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Which one should you buy?

A heavy 6-cup pan with deep, well-spaced cups and good nonstick, as long as it fits your oven. Measure your toaster oven first; that decides everything. Here's what I'd point you to:

Not every day calls for twelve muffins. If you're cooking for one or two, a 6-cup pan lets you bake a half batch so nothing goes stale on the counter. Six muffins, six mini frittatas, six little Yorkshire puddings for a small Sunday lunch.

The other joy is that a small pan can go in a countertop or toaster oven. In the height of summer, when the last thing you want is the big oven heating the kitchen, that's a real blessing.

What makes a small muffin pan work

A 6-cup pan has the same job as a 12-cup one: get heat evenly into every cup so the batch is done at the same time. Heavy metal spreads the heat well. Thin metal cooks the edges faster than the middle.

In a toaster oven that matters even more. The heating elements are close to the food, and small ovens often run hot or unevenly. A heavier pan smooths that out. Cups with a bit of space between them help too, because hot air can reach the sides of each one.

The catch is size. A heavy pan with nicely spaced cups takes up more room, and toaster ovens vary hugely inside. A pan that fits one beautifully won't even go through the door of another.

USA Pan 6-cup at a glance

What to look for in a small muffin pan

• It fits your oven. Measure the inside of your toaster oven, and leave a little space around the pan for air. This pan is about 11⅛ x 9 inches.

• Heavy steel. It bakes more evenly, especially in a small, hot oven.

• Cups with breathing room. Spaced cups brown better than cups jammed together.

• Good nonstick. So everything pops out cleanly.

• A wide edge to hold. Small ovens are fiddly. Something to grip helps.

The USA Pan is heavy, well spaced and easy to release, which is why it's my pick. Its one weakness is size: it's one of the biggest 6-cup pans around, so it's for larger toaster ovens or the main oven.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You cook for one or two

• You have a larger toaster oven or a countertop oven

• You want even browning and clean release from a small pan

Skip it if

• Your toaster oven is compact; measure first, or choose a smaller pan

• You want round, squat frittatas; these deep cups make them taller and narrower

• You already have a 12-cup pan and a big oven; just fill every other cup

How to get the best from it

Halving a recipe

Most 12-muffin recipes halve easily. If a recipe uses one egg, beat it, then use half. Keep an eye on them: small ovens and small batches can bake faster.

In a toaster oven

Set the rack low enough that the muffin tops won't touch the top element as they rise. Check them a few minutes before the recipe says, and turn the pan halfway through if your oven has a hot side.

Mini frittatas

Grease the cups well, add your fillings, and pour beaten egg over them until each cup is about three-quarters full. Bake until set in the middle. The deep cups make neat, tall little frittatas.

Yorkshire puddings

They work a treat, just not as tall as in a popover pan. This pan is safe to 450°F, so it's not for methods that call for a hotter oven.

Looking after it

• Hand wash only. Warm soapy water and a soft sponge.

• Dry it properly. Water can hide under the rolled edges. Dry it well, or pop it in the warm oven for a minute, so it can't rust.

• No aerosol spray. It can leave a sticky build-up on the coating. Brush the cups with a little oil or soft butter instead.

• No metal tools, and keep it at 450°F or below.

The one rule

Measure your oven before you buy. A pan that doesn't fit is just a very expensive coaster.

Questions people ask

Will a 6-cup muffin pan fit in my toaster oven?

Measure the inside. This one is about 11⅛ x 9 inches outside, so it suits larger toaster ovens. Compact ones need a smaller pan.

Do I need to change the baking time in a toaster oven?

Often, yes. Toaster ovens can run hot and uneven, so start checking a few minutes early.

Why shouldn't I use cooking spray on nonstick?

Aerosol sprays can leave a gummy layer that builds up on nonstick and makes things stick. A brush of oil or butter works better.

Can I make Yorkshire puddings in a 6-cup muffin pan?

Yes. They won't rise as tall as in a popover pan, but they're still lovely. Stay within the 450°F limit.

How do I halve a muffin recipe?

Halve every ingredient. For a single egg, beat it and use half, about 2 tablespoons. Start checking a few minutes early.

Cook with it

Halve a recipe from my Breakfast collection.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.