Serious Eats has a great article about this - https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-choose-the-best-muffin-pans-and-liners tldr: Pure aluminum will result in less browned baked goods which is great for cupcakes. Darker materials such as aluminum pans that are coated with nonstick will brown the outside more. I use nordic ware but as the article mentioned USA Pan is a great option. Just avoid darker materials and you'll be fine. Answer from deevocurilton on reddit.com
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The Splendid Table
splendidtable.org › story › 2017 › 02 › 23 › americas-test-kitchen-equipment-review-muffin-tins
America's Test Kitchen equipment review: muffin tins | The Splendid Table
What won was interesting. It was a gold colored nonstick pan by OXO, the OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 12-Cup Muffin Pan. It’s about $25. What we liked about it were a few traits that we found useful across the board.
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Serious Eats
seriouseats.com › how-to-choose-the-best-muffin-pans-and-liners
To Find the Best Muffin Pans, We Baked Dozens of Muffins and Cupcakes
August 12, 2025 - We tested 14 muffin pans to find out which two produced the best results, were the easiest to use and clean, and were the most durable.
People also ask

What is the healthiest baking pan to use?

Glass is generally considered the most nonreactive material for baking, meaning it’s less likely to interact with food or leach substances during cooking. Tempered glass is the most common option, though borosilicate glass bakeware is also available and offers added resistance to temperature changes.

Stainless steel, cast iron, and high-quality ceramic bakeware are also widely considered safe, provided you use them properly and don’t exceed recommended temperature ranges.

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everydayhealth.com
everydayhealth.com › product reviews › diet & nutrition products › healthy cooking
13 Best Nontoxic Bakeware Picks of 2026
What shouldn’t be cooked in aluminum?
Vinegar and acidic foods, such as tomato, tomato juice, and lemon, aren’t ideal for aluminum bakeware. Citric acid can degrade or interfere with the protective surface of an aluminum pan, increasing the chance that small amounts of aluminum transfer into your food. If you regularly bake acidic dishes, glass, ceramic, or stainless steel bakeware may be a better choice.
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everydayhealth.com
everydayhealth.com › product reviews › diet & nutrition products › healthy cooking
13 Best Nontoxic Bakeware Picks of 2026
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Bon Appétit
bonappetit.com › shopping › tools › for better muffins and cupcakes, you need this pan
The Best Muffin Pan Will Change Your Muffin-Baking Life | Bon Appétit
January 21, 2022 - One of the easiest (although admittedly not the cheapest) ways to improve your baking at home is to invest in heavy-duty bakeware. For me, switching to the Oxo Good Grips Non-Stick Pro muffin pan was key. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best ...
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Food & Wine
foodandwine.com › best-muffin-pans-11734824
I Baked More Than 200 Cupcakes, Meatloaves, and Muffins to Find the Best Muffin Pans — The Winner Was Shocking
May 14, 2025 - After testing eight top-rated muffin pans from brands like Nordic Ware, OXO, and Williams Sonoma, I found three that are superior. Including cast iron, ceramic, and aluminum models, these are the best muffin pans for dessert and beyond.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/moderatelygranolamoms › muffin pan recommendations?
r/moderatelygranolamoms on Reddit: Muffin pan recommendations?
March 10, 2024 -

I make my toddler muffins a lot (helps to get some veggies in and honestly it’s probably 50% of his calories), but don’t want to use silicone (heard concerns about heating it up), obviously don’t want nonstick, prefer not using muffin liners all the time, but a little unsure about the stainless steel options on Amazon. All of them seem to be 18/0 stainless (the weakest) and curious why no one more reputable than Amazon is selling them and why no sturdier options are available.

Is there something I’m missing as to why target, William Sonoma, etc don’t sell stainless steel muffin pans? Any recommendations that I may have missed?? Thanks friends!

Find elsewhere
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Everyday Health
everydayhealth.com › product reviews › diet & nutrition products › healthy cooking
13 Best Nontoxic Bakeware Picks of 2026
3 weeks ago - Best stainless steel: All-Clad 5-Piece Stainless Steel Bakeware Set ... Manufactured in Minneapolis, Nordic Ware has made baking pans since at least the 1950s and is known for its cast-aluminum pans. We love this essential baking set. It includes a loaf pan, a low-sided medium cookie sheet, and a lid that fits both the muffin and the cake pans.
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GreenPan
greenpan.us › collections › muffin-pans
Muffin Pans: Non-Stick, Non-Toxic & Durable | GreenPan
Discover GreenPan’s non-toxic, PFAS-free muffin pans. Durable, non-stick, and oven-safe up to 450°F. Perfect for muffins and cupcakes. Shop now!
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Allrecipes
allrecipes.com › affiliate › best-muffin-pans
These Are the Best Muffin Pans, According to a Former Bakery Owner Who Has Tried Them All
January 24, 2025 - Some bakers don't trust the notion of a nonstick muffin pan, but this one is extremely slick. Trust the coating and pour your batter in without adding anything—or use a quick spritz of avocado spray as Sophie did—you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easily the muffins and cupcakes will pop out. This means that even beginner bakers won't see their best efforts get smashed when trying to release the muffins from the pan.
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Amazon
us.amazon.com › Best-Sellers-Muffin-Cupcake-Pans › zgbs › kitchen › 289700
Amazon Best Sellers: Best Muffin & Cupcake Pans
HONGBAKE Muffin Pan for Baking, Nonstick Cupcake Tin 12 Cup, 2 Pack Cup Cake Tray, Premium Cheesecake Pans, Dishwasher Safe - Dark Grey ... Cooking Light Mini Muffin Pan Carbon Steel Quick Release Coating, Non-Stick Bakeware, Heavy Duty Performance, 24-Cup, Gray
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King Arthur Baking Company
shop.kingarthurbaking.com › pans › doughnut & muffin › king arthur standard muffin pan #210510
Standard Muffin Pan | King Arthur Baking Company
This muffin tin is perfect for baking standard muffin recipes, cupcakes, cloverleaf rolls, and fan tan rolls. Eco-friendly and easy-to-clean, this muffin and cupcake pan is manufactured from a mix of steel (for strength and durability), and aluminum (for superior conductivity).
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/cookware › favorite nontoxic muffin pans?
r/cookware on Reddit: Favorite nontoxic muffin pans?
August 9, 2024 -

Just realized my nonstick muffins pans are all scratched up so its time to switch them out. Anyone here have experience with stainless steel pans? Do they stick? Are ceramic a good option? Would also like to avoid spending a ton as i dont make muffins often

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The Spruce Eats
thespruceeats.com › best-muffin-pans-5116179
The Best Muffin Pans for Morning Treats and Dessert Sweets
February 27, 2025 - Juice that soaked through the liners when we baked blueberry muffins wiped right off with no trouble. Material: Carbon steel with silicone nonstick coating | Oven-Safe Temperature: 450 degrees Fahrenheit | Number of Cups: 12 | Dishwasher-Safe: No ... Made from aluminized steel with a nonstick finish, this pan has extras that we loved. The best is the plastic snap-on lid keeps cupcakes and muffins protected without ruining any decorations, even when they're generously frosted.
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USA PAN
usapan.com › home › bakeware › muffin & cupcake pans
Muffin & Cupcake Pan Collection at USA Pan
Shop our extensive selection of top-quality cupcake pans, muffin pans and mini muffin pans with our professionally trusted non-stick coating.
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Bon Appétit
bonappetit.com › shopping › shopping › the best muffin pans for muffins, cupcakes, and teeny tiny quiche
Best Muffin Pans for Muffins, Cupcakes, and More (2025) | Bon Appétit
June 26, 2025 - See our favorites below, along with our testing methodology, and what you should look for in a muffin pan. Best muffin pan overall: Chicago Metallic Commercial II Traditional Uncoated Muffin Pan
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USA PAN
usapan.com › home › bakeware › muffin & cupcake pans › 6-cup texas muffin pan
Texas Muffin Pan, 6 Cup, Nonstick - USA Pan
6-Cup Texas Muffin Pan
The USA PAN 6-Well Texas Muffin Pan is perfect for baking Texas muffins! This pan provides home bakers with an easy way to bake the perfect blueberry, chocolate chip, banana, or cornbread muffins. · Product Features · Unique, ridged texture, for added pan strength · Made with the same standard high-performance features used for bakeware in commercial bakeries · Easy clean up with our nonstick silicone coating: FDA approved for safe contact with food · Limited Lifetime Warranty for the life of your use · Made in USA from globally sourced materials · Product Details · Item Number: 1265TM-1 · Bak
Price   $35.99
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Amazon
amazon.com › ask › questions › TxPKZTQ40H716Q › ref=ask_sa_saa_al_hza
Any recommendations on a muffin pan that these will fit well?
Chicago Metallic puts out a large size muffin tin that these mufin liners fit in well. It is almost the size of a 9x13 pan with six cups. I use it for many things - salmon cakes, small meatloafs, etc. I am sure you can find them on amazon. Hope this helps.
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Amazon
amazon.com › Nonstick-Cupcake-Perfect-Muffins-Cupcakes › dp › B08B1KZSPW
Amazon.com: Tiawudi 3 Pack Nonstick Muffin Pan, Carbon Steel Cupcake Pan, Easy to Clean and Perfect for Making Muffins or Cupcakes, 6 Cup Jumbo: Home & Kitchen
Great Value - You only need to pay 1 but get Set of 3 Jumbo 6 cup muffin pans - ideal for baking muffins, cupcakes, and more. Hand wash recommended. For best results, wash in warm, soapy water before first and after each use.
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USA PAN
usapan.com › home › bakeware › muffin & cupcake pans › 12-cup muffin pan
Muffin Pan, 12 Cup, Nonstick - USA Pan
12-Cup Muffin Pan
Our 12 Cup Muffin Pan is an essential tool for any home baker. Ideal for baking your favorite cupcake or muffin recipe, this nonstick pan makes liners optional and clean up easy. · Product Features · Unique, ridged texture, for added pan strength · Made with the same standard high-performance features used for bakeware in commercial bakeries · Easy clean up with our nonstick silicone coating: FDA approved for safe contact with food · Limited Lifetime Warranty for the life of your use · Made in USA from globally sourced materials · Product Details · Item Number: 1200MF-1 · Baking Surface Dimens
Price   $33.99
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Bennington Potters
benningtonpotters.com › product › muffin-pan
Ceramic Muffin Pans | Best Muffin Pans by Bennington
I have two of the bread pans also, and love those too. Thank you Bennington! ... I got two so I could make full dozens of muffins and I couldn't be happier. They bake evenly, look great to serve right from, and my silicone liners fit perfectly. ... This was a replacement for one that I had used for more than 25 years that was accidentally dropped one broken. I felt lost without it. It makes the best blueberry muffins!!!