The term muffin typically refers to an individual sized quick bread product which can be sweet or savory. The typical American muffin is similar to a cupcake in size and cooking methods. These can come in both savory varieties, such as corn or cheese muffins, or sweet varieties such as blueberry or banana.

Muffin also refers to a flatter disk-shaped bread of English origin, commonly referred to as an English muffin outside the United Kingdom. These muffins are also popular in Commonwealth countries and the United States.