15 Awesome Muffin Tin Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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Do you have a muffin tin stuffed away in your kitchen cupboard? If you're anything like me, it only comes out when you have something sweet to bake up. But with some creative thinking, that often unused pan could transform the way you approach your meals. And I'm here to show you exactly how.

Breakfast

Start the day off right with some quick, nutritious, and delicious unmuffins from your muffin tin.

Quiche

Instead of making a large quiche, divide your recipe into muffin cups. This spinach and mushroom quiche is gluten-free and totally customizable. Try using whatever veggies and cheese you have on hand (and tossing in something meaty — like bacon — if you like).

Bacon Wrap

Or perhaps you'd like to try these bacon wrapped egg cups instead. You'll first cook the bacon on your stovetop for a few minutes. Then you'll cut some circles out of bread slices for your base. Arrange the bread and bacon in the tin and then crack your eggs and bake.

Oatmeal

I've made variations of this baked oatmeal cups recipe for quick, portable breakfasts the whole family enjoys. Once you mix together the oatmeal base, toss in chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and fresh blueberries. Make a few different kinds and keep in your fridge for up to a week.

French Toast

I love French toast, but making it is somewhat laborious. Take out all the soaking and flipping with this overnight French toast cups recipe. Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla. Then pour it over cut bread. Portion into cups and let sit overnight in your fridge before baking.

Tofu Frittata

There are lots of egg recipes I could give you, but vegans might appreciate these mini tofu frittatas as a twist. Cook veggies on the stove and then combine them with tofu and spices in your food processor. Scoop into muffin tins and bake for 25 minutes.

Lunch

You might make these ahead and freeze for easy lunch bag fillers, or whip them up along with breakfast and carry with.

Salad Cups

Or use some phyllo dough and make tofu salad cups. Once you let the general idea sink in, you can see how easy it is to stuff this recipe with whatever salad you like best. Try them with tuna, chicken, egg salads, etc. This one's a great appetizer at a party.

Mac and Cheese

Individual mac and cheese cups are perfect for packing schools lunches. Better yet? This recipe uses only six ingredients for its deliciousness. Whisk together everything on the stove, portion into cups, bake, and then enjoy (or freeze after cooling completely).

Kale Cups

Have trouble getting in your dark leafy greens? These kale cups pack the super food in a convenient package. Process kale in a food processor until finely chopped, then mix with the other ingredients before baking.

Pizza

Using tortilla crusts in this muffin tin pizza recipes lightens everything up for a spectacular lunch. Cut rounds from your tortillas using the top of a can as your guide. The rest is spooning on the sauce, sprinkling the cheese, and adding toppings.

Tuna Melt

Take your lunchtime sandwich beyond regular fare with this muffin tin tuna melt recipe. Simply make up your tuna filling and bread batter. Then pour one tablespoon of batter into a greased tin. Follow with two tablespoons tuna filling followed by another two tablespoons batter.

Dinner

Yep, your muffin tin can pull dinner duty, too, making busy weekday evenings easier to manage.

Lasagna

These wonton wrapped lasagna cupcakes are a hearty main course for your dinner table, all while keeping good portion control. If you're cooking for just yourself, you can make up a batch and freeze them to reheat on command.

Pesto Rolls

This pumpkin pesto roll recipe is my favorite dinner accompaniment of all time. And you can replace the dough with whatever kind is your favorite (even store-bought). The muffin tin helps them keep their shape as they bake.

Meatloaf

Try these mini meatloaves filled with lean ground beef, veggies, and spices. If you don't have saltine crackers, you can use breadcrumbs, oats, or any other type of cracker in your cupboard. Then bake for just 25 minutes before serving.

Chicken Pot Pie

Take the classic chicken pot pie idea and make it in the muffin tin. Vegetarians can easily adapt this recipe by omitting the chicken (and using more veggies) and swapping the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom. If you're not crazy about using pre-made biscuits, try this homemade baking powder-based alternative.

Corn Dog Muffins

You can take these corn dog muffins carnivore or vegetarian depending on the "hot dogs" you use. This recipe is great for a basic dinner or even parties. Make your cornbread batter and slice your dogs, then pour the batter and toss in your meat. Bake and enjoy!

What are your favorite muffin tin recipes?

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