Muffins are a quick breakfast treat that can be meal-prepped ahead of a busy week or baked and enjoyed fresh on a slow weekend morning. Theyre also a versatile bake, allowing you to use up the ripened bananas sitting on your countertop or to spice up a classic with creative glazes and toppings in recipes like blueberry muffins with a salted honey crumble. But when you reach for your muffin tin, you might realize youre out of liners to drop into the cups of the baking pan. This can deter bakers from going through with making their muffins or delay their baking so they can make an additional trip to the store.
However, theres no need to go through the extra trouble; muffin liners arent actually necessary. Though they make for slightly quicker kitchen cleanup, muffin liners are mostly used for the decorative appeal. They add additional cost to baking endeavors, and as a single-use item, they generate a lot of unnecessary waste. Reusable options, such as nonstick silicone baking liners, are available, but it can be a pain to clean the crevices of each individual cup.
The good news is that you can bake muffins without using any liners at all. Muffins will pop out seamlessly from the pan, as long as you make sure to grease the baking tin generously prior to filling the muffin cups with batter.
Use parchment paper instead of cups, Chapple says, for an upgraded case for your muffins or cupcakes, and you’ll never worry about cupcake liners again. First, cut a sheet of parchment into five-to-six-inch squares.
Preparing your muffin tin
To prepare a muffin tin without the liners, there are a few options to ensure a slick release surface for the baking cups. To impart a little extra flavor, grease the pan with unsalted butter. Simply cut a tablespoon or two of cold butter and, holding it in your hand, rub the butter around each baking cup, slathering all the edges, crevices, and bottom of the cup.
You can also use melted butter or a neutral oil (such as canola) by placing a couple of tablespoons in a small bowl and using a paper towel or pastry brush to apply an even coating of grease to the baking cups. Cooking spray works well too and can be applied to the tray in an even layer of mist.
While its important to grease the baking surfaces prior to distributing the muffin batter into each cup, avoid overdoing it. You just need an even, fatty coating (excess pools of oil in the cups can make for greasy muffins). Once greased, the muffin tin will be ready to use. For extra measure prior to filling unlined muffin cups with batter, some bakers like to add a light dusting of flour (a little goes a long way), evenly distributing the fine particles by holding the edges of the greased tin in both hands and giving the pan a shake.
Baking Cupcakes Without Cupcake Liners: Are they different?
FAQ
Are muffin liners necessary?
How do you grease a muffin pan without liners?
How do you remove muffins from liners?
How to bake muffins without liners?
As a whole, there are four effective ways to bake muffins and cupcakes without liners. Greasing your pan, using parchment paper, using aluminum foil, and using silicone molds are the best ways to prevent your muffins and cupcakes from sticking to the pan. This is ultimately the reason for their use.
Are muffins good for health?
Muffins are rich in high calories, fat and sugar, muffins can be a healthy breakfast option if we are preparing in home with whole wheat flour. These excess nutrients and calories can contribute to excess weight. Banana muffins, oat muffins are rich in fiber, Chocolate muffins, Pineapple coconut muffins. Plant-based protein to your muffins to increase their nutrition.
What if I don’t use a muffin liner?
When you forget to use a muffin liner or grease the cups before adding the batter, removing fully baked muffins is a lost cause. → Follow this tip: To easily remove the muffins from the tin in one piece, be sure to use a liner, make your own liner with parchment paper, or grease each of the muffin cups with butter before adding the batter. 3.
Can you make muffins without a muffin pan?
To make muffins without a muffin pan, use paper, silicon, or foil muffin liners (or create your own) on a baking tray, in mason jar lids. Bake muffins in ramekins, ovenproof mugs or cups, or even clean cans. Bake muffin batter as a loaf or cake or in a skillet. Or use an electric muffin maker.