When it comes to baking it takes a range of different pans to make different bakes. A simple cake pan won’t do if you want to make a variation of other goods like pies and brownies!
In fact, baking pans make a huge difference in the final product and so if you want to be creating quality products then you need to invest in quality kitchen supplies – starting with baking pans.
Baking pans can be quite expensive, especially when you are looking for high-quality ones and it can be hard to know which you can trust and which are going to be the best to use.
So, before you splash the cash, take a look at our list of the best baking pans so you know exactly what you need to spend your money on!
From cake tins to ceramic dishes, there will be a baking pan on this list that will suit your very needs. So, what are we waiting for? Here is our list of the best baking pans available!
Best Baking Pans
OUR TOP PICK
Calphalon Simply Nonstick Bakeware 6-Piece Set
EDITORS CHOICE
USA Pan Nonstick Round Cake Pan
BEST VALUE
Instant Pot 7.5-Inch Nonstick Springform Pan
OUR TOP PICK
Calphalon Simply Nonstick Bakeware 6-Piece Set
Best Overall
Calphalon is a company created by Ronald M. Kasperzak back in 1963, who created commercial cookware using techniques borrowed from the aerospace industry.
This resulted in cookware made from hard-anodized aluminum that made the products more durable and resistant to both corrosion and warping.
Since then, Calphalon is a well-loved brand that still makes some of the best crockery and cookware on the market today.
Originally these products were only sold in specialty cooking stores and in cooking stores, which goes to prove just how fantastic and high-quality these dishes are.
They are now widely available for anyone to add to their kitchen.
In this set of baking dishes, you will receive two 8-inch round cake pans, one medium loaf pan, one 9 x 13-inch cake pan, one 12-cup muffin pan, and a 10 x 15-inch baking sheet.
These pans are nonstick and dishwasher safe which makes them very practical and easy to care for.
Additionally, they are sturdy and stackable – this means they won’t take up too much room in the kitchen!
Pros:
- Fantastic Quality
- Affordable Price
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons:
- Prone to scratches
EDITORS CHOICE
USA Pan Nonstick Round Cake Pan
Best Cake Pan
A round cake pan is one of the most basic essentials of any baker. They can be used for cakes, brownies, cheesecakes, and more!
These cake pans are nonstick and BPA-free, made using commercial grade heavy gauge steel.
They are lightweight and the nonstick coating helps to make the removal of cakes hassle-free, and also ensures that the clean-up process is much easier.
The unique thing about these pans is the corrugated bases which were designed to increase the durability of the product and to help with the overall performance of the product.
Unfortunately, these aren’t dishwasher safe but they are relatively easy to clean regardless.
These dishes are 2.25 inches in height and have a 9-inch diameter. The set comes with two of the pans.
Pros:
- Well-made and durable
- Easy release from the pan
- Provides an even bake
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Cannot wash in dishwasher
BEST VALUE
Instant Pot 7.5-Inch Nonstick Springform Pan
Best For Instant Pot Baking
These nonstick springform pans are relatively new on the market but are an instant hit amongst bakers!
They are super popular and great for making both sweet and savory dishes, making them versatile and meaning you can use them over and over.
They have a removable bottom which means they are perfect for making cheesecakes, lava cakes and so much more.
The pan measures 7.5 x 2.75 inches, and there are also larger pans available to use in a traditional oven as well.
The pan is BPA-free, made of aluminized steel and comes with a lifetime warranty.
The only downside is that they are hand washed only, and cannot be put in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Can be used for both sweet and savory dishes
- Can be used in a regular oven and the Instant Pot
Cons:
- The nonstick coating will degrade over time
RUNNER UP
Wilton Diamond-Infused Non-Stick Navy Blue Baking Set
Best High-End Set
This is a fantastic set that will cover all of your baking basis and also look beautiful and aesthetic in the kitchen.
This set comes with seven different pieces that you can use for every type of baking activity, so no matter what you want to bake you will have the essentials to do it.
Not only this but the navy blue finish will look beautiful in any kitchen, so if you are someone who values aesthetics and doesn’t mind paying for it – then this may be the set for you.
In this set, you will get a 12-cup muffin pan, large, medium, and small rectangular baking pans, a loaf pan, and two round baking pans.
They all have a diamond-infused nonstick coating as well as curved handles to make the pans easier to hold. They are dishwasher safe and safe to use with most metal tools.
Pros:
- High quality
- Assortment of pieces
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Baking sheets may warp when used at 450+ degrees
RUNNER UP
Emile Henry Bread Loaf Baker
Best Loaf Pan
This beautiful pan is crafted in Burgundy, France. The Emile Henry company was founded back in 1850 and has continued to produce quality baking tins since.
This pan is designed specifically so that heat distributes evenly to create a fantastic crust formation on what is being baked.
Emile Henry is a brand that is well known for being one of the first to develop the ‘ceradon’ process, which means that no lead or cadmium is used when making the products.
This particular loaf pan is 9 x 5.5 x 4.75 inches high including the lid. It weighs 4 pounds and 12 ounces.
If you are a serious bread maker or someone who wants to make the best possible loaves they can, then this is an essential pan for you.
This will help you to create the highest quality loaves of bread using a home oven.
Bread from this tin usually comes out with a thin and crispy crust with a soft interior – yum!
Pros:
- Rustic style
- Lead and cadmium free
- Bakes evenly
Cons:
- Expensive
- Small handles are hard to hold
RUNNER UP
CHEFMADE Round Tart Pan With Removable Loose Bottom
Best Tart Pan
These pans have a nonstick silicone coating which makes it easy for your cakes and bakes to be removed from the pan.
They are heavy-duty and the removable bottom has a champagne-gold tone which means it is also beautiful if you want to serve using it.
The dimensions for this pan are 9.5 x 9.5 x 0.94 inches which are the same as the size of a traditional tart.
The only downside to these pans is that they need to be cared for and washed by hand. They also need to be thoroughly dried after washing for a long life.
Pros:
- Durable and heavyweight
- Removable bottom with easy release
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Prone to scratches
- Cannot go into the dishwasher
RUNNER UP
Chicago Metallic Professional Commercial II Jelly Roll Pan
Best Cookie-Jelly Roll Pan
This pan works for both cookies and jelly sheets making them versatile and a great investment.
It also means you will be saving space in the kitchen because the tray can be used for multiple things.
The pan is made by Chicago Metallic Bakeware and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Measuring 17.5 x 12.5 x 1 inches and the inside measuring 16.5 x 11.5 inches, this is a fantastic and generous dish.
You can rely on an even bake due to the heavyweight aluminized steel, it is made from that contributes to the heat conduction.
The interior surface has a diamond-quality, nonstick dual-coating which helps for easy removal – plus it is dishwasher safe!
Pros:
- Heavy-duty
- Reinforced rims that prevent warping
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The nonstick surface is prone to scratches.
RUNNER UP
Nordic Ware 70th Anniversary Crown Bundt Pan
Best Bundt Pan
If you are looking for a beautiful and aesthetic bundt pan, then this is the one for you.
It was designed especially to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Nordic Ware – the brand credited as the original creators of the bundt cake pans.
The history of this product dates back to the 1950s when the product was designed for the Hadassah Society – which is a group of women who wanted to replicate the Kugelhopfs in Europe.
This is a quality product, as with any from the Nordic Ware brand, that is made with a graduated wave-shaped aluminum to create a beautifully shaped bundt cake.
It is nonstick and comes with a lifetime warranty. The product should be hand washed and measures 3.875 x 10 inches.
Pros:
- Beautifully shaped cake
- Large size
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Hand Wash only
- The intricate design makes it difficult to clean
RUNNER UP
Made In Square Baking Dish
Best Ceramic
This dish by Made In is incredibly versatile and allows you to make cakes, loaves, tarts, or pies.
The ceramic dish is of restaurant-quality and heats the food slowly and evenly, making for the perfect baked good every time!
From brownies to pasta bakes, there is nothing that this dish cannot do. The pan has handles that make it easy to grip and move around.
The dish cools very slowly, meaning it will keep the food warm for longer so you can enjoy it hot and fresh out of the oven.
The design has a nod to the vintage enamel-coated trays and is white with a blue pinstripe around the edge.
It is also available in other colors such as red or green, so you can purchase the one that best fits your taste and your kitchen aesthetic.
This dish is 8 x 8 inches and prevents any sticking, despite not being actively nonstick.
The dish can be cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand and is very easy to do so.
It can be used in the oven as well as the fridge, freezer microwave, and dishwasher.
Pros:
- Durable in construction and material
- Attractive design
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Heavier than metal pans
- On the expensive side
Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have covered all of our favorite baking pans and told you the pros and cons of each, let’s take a look at the specific features you should consider before making your purchase.
Type Of Baking Pan
The very first thing you will need to consider is exactly what type of baking pan you want to have.
Do you want to have a set of varied pans, or do you have a very specific pan you need in mind? Sometimes, baking pans can be used for a multitude of different bakes.
As we mentioned above, the round cake tins are good for more than just baking cakes, as well as the flat trays are good for cookies and jelly.
The main thing you need to decide on is exactly what you need the pan for.
Then, you will be able to narrow down the search and find the best quality pan for what you are looking for – one that is going to suit your needs.
Material
Another very important part of a baking pan is the material from which it is made. The most common types of material that baking pans are made from are as follows: glass, metal, silicone, and ceramic.
Each material has its pros and cons, so you need to find out what is going to suit your needs best. Glass pans are great for conducting heat whereas silicone pans don’t.
But silicone pans are non-stick, which is an advantage that glass and ceramic pans don’t always have.
Metal baking pans are the most common that exist because they are all-around the most versatile. They are great at conducting heat, are often nonstick, and are easy to clean.
The most common type of metal that baking pans are made from are aluminum, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, insulated and nonstick.
Size
The last feature you should consider is the size of the pan you want to get. Your recipe will tell you the size that you need, so that is a good place to start.
This is also where sets come in handy because they will give you lots of pans in varied sizes so that you will always have one that is perfect for your usage.
The standard size of a baking pan is 9 x 13 inches, and most recipes will stick to this measurement or can be easily converted into this, so if you are looking only to purchase one baking pan, one of this size is your best bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Parchment Paper And Greasing The Pan?
Greasing pans can leave an unsavory taste to your baked goods, as well as create a slippery and almost slimy surface that may prevent you from decorating your cake.
Parchment paper is a much better option and also makes for a better and easier clean-up as well as a guaranteed foolproof release.
How Do You Line A Baking Pan Using Parchment Paper?
If you want to line a square or rectangular baking pan then simply cut sheets of parchment using the measurements of the pan, to cover the bottom, making sure to include a little extra to cover the edges of the pan.
You can put cuts in the corners to improve the presentation of the parchment paper, which also helps to give your baked goods a better and more clean look, which is good when you want to bake professionally.
How Do You Grease A Baking Pan?
To grease, a baking pan you need should use a nonstick cooking spray, oil, or butter to cover the inside of the pan.
Ensure that the entire pan is lightly coated.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect baking tin has never been easier than with the list above!
We have covered all the different types of baking pans, and so now you know which is going to be best for the specific need that you want it for.
Baking pans come in an array of different materials, shapes, and sizes so you are sure to be able to find the right baking pan that suits your needs.
From ceramic to glass, silicone to metal, there are so many different baking pans on the market today and each of them has its pros and cons.
Should you not happen to like any of our recommended baking pans, be sure to reference the helpful buyer’s guide so you know exactly what to look for when you are buying your own.
Following this guide will help you find the best baking tray that is perfect for your kitchen and your baking needs.
Hopefully, this has been a helpful and insightful article that will help you find the best baking tin for your kitchen and you will be creating the perfect bakes in no time!
