Stop eating your muffins plain! These simple tips will shake up your morning routine.
If You’re Not Eating Your Muffins Like This, Then You’re Doing It Wrong
Updated on Jan. 15, 2023
Who doesn’t love a muffin? After all, most consider them a glorified cupcake you can eat for breakfast! Muffins are a traditional breakfast staple almost everyone loves. For one thing, you can make them with any number of ingredients you have on hand. They’re easy to freeze and eat as a snack or as a portable breakfast on the go. But there’s more than one way to eat cupcakes and muffins, you know? Here are our favorite muffin hacks to try.
1. Eat open-faced
Slice those tender muffins in half and slather with warm butter, cream cheese or peanut butter. If you want to get fancy, try them with hazelnut spread, Greek yogurt or cookie butter.
Psst! Here’s how to make peanut butter from scratch.
2. Saute in butter
Butter makes everything better, right? Spread softened butter on each side of a halved muffin and crisp it up over high heat in a nonstick pan or griddle. You’ll be amazed how an ordinary muffin can be transformed with crisp, buttery edges. Go the extra mile and top with homemade fruit jam or preserves.
3. Turn ’em inside out!
Who says there’s only one way to eat muffins? If your muffin has a crumble (or other sweet topping) cut the muffin in half across the “waist” (cut off the top and put the bottom on top), turning the crumble inward so you get bits of it in every bite.
Pro tip: Before you turn them sandwich-style, add cream cheese spread (strawberry or brown sugar & cinnamon are my favs).
4. Top with sauce
Whip up a quick sugary glaze or buttery sauce and drizzle on top of your muffin. A sprinkle of chopped nuts gives it even more crunch!
5. Dip and toast (French toast, that is)
Just can’t seem to get through that dozen muffins you made? Have they dried out on your kitchen counter? Slice them, dip in a egg mixture and pan fry them as you normally would with French toast. Serve with homemade whipped cream and top with berries, or sprinkle with confectioners sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup.
6. Master new appetizers
Use savory, mini cornbread muffins to add a unique twist to your appetizer platter! Serve them with whiskey bacon jam, pimiento cheese or savory cream cheese flavors like chive & onion or jalapeno.
7. Serve with ice cream
Unexpected guests, anyone? The more indulgent flavors like banana chocolate chip, chocolate zucchini or pumpkin pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a super-fast dessert. Drizzle with creme caramel or dulce de leche for a special treat.
8. Broil up some s’mores
Think outside the box: S’mores aren’t only for graham crackers. Top halved chocolate chip muffins with marshmallows and give them a light toast in the broiler. Sprinkle with crumbled graham cracker crumbs.
9. Make a melt
Fill that muffin with cheese and your favorite meat for a quick, portable weekday breakfast or lunch. Then fry in a cast-iron skillet like a grilled cheese sandwich or your favorite melt.
10. Customize that bread pudding
Instead of stale bread, use stale muffins. Once they’ve dried out, cut into bite-sized pieces and combine with a custard mixture of cream and eggs. Add in any other favorite ingredients, place into a baking dish and bake until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or serve with a fruit compote.
There are plenty of unique things to try with muffins, so get outside the norm and see if one of these ideas will become your new favorite thing. And if you’re still into eating muffins the more traditional way, here are my favorite muffin recipes worth waking up for.
Try our best muffin recipes.
Chocolate Chip MuffinsBoth of my daughters love these chocolate chip muffins! I usually double this chocolate chip muffin recipe so I have extras to keep in the freezer for a quick breakfast or snack. —Lori Thompson, New London, Texas
Lemon-Raspberry Streusel MuffinsFresh from the oven, these attractive, delicious muffins make a great accompaniment to any breakfast or brunch. I usually double the recipe because they seem to disappear the minute I set them out. —Marie Herr, Berea, Ohio
Cinnamon MuffinsMade with a dash of nutmeg in the batter, these moist cinnamon muffins are sweet, buttery and delicious.
Mini Cherry MuffinsThese pretty muffins are perfect for Christmas morning. Make them the night before and keep them on the counter in an airtight container. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Zucchini MuffinsThese yummy zucchini, currant and walnut muffins are an excellent and tasty way to use up surplus zucchini from your garden. —Peg Gausz, Watchung, New Jersey
Healthy Avocado Pineapple MuffinsThese healthy muffins would be a real treat to enjoy at breakfast, at lunch or on a coffee break. They are delicious served warm from the oven or freeze well. The avocado adds an extra-special touch. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Strawberry MuffinsIn-season strawberries are precious gems and need to be used accordingly. That's why we always break out this recipe for strawberry muffins every summer.
Gluten-Free Sweet Potato MuffinsI have a family member with special dietary needs, so I came up with these gluten-free sweet potato muffins that we could all enjoy. These are just as good as any traditional recipe, maybe better! If you don't have sweet potato on hand, canned pumpkin may be used instead. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Banana Oat MuffinsChopped pecans add pleasant crunch to these hearty banana oatmeal muffins with rich flavor. These muffins are low in cholesterol, but you’d never know it. My husband and I love them. —Marjorie Mott, Galatia, Illinois
Chocolate Zucchini MuffinsBreakfast? Snack? Dessert? All of the above! Chocolate zucchini muffins are tender, chocolaty and decadent—and no one needs to know the secret ingredient.
Blueberry Cream MuffinsWhen most people think of Maine, they immediately think of lobster. But we who live here know of something equally as good: wild blueberries. Their flavor is unmatched, and they're especially great in this blueberry muffin recipe with sour cream. —Lillian Van der Harst, Center Lovell, Maine
Applesauce MuffinsCinnamon-sugar-dusted applesauce muffins are the tender, homey treat you can stir together in just 10 minutes. The warm allspice, cinnamon and cloves will perfume your kitchen with an autumnal aroma as they bake.
Peanut Butter Banana MuffinsBanana and peanut butter are ideal partners, making these bite-sized peanut butter banana muffins a delightful treat. They even have chocolate chips!
Cornbread MuffinsYou can mix up the batter for this simple cornbread muffin recipe with just a whisk. The resulting muffins are light and moist with a subtle touch of sweetness.
Our favorite muffin recipes ever.
Egg-Free Double Chocolate Banana MuffinsThese double chocolate banana muffins make the best use of any brown bananas you have left in the fruit bowl. Mash them into our chocolate muffin mix and you have a delightful snack in under half an hour.
Feta ‘n’ Chive MuffinsThis is a “spring” variation on the savory muffins my husband has made for years. It has a light texture almost like a popover and tastes best eaten hot right from the oven. —Angela Buchanan, Boulder, Colorado
Caramel Apple MuffinsThese muffins are perfect for anyone who loves caramel apples. They are particularly good with breakfast or during a coffee break. —Therese Puckett, Shreveport, Louisiana
Blueberry-Orange MuffinsThis recipe was given to me some time ago, and I've used it often since. In fact, it's so good that it won first prize at a county fair! Blueberries are plentiful here in the Midwest, and this is a delicious way to prepare them. —Irene Parry, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kids will love this healthy muffin recipe.
Lemon Pound Cake MuffinsI make these lemony muffins for all kinds of occasions. My family always requests them when we have a brunch. They’re so good! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Healthy Zucchini MuffinsThese healthy zucchini muffins sneak wholesome ingredients into a tasty treat while cutting back on the refined ingredients. Now that's one sweet treat!
Coconut Chocolate MuffinsWith their rich dark chocolate flavor and luscious cream cheese-coconut topping, these irresistible muffins taste more like a decadent dessert than a morning treat. —Sonia Daily, Rochester, Michigan
Buttermilk Cranberry MuffinsI've been making these muffins and this cranberry butter for years, and I have never met anyone who didn't like them. I'll usually buy several bags of fresh cranberries when they're available and freeze them to use throughout the year. I've also discovered that powdered buttermilk works well. —Jane Yunker, Rochester, New York
Pomegranate Cream Cheese Surprise MuffinsI baked these muffins for the kids I babysit, and they couldn't get enough. Their favorite part? The filling, of course! —Jodie Gharbi, Shreveport, Louisiana
Oatmeal MuffinBake up this wholesome oatmeal muffin recipe in no time! Filled with hearty oats and sweet brown sugar, they're perfect for a quick breakfast or a tasty snack.
Cranberry MuffinsThis contest-winning recipe for cranberry muffins showcases fresh cranberries with warm spices and a bright hint of orange zest. Ready in just 35 minutes, these muffins make a perfect breakfast or midday snack.
Morning Maple MuffinsMaple combines with a subtle touch of cinnamon and nuts to give these muffins the flavor of a hearty pancake breakfast. But you don’t have to sit down to enjoy them. Our 2-year-old comes back for seconds, and even my husband—who doesn’t normally like muffins—likes these. —Elizabeth Talbot, Lexington, Kentucky
Banana Zucchini MuffinsUp your bread game with these zucchini-infused banana muffins. Soft, tender and moist from the shredded zucchini and ripe bananas, these muffins use vanilla, banana extract, and cinnamon for an enhanced, sweet blend of flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Banana Chocolate Chip MuffinsFor anyone who loves banana bread but doesn't have an hour for baking, whip up a batch of banana chocolate chip muffins.
Egg MuffinsSavory egg muffins are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for busy mornings. These simple-to-make breakfast egg muffins are also perfect for freezing.
Doughnut MuffinsCinnamon sugar–dusted doughnut muffins hit the flavor mark of an old-fashioned jelly doughnut without a deep fryer in sight.
Rhubarb MuffinsYou'll want to grab those bright-pink rhubarb stalks at the market for these rhubarb muffins with a pecan-cinnamon topping. One batch of these muffins is the perfect way to welcome spring.
Whole Wheat Blueberry MuffinsWhole wheat flour gives nutritious flair to these healthy blueberry muffins. Fresh from the oven, they’ll warm you up on cold, winter days. —Sheila Siem, Calumet, Michigan
Find more healthy muffin recipes here.
Lemon-Filled Gingerbread MuffinsHonest Abe rarely spoke about food in his speeches. But in one of his famous debates with Stephen Douglas, Lincoln told a story from his childhood about sharing gingerbread men with a friend. The tale charmed his audience —these gingerbread muffins will charm you, too. —Suzette Jury, Keene, California
Pineapple Upside-Down MuffinsFor a modern version of upside-down cake, we use pineapple and a sweet batter to make fun muffins with a cherry on top. —Suzeanne Longwill, Ortonville, Michigan
Grandma’s Honey MuffinsI can remember my Grandma Wheeler making these delicious muffins—we'd eat them nice and warm, fresh from the oven! She was a "pinch of this and handful of that" kind of cook, so getting the ingredient amounts correct for the recipe was a challenge. Now it's a family treasure! —Darlis A. Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Pumpkin Banana MuffinsTwo delightful quick bread flavors combine in one delicious muffin recipe. Enjoy 'em with a hot cup of coffee on a cool day.
Wild Blueberry MuffinsNothing is better than a warm blueberry muffin in the morning, and these muffins are the best I have ever made. The wild blueberries make them extra special. —Dewey Grindle, Blue Hill, Maine
Sausage Pancake MuffinsMy kids love sausage and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I purchased the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs in a blanket is a great alternative that's much more cost effective. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
Coconut Carrot MuffinsIf you like carrot cake, you'll probably like these muffins, too. They make a neat treat for an Easter get-together! I use canned carrots to save some extra time in the kitchen. —Brittany Carrington, Tehachapi, California
Lemon Poppy Seed MuffinsTemptingly tangy, fluffy and easy to make for bakers of all skill levels, these zesty lemon poppy seed muffins are the perfect way for lemon lovers to start their day.
Bacon-Peanut Butter Cornbread MuffinsMy family just can't get enough bacon and peanut butter, so I created these quick and easy cornbread muffins using ingredients I regularly keep stocked in my pantry and fridge. The streusel topping adds a delicious sweet-salty crunch! No peanut butter baking chips on hand? For a different flavor twist, swap in chocolate chips, then drizzle the warm muffins with chocolate syrup instead of caramel topping. —Shannon Kohn, Summerville, South Carolina
Pumpkin Muffins with Cake MixMade with nothing more than a can of pumpkin and a box of spice cake mix, these simple pumpkin muffins are easy, fluffy and endlessly versatile. You can add raisins, chocolate, nuts and more. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Frozen Blueberry MuffinsThese moist muffins are chock-full of blueberries. I keep frozen berries on hand-it's so convenient to be able to fold them frozen into the muffin batter. —Ardyce Piehl, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. These gluten-free blueberry muffins are perfect if you’re looking for something healthy.
English MuffinsThis English muffins recipe yields soft and chewy bread with all the craggy nooks and crannies that make English muffins so iconic. Serve with eggs Benedict, or spread on some butter and jam.
Lemon MuffinsWe make our lemon muffins with a streusel crumb topping and a bright lemon glaze. They're simple enough to be an everyday snack yet elevated enough to serve at a fancy brunch.
Quiche MuffinsQuiche cups are my showstopper potluck dish. Hash browns and Asiago cheese make up the crusts. Eggs, spinach and bacon do the rest. —Nicole Stone, Gilbertville, Iowa
Coffee Cake Muffin MixOur local home-school group has an annual Christmas craft breakfast. Forty children signed up to come to my table and make this muffin recipe mix. It was so rewarding to see their excitement as they created a special gift to give. —Tamera Serafin, New Windsor, Maryland
Apple MuffinsThese apple muffins have a rich, tender inside and a decadent, crunchy topping (complete with a vanilla glaze) that makes for a delicious breakfast treat. They're great any time of year, but especially on a chilly fall morning.
Cranberry Pumpkin MuffinsTart, juicy cranberries enhance the delicate pumpkin flavor of these muffins. Sometimes I dust the tops with powdered sugar to add a little sweetness. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona
Sour Cream Chip MuffinsTake one bite and you'll see why I think these rich, tender muffins are the best I've ever tasted. Mint chocolate chips make them a big hit with my family and friends. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho
Chocolate Chip Zucchini MuffinsThese soft, tender chocolate chip zucchini muffins can be made whether you have a bumper crop of zucchini or not—no excuses are needed to make this recipe.
Pigs in a PoolMy kids love sausages and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I bought the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs-in-a-blanket is a tasty, thrifty alternative. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip MuffinsThese oatmeal chocolate chip muffins are just sweet enough to be a treat and tasty enough for everyday enjoyment.
Walnut Zucchini MuffinsShredded zucchini makes this walnutty muffin recipe extra tender. If you have lots of zucchini in summer as many of us do, this is a good way to use some of it. —Harriet Stichter, Milford, Indiana
Pecan Pie MuffinsBrown sugar and nuts get folded into these sweet and soft pecan pie muffins. They’re ideal for breakfast, and they're such a treat that they can even be served for dessert.
Sausage MuffinsThese savory sausage muffins are a perfect grab-and-go breakfast option. Packed with sausage, eggs and cheese, they're precisely what you want for an easy breakfast when there's little time to make one.
Monkey MuffinsThese bite-sized peanut butter, banana and chocolate chip muffins will be a favorite with your family and friends. They are a good way to use overripe bananas! —Amie Longstaff, Painesville Township, Ohio
Ginger Pear MuffinsThis wonderful recipe has been in my files for years. The chunks of fresh pear make each bite moist and delicious. —Lorraine Caland, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Banana Macadamia MuffinsThese muffins taste even better the next day, so to save time, I often make them the night before. They stay moist for days. —Stasha Wampler, Clinchport, Virginia
Pumpkin MuffinsThis pumpkin muffin recipe will make you excited to turn on your oven again when the temperature starts to drop.
Cranberry Nut MuffinsThese are delicious, beautiful muffins. I serve them during the holidays or anytime cranberries are available. The leftovers always make good breakfast treats. Through the years I've tried many cranberry recipes for bread and muffins, but this remains my family's all-time favorite! —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
