Picture the scene. You’ve decided to bake a gorgeous cake to celebrate a special occasion. You’ve mixed all of your ingredients, poured the mixture into your baking pan, and placed it into the oven to bake.
The time has now come to take your creation out of the oven but, the horror of horrors - your beautiful cake is stuck in its pan!
Regardless of how much you try and free it from the pan’s grip, it just won’t budge. This leaves you having to piece together the bits of sponge you’ve managed to free from the tin and engaging in a rescue mission of covering the multitude of sins in thick layers of icing.
Then, to add insult to injury, you’re left with a pan that needs hours of soaking and vigorous scrubbing to get it looking good again.
The idea of this cold-sweat inducing scenario can be avoided, however, through the purchase of nonstick bakeware.
This type of bakeware is designed to release your baked goods from the tin with hardly any effort and leave them looking as beautiful as intended.
With so many choices available though, finding the perfect non-stick pans can be a little tricky. But don’t worry - we’re here to help.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best nonstick bakeware available. We’ve also put together a buying guide that’s got all the information you need to help you find the perfect pans the first time around.
In a hurry? Let’s get things started by taking a look at our top pick.
OUR TOP PICK
From everyday bread to show-stopping cakes, this 8-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set from Chicago Metallic features a variety of pans to help you create the bakes of your dreams.
You also won’t need to worry about your culinary creations sticking to the pans either, as each one has a high-quality, non-stick coating.
This nonstick coating doesn’t only make food-release quick and easy. It’s also completely BPA-free and non-toxic, so you can rest assured that no troubling chemicals will leach out into your ingredients while they bake.
Each pan is constructed from heavyweight carbon steel and is oven safe up to 450ºF. This ensures durability and also allows for even heat distribution, meaning there’s no risk of any burnt patches or raw spots.
When you’ve finished baking, you won’t have to face hours of scrubbing either as every pan in this set is totally dishwasher safe.
The entire set consists of two 14x10-inch baking sheets, two 8-inch round cake pans, a 1-pound loaf pan, a 12-cup muffin pan, a 13-inch round cake pan, and a wire cooling rack.
Complete with a lifetime warranty, this is a set of nonstick pans that are guaranteed to last!
Pros
- The eight-piece bakeware set features a variety of cake pans and baking sheets, and the separate cooling rack is very handy.
- Each pan features a BPA-free, non-toxic, nonstick coating for easy food release
- Constructed from heavyweight carbon-steel for ultimate durability and even heat distribution
- Oven safe up to 450ºF, easy to clean, and can be placed in the dishwasher
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- While the nonstick coating is generally durable, some folks have noted issues with the pans staining over time.
EDITORS CHOICE
The nonstick coating on this Rachael Ray 10-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set ensures that your baked goods are released from the pans with hardly any effort.
This set receives high marks for visual presentation. The pans come in a striking bronze/latte color that will look stunning in any kitchen design scheme.
Unlike a lot of baking pan sets, the nonstick coating on each of these pans has also been applied to the outside. This makes cleaning up any spills easier than ever and helps ensure that your pans look great for years to come.
The 10-piece set contains two 10x15-inch cookie pans, two 9-inch round cake pans, 2 loaf pans, a 9-inch square cake pan, a 9x13-inch lidded rectangular cake pan, and a 12-cup muffin pan. The lidded cake pan is a nice touch!
Each pan is constructed from heavy-gauge rolled steel which gives them amazing durability and helps ensure heat is evenly distributed across the pan.
One of the standout features of these pans is the silicone handles. These offer you a secure, comfortable grip when maneuvering your pans to and from the oven, even when you’re using potholders.
They are also oven safe up to 450ºF which, when paired with the variety of pans, gives you the versatility to bake whatever you can dream of.
Pros
- Contains 10 different cake pans and baking sheets for ultimate kitchen versatility
- Stylish design
- Constructed from heavy-gauge rolled steel for durability and even heat distribution
- Silicone handles that provide a secure, comfortable grip
- Includes a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe. However, thanks to the quality nonstick coating, cleaning is still really easy
BEST VALUE
If you’re really looking to show off your baking skills, this 10-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set from Perlli is the perfect addition to your kitchen arsenal.
It comprises a variety of differently sized cake pans, cupcake pans, and baking sheets. There’s even a specially designed pizza pan that will help you get a crisp base on your homemade pizzas.
Each pan is this fantastic set features a BPA-free nonstick coating. This doesn’t only make releasing your delicious bakes from the pans easier, but also means you won’t have to worry about greasing or cutting baking parchment to size.
The nonstick coating is scratch-resistant too, so you’ll be able to use metal utensils confidently without any fear of them damaging your pans.
Oven safe up to 450ºF, each pan is crafted from carbon steel for excellent durability.
This metal construction also helps distribute an even layer of heat across the pan while it’s in the oven, reducing the risk of burnt edges developing.
There are also two red silicone handles integrated into each pan. This offers you a secure grip as you maneuver your bakes in and out of the oven, and gives you a little extra peace of mind over safety when you’re cooking with children.
Pros
- A 10-piece bakeware set that includes a variety of differently sized pans and baking sheets
- Features a nonstick coating is 100% BPA-free and won’t release any chemicals into your food while cooking
- The nonstick coating is also scratch-resistant
- Constructed from carbon steel and oven safe up to 450ºF
- Each pan features red silicone handles that offer extra safety and comfort
Cons
- Cannot be washed in a dishwasher. However, they are easy to wash by hand.
RUNNER UP
The copper color of this Nonstick Bakeware Set from Gotham Steel gives it a super stylish appearance that will look stunning in any kitchen set up.
It’s not all about appearances though, and each of the five pans included in this set is ideal for creating beautiful bakes.
Constructed from a mixture of heavy-gauge titanium and ceramic known as TiCerama™, and measuring 0.8mm thick, these pans are warp-resistant and highly durable.
This mixture of materials also gives the pans a natural nonstick coating, so you won’t have to worry about your cakes, bread, or cookies getting trapped in their pan!
Oven safe up to 500ºF, each pan is scratch-resistant and metal utensil safe.
And, despite their heavy-duty performance, they are lightweight and easy to place and remove from the oven with minimal physical effort.
Cleaning these pans is quick and easy too, and they can even be placed in the dishwasher for ultimate convenience.
They also come with a lifetime replacement warranty, which gives you extra confidence in their quality and that extra bit of value for money.
Pros
- A set of five baking pans that are ideal for creating a variety of baked goods
- Constructed from TiCerama™ - a combination of titanium and ceramic that provides ultimate durability
- This mixture of materials also gives the pans a high-performance, natural nonstick coating
- Oven safe up to 500ºF
- Scratch-resistant and metal utensil safe
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Only contains one type of each pan which can be frustrating when baking tiered cakes
RUNNER UP
This Nonstick Bakeware Set from Circulon includes 10 different pans, giving you extra versatility in the kitchen and really expanding the variety of delicious baked goods you can create. This set includes both a lidded pan and a cooling rack.
They are also available in three different colors to suit any kitchen design scheme.
Each pan has been innovatively designed to ensure no batter or dough sticks to them throughout the baking process.
This is achieved through a combination of a nonstick coating and a series of raised circles that allow for easy food-release without ever having to reach for a spatula.
Their heavy-gauge steel construction makes them super durable and warp-resistant, allowing you to cook at temperatures up to 450ºF without any fear of the pans bending out of shape.
Each of the pans also features integrated wide handles that offer you a comfortable and secure grip even when you’re wearing oven mitts.
You won’t need to worry about spending hours scrubbing or soaking the pans either as each of them is totally dishwasher safe.
The outside of the pans has also been treated with a nonstick coating, which means that any spillages can be easily cleaned off too.
Pros
- Includes ten different pans that offer you fantastic baking versatility
- The combination of a nonstick coating and raised circles help ensure your bakes never stick to the pans
- Constructed from heavy-gauge steel that is warp-resistant up to 450ºF
- Integrated wide handles offer you a secure grip on the pans at all times
- Includes both a lidded pan and an elevated rack
- Easy to clean and can be placed in the dishwasher
Cons
- Although these pans are dishwasher safe, it is recommended to wash them by hand to keep the nonstick coating in good condition
Best Nonstick Bakeware Buying Guide
Cakes, bread, and cookies getting welded to their pans is every baker’s nightmare. But, by using nonstick bakeware, you’ll be able to free yourself from potential frustration and get that perfect bake each and every time.
There are some things to consider when it comes to purchasing nonstick bakeware though. Below, you’ll find some key points to keep in mind as you search for your ideal nonstick pans.
Paying attention to each of these before settling on your final decision will take all the guesswork out of your purchase, and help you find the best nonstick bakeware for your needs.
Nonstick Performance
Let’s begin by looking at the different types of non-stick coating available. This is an important thing to consider as some could have the potential to leach toxic chemicals into your ingredients while they cook!
To prevent this from happening, the first thing to make sure of is that the nonstick coating used in your bakeware does not contain BPA, PFOA, PFOS, or PTFE.
This means that it will have undergone stringent testing and will not release any toxins into your ingredients, nor will it affect the taste or odor of your baked goods.
The design of your potential bakeware can also affect its non-stick performance. Some pans are cleverly designed with raised circles on the inside-base, and this prevents the batter from getting stuck to the pan.
This type of design is usually paired with a nonstick coating to enhance the non-stick performance even further.
Some materials used in the construction of bakeware provide a natural nonstick coating. One of these is Ti-Cerama™. This is a combination of titanium and ceramic which unite to provide a nonstick coating that is 100% chemical-free.
Material
While we’re on the subject of materials, it’s a good idea to look at what your chosen bakeware is constructed from. There are many factors to keep in mind when researching material, and we’ll go through each of them below.
The first thing to look at is what's the highest temperature your bakeware will tolerate. Different baked goods require different temperatures, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a piece of nonstick bakeware that can match your versatility in the kitchen.
Most nonstick bakeware is oven safe up to 450ºF, and this will allow you to create a variety of baked goods without worrying about your pans getting damaged. But, if you tend to use your bakeware for broiling, you will want something that tolerates up to 500ºF
The oven-safe temperature of your bakeware will also play a large role in their warp-resistant properties. High temperatures can cause some materials to bend out of shape and, in some cases, this damage is irreversible.
With this in mind, the higher the temperature your bakeware can handle, the less likely it will be to warp.
Some materials, such as heavy-gauge steel or carbon steel will also help your bakeware achieve even heat distribution throughout. This means that there is a reduced chance of your baked goods getting burnt spots or patches of undercooked dough.
It also helps take a lot of the guesswork out when your bakes are ready to come out of the oven, and prevents you from having to fashion tents out of aluminum foil to keep certain parts from burning while the rest finishes cooking!
Bakeware Sets
To get the most bang for your buck, it’s a good idea to look for a set of nonstick bakeware rather than just a single piece.
This also gives you the ability to create a wider range of baked goods in pans that are all made from the same materials and have the same non-stick performance.
Think about what it is you enjoy baking and what it is you’re looking to bake, then find a bakeware set that has a variety of pans that can help you achieve the best results possible.
Cake pans, loaf pans, baking sheets, and muffin pans are all commonly found in bakeware sets, and will really broaden your baking horizons.
Whereas a single piece of bakeware will only allow you to make the same thing over and over again.
Cleaning
No matter how competent you are as a baker, making a mess is inevitable! So, make sure you take a look at how easy it will be to clean your nonstick bakeware once you’ve finished using it.
By far, the easiest way to clean nonstick bakeware is by putting in the dishwasher. However, it’s imperative that it is dishwasher safe. If not, the nonstick coating can peel off and its performance will be greatly impaired.
Luckily, there are loads of dishwasher safe nonstick bakeware options available, you just need to remember to check first.
Warranty
Finally, take a look at what sort of warranty your chosen nonstick bakeware comes with. Many include lifetime replacement warranties, and these are an excellent option to go for.
This doesn’t only give you the peace of mind that you’ll be covered for a replacement in the unlikely event of something going wrong, but also acts as a testament to the bakeware’s quality and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nonstick bakeware?
This really comes down to what you’ll be using your bakeware for.
If you’d like to bake a wide variety of treats, then a bakeware set that includes a mixture of different pans would be the best choice.
If you’re only looking to bake bread and nothing else, then a single non-stick loaf tin might be a better choice.
Is nonstick bakeware safe?
Any nonstick bakeware that is BPA, PFOA, PFOS, or PTFE-free is considered safe under today's standards. Such pans won’t leach harmful chemicals or toxins into your ingredients during the cooking process.
There are also certain materials, such as Ti-Cerama™, that provide natural nonstick coatings and, as such, don’t include any chemicals in their construction.
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