended
- Third-party seller
4. Fox Run Large Muffin Top Pan, 6-Cup – A Lighter, More Compact Pan
At 14 by 10.5 by 0.5 inches and 12.8 ounces, this is the smallest of the six-cup pans whose size is stated. It is sold for muffin tops, hamburger or sandwich buns and single-serving brownies, and it goes easily into a small oven.
The listing describes its nonstick as silicone-based, an unusually specific note. It says the pan is dishwasher safe but recommends washing by hand for a longer life.
The material needs a caveat. One line says carbon steel, and another says heavy-weight aluminized steel. Cup size is not stated, and neither is an oven limit, so this pick rests on its practical size more than its detail.
Why we like it
- Compact at 14 x 10.5 inches
- Silicone-based nonstick, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe; hand washing recommended
- Named for buns and brownies
Key specifications
| Model | 4474 |
|---|---|
| Material | Listing says carbon and aluminized steel |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | Not stated |
| Pan size | 14 x 10.5 x 0.5 in |
| Coating | Silicone-based nonstick |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits a smaller kitchen or oven, and a baker who likes a light pan that is easy to move around.
Skip it if you want a stated cup size or a clear statement of what the pan is made of.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Light at 12.8 ounces
- Sold by Amazon
Cons
- Cup size not stated
- Listing contradicts itself on material
- Light pans can brown less evenly
5. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 6-Cup Muffin-Top Pan – A Known Name and a Long Warranty
Cuisinart’s pan is part of its Chef’s Classic nonstick bakeware line, and Amazon sells it directly. The listing is unusually thin: the features only give package dimensions and weight. It tells you that the pan has six cups and carries a limited lifetime warranty, and very little more.
That warranty and the name are the reason to look at it. If you already own Chef’s Classic pans, this one will fit in. But we can’t tell you the cup size, material or oven limit from the listing, so check Cuisinart’s own product information if those matter to you.
The package is 16.9 by 12 by 1.5 inches, so the pan itself will be somewhat smaller. It weighs a little over a pound in its box.
Why we like it
- Limited lifetime warranty, per the listing
- Part of Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic line
- Sold by Amazon
- Six cups
Key specifications
| Model | AMB-6MTP |
|---|---|
| Material | Not stated |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | Not stated |
| Pan size | Package 16.9 x 12 x 1.5 in |
| Coating | Nonstick; type not stated |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a buyer who prefers a major name and a long warranty and is willing to trust them over the listing detail.
Skip it if you want to compare specifications, because this listing has almost none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Well-known maker
- Long warranty
- Sold by Amazon
Cons
- Very little listed
- Cup size not stated
- Care not stated
6. Fox Run Stainless Steel Whoopie Pie Pan, 12-Cup – Uncoated Steel Rated to 572 Degrees
Every other pan on this page is coated. This one is sold as stainless steel with no coating mentioned, for whoopie pies, muffin tops and burger buns. Its 12 cavities sit in a pan of 14 by 10.63 inches, and it is rated to 572 degrees Fahrenheit and listed as dishwasher safe.
Coated pans wear out, and this should not, so it is the one for a baker who dislikes nonstick or scrapes pans with metal tools. Expect to pay for that in effort. Bare stainless holds on to baked goods, so grease and flour each cup well, or line them with parchment rounds.
The listing doesn’t state the cup size or depth, and its claim of no hot spots is the maker’s own. Stainless steel is also not the most even conductor of heat, so turn the pan halfway through if you see uneven color.
Why we like it
- No coating mentioned in the listing
- Rated to 572 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Twelve cavities
Key specifications
| Model | 48506 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Cups | 12 |
| Cup size | Not stated |
| Pan size | 14 x 10.63 in |
| Coating | None stated |
| Oven limit | 572°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits bakers who want to avoid coatings altogether and who are happy to grease every cup thoroughly.
Skip it if you want tops to slide straight out with no prep.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No coating to wear
- Highest stated heat limit
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Needs thorough greasing
- Cup size not stated
- Stainless can brown unevenly
7. HONGBAKE Large Muffin Top Pans, Set of 2 – Two Small Pans for 4-Inch Tops
Instead of one big pan, HONGBAKE sells two smaller ones. Each measures 10 by 9 by 0.5 inches with four cups of 4 inches, giving eight large tops in all. Small pans fit a toaster oven more easily, and two let you bake a different batter in each.
The listing says the pan is carbon steel, stamped in one piece with wide handles, and rated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It names a Whitford-reinforced coating, free of PFOA and PTFE by its own account. We repeat that as the seller’s claim, without a maker document behind it. It names no care instruction.
HONGBAKE is this page’s one Amazon-first brand. Still, a set of two 4-inch pans fills a real gap on this page.
Why we like it
- Two pans, four 4-inch cups each
- Rated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- One-piece pans with wide handles, per the listing
- Small enough for a compact oven
Key specifications
| Model | HB-MF-09-2TOP |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Cups | 4 per pan, 8 total |
| Cup size | 4 in |
| Pan size | Each 10 x 9 x 0.5 in |
| Coating | Whitford-reinforced, per the seller |
| Oven limit | 450°F |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small household or a toaster oven owner who wants large tops without a full-sized pan.
Skip it if you prefer an established maker or a stated care line.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two small pans
- Stated cup size
- Stated heat limit
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- Coating claims are the seller’s own
- Care not stated
How to choose a muffin top pan
1. Cup size and count
A 4-inch cup gives you a big, bakery-style top, and six of those fill a home pan. Twelve-cup pans make smaller tops, which are better for bake sales or whoopie pies. Choose by what you want to bake: for sandwiches or big tops, go with six at 4 inches; for a crowd, go with twelve. For regular muffins and cupcakes, see our muffin tin reviews instead.
2. Depth
This is what makes the pan what it is. Half an inch, as stated by Chicago Metallic and Norpro, is shallow enough for the batter to brown across its whole surface. Several listings here don’t state depth at all. Don’t overfill, because the batter needs room to rise and it has very little wall to climb.
3. Coating or bare steel
Six of these seven pans are nonstick, which means easy release and an eventual end when the coating wears. Wilton describes its coating as made without PFAS, and Fox Run calls its coating silicone-based. Most others don’t name it. If you want no coating, the Fox Run stainless is the only option here. Don’t use metal tools on coated pans.
4. Size against your oven
Measure before you buy. The Norpro is 17.25 inches long and the Wilton is 16 inches, which won’t fit some smaller ovens. The HONGBAKE pans, at 10 by 9 inches, will go in many toaster ovens. Leave some room around the pan for the air to move, so that the outer cups don’t brown faster.
5. Other things these pans do
This is the case for owning one at all. Listings name baked eggs, sandwich buns, cookies, small layer cakes and brownies. If your main reason is breakfast sandwiches, compare our egg muffin pan guide. If you want flexible cups instead of steel, our silicone muffin pan guide covers those.
6. Care
Chicago Metallic, Norpro and Fox Run all recommend hand washing their coated pans, even when a listing allows the dishwasher. Wilton’s coated pan and the Fox Run stainless are listed as dishwasher safe. Let a coated pan cool before washing it, and don’t use abrasive pads.
How we picked these seven pans
We looked for shallow pans sold for muffin tops on Amazon in the United States, in stock when we checked, from identifiable makers, with at most two Amazon-first brands. All sizes and care lines come from the makers’ Amazon listings, and where a listing contradicts itself, we say so. We searched for independent tests of muffin top pans and turned up retailer pages and thin roundups, not a comparison we would rely on, so this list rests on stated details and on what the shape does.
We left out USA Pan and Nordic Ware because we found no muffin top pan from either in stock, only standard tins. We also left out a second Fox Run nonstick whoopie pie pan, a silicone-coated Sasa Demarle crown mold that is deeper and made for commercial sheet pans, and many near-identical pans from sellers with little behind the name. We have not baked in these ourselves. A search of the CPSC recall database by brand listed no recall for these pans; Wilton and Cuisinart recalls we saw cover other products.
Muffin top pan questions, answered
What is a muffin top baking pan?
It is a pan with wide, very shallow cups, about half an inch deep on the ones that state it. Batter spreads out rather than rising up, so you get a browned, domed top with no base. It is also sold as a whoopie pie pan or bun pan.
Can you use regular muffin batter in a muffin top pan?
Yes. Fill each cup without overfilling it, and start checking early, since the shallow shape bakes faster than a deep tin. How much faster depends on the recipe and your pan, so watch the first batch. A thick batter holds its shape better.
What else can you make in a muffin top pan?
The listings here name baked eggs for sandwiches, burger buns, oversized cookies, small layer cakes, brownies and whoopie pies. Norpro also names low-carb buns made from almond flour or flaxseed.
Is a whoopie pie pan the same as a muffin top pan?
Close enough for most uses. Both have shallow round cups. Fox Run sells its pans under both names. Whoopie pie cups can be smaller, so check the size if you want large tops.
Are muffin top pans dishwasher safe?
Some are. The Wilton and the Fox Run stainless are listed as dishwasher safe. Fox Run’s 6-cup says it is but recommends hand washing. Chicago Metallic and Norpro recommend hand washing, since detergent can wear down a coating. Check the listing for the pan you buy.
Our final pick for the best part of the muffin
Buy the Chicago Metallic for larger tops, and the Wilton if you want a dozen and a dishwasher. Choose the Norpro for breakfast sandwiches, the Fox Run stainless to avoid coatings, and the HONGBAKE set for a small oven. For the rest of your baking, our muffin tin reviews cover full-depth pans, and our mini loaf pan guide is another way to get more crust from the same batter.
And if you would rather have someone else make breakfast or lunch, see the menu or call to order.