News flash: Muffin tins are good for more than whipping up baked goods. Each section of a traditional muffin tin holds about one-fourth to one-third of a cup of food, making them the perfect tool to portion just about anything. Don’t discount mini and jumbo muffin tins, either. The mini versions can serve up more indulgent sweet treats, and the extra large trays are ideal for freezing larger servings of soup or veggies.
Stick to traditional metal pans for anything that requires baking, and reach for the silicone varieties when you’ll be enjoying treats straight from the freezer. Whether you need to serve up a dozen poached eggs or want a better way to store single serving recipes, we’ve got you covered with these 16 inventive muffin tin recipes.
RELATED: 15 Creative Ice Cube Tray Recipes
16 Muffin Tin Recipes to Make More Than Just Muffins
1. DIY Freezer Oatmeal Cups
Forget instant oatmeal packets — freezing single servings of homemade oats with custom toppings means you can enjoy a healthy breakfast without having to slave over the stove each morning. Pop a puck in a bowl with a splash of milk and microwave until warmed through. Recipe and photo: Brianne Izzo / Cupcakes and Kale Chips
2. Baked Hard Cooked Eggs
Get ready to enjoy hardboiled eggs without the hassle. This method is simple: Place one egg in each cup of a muffin tin, and bake for about 30 minutes. Finish off the eggs in an ice bath and once cool, store with shells on in the fridge for up to a week. Recipe and photo: Lindsay / The Lean Green Bean
3. Portable Savory Breakfast Egg Muffins
A slice of ham serves as the base for these easy breakfast bites. Each cup packs in 16 grams of protein and just 150 calories — score! Make a big batch ahead of time and reheat in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds before you head out the door. Recipe and photo: Alexa Schirm / Life by Daily Burn
4. Single-Serve Minestrone Soup
This simple and hearty minestrone offers up a healthy dose of vegetables and protein-rich white beans. After dividing your soup into silicone muffin cups and freezing, you can pop the soup cups out of the molds for storing in a freezer bag. Re-heat and serve when you’ve got comfort food on the brain. Recipe and photo: Lucy / Supergolden Bakes
RELATED: 9 Single-Serve Dessert Recipes (Microwave Cake Included!)
5. Banana Nut Baked Oatmeal Cups
It’s like a bowl of oatmeal in muffin form. These cups contain all of the same fiber-filled goodness, but can easily be eaten with one hand. (No bowl or spoon required!) Make a batch over the weekend, freeze, and reheat for a healthy and filling on-the-go breakfast. Slather on some almond butter or drizzle with maple syrup for an extra special treat. Recipe and photo: Anna / Garnish With Lemon
6. Egg Muffins with Savory Vegetable-Oatmeal Crust
Fact: Oatmeal doesn’t always have to be sweet. Savory oatmeal is a wonderfully delicious trend. Case in point: These hearty oatmeal-egg muffins. Each comes in at just 80 calories, thanks to fiber-rich oats, protein-rich scrambled eggs, and a mixed veggies for added nutrients. Recipe and photo: Taylor / Food Faith Fitness
7. Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
A few of our favorite superfoods — chia seeds, walnuts and blueberries — elevate these oatmeal muffins to “favorite breakfast” status. Coming in at 130 calories with two grams of fiber and four grams of protein each, these will quickly become your new go-to. Pair with a small protein shake or add a smear of almond butter for a full meal. Recipe and photo: Alexa Schirm / Life by Daily Burn
RELATED: 10 Oatmeal Recipes Worth Getting Out of Bed For
8. Easy Bone Broth Storage
Homemade stock or bone broth is an easy way to bring any soup recipe to the next level without too much extra effort, but odds are good you don’t have time to whip up a batch each week. Freezing single servings of broth using a silicone pan or mold means you can store nourishing broth for weeks (or even months). Recipe and photo: Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo
9. Muffin Tin Meatloaf
Keep a batch of these in the freezer and have a comfort food dinner on the table in minutes. Plus, the recipe comes together from scratch in less than an hour. Serve with mashed cauliflower and a green vegetable of your choice for a well-rounded meal. Recipe and photo: Allison / Some the Wiser
10. 100-Calorie Egg Muffins
A gluten-free and low-carb muffin? Count us in! This recipe calls for mixing in shredded carrots, orange peppers, and frozen corn and peas, but you can substitute whichever vegetables you like (kale and sweet potatoes, anyone?). One word to the wise: Liberally grease your muffin tins before baking, or opt for stick-free silicone muffin molds. Recipe and photo: Averie / Averie Cooks
RELATED: 10 Unexpected Omelet Recipes for Any Time of Day
11. Frozen Kale Smoothie (contacted on 4/18)
Want to work kale into your morning shake? Simply blend a bunch of your favorite greens to make frozen kale pucks. Add a serving to the blender with your favorite smoothie ingredients, or use in other recipes like homemade mac and cheese or a creamy soup. Recipe and photo: Katy / All Sorts of Pretty
12. Vanilla Blueberry Almond Smoothie Cups
Freeze a batch of this berry-vanilla mixture ahead of time for six pre-made smoothie servings. When hunger hits, drop two frozen pucks in a blender with some extra liquid (water, milk or fruit juice) and blend until smooth. Recipe and photo: Kelly / Inspired Edibles
13. Muffin Tin Poached Eggs (emailed 4/19)
No more swirling a pan of water or corralling egg whites gone rogue! Say hello to the most stress-free way to make poached eggs for a crowd. This protein-rich staple can be ready in less than 20 minutes. Use for more traditional applications (like healthy eggs benedict), or hop on the “put-an-egg-on-it” trend and serve atop your favorite grain or legume bowl. Recipe and photo: Cathy / Noble Pig
RELATED: 6 Grain Bowls That Taste As Good As They Look
14. Flourless Banana Blender Muffins
Protein-rich chickpeas are the secret ingredient in these filling and delicious flourless muffins. A healthy dose of mashed banana and creamy peanut butter add sweetness and nutty flavor. Mix in whatever toppings you like — we vote for mini chocolate chips! Recipe and photo: Katie / Chocolate Covered Katie
15. Potato and Pea Samosa Muffins
These Indian-spiced potato and pea samosa muffins pack in tons of flavor in an easy-to-serve format, without the fried, doughy layer of traditional samosas. Pro tip: Use Red Bliss, Yukon Gold or another waxy potato for the optimal texture. Recipe and photo: Michelle Blackwoodon / Healthier Steps
16. Zucchini Tots
Craving tater tots? These baked, squash-based bites are a much healthier alternative, thanks to low-calorie zucchini standing in for carb-filled potatoes. Use a standard-sized muffin tin for larger portions, or a mini muffin tin for more tot-sized bites. Recipe and photo: Becky / The Two Bite Club