Muffin tins are a common kitchen item many of us have in our homes. Traditionally used to bake muffins, the muffin tin actually has uses that exceed far beyond than just baking. Plus, there so many things that you can cook with one that you’d never even thought of before.
We’re sharing 50 awesome, yet unexpected ways to repurpose a muffin tin that are sure to change your perspective, forever. Plus, there are a few extra food ideas that can be made using a muffin tin that will blow your mind!
1) Plant a succulent garden
Plant a small succulent garden using a muffin tin. This is a great option for city dwellers who are limited on space. Plus, this garden is very low maintenance. It’s great if you want to start the succulents inside before moving them outside into your garden.
2) Freeze giant ice cubes
It’s summertime, and warm weather calls for icy cold drinks. Make giant ice cubes by pouring water into a muffin tin and placing the tin in the freezer. Add a slice of lemon or lime for extra taste.
Transport multiple drinks by placing filled glasses in a muffin tin that has been placed inside a small laundry basket. This not only prevents spills, but also keeps drinks organized. A great option for movie night with the kids or time outdoors.
4) Stabilize a wobbly chair or table
There’s nothing more irritating than a unstable chair. If you find yourself in this situation, simply grab a muffin tin and place it under the shorted leg, giving the chair that much needed boost. This is a quick, and easy way, to solve the problem!
5) Use as a paint palette
Painting is great, but it’s not always easy to keep the colors from mixing. Use a muffin tin to keep paint colors separated, without hindering the creative process. Now, you’re ready to create a masterpiece.
6) Organize hair accessories
If you’re one to wear your hair up, we understand the need for hair accessory organizers. From bobby pins to hair ties and everything in between, use a muffin tin to keep hair goodies all together. This also makes getting ready in the morning faster, as you can just grab and go.
7) Make an at-home beer flight
Create a fun experience in the comfort of your own home. Using a muffin tin, pour different types of beer into each glass to make an at-home beer flight. This option is awesome, economical, and super fun!
Perfectly cook eggs in the oven using a muffin tin. Simply place one egg in each cup, and bake. Remove carefully, let cool, then peel and enjoy. Need a tutorial to follow?
You can find some here.
9) Serve oysters like a pro
Serve oysters like a professional with this crafty display. In each cup, set ice and an oyster. Add a slice of lemon for both flavor and presentation. Fancy without being too fancy!
10) Organize arts & crafts supplies
Keep stock of your arts and crafts supplies, using a muffin tin. Organize supplies in plastic cups and store in the tin. You’ll be prepared to start on your next project!
Bath bomb are, well, the bomb. They’re both relaxing and colorful, but tend to get pricey. Create your own DIY bath bombs at home, using a muffin tin, to customize scents and colors. Need some recipes to follow?
Find some ideas here.
12) Dye easter eggs easily
If you’re dying Easter eggs with the little ones, a muffin tin makes a great color dye holder. It’s easy for kids to dip in, while also eliminating potential messes. Plus, there’s no need to clean multiple different cups with this hack.
13) Use as a condiment tray
Repurpose a muffin tin as a condiment tray for your next cookout. Simply place ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles, and other condiments of choice in each cup. Now, all you need to do is fire up the grill! Your guests will be stealing the idea in no time.
Hosting a dinner party? Present candles in a unique way, using a muffin tin. It might not be the fanciest candle holder in the world, but it definitely works if you ‘re in a pinch. This is also a good idea if your power goes out and you want to use votives or tea candles.
Organize jewelry using a muffin tin. That way, you can see all your options clearly, and in a rush, you can easily pick up and go. Awesome!
If your kids have a bunch of broken pieces of crayons, re-create new ones by melting them down in a muffin tin. Let cool and you’ll have brand new, fun-shaped crayons.
Host Taco Tuesday in a unique way! Flip the tin upside down and place taco shells in the indents of the muffin tin, serving as a taco holder. This takes multi-tasking to the next level.
18) Construct a bird feeder
Create your own DIY bird feeder using a muffin tin. This is not only great for the birds, but can be a fun family project. Now, you can use that old muffin tin to bring smiles to your whole family and make the local birds and squirrels happy. So sweet!
19) Use as an ornament holder
Ornaments can be fragile, easily sliding or breaking in their boxes. Use a muffin tin to store ornaments, ensuring their safety during the 11 months of the year they’re being unused. Plus, with it’s round shape, the ornaments fit perfectly.
Use a muffin tin to prep your garden for planting seeds. The impressions from the muffin tin not only creates depth, but also ensure the plants are equally placed. Cool!
21) Make homemade peanut butter cups
We all love peanut butter cups, and now you can easily make them at home. Using a muffin tin, bake the dough, and while the dough is still hot–press in a peanut butter cup.
Keep coins organized by using a muffin tin. This is a great option for kids, helping them to easily learn to count coins.
23) Stand ice cream cones
This is perfect for an ice cream party. Utilize a muffin tin as an ice cream cone holder, holding cones upright as you prepare to scoop ice cream. How cool!
24) Make a fondue platter
Make this fun fondue platter at home, using cheese, chocolate, or both! Place a variety of treats in each cup, creating an enjoyable eating experience. Cute!
25) Organize your pet’s toys
We love our pets, but they’re toys tend to get scattered everywhere. Keep your beloved pet’s toys organized by using a muffin tin. This hack will definitely keep your more home tidy.
Place muffin liners in each cup and scoop ice cream into a muffin tin. This makes it easy to serve to guests at a party or outdoor barbecue. Looks delicious!
27) Uphold stuffed bell peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are both healthy and delicious, but once they’re filled, they tend to get a bit top heavy and sometimes tip over. Avoid this cooking mishap and ensure they stay upright, by placing stuffed bell peppers in a muffin tin. Place in the oven and bake.
28) Create a personalized gift
Looking for a last minute gift? Try crafting this unique decor item for someone special! You can personalize the muffin tin with pictures and pendants, truly making it one of a kind. You can also find some beautiful vintage muffin tins for an even more unique gift.
29) Create a dessert topping station
Use a muffin tin as a dessert topping station. This is great for children’s birthday parties or events, providing variety but also eliminating excessive waste.
Use a muffin tin to bake mini pies as a splendid summertime treat. Simply cut pastry sheets to size and add a small amount of fruit. Then, pop the tin into the oven and bake delicious, personalized pies.
[slideshow type=desc num=31]Fresh juice tastes delicious, but does take a little bit of work. Preserve fresh juice by pouring excess portions into a muffin tin, then freezing. Save these juice cups for your next smoothie later in the week.
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Make a snack tray at home, conveniently using a muffin tin. Fill each individual cup with a different snack. Set on the table and you’re ready!
Make mini jello cups with a muffin tin. For adults, add alcohol to make jello shots. Get creative by adding bits of fruit or candies inside for an extra treat.
34) Craft an advent or countdown calendar
Kids love holiday countdown calendars, and this year, opt to make your own out of a few supplies you have around the house, including a muffin tin. Decorate as you please, adding sweet treats under each day. Super fun!
Slow down your dog’s food consumption or help multiple pups learn to share using a muffin tin. This unexpected use is very helpful!
Garages can be difficult to keep neat. Opt for a muffin tin to organize all the nuts and bolts in your garage. They are thin enough to slide into small spaces too. Genius!
37) Bake buttermilk biscuits
There’s nothing better than some warm, buttery buscuits. Using a muffin tin, make this comfort food in the comfort of your own home. You won’t regret it! Yes, we know this is a baking tip, but hey! It’s a classic.
Here’s a really easy and delicious recipe.
38) Keep buttons organized
Buttons tend to get lost overtime. Save them by repurposing a muffin tin as a button organizer. If you’re feeling ambitious, feel free to color-code.
Looking for a snack that’s both healthy and hearty? Bake mini meatloafs to satisfy your cravings, using a muffin tin. Enjoy!
It’s not always easy to make the right amount of soup for yourself or your family. Instead of tossing the excess away, store smaller soup portions in a muffin tin. These small, individual portions make it easy to re-heat and are perfect for transporting to work.
41) Serve tapas at a party
Gather up a few muffin tins and let your guests use them as serving trays if you’re having tapas. Now, each food item can have it’s own little holder, plus one can be used for a drink holder! So very clever.
42) Make a food puzzle game for your dog
Create and play a fun game with your dog by hiding kibble underneath balls and bottle caps. If they use their nose or paw to indicate where the food is, they get the treat!
43) Create single-serving tortilla bowls
Make single-size tortilla bowls for mini taco salads by flipping the muffin tin upside down, pressing in a small corn tortilla, and tossing in the oven for a few minutes. The tortille will crisp right up in a perfect adorable bowl shape.
The shape of the muffin tin is perfect for making little cups out of just about anything–like bacon, for example! Flip the tin over and lay the bacon on the spaces of the muffin tin and toss in the oven until it becomes cooked and crispy. The possibilities are endless!
45) Create a letter game for kids
Using a muffin tin and some Scrabble letter tiles, you can help your kids learn their letters by organizing them into like-lettered groups. It’s always a fun way to get your kids to learn when you turn it into something of a game.
46) Freeze shredded zucchini
If you grow zucchini in your garden, this is an awesome little hack. Often times, our garden yields more than we can eat, but if you shred the zucchini and serve out little portions into a muffin tin, you can freeze it and use for later. Once frozen, place each zucchini serving in a plastic bag and grab one whenever you’re going to cook with it!
47) Turn it into holiday decor
Make a fun holiday decor piece out of an old rusted muffin tin. Paint the muffin tin in a bright holiday color like green or red, glue in some holiday-themed cupcake liners, then glue on some pieces of festive decor. A great project for the little ones.
48) Organize your junk drawer
Junk drawers are awesome. They’re your go-to spot when you need a rubberband, paper clip, or an extra button or safety pin. But often times, they become a giant disorganized mess. Keep your ‘junk’ organized by placing a muffin tin inside and using each slot for a group of items.
An antique or rusted muffin tin could make a cute art piece in your kitchen if you’re going for that ‘rustic farmhouse’ look that Chip and Joanna Gaines have made so popular. Try hanging it next to other antique or rusted kitchen gadgets for a whole theme.
50) Use it as a window prop
An old, cool looking muffin tin can also be used to prop open a window if it won’t stay on it’s own. Once again, you can think of this as a kind of “rustic chic” decor in your beach home or country home. Get creative with it!
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