A muffin tin earns its cupboard space in more ways than muffins. The same 12 cups bake cornbread muffins to go with a pot of beans or chili, pan de elote in single portions, cupcakes for a birthday, and egg bites with chorizo and cheese for a breakfast crowd. The mini version turns out bite-size pastries for a party; the jumbo version makes the tall, bakery-style muffin that most home pans cannot.
These muffin tin reviews compare seven pans from makers we could identify, across the three sizes most kitchens use: standard 12-cup, jumbo and mini. We have not baked in them ourselves. Instead, for each pan we set out what the maker and its Amazon listing state about the cups, the metal, the coating, the oven limit, the dishwasher and the warranty, and we say plainly where a listing leaves something out.
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Quick verdict: the muffin tin to buy
For most kitchens, buy the USA Pan 12-Cup Muffin Pans, Set of 2: heavy-gauge aluminized steel made in the USA, a silicone release coating, and two pans so a full batch of 24 bakes at once. If you would rather have no coating at all, the Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Standard Muffin Pan is rated to 550°F. For a flexible pan, the Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Silicone Muffin Pan has a wire-reinforced rim so it does not fold when full.
The table below compares our five standout pans, one for each kind of baker. All seven are reviewed in full after it.
Five muffin pans compared
One pick for each kind of baking, with the cups, material and oven limit each maker or listing states.
| Muffin tin | Best for | Cups | Material & oven limit | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
USA Pan 12-Cup Muffin Pans, Set of 2Best overall
|
Muffins, cupcakes, cornbread muffins | 2 x 12 standard | Coated aluminized steel; up to 450°F | View on Amazon |
Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Standard Muffin PanBest uncoated
|
Bakery-style baking, high heat | Standard cups (count not listed) | Anodized aluminum; up to 550°F | View on Amazon |
USA Pan Jumbo Texas Muffin Pan, 6-CupBest jumbo
|
Tall bakery-size muffins | 6 jumbo, 3.88 in | Coated aluminized steel; up to 450°F | View on Amazon |
| Party bites, mini egg cups | 2 x 24 mini | Nonstick steel; limit not stated | View on Amazon | |
Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Silicone Muffin PanBest silicone
|
Egg bites and easy release | 12 standard | Silicone, wire rim; up to 428°F | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Cup sizes, materials and oven limits are as stated by the maker or its Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our muffin tin reviews, pan by pan
These seven pans cover the materials worth knowing: aluminized steel with a silicone release coating, plain and anodized aluminum, ceramic-coated steel, conventional nonstick steel and silicone. They span the three sizes most recipes use. If muffin pans for eggs are what you are after, our separate guide to the best egg muffin pan covers that job, and this page mostly reviews different pans.
1. USA Pan 12-Cup Muffin Pans, Set of 2 – Two Heavy Pans, Easy Release
Many muffin and cupcake recipes make more than 12, which with a single pan means baking in two rounds. This listing is two of USA Pan’s standard 12-well pans, so a full batch goes into the oven at once. Each pan is commercial-grade, heavy-gauge aluminized steel, which the listing describes as steel for strength combined with aluminum for heat conductivity, and each cup measures 2.75 by 2.13 by 1.38 inches.
The cups are coated with Americoat, a patented silicone coating that USA Pan says is made without PTFE, PFOA and BPA and promotes quick release with easy cleanup. USA Pan’s own product page for the 12-cup pan sets the care rules clearly: do not exceed 450°F, do not put it in the dishwasher, and do not use cooking spray, which its FAQ says may stain the bakeware. Grease or line the cups as your recipe says instead.
The pans are made in the USA from globally sourced materials, according to USA Pan, and carry a limited lifetime warranty. For cornbread muffins, pan de elote or a breakfast tray of egg cups, two sturdy pans that release cleanly are hard to beat.
Why we like it
- Two 12-cup pans for a full 24-cup batch
- Heavy-gauge aluminized steel, made in the USA
- Silicone release coating, per USA Pan
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 1200AMZ (two 1200MF pans) |
|---|---|
| Cups & size | 12 per pan; 2.75 x 2.13 x 1.38 in each |
| Material | Heavy-gauge aluminized steel |
| Coating | Americoat silicone nonstick |
| Max temp (stated) | 450°F |
| Dishwasher-safe | No, per USA Pan |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you bake full batches of muffins or cupcakes and want both pans in the oven at once.
Skip it if everything in your kitchen has to go in the dishwasher; USA Pan says hand wash only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two pans in one listing
- Clean release
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Hand wash only
- No cooking spray
- 450°F limit
2. Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Standard Muffin Pan – No Coating, High Heat Rating
Fat Daddio’s makes bakeware for professional kitchens, and this standard muffin pan is built the same way: 18-gauge anodized aluminum with no nonstick coating. The listing says the finish releases easily, will never rust, peel or flake, and is safe for citrus-based foods, unlike traditional bakeware. Fat Daddio’s also says the pan is made without extra metals, chemical additives, dyes, PFAS, PTFE or PFOA.
The cups measure 2.875 by 2 by 1.375 inches and hold 3.3 ounces each, sized for standard cupcake liners, and the pan itself is 15.75 by 11.125 inches. The listing rates it to 550°F, the highest on this page, and says it is safe in pressure cookers, air fryers and the freezer. It says aluminum heats and cools quicker, which it presents as helping prevent over-baking and dry cakes.
The trade-off of an uncoated pan is care with release: use liners or grease the cups. Fat Daddio’s recommends hand washing and backs the pan with a lifetime warranty.
Why we like it
- No coating to scratch or wear
- Rated to 550°F, per the listing
- Safe with citrus, per Fat Daddio’s
- Lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | MFN-STD |
|---|---|
| Cups & size | Standard; 2.875 x 2 x 1.375 in, 3.3 oz each (count not stated) |
| Material | 18-gauge anodized aluminum |
| Coating | None (anodized finish) |
| Max temp (stated) | 550°F |
| Dishwasher-safe | Hand wash recommended |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you prefer bare metal to a coating and want the highest stated heat rating here.
Skip it if you bake without liners and want food to slide out with no greasing; a coated pan is easier.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Uncoated and durable
- Highest heat rating here
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Needs liners or greasing
- Hand wash recommended
3. Nordic Ware Naturals 12-Cup Muffin Pan with High-Domed Lid – Bake, Cover and Carry
Nordic Ware’s Naturals line is plain aluminum, and this is its standard 12-cavity muffin pan with one useful addition: a high-domed plastic lid. The listing says the dome leaves ample space for puffy muffins or frosted cupcakes, which means a tray of cupcakes for a school party or cornbread muffins for a family dinner can travel in the pan they baked in.
The pan is made of aluminum for consistent baking results, according to the listing, and the lid is BPA- and melamine-free plastic. It is made in the USA and carries a lifetime warranty. Being uncoated, it wants liners or a greased pan, and the lid is for carrying and storage, not the oven.
The listing does not state the cup dimensions, an oven limit or a dishwasher rule. Follow the care card that comes with the pan.
Why we like it
- High-domed lid clears frosting
- Plain aluminum, no coating
- BPA- and melamine-free lid
- Made in the USA, lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 45593 |
|---|---|
| Cups & size | 12 standard; cup size not stated |
| Material | Aluminum; plastic lid |
| Coating | None |
| Max temp (stated) | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if your muffins and cupcakes often leave the house and you want an uncoated pan with a cover.
Skip it if you need stated cup sizes and an oven limit; the listing gives neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lid for transport
- No coating to wear
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Thin listing details
- Needs liners or greasing
4. OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Ceramic 12-Cup Muffin Pan – Light Coating, Wide Handles
OXO’s Non-Stick Pro ceramic pan is heavy-gauge aluminized steel with a ceramic non-stick coating, which the listing says releases food easily and protects against scratching, staining, corrosion and abrasion. The interior coating is light-colored, which OXO says is optimized for even browning of sweet and savory bakes.
The design details are practical. Rounded interior corners are easier to clean, expanded rim handles are easier to hold with oven mitts, and a square-rolled edge adds strength. Pan dimensions are marked on the top surface. The listing says it makes a 2.75-inch muffin and gives the outside of the pan as 11.90 by 16.96 by 1.65 inches.
What the listing does not give is an oven limit, a dishwasher rule or warranty terms, so check OXO’s care card before baking hot or putting it in the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- Ceramic non-stick coating, per OXO
- Light interior for even browning, per OXO
- Expanded rim handles
- Size marked on the pan
Key specifications
| Model | 11415000 |
|---|---|
| Cups & size | 12; makes a 2.75-in muffin |
| Material | Heavy-gauge aluminized steel |
| Coating | Ceramic non-stick |
| Max temp (stated) | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a coated pan that releases easily, browns lightly and is easy to hold.
Skip it if you want stated oven and dishwasher limits before you buy; this listing gives neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy release
- Comfortable handles
- Rounded, easy-clean corners
Cons
- No stated oven limit
- Care and warranty not listed
5. USA Pan Jumbo Texas Muffin Pan, 6-Cup – Bakery-Size Muffins at Home
A jumbo or “Texas” muffin is the coffee-shop size: tall, domed and big enough for breakfast on its own. USA Pan’s version has six wells, each measuring 3.88 by 2.5 by 1.82 inches by the listing’s figures, against 2.75 by 2.13 by 1.38 inches for its standard cup.
It is the same construction as USA Pan’s standard pan: aluminized steel with the Americoat silicone coating, which USA Pan says is PTFE, PFOA and BPA free and gives quick release. USA Pan’s use-and-care FAQ applies to all its bakeware: do not exceed 450°F, and do not use cooking sprays, which it says may stain the pan. Hand wash with hot water, mild soap and a gentle brush or sponge.
The pan is made in the USA and covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Beyond muffins, jumbo cups suit large egg cups or individual cornbread portions to serve with a bowl of beans.
Why we like it
- Six jumbo wells, 3.88 x 2.5 x 1.82 inches
- Silicone release coating, per USA Pan
- Made in the USA
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 1265TM |
|---|---|
| Cups & size | 6 jumbo; 3.88 x 2.5 x 1.82 in each |
| Material | Aluminized steel |
| Coating | Americoat silicone nonstick |
| Max temp (stated) | 450°F, per USA Pan FAQ |
| Dishwasher-safe | Hand wash, per listing care |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you want tall, bakery-size muffins or big single portions.
Skip it if you mostly bake cupcakes; standard recipes and liners are sized for regular cups.
Pros and cons
Pros
- True jumbo size
- Clean release
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Only six muffins per batch
- Hand wash, no cooking spray
6. Wilton Perfect Results 24-Cup Mini Muffin Pans, Set of 2 – Forty-Eight Bites per Batch
Mini muffins and cupcakes are party food, and parties need a lot of them. This set is two 24-cup mini pans, so 48 bite-size muffins, mini cupcakes or mini egg cups go into the oven together. Each pan measures 10 by 16 by 1 inches, and the listing gives the cavities as 1 by 1.5 inches in diameter.
Wilton describes heavy-duty steel construction that distributes heat evenly and resists warping, a durable non-stick coating for easy release, and large handles for moving the pans in and out of the oven. The listing says the pans are dishwasher safe, but suggests washing them in warm, soapy water before and after each use for longevity. They are backed by a limited 10-year warranty.
The listing does not name the coating type or give a maximum oven temperature. Mini cups bake quickly, so start checking well before the time a standard-size recipe gives.
Why we like it
- Two 24-cup pans, 48 minis per batch
- Heavy-duty steel, warp-resistant, per Wilton
- Large handles
- Limited 10-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 2104-3920 |
|---|---|
| Cups & size | 24 per pan; 1 x 1.5 in cavities |
| Material | Heavy-duty steel |
| Coating | Non-stick (type not stated) |
| Max temp (stated) | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes; hand washing suggested |
| Warranty | Limited 10-year |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for parties, potlucks and brunch trays where small, many and quick is the goal.
Skip it if you want to know the coating chemistry; the listing does not name it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big mini-batch capacity
- Dishwasher safe
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Oven limit not stated
- Coating type not named
7. Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Silicone Muffin Pan – Flexible Cups, Wire-Reinforced Rim
Silicone muffin pans have one big advantage and one big flaw. The advantage is release: you flex the pan and muffins, cupcakes or egg bites pop out. The flaw is floppiness: a full silicone pan can bend and spill on the way to the oven. Chicago Metallic addresses the flaw with a wire-reinforced rim that the listing says adds rigidity, prevents warping and makes it easy to move a full pan without spills or bending.
The cups are food-grade silicone that the listing says releases baked goods without greasing. The pan measures 14.6 by 10.43 by 1.4 inches, holds 12 standard muffins, and is rated oven safe to 428°F. It is dishwasher safe, though Chicago Metallic recommends hand washing in warm water with mild detergent to extend its life.
Know what silicone does to a muffin. A study of corn muffins by University of New Hampshire researchers, published in the Journal of Foodservice, found that muffins from silicone pans were moister and had more volume, but their top crust was significantly less browned than muffins from anodized aluminum pans, and the authors concluded silicone did not produce a better product. That makes this pan best for egg bites, mini quiches and moist batters, where clean release matters more than a browned top.
Why we like it
- Flexible cups release without greasing, per the listing
- Wire-reinforced rim for a stable carry
- Rated to 428°F
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 5332158 |
|---|---|
| Cups & size | 12 standard; pan 14.6 x 10.43 x 1.4 in |
| Material | Food-grade silicone, wire-reinforced rim |
| Coating | None (silicone) |
| Max temp (stated) | 428°F |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes; hand washing recommended |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy it for egg bites, mini quiches and anything you want to pop out cleanly without liners.
Skip it if you want well-browned muffin tops; the study above found aluminum browned them more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easiest release
- Stiffer than most silicone pans
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Less top browning than aluminum, per a published study
- Lower heat limit
- No warranty listed
How to choose a muffin tin
1. Pick the cup size first
Standard 12-cup pans fit most recipes and standard liners. Jumbo pans make fewer, taller muffins; mini pans make many small ones that bake quickly. If you bake for a crowd, two standard pans, as in the USA Pan set, save a second round in the oven.
2. Choose coated, uncoated or silicone
Coated pans, like the USA Pan, OXO and Wilton pans, release most easily. Uncoated aluminum, like Fat Daddio’s and Nordic Ware, has nothing to wear off but wants liners or greasing. Silicone releases best of all, but the University of New Hampshire study cited above found it browned muffin tops significantly less than anodized aluminum. Our guide to the best baking pan non-stick bakers use explains coatings in more detail.
3. Check the oven limit and care rules
The stated limits here run from 428°F for silicone through 450°F for USA Pan’s coated steel to 550°F for Fat Daddio’s anodized aluminum. Care rules differ just as much: USA Pan says no dishwasher and no cooking spray, while Wilton and Chicago Metallic list their pans as dishwasher safe but suggest hand washing.
4. Look at handles, rims and lids
A muffin pan is awkward to grab with mitts once its cups are full. Wide rim handles, like OXO’s and Wilton’s, help, and a reinforced rim keeps silicone from folding. If your muffins travel, Nordic Ware’s domed lid is worth having.
5. Plan for portioning
Even portions bake evenly, and the simplest way to get them is a scoop. Our guide to the best cookie scoop covers sizes that work for muffin batter as well as cookies.
How we put these muffin tin reviews together
We searched Amazon US for muffin and cupcake pans from established makers, USA Pan, Nordic Ware, Wilton, OXO, Chicago Metallic and Fat Daddio’s, in standard, jumbo and mini sizes plus a silicone option, and checked every listing for stock through Amazon’s product data. Only pans that were in stock when we checked are included. Williams Sonoma’s own bakeware is not sold on Amazon, so it is not reviewed here. One Chicago Metallic 12-cup metal pan was left out because its listing described a set of mini loaf pans instead.
Cup sizes, materials, coatings, oven limits, care and warranties come from each Amazon listing, and for USA Pan from its own 12-cup pan page and use-and-care FAQ. Where a listing does not state something, we say “Not stated” rather than guess. These are spec-based reviews: we have not baked in these pans ourselves, and we have not relied on other publications’ rankings.
Muffin pan questions, answered
Which muffin tins are best to buy for a beginner?
A standard 12-cup coated pan from a maker that states its oven limit and care rules, such as the USA Pan, covers most recipes. Add a mini or jumbo pan only if you bake those sizes often.
Is a silicone or metal muffin pan better?
For browning, metal: the University of New Hampshire study found muffins from silicone pans had significantly less top-crust color than those from anodized aluminum, though they were moister. Silicone releases more easily and suits egg bites. If you choose silicone, pick one with a reinforced rim or frame, like the Chicago Metallic, so it does not fold when full.
Do I need muffin liners?
Not with a well-greased or coated pan, but liners make release and cleanup easier and are a good idea with uncoated aluminum. USA Pan says not to use cooking spray on its coated pans; grease them as your recipe directs.
Can muffin tins go in the dishwasher?
It depends on the maker. USA Pan says no; Wilton and Chicago Metallic say yes but suggest hand washing for longevity; Fat Daddio’s recommends hand washing. Check your pan’s care rule.
Our final pick among the muffin tins
Buy the USA Pan set of two for most baking, Fat Daddio’s if you want bare metal with the highest heat rating, Nordic Ware’s lidded pan for muffins that travel, OXO’s ceramic-coated pan for easy release and handling, USA Pan’s Texas pan for jumbo muffins, Wilton’s mini pans for parties and Chicago Metallic’s silicone pan for egg bites.
Prefer silicone? See our guide to the best silicone muffin pans.
Related guide: Best muffin top pan.
Related guide: Best mini muffin pan.
Related guide: Best cupcake liners.
For complete kits, see our guide to the best baking pan sets. If breakfast is the plan, our explainer on breakfast tacos pairs well with a tray of egg cups. And if you would rather someone else did the cooking, see the menu or call to order.