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There’s nothing better than a warm muffin on a cold winter’s day. Muffins make great snacks and are perfect as an “on the go” breakfast option on busy days. Here I will discuss how to reheat your muffins so they taste as fresh and delicious as they did when they first came out of the oven!
As a general rule, the best ways to reheat muffins are by toaster oven, air fryer, microwave, conventional oven, and stovetop. Each method has its own additions that help retain the muffin’s moisture when heating up and vary in technique and temperature.
These 5 methods are unique in their own way. Each one of them requires a small technique that I have used to make sure my muffins are warmed up without losing their moisture. Read on to find out how!
What Are The Best Ways To Reheat Muffins?
The five best methods to use when reheating a muffin are in the oven, in a microwave, in an air fryer, the toaster oven, and stovetop. Each method varies in instruction and temperature, however, they are all suitable ways to reheat muffins.
If you’ve ever wondered what the proper technique is for reheating your muffins, you’re in luck! The truth is, there really isn’t a wrong way to reheat muffins.
The main thing you need to consider is how to keep them moist while you’re warming them back up.
During my search for the perfect muffin/cupcake, I came across a Great Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin Pan that will make my muffins/cupcakes the perfect size. Ever since I got it, my muffins came out looking better than ever before! You can find this Muffin Tin on Amazon!
Muffins have a very light, moist texture, which makes them perfect for when you’re craving something sweet but not too decadent. Lemon poppy seed and blueberry muffins are some of my personal favorites to bake.
One important thing to remember when reheating your muffins is to keep them from drying out.
Muffins can be finicky and dry out easily if you aren’t taking proper precautions. If you’ve ever taken a bite into a stale, dry muffin, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Whichever method you plan to use, always keep an eye on your muffins in order to prevent yours from drying out.
1. The Oven
As a whole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cover each muffin with aluminum foil. This traps moisture inside of the muffin when heated. After the oven is at the desired temperature, place the covered muffins on a tray and heat them through for about ten to fifteen minutes.
If you’ve got a little extra time, your best bet is to place your muffins back in the oven to reheat them. The oven provides the best results, as you can achieve a firm exterior and a fluffy texture on the inside. Be sure to place your muffins on a tray that’s been covered with some aluminum foil.
I like to wrap my muffins with aluminum foil as well. By wrapping your muffins you’ll help them retain their moisture content while still efficiently warming them through. Set your oven temperature at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place them inside for about ten minutes.
Keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn or dry out!
When time is up, pull your muffins out and unwrap one to check if it is warm enough. If so, unwrap your muffins and enjoy! If they still need some additional heating time they can be placed back in the oven uncovered for another minute or two.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How To Properly Reheat Muffins In An Oven. This article talks about what you need to do in order to make sure that your muffins are reheated properly to make them taste like they’re freshly baked! You can check out this article here!
2. The Microwave
As a general rule, place the muffin on a paper towel and set the microwave for thirty seconds. The muffin should be warmed through and moist. If the muffin is dry and stale, the towel can be dampened in order to help moisten it up. Add 15-second intervals to your desired temperature.
If you’re pressed for time the microwave is a quick and efficient way to reheat your muffins. The only caveat to remember when you’re using the microwave is that this method can also cause your muffins to dry out and become hardened very quickly.
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to this problem!
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How To Reheat Muffins In A Microwave. In this article, I break down exactly everything you need to know when reheating muffins in a microwave to get fresh-tasting muffins every time! You can check out this article here!
Before placing your muffins in the microwave, grab a paper towel and dampen it with water. Take the towel and place it directly on your microwave’s glass plate. Place your muffins on top and set your microwave for about thirty seconds.
The wet towel will help your muffins stay nice and moist as they heat up.
This trick prevents them from becoming hard and dry. If you want to play it safe you can even heat your muffins in ten-second increments in order to keep a closer eye on them.
3. An Air Fryer
As a whole, place the muffins in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and heat the muffins for about two to three minutes. If they are not thoroughly warmed at that point they can be placed back into the fryer for an additional minute.
Most people wouldn’t even think about reheating their muffins in an air fryer, but you may have a situation in which you don’t have access to a microwave or an oven.
An air fryer is a versatile piece of equipment to have in the kitchen and can be used to reheat muffins in a pinch.
Place your muffins in a single layer in the basket, making sure to give them a little space in between. This will help make sure that each muffin is thoroughly and evenly heated.
Next, set your temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the basket in the air fryer and set your timer for about two to three minutes.
Because air fryers reheat and cook food much more quickly than a conventional oven, a few minutes should be all that you need to enjoy a warm, reheated muffin.
*Side Note: Reheating your muffins the right way is no simple task. If you’re looking to know if you can Reheat Your Muffins In An Air Fryer, I recently wrote an article that talks about What To Expect When Reheating Muffins in An Air Fryer. You can check out this article here!
4. The Toaster Oven
As a general rule, ensure that the rack is placed in the middle section of the oven. After ensuring proper placement, place the uncovered muffin on the rack and set the temperature for 325 for about five minutes or until heated to the desired temperature.
While you can use a toaster oven to reheat your muffins, make sure that your toaster oven doesn’t have any temperature discrepancies.
Toaster ovens are notorious when it comes to poor temperature regulation. A simple oven thermometer should be able to show you if your toaster oven runs too hot, too cold, or just right.
Don’t Put Too Many Muffins In At The Same Time!
*Side Note: You might catch yourself in a situation where you don’t have access to anything else besides a Toaster Over to reheat your muffins. For that reason, I recently wrote an article that fully breaks down the steps to properly Reheat Your Muffins In A Toaster Oven to Make Them Fresh Again and to know what to expect. You can check out this article here!
Place your rack in the center position before heating your oven. If the rack is adjusted too high there is a chance that they could burn. If the rack is too low, your muffins may heat unevenly.
Place the muffins on the rack, leaving a small amount of space between each one. Set the temperature to 325 degrees and warm them for five minutes before checking on them.
They should be ready to enjoy after five minutes, however, they can be left for an additional minute or two if necessary.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How Long Cupcakes Should Cool Before Frosting. This article talks about the right way to cool off a cupcake and how long you need to wait for it to cool. You can check out this article here!
5. A Stove Top
As a whole, heating muffins on a stovetop require a nonstick pan that has a lid. Place the muffins directly in the pan and set the stovetop at low heat. Cover the muffins with the lid and allow them to warm for about five minutes. The lid will help the muffins retain moisture as they are heated up.
This method may seem like an odd one, however, I’ve found that heating muffins on the stovetop can produce great results if you follow through the steps correctly.
Find a medium-sized non-stick pan with a lid. The lid is crucial, as it helps the muffins retain their moisture while heating through.
Make sure the pan is deep enough to cover the muffins without squishing their tops.
Set the burner to low heat and place your muffins in the pan. Secure the lid on top and let them warm up for five minutes. After they are warm, remove them from your pan and enjoy!
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article that talks about What’s Better and Healthier, Homemade Muffins or Store-Bought Muffins. This article compares the two side by side and determines which muffins are worth it! You can check out this article here!
How To Reheat Muffins If They Are Frozen?
As a general rule, allow the muffins to first thaw at room temperature for about forty-five minutes to an hour. Then, place the muffin in the microwave and set the timer for thirty seconds. This process can be repeated if the muffin is not heated to the desired temperature.
A good rule of thumb is to take your muffins out of your freezer and let them reach room temperature for about an hour.
This will cut down on the amount of time it takes to heat them with your preferred method.
Because the muffin is frozen, there is no need to use a damp paper towel as listed in the Microwave Method. This is because, as the muffin is thawing, excess moisture is being expelled. The paper towel technique will just introduce unwanted moisture and cause soggy muffins.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article talking about If You Can Freeze Muffins in Liners. This article discusses in-depth how to properly store muffins in the freezer. You can check out this article here!
How To Fix Undercooked Muffins?
Generally speaking, if the muffins appear mushy in some areas then that is an indicator they are undercooked. Set the oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the muffins back into the oven on a tray and bake for an additional ten minutes. Keep an eye on them so they do not burn.
If your batch of muffins is undercooked, go ahead and pop them back in the oven for an additional ten minutes.
Be sure to check on them periodically as they are already nearly done and you don’t want to risk burning the whole lot! While you can easily fix undercooked muffins, it’s incredibly difficult (if not impossible) to salvage burnt muffins!
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about Why Do Muffins Come Out Sticky & Soggy. This article talks about different ways to fix and prevent muffins that are sticky and soggy. You can check out this article here!
Final Thoughts
Muffins are one of our staple breakfasts in my household. Eating a warm muffin with a cup of coffee is close to heaven in my eyes.
Sometimes I make large batches and freeze a few to enjoy on cold or rainy days.
There are several methods you can use when it comes to reheating muffins. They all work well, which means it’s really just a matter of personal preference. I like to place my muffins in the microwave if I’m running short on time, however, I’ve used alternative methods in a pinch as well.
Knowing how to properly warm up muffins with various methods has always kept my family smiling and our muffins delicious every time!
