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
You can wear many hats running a business and sometimes some look better than others. Thanks to Office Depot, we're talking with Koyun Fan, co-founder of Sticky Rice Sisters, about finding inspiration along the way and staying organized on the road to success.
<p><strong>B+C: What set you on this entrepreneurial path of Sticky Rice Sisters?</strong><br></p><p>One day I was looking for stickers and cards to use to write to kids for a program I volunteer for when I came across Etsy shops selling products I was familiar with, growing up in Taiwan. I always had easy access to cute stickers and stationery, so I thought I should just bring them to the U.S. myself and also share Taiwanese culture with others. I also thought that if others can do it, I can do it too. I had been a marketing professional for many years before starting the store. I was still working full-time when I first started, and thought this could be something fun to work on outside of work. Also, I thought that with my marketing experience, running and promoting a store shouldn't be too hard. I had no idea what I was getting myself into! </p><p><div id="teads-ad"></div>
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</p><p><br></p><p><span></span><strong>B</strong><strong> + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from <a href="https://tryselfmade.com/" target="_blank">Selfmade</a>?</strong></p><p> I've thought about taking a business course or pursuing an MBA previously, but the cost and commitment made it difficult to. When I saw the 10-week-course on Brit's Instagram, I knew it was right for me. Since everything would be online and recorded with unlimited future access, I knew I would have enough time to consume all the information and refer back to it whenever I wanted.</p><p>I had a great experience with all the coaches. They were amazing and super helpful. I learned so much about the different aspects of business, from ideation, to creating new products, operations, legal, finance, marketing and more! I love how the course started with helping us establish the right mindset. The coaches taught us to not limit ourselves. My coach, Naomi Powell, was always challenging us on our beliefs about ourselves and she would tell us to set higher and bigger goals. It is definitely something I always think about now and I have her voice in my head.<br></p><p><div class="htlad-contentbanner"></div></p><p>All of my classmates were AMAZING. Everyone was so talented and so willing to share. It was truly a community of women who were cheering each other on and rooting for each other. </p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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</p><p><br></p><p><strong>B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?</strong></p><p>Not knowing if I am doing things "correctly" has definitely been an obstacle. I have tackled this by sending out surveys to our customers and followers asking for their feedback. This is also something Brit would always talk about--we should just ask others what they think instead of guessing. People are pretty good at giving honest and helpful feedback and it really helps with thinking about future plans.</p><p><div class="htlad-contentbanner"></div></p><p><strong>B + C: Who are your role models in the entrepreneurial space?</strong></p><p>Not to sound super cheesy, but I would say it's Brit. She is such a great example of Selfmade. She started the company by herself and continues to innovate and inspire. She always radiates positive energy and in the Selfmade course she made herself available to everyone. She didn't just share what she knows, but also brought in her network to help us. My favorite thing she said is that we are all creative--creativity exists in many different forms!</p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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</p><p><br></p><p><strong>B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?</strong></p><p><strong></strong>You will never be 100 percent ready so just start now and learn and improve as you go. You will make mistakes, things won't go as planned, you might not have customers to start, but you will learn. If you keep waiting for the "right moment," or wait until "you're ready," you have already lost time that you could've used to learn on the job or make mistakes. In the beginning, not a lot of people will know you, so it doesn't matter what you do--you can try anything you want and figure out what works and doesn't. As you start to have more customers and followers, you will start to get better and they will help you, encourage you, and support you. </p><p><div class="htlad-contentbanner"></div></p><p><strong>B + C: What's one female-owned business that you absolutely love and support?</strong></p><p><span></span>There are so many I love and support. To name a few fellow stationery stores: A Jar of Pickles, Occasionallish, AnnSunn, and fellow Selfmade businesses Evening Star Baby, Summer Space Studio, and The Ponnery! They are all amazing women running their own businesses.</p><p><div class="htlad-contentbanner"></div></p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
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</p><p><br></p><p><span></span><strong>B + C: How do you stay motivated?</strong></p><p>I look at stores I want to become. I try not to think of them as competition but as inspirations, so when I see them working hard on their businesses it motivates me to do so as well. I also listen to motivational audio books or podcasts where they interview other business owners like <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this" target="_blank">How I Built This</a> and <a href="https://www.theskimm.com/skimmd-from-the-couch" target="_blank">Skimm'd from the Couch</a>.</p><p><strong>B + C: How do you stay organized? What tools or apps help you stay productive?</strong></p><p>I think I'm a very organized person. I use Dropbox for photos and Google Docs for everything else. My tip would be to always name your files and have a system for it so it's easy to search and find easily when you need them.</p><p><div class="htlad-contentbanner"></div></p><p><em>We're inspired! Thanks Koyun for sharing your story and your organizing tips! You can find Sticky Rice Sisters at <a href="http://sticyricesisters.com/" target="_blank">SticyRiceSisters.com</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stickyricesisters/" target="_blank">@StickyRiceSisters</a>, or email at koyun@stickyricesisters.com.</em></p><p><strong><em>Office Depot OfficeMax has the solutions to help you <a href="https://www.officedepot.com/cm/marketing/save-time-and-organize?cm_mmc=bl-_-aq-_-url-_-bc&cm_mmca1=earned&cm_mmca2=uf&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bc_sm_url_earned_engt_aq&utm_content=org_na&utm_term=eff" target="_blank">organize & save time</a> & create the <a href="https://www.officedepot.com/cm/multi-category/work-from-home?cm_mmc=bl-_-aq-_-url-_-bc&cm_mmca1=earned&cm_mmca2=uf&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bc_sm_url_earned_engt_aq&utm_content=wfa_na&utm_term=pro" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">perfect workspace</a> to help craft your story. From <a href="https://www.officedepot.com/a/browse/tul/N=5+971469?cm_mmc=bl-_-aq-_-url-_-bc&cm_mmca1=earned&cm_mmca2=uf&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bc_sm_url_earned_engt_aq&utm_content=org_na&utm_term=eff" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">journals</a> to , Office Depot OfficeMax is your go-to for all business solutions.</em></strong> <em><em><strong></strong></em></em></p><p><em><em><strong><em><em>Head to </em><em><a href="https://www.officedepot.com/cm/marketing/selfmade-promo?cm_mmc=bl-_-aq-_-url-_-bc&cm_mmca1=earned&cm_mmca2=lf&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bc_sm_url_earned_prch_aq&utm_content=tea_na&utm_term=tea" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Office Depot's Selfmade page</a></em><em> to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last.</em></em></strong></em></em></p>
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