Our Top Picks
Amazon Basics Nonstick Muffin Pan13.9x10.55x1.22"10.55 x 13.9 x 1.22 inches1.9 poundsCheck on Amazon
The best muffin pan for most kitchens is the USA Pan 12-cup muffin pan, which America’s Test Kitchen named its top muffin tin in its 2026 roundup for even browning, wide handles and moderate cost. The Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro performed nearly identically but costs more, and the Nordic Ware Naturals aluminum pan is the cheaper uncoated alternative that needs liners. Check cup volume before you buy: a standard cup holds roughly 3.5 to 4 ounces of batter.
Quick Comparison of the Picks
| Pick | Best for | Cups | Material and finish | Notable detail | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA Pan 12-Cup Muffin Pan | Best overall | 12 standard | Aluminized steel, silicone nonstick | Wide edges for oven mitts, ridged for airflow | Mid |
| Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro 12-Well | Premium choice | 12 standard (about 99 mL per well per ATK) | Aluminized steel, nonstick | Heavy gauge, also in 6-well | Upper-mid |
| Nordic Ware Naturals 12-Cavity | Uncoated, budget | 12 standard (about 82 mL per well per ATK) | Natural aluminum | Use liners; smaller wells | Budget |
| USA Pan or Goldtouch mini muffin pan | Mini muffins, bites | 24 mini | Aluminized steel, nonstick | Recommended for minis by Sally’s Baking Addiction | Mid |
| Cast iron muffin pan | Crisp corn muffins, lifetime use | 6 to 12 | Seasoned cast iron | Heavy; browns deeply | Mid to upper |
| Silicone muffin mold | Flexible release, freezer-to-oven | 12 | Silicone | Needs a baking sheet for support | Budget |
Best Overall: USA Pan 12-Cup Muffin Pan
America’s Test Kitchen’s 2026 muffin tin review put this pan first, noting that it is relatively inexpensive and that its broad rims give you room to grab it while wearing oven mitts. It is made of aluminized steel with a silicone-based nonstick finish and a corrugated surface that promotes air flow and even browning, according to the maker. Culinary Hill also uses it as the pick from its own kitchen.
Amazon Basics Nonstick Muffin Pan, Set of 2, Sturdy, Oven Safe, Bakes Evenly, Easy to Clean, 12 Cups, Gray, 13.9x10.55x1.22"
Chosen because it specifies Set of 2 and Sturdy.
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GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Steel Muffin Pan, 12 cup, Gray
Chosen because it specifies 12 cup and Gray.
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Bake Choice 2 Muffin Pan for Baking, Standard Cupcake Pan with 100 Liners | Includes 100 Natural Cupcake Liners, Non-Stick Muffin Tin Nonstick 12 Cup, Baking Pans Set, Carbon Steel Baking Supplies
Chosen because it specifies Standard Cupcake Pan with 100 Liners and Includes 100 Natural Cupcake Liners.
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Wilton Gold Non-Stick Muffin Pan, Made Without PFAS, 12-Cup | Non-Stick Steel with Scratch-Resistant Coating, Resists Warping, Extended Handles, Dishwasher Safe, Perfect for Cupcakes
Chosen because it specifies Made Without PFAS and 12-Cup.
View on AmazonThe trade-off is care. It should be hand washed and used with silicone or wood utensils. The light color bakes gently, so recipes that rely on a deep brown crust, such as bakery-style tops, may need a few extra minutes.
Best Premium: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro 12-Well
The Goldtouch Pro performed almost identically to the USA Pan in ATK’s review. It has heavy gauge steel and a nonstick coating, and Williams Sonoma also sells a 6-well version that ATK recommended among six-cup tins. Wells hold about 99 mL, according to ATK, so muffins have a generous dome.
The trade-off is price. Unless you bake weekly and want the thicker feel, the USA Pan gives similar results for less.
Best Uncoated Budget: Nordic Ware Naturals 12-Cavity
Nordic Ware’s Naturals pan is natural aluminum, the only uncoated aluminum pan in the ATK lineup. It resists warping, conducts heat evenly and has no coating to wear out. Wells are smaller at about 82 mL.
The trade-off is that it needs paper liners or generous greasing, and muffins can stick without them. Because the wells are smaller, a standard recipe makes slightly shorter muffins or yields extra cups.
Best for Minis: Mini Muffin Pans from USA Pan or Goldtouch
For bite-size muffins, brownie bites and mini quiches, Sally’s Baking Addiction recommends USA Pan or Goldtouch mini pans. A 24-cup mini pan holds roughly 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup, so baking takes only 10 to 14 minutes.
The trade-off is that tiny wells are harder to clean and the pan can overbake fast, so check early.
Best for Corn Muffins: Cast Iron Muffin Pan
Preheated cast iron gives corn muffins and popovers a deeply browned crust that thin metal rarely matches. A well-seasoned pan lasts for decades.
The trade-off is weight and upkeep. It must be seasoned, dried right away and kept away from soap soaking, and the pan retains heat after it leaves the oven, so muffins can overbake while cooling.
Best Flexible Option: Silicone Muffin Mold
Silicone molds release by flexing and can go from freezer to oven. They suit egg bites, frozen muffin batter and cleanup-free baking.
The trade-off is browning. Silicone insulates, so muffins stay pale and need a rigid baking sheet beneath for stability.
How to Choose a Muffin Pan
Cup volume
Standard muffin cups run from about 80 to 100 mL. Larger wells make bakery-style tops, smaller ones make smaller muffins and more of them. If a recipe yields 12 and you use a pan with smaller wells, you may fill 14 to 15.
Nonstick or bare
Nonstick pans release batter without liners. Bare aluminum bakes evenly and lasts longer but needs liners.
Handles and rim width
A broad flat rim is easy to grip with mitts. Narrow rims are harder to handle and more likely to tip.
Light versus dark
Light metal produces golden muffins; dark finishes brown faster and can burn bottoms. For a dark pan, drop the oven temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warp resistance
Wire-reinforced rims and heavier steel help the pan stay flat. A warped pan bakes unevenly and slides in the oven.
Worked Example: Batter Per Cup
A muffin recipe yields 12 muffins from 3 cups (about 710 mL) of batter, so each cup gets about 59 mL, or two-thirds of a standard 90 mL cup. With 82 mL wells (Nordic Ware) that is 72 percent full, and with 99 mL wells (Goldtouch) it is 60 percent full. For high domes, fill closer to 80 percent in the larger well and expect fewer muffins per batch.
Ownership Realities
- Hand wash nonstick pans. Dishwasher detergent damages the coating.
- Soak, do not scrub, burned-on spots.
- Do not stack pans without a towel between; they scratch.
- Cool before washing to avoid warping.
- Replace a pan whose coating peels or flakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best material for a muffin pan?
Aluminized steel and aluminum are the best all-rounders because they conduct heat evenly. Stainless is less common, and silicone and cast iron suit particular uses.
Should I use liners in a nonstick muffin pan?
You do not need to, but liners make cleanup easier and help muffins release. They are essential in uncoated pans.
How full should I fill the cups?
Fill two-thirds to three-quarters for a normal muffin and close to the top for bakery domes, if the batter is thick.
How do I stop muffins sticking?
Grease the surface and rim, use liners and let the muffins rest for about 5 minutes before removing them.
Can I bake in a half-empty pan?
Yes, but fill empty cups with a little water so the pan does not warp or scorch.
