The Conversation
You can use your muffin tin for sweet muffins, savory muffins, cupcakes or even DIY coasters, but you don’t have to stop there! You can make tons of great single-serve foods in a muffin pan that aren’t really muffins at all. The humble muffin pan may be more versatile than you thought, and here are 25 recipes to prove it.
1. Whole Fruit Hand Pies: Sure, we’ll take our daily serving of fruit in pie form! Easy as pie. (via Brit + Co)
2. John Daly Jell-O Shots: These are basically alcoholic Arnold Palmer shots in a (pretty) disguise. Gotta love that, right?! (via Brit + Co)
3. Muffin Tin Mashed Potatoes With Herb Cream Cheese: What a delicious way to use leftover mashed potatoes! Add bacon and cheddar for that loaded baked potato flavor. (via Low Amine Recipes)
4. Miracle Noodle Nests: Miracle Noodles are calorie-free, gluten-free and soy-free. Are you starting to see why these are miraculous? Pile them into your muffin tin to make sweet little nests. (via Brit + Co)
5. Mini Chicken Pot Pies: Use refrigerator biscuits and leftover chicken for easy-peasy chicken pot pies. Yum! (via Pillsbury)
6. Mini Deep Dish Pizzas: For a game day snack (or your next pizza craving), whip these cuties up. You’ll be glad you skipped their frozen counterparts. (via Brit + Co)
7. Mexican Molten Chocolate Cake: Chocolate is always a must. Make these in a jumbo muffin pan to keep the center deliciously gooey. (via Brit + Co)
8. Baked Wonton Cups: Bake these wonton wrappers ahead of time and then add your favorite fillings for practically effortless, yet elegant hors d’oeuvres. (via Inspired Taste)
9. Spiked Thin Mint Brownie Bites: Thin Mint brownies with creme de menthe frosting are a treat for us grown-up girl scouts. (via Brit + Co)
10. Broccoli Parmesan Meatballs: A muffin pan helps vegetarian meatballs hold their shape! (via Oh My Veggies)
11. Pita Cups With Hummus: Dips are delicious, but they can get messy. Keep your hummus and other tasty toppings contained with these cute and clever pita cups. (via Brit + Co)
12. Meatloaf Cupcakes: Any meatloaf recipe should work for this delicious entree. The secret to making mashed potatoes you can pipe on top? Whip ’em. Whip ’em good. (via Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy)
13. Mini Tostadas With Seven-Layer Dip: Yes, there are actually seven layers in these tiny tostadas! They’d make a great addition to your next taco night. (via Brit + Co)
14. Crustless Mini Quiches: Skipping the crust makes these super easy to make. Just like our almost-magical egg muffins, you can customize, make ahead and freeze these for a quick breakfast or appetizer. (via The Kitchn)
15. Caramel Apple Pie Pudding Shots: This is what you get when pudding shots meet apple pie. Seriously… this is a thing and you can make it happen. (via Brit + Co)
16. Baked Oatmeal: Add your fave oatmeal toppings to steel cut oats and soak overnight. Then fill up your muffin cups and bake. Hello, delicious-smelling kitchen! (via Redbook)
17. No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Cupcakes: Two of our favorite words: cheesecake and no-bake. Or is that three words? All we can think about now is cheesecake. (via Brit + Co)
18. Skinny Butternut Squash Lasagna Cups: Butternut squash is a brilliant substitute for lasagna noodles in this flavor-packed, low-calorie entree. (via Brit + Co)
19. Homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Make your own peanut butter cups with only four ingredients! Use paper liners to create those familiar ridges around the edge. (via The Comfort of Cooking)
20. Baked Shrimp Rangoon: Inspired by an Asian-American appetizer, this recipe features wonton wrappers filled with shrimp, cream cheese and a little spice. (via Brit + Co)
21. Semifreddo Ice Cream Bites: You don’t need an ice cream maker for this semi-frozen Italian dessert flavored with summer fruit. (via Brit + Co)
22. Sugar Cookie Bowls: Use cookie dough and the bottom of a muffin pan to create edible bowls for ice cream, gelato or whatever your heart desires. Or, use as super cute topping bowls for your next sundae bar. (via Wilton)
23. Pepita Kale Salad in Parmesan Cups: Get your green on with these bite-sized salads in cheese bowls. Yes, we said cheese bowls. (via Brit + Co)
24. Impossibly Easy Mini Cheeseburger Pies: For a casual gathering, try these mini cheeseburger pies. Garnishing with a small gherkin pickle is optional but extra adorable. (via Betty Crocker)
25. Mac and Cheese Muffins: Who can say no to classic comfort food made into finger food! (via Brit + Co)
What’s your favorite food to make in your muffin pan? Tell us in the comments or share your recipe with us on Facebook!
Stephanie Liebold is into storytelling, making things (better), and helping others share their message. She is Creative Director for Bold Avenue and writes about traveling, crafting, and making the most of the view where you are on her site, Travelcraft Journal.
More From Recipes
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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