Get Stuck Muffins Out of the Pan (Without Breaking!)

How to Get Muffins Out of the Pan

Muffins won't come out of the pan? We can help!

By: Kristin Anderson, Editor, RecipeLion.com

How Do You Get Stuck Muffins Out of the Pan

By: Kristin Anderson, Editor, RecipeLion.com

We all hate it when a perfectly good batch of muffins gets stuck in the pan. There's something so disappointing about the sight of a broken muffin! While it's true that they will still taste the same, we think you deserve to have your baked goods look as good as they taste.

So, we've collected 3 great solutions for how to get muffins out of the pan if they are stuck. If you're reading this with a pan of problematic muffins on your counter, don't panic! We can help.

We also have some great ideas for keeping muffins from getting stuck in the pan to begin with. Keep these ideas in mind the next time you bake muffins, and you'll be totally worry-free when you go to take them out of the oven.

#1 - How to Get Stuck Muffins Out of the Pan - Freeze Them

Let the muffins cool completely.
Cover the muffins lightly with plastic wrap.
Place the muffins in the tin in the freezer for about 1 hour.
Use a butter knife to gently pop the frozen muffins out of the tin.
Reheat the frozen muffins in the microwave or in the oven. Enjoy!

If you forgot to grease the muffin tin, freezing the baked muffins like this is probably your best bet. Frozen muffins are much firmer and less prone to breaking, making them far easier to remove from the pan than when they are still warm.

However, we understand that freezing the muffins might not be what you want to do if you or your family are waiting on breakfast. So, here are some other ideas to try!

#2 - How to Get Stuck Muffins Out of the Pan - Use a Fondue Fork

Let muffins cool for 5 minutes.
Slide a fondue fork beside and under one of the muffins in the tin. Gently run the fork around the edge of the muffin, taking care to not tear the bottom of the muffin.
Pop the muffin out of the tin.

The fondue fork is such a great tool for this task because it separates both the sides and the bottom of the muffin from the tin. It's a great alternative to your standard butter knife or paring knife! Plus, it's always great to put those underused kitchen utensils to work. Don't have a fondue fork? Keep reading for more great ideas.

Ask RecipeLion: How long should muffins cool before removing them from the pan?

Let muffins cool about 5 minutes before trying to remove them from the pan.

This lets the muffins firm up a bit and release from the sides of the tin. Muffins might break if you try to remove them before they have cooled.

However, letting muffins sit in the tin for too long can result in them becoming soggy. If you don't plan to eat the muffins when they are warm, still take them out of the tin after 5 minutes (if you can). Then place them on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Is all this talk about baked goods making you hungry? We've got you covered. Check out this delicious recipe for Easy Amish Breakfast Muffins

#3 - How to Get Stuck Muffins Out of the Pan - Steam Them

Let muffins cool for 5 minutes.
Dampen a clean dish towel with hot water. Wring out excess water and place the towel on the counter.
Place the muffin tin upside down on top of the towel.
Let sit for 5 minutes.
Use a butter knife to loosen the muffins and gently lift them out of the pan.

P.S. These tips are also amazing for getting stuck cupcakes out of the pan! Try our delicious Zucchini Cupcakes, shown below.

Bonus! How to Keep Muffins from Sticking to the Pan

You can save yourself a lot of stress and time by preparing your muffin tin properly.

Blair Lonergan, aka The Seasoned Mom, has a great method for making sure that muffins don't stick to the pan in the first place.

"I always use a combination of both liners and non-stick spray. First, line the muffin tins with paper or silicone liners. Give each muffin cup a quick spritz with non-stick spray, and then fill with batter. The paper liners will literally fall right off of the muffins when they come out of the oven!"

We love this approach, because you get two opportunities to make sure your muffins don't stick to the pan. It also solves the common problem of muffins or cupcakes sticking to the liner. How do you unstick muffins from paper liners? Be proactive and spray the liners with cooking spray! What a great idea!

Give this method a try using Blair's delicious recipe for pumpkin muffins!

Blair Lonergan Tip for Keeping Muffins from Sticking to the Pan

Some of Our Favorite Muffin Recipes

We couldn't leave without sharing some of our favorite muffin recipes! These muffins are sure to encourage everyone to get out of bed in the morning. They smell amazing, and they taste even better. We love to serve them while they're still warm, topped with a little bit of butter. It's the perfect way to start the day.

Cinnamon Muffins
Amish Breakfast Muffins
Blueberry Muffin Loaf