Think your muffin tin is only good for baking cupcakes? Think again.
If you have one that has been gathering dust at the back of a cupboard, it’s time to bring it back into action. This humble piece of bakeware is far more versatile than you might think. While it’s great for muffins and cupcakes, the muffin tin also doubles as a brilliant organiser, a meal prep helper, a kid-friendly crafting tool, and so much more.
Whether you’re looking to declutter, simplify meal prep, or get creative with DIY projects, the muffin tin can help in ways you may not have imagined.
Here are 10 surprisingly clever and practical ways to give your muffin tin a brand-new purpose:
1. Junk Drawer Organiser
Tame the chaos of your kitchen or desk drawer and put an end to endless rummaging. A muffin tin is an unexpectedly effective way to bring order to all those random bits and bobs – paper clips, batteries, rubber bands, buttons – that somehow vanish when you need them most. Pop one in a drawer and let each cup become a tidy little home for your everyday odds and ends.
2. Food Prep Bowls
Skip the clutter of half a dozen prep bowls cluttering your bench, use a muffin tin to keep your ingredients neatly organised while cooking, and use a muffin tin to organise your chopped ingredients instead. It’s a clever, space-saving alternative that’s also dishwasher-friendly, ideal for meal prep and keeping your kitchen tidy as you go.
3. Freezer Portions
Freeze leftover sauces, stock, pesto, or smoothie blends into convenient single portions using a muffin tin. Once frozen, pop them out and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. It’s a brilliant way to reduce waste and have just the right amount on hand when you need it.
4. Serving Tray for Toppings or Condiments
Entertaining? A muffin tin is a smart and stylish way to serve taco toppings, burger fixings, condiments, or cake decorations. It keeps everything neatly separated and easy to pass around – less mess, more fun, and fewer dishes to wash.
5. Craft Supply Holder
Sequins, beads, googly eyes, and glue sticks – if your craft supplies have a habit of spreading far and wide, a muffin tin is the ultimate tidy-up trick. It keeps materials sorted, visible, and within easy reach, so you can spend less time searching and more time creating.
6. Paint Palette for Kids (or Grown-Ups)
Pour a different paint colour into each cup for a no-fuss, easy-to-clean palette. It’s ideal for budding artists and grown-up creatives alike, no more dried-out palettes or constantly swapping paint pots.
7. Seed Starter
Give your seedlings the perfect start by planting them in a muffin tin. Fill each cup with potting mix, sow your seeds, and water gently. Once they’ve sprouted, they can be easily transplanted into larger pots or directly into the garden.
8. Snack Sampler
Make snack time more exciting by filling a muffin tin with a mix of treats – fun with a muffin tin filled with different nibbles: berries, crackers, cheese cubes, apple slices, popcorn, or mini sandwiches. Great for picky eaters, picnics, or even casual entertaining with a grazing-style twist.
9. Hardware Organiser
Tackling a DIY project? Use a muffin tin to sort nuts, bolts, nuts, and screws so they stay separated and easy to grab. It’s a simple trick that makes any job feel more manageable.
10. Jewellery Organiser
Place a muffin tin in your drawer or on your dressing table to keep rings, earrings, and other delicate accessories beautifully sorted. Each cup offers a dedicated space, so no more tangled chains or mismatched studs, just effortless organisation with a touch of creative charm.
The Ingenious Muffin Tin: More Than Meets the Eye
Your muffin tin may be designed for baking, but its potential goes far beyond the oven. With a little imagination, this everyday item can solve all kinds of storage, prep, and organisational challenges around the home. So next time you’re tempted to stash it at the back of the cupboard, think again – you might just have one of the handiest tools in the house hiding in plain sight. Who knew something so ordinary could be so extraordinarily useful?
Shop Chef’s Complements‘ extensive range of muffin tins today.
