14 Best Muffin Pans for Making Cupcakes

Do you like cupcakes? If so, you need a reliable pan that will make them perfect. Did you know the type of bakeware you use can affect how they taste? Whether it is aluminum, carbon steel, or silicone, there are the best muffin pans for making cupcakes that are right for you.

The texture of a pan can play a factor in the quality of your cupcakes. Even the tone of bakeware can make a difference. For instance, a darker pan tends to conduct more heat than one that is lighter in color, but it does not mean your food will not be as good. If you are not sure which to pick, consider gold. It is a happy medium between the two.

Best Muffin Pans for Making Cupcakes

Do you like to serve homemade cupcakes? You need a muffin pan that will deliver the lightest, fluffiest treats. Muffin pans are good for more than just muffins. Their versatility allows you to make all kinds of tasty dishes. Many features can make a good baking pan.

Nonstick Surfaces

First of all, you want a pan that has a nonstick surface. Baked food is not easy to clean, and too much scrubbing can scrape the finish. A pan that requires less maintenance is something you may want to consider. The best muffin pans for making cupcakes are frequently nonstick.

Ease of Cleaning

Ease of cleanliness is a must. Most bakeware can go in the dishwasher, but there may be some that require washing by hand. If you are a busy bee and do not have much time to clean, dishwasher-safe may be the way to go.

Size

Size can be a crucial decision to make when it comes to serving a crowd. Most muffin pans come in six, 12, and 24-count. The cup capacities are as follows: one-inch for miniatures, two inches for standard muffins, and 2.5 inches for jumbos.

Heat Distribution

What about handling the pan when it is hot? Bakeware with wider edges is easier to take out of the oven. If there are silicone or rubber edges, that is even better. Soft grips allow a better hold.

Speaking of hot, a pan that bakes evenly is going to make your cupcakes look and taste better. The way the heat disperses through the pan can affect how golden brown your cupcakes become.

Material

What a muffin pan consists of contributes to the quality of food by the way it distributes heat.

Aluminum, steel, and silicone are all reliable and bring good results. So, how do you know which one to use? Think about what matters most when you bake.

Aluminum

Food in aluminum or steel containers cook evenly, preserving its taste. The glossy look you see is a protective coating that prevents fading, peeling, or scratching, and it keeps the food from sticking.

Aluminum is recyclable, weighs less than steel, and contains no toxic chemicals, but it is reactive to certain foods with high acid contents, such as vinegar and tomatoes.

Steel

Stainless steel is heavy, non-toxic, and more durable. Unless it contains some aluminum or copper in its core, heat may not distribute evenly through the food. Most cookware contains different forms of metal to conduct the right amount of heat.

Carbon steel differs in that it contains carbon that helps improve the quality of baked goods. To keep your food from sticking you will have to spray or oil the pan first. To prevent rust, dry it thoroughly after washing and grease it before storing it away.

Silicone

When it comes to flexibility and durability, you can have the best of both worlds with silicone. It will not crack, bend, scratch, rust, or peel, and it is lightweight.

Foods do not stick, although you can add a small amount of oil. Silicone should be food-grade so that your cupcakes do not come in contact with toxins.

Best Silicone Muffin Pans for Making Cupcakes

Silicone pans make popping out those cupcakes easier.

Silicone is easy to clean and store. The best muffin pans for making cupcakes are often made from silicone. Choosing bakeware does not have to be tough. With a variety of colors and sizes to choose from, baking can be really fun.

Here are the best silicon muffin pans:

Trudeau Brand Silicone/Marble Muffin Pan

Do you like a combination of materials in your cookware? The Trudeau Pro bakeware has what you need. The base of this pan consists of metal, while the cups are silicone with marble design, so your cupcakes will jump right out of their eight-ounce compartments. There is no need to spray or oil it before use.

It requires little maintenance as it is dishwasher-safe or hand-washable. It is safe to use because the BPA-free rubber-like surface will not contaminate your food, and there is no fear of shifting the batter while transferring from counter to oven. Your food cooks evenly in a 425- degree oven.

Not ready to frost your cupcakes yet? Place the pan in the freezer. You can treat groups of any size with the six, 12, or 20 mini-size pans. Combine the sturdiness of metal with the flexibility of silicone and you have a winner.

Trudeau Brand Structured Silicone Pan

Trudeau makes another above-standard muffin pan that will bring great results. The pan consists of high-quality silicone for the batter but has an embedded steel frame that provides durability. Easily pop out the baked cupcakes from their compartments and prepare them for frosting.

The bakeware is lightweight yet sturdy enough to transport between oven and counter. Although the surface is nonstick, brush the cups lightly with vegetable oil and place the pan in the oven. It is dishwasher safe, freezer-safe, and ideal for the microwave. Choose between different colors and styles.

Keliwa Brand Silicone 12-cup Muffin/Cupcake

The Keliwa 12-cup muffin pan is another baker’s favorite. It consists of high-quality, FDA-approved red rubber-like material that is stain-resistant and easy to clean. Baked food slides right out of it.

The 100% silicone is BPA-free, meaning it contains no chemicals that can taint the flavor of food. It is flexible and lightweight yet durable enough to handle oven temperatures of 450 degrees. It contains no metal, so place it on a cookie sheet before you bake.

Are you tired of old rusty pans? The silicone in this bakeware resists rust, scratches, and fading. It is flexible enough to fold for storage without breaking. Food cools quickly. What’s more, it is dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe.

SJ Brand Two-Pack Silicone Molded Muffin Pan

Two for the price of one is quite a deal. They come as a set of 12 and 24. These red BPA-free molds are durable and easy to clean. They are safe to use in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. You will need to place the molds on a sturdy, oven-safe surface before baking.

Cupcakes will release from these pans easily due to the nonstick silicone. There is no fear of a metallic taste from using a metal pan.

Boxiki Kitchen Brand Steel and Silicone Muffin Pan

Do you want something unique? Try the Boxiki Kitchen food-grade muffin pan. The base and frame of this pan are alloy steel while the cups are all red silicone. You have strength and flexibility at the same time.

Place it in the oven at temperatures up to 500 degrees and voila! The nonstick silicone cups are easy to push from the bottom and let your cupcakes release without breaking apart. Along with your purchase, you receive a lifetime guarantee and a free recipe ebook.

Best Metal Muffin Pans for Making Cupcakes

Is there a metal pan that doesn’t stick?

There is nothing worse than food that sticks when you try to remove it. You can still use metal without that problem. The best muffin pans for making cupcakes don’t need to be metal. Below are selections that prevent or minimize the frustration of a sticky mess.

Here are the best metal muffin pans:

Rachael Ray Brand Nonstick Muffin Pan

As with most of her products, her nonstick muffin pans are high-quality. Consisting of heavy-gauge steel, this pan stands up to oven temperatures of 500 degrees. The silicone grips on each end will allow you to grip the pan and move it around with ease.

The steel is lead-free, cadmium-free, and PFOA-free. Recommended care includes using wood, silicone, or plastic utensils to protect against scratching. Are you feeding a crowd? These pans are available in six, 12, and 24 cups.

USA Pan Brand Quick Release Cupcake/Muffin Pan

If you want something unique, here it is. The USA Quick Release pan looks and feels different than the average metal pan. Its alloy steel fluted design allows air to circulate, allowing for even cooking. Food separates from the grooves during baking so it doesn’t stick.

Thanks to Americoat, a non-toxic coating on the pan, your cupcakes will come out in one piece. As the brand says, this bakeware is American-made and PTFE, PFOA, and BPA-free.

ChefMade Brand Carbon Steel Muffin Pan

Another sturdy, nontoxic choice is the ChefMade carbon steel muffin pan. The non-Teflon surface prevents food from sticking and is easy to clean. The carbon steel aids with even cooking, using less energy, and can withstand oven temperatures up to 428 degrees.

The rounded edges of the pan make removing it from the oven easy and safe. Although it is nonstick, let your cupcakes cool a little before releasing them. With this champagne gold bakeware, you can choose the size you need: six-cup, 12-cup, 12 mini-muffin, or 20 supermini muffins.

Wilton Brand Alloy Steel Muffin Pan

Like most metal pans, the Wilton alloy steel muffin pan bakes cupcakes evenly. The finish is nonstick and rust-resistant, and easy to wash by hand or in the dishwasher. The smooth rounded edges are wide on each end like handles.

The sturdiness of the steel can withstand several uses without fading or scratching. The Wilton pan comes with a five-year warranty.

Williams Sonova Brand Goldtouch Pro Muffin Pan

If you do not mind paying more, Williams Sonova makes a sturdy muffin pan that exceeds the competition. The gold and red colors make it attractive for any occasion. There will always be even baking due to the coated commercial-grade steel that makes up this pan. The cupcakes will pop out without effort.

The edges of the baking pan are wider to allow you to transfer your baked goods from the oven to the counter. This dishwasher-safe pan can tolerate oven temperatures up to 450 degrees. Although the coating protects the steel, avoid using metal utensils as they can scratch the surface.

Oxo Brand Aluminized-Steel Muffin Pan

OXO makes a nice-looking pan with unique texturing for better airflow. What that means is that your cupcakes will bake evenly and taste great.

The pan has a double professional-grade coating that is resistant to damage from consistent use. The edges smoothly fold over to form a seam on the underside so you can grip the pan without any difficulty.

Nordic Ware Brand Aluminum Muffin Pan

Nordic Ware makes a high-quality muffin pan that is durable and reliable. Heat flows through evenly so your food turns out perfect. The 12 compartments can hold up to 2.5 cups of batter. An American-made product, this pan is non-toxic and sturdy. Cleaning in a dishwasher may damage the surface, as well as using abrasive utensils.

Nordic Ware Brand Naturals Muffin Pan with Lid

Made in the USA, this aluminum muffin pan is resistant to corrosion and warping. When your cupcakes are ready, cover them up with the plastic lid and take them with you. When you finish with your pan, be sure to hand wash it because the heat in the dishwasher may damage the coating.

CakeTime Brand Silicone Muffin Set

The CakeTime set includes two sizes, a 24 mini and a 12 standard, both consisting of 100% silicone and BPA-free. This set passed the pinch test, meaning it did not turn white, which is what makes it authentic.

Because of its flexibility, you may need to place it on a cookie sheet to prevent it from bending when putting it in the oven. With this gorgeous set, you will get a bonus: 12 colorful reusable cupcake holders for those special occasions. The silicone is safe to use in the microwave, the freezer, and the dishwasher.

Did you also know you can make muffins in the air fryer?