Spraying Non-Stick Muffin Pans: Yes Or No?

Non-stick muffin pans are a popular choice for bakers, but it's still important to grease or line each cavity to prevent muffins from sticking. While some sources suggest that paper and aluminium liners are sufficient, others recommend spraying the liners with cooking spray to ensure the muffins don't stick. If you're not using liners, there are several options for greasing non-stick muffin pans, including melted butter, cooking spray, shortening, or professional baking grease. It's important to ensure an even coat on the sides of each cup without getting too much grease built up in the bottom.

Using melted butter and a pastry brush

Greasing a muffin pan is an important step in ensuring your muffins come out of the pan easily and in one piece. While non-stick pans are popular, it is still important to grease or line each cavity of the pan.

First, melt a small amount of butter in a saucepan over low heat. You only need a tablespoon or two of butter for 2 to 3 muffin tins. Once the butter is melted, remove it from the heat.

Next, dip your pastry brush into the melted butter and use it to lightly coat each muffin cup. Be sure to get the bottom, sides, and corners of the cup. You can also use your fingers to grease the muffin tin if you don't have a pastry brush. Just be careful not to let the butter pool at the bottom of each cup. Use paper towels to soak up any excess butter.

If you don't have butter, there are several alternatives you can use to grease your muffin pan, such as cooking spray, vegetable oil, shortening, or professional baking grease.

By properly greasing your muffin pan, you'll be able to easily remove your muffins and enjoy their lovely texture!

Cooking spray

To grease a pan with cooking spray, shake the bottle and hold it a few inches away from the pan. Spray the pan lightly and evenly until each cup is greased. Be careful not to use too much spray, as it can cause the edges of your muffins to become too crispy. If a pool of spray forms in the bottom of the cups, spread the oil around the pan with a paper towel until it is evenly coated.

Some people prefer to use butter or paper liners instead of cooking spray. Butter can be applied with a pastry brush or a stick of butter at room temperature. Paper liners are a popular option, especially for communal gatherings, as they make handling the finished baked goods more sanitary. However, some bakers choose to spray the liners with cooking spray as well.

Paper and aluminium liners

Liners are a popular option for muffins and cupcakes. They make handling the finished baked goods more sanitary and are often preferred if you're taking them to bake sales or some other communal gathering. Some bakers prefer to spray the liners with cooking spray as well.

Paper liners can be bought or made at home. To make them, cut a piece of parchment paper into 4- to 5-inch squares for regular-sized muffin cups. For extra-tall muffins or cupcakes, make 6-inch squares. Lay the paper atop the muffin pan and cut slits from the edge to the centre, where you estimate each of the four corners to be. When you push the parchment down into each cup of the pan, the edges will fold in on each other, creating a perfect parchment liner.

Aluminium liners are sturdy and help with more rounded dome formation. They are sold in most grocery stores and sometimes sold in pretty metallic colours.

Parchment paper

If you're looking for an alternative to greasing your non-stick muffin pans, parchment paper is a great option. Not only does it prevent your muffins from sticking to the pan, but it also gives them a nice look that can dress up an average muffin.

Here's a step-by-step guide to using parchment paper in your non-stick muffin pans:

• Cut parchment paper into squares: For regular-sized muffin cups, cut the parchment paper into 4- to 5-inch squares. If you're making extra-tall muffins or cupcakes, cut 6-inch squares for some extra-fluttery bits.
• Create slits for the corners: Lay the parchment paper square on top of the muffin cup and estimate the inner corners. Cut slits from the edge towards the centre, about the same length as the height of the muffin cup. Ensure the slits don't touch to avoid cutting through the parchment entirely.
• Form the parchment paper into cups: Push the parchment paper down into each muffin cup. The edges will magically fold in on each other, creating a perfect liner. Alternatively, you can use a small can or jar to press the parchment paper around and form a cup.
• Place the parchment cups in the muffin pan: Once you've formed the parchment cups, place them into the muffin pan.
• Spray the parchment cups (optional): If your batter is particularly moist or contains a lot of fruit, you may want to spray the parchment cups with a non-stick cooking spray to ensure the muffins release cleanly.
• Fill the parchment cups with batter: Use a cookie scoop, a piping bag, or spoons to fill the parchment cups with batter. Don't worry too much about drips or smudges on the edges of the liner, as these can be cleaned up later.
• Bake as usual: Place the muffin pan in the oven and bake according to your recipe instructions.
• Clean up the edges: After baking, pinch or brush off any smudges or drips on the edges of the parchment cups.
• Let the muffins cool: Gently lift the muffins out of the muffin pan using the corners of the parchment liners. Allow them to cool completely or according to your recipe instructions before serving.

Using parchment paper liners in your non-stick muffin pans ensures that your muffins will release easily and gives them a unique and elegant look. So, the next time you bake a batch of muffins, give this method a try!

Professional baking grease

Benefits of Professional Baking Grease

• It provides a non-stick surface for baked goods, ensuring they release easily from the pan.
• It can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks, refrigerated for up to five months, or frozen for up to a year.
• It reduces the moisture content in the mix, keeping it shelf-stable for longer compared to using butter or vegan butter.
• It is cheaper to make than using butter or vegan butter.
• It does not interfere with the baking process by creating steam, unlike butter or vegan butter.

How to Use Professional Baking Grease

When using professional baking grease, it is important to follow these steps:

• Ensure your muffin tin is completely clean and dry before greasing. Use scouring pads to remove any previously baked-on bits of food, but avoid using them on non-stick pans as they can scratch the coating.
• Use a pastry brush, paper towel, or brush specifically designated for this purpose to apply the grease to the muffin tin.
• Make sure to get the bottom, sides, and corners of each muffin cup thoroughly coated with grease.
• If using butter as an ingredient in your grease mixture, melt a small amount in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave.
• If using parchment paper or liners, apply grease to the paper or liner as well for added non-stick protection.
• Be careful not to contaminate the grease mixture by double-dipping or reusing brushes on soiled pans.
• Store the grease mixture in a sealed container to keep it free of dirt and bacteria between uses.

Frequently asked questions