If you’re on the hunt for the best baking sheet, you’ve come to the right place!
There are tons of baking sheets on the market – nonstick baking sheets, rimmed sheet pans, cookie sheets… the list goes on and on!
But, what baking sheet is the best? Do you really need to have a ton off different baking sheets cluttering your pantry? In this guide to the best baking sheets, we’ll talk about all of that and more!
What to know before you buy baking sheets
There are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a sheet pan.
After this section, you’ll know whether you want a half sheet pan, a quarter sheet pan, or rimmed baking sheets!
What material do you want?
When it comes to the material of your baking sheets, you have three options…
- Stainless steel. While stainless steel sheet pans are far more resistant to rust and corrosion than your typical aluminum pan, they’re a poor conductor! I wouldn’t recommend using a stainless sheet sheet pan, but if this is what you want – go after it!
- Aluminum. The industry standard sheet pan is an aluminum sheet pan! It’s an amazing conductor as it heats up and cools down very fast. The light color helps prevent over browning, too! I will say that bare aluminum sheet pans are prone to corrosion. You’ll want to line it with parchment paper before each use to help prevent early corrosion.
- Aluminized Steel. These sheet pans are coated in an aluminum-silicon alloy which helps these pans to be more durable! Not only that, the silicone helps to prevent corrosion. These sheet pans are prone to heating unevenly, though.
There really is no “one size fits all” when it comes to a sheet pan. It’s all about what matters to you!
Are you after a coated or uncoated sheet pan?
Most of the time, a baking sheet pan is sold without any coating. With nonstick sheet pans, you’ll need to line your baking sheet pan with something like parchment paper to prevent sticking. Also, parchment paper will provide the insulation you need to avoid burnt bottoms!
If you’re after a baking sheet that has nonstick coating, there are plenty of options for you.
I will say that nonstick coating sheet pans are not going to last that long. They’re easy to scratch and will degrade overtime (especially if you’re using them at high temperatures).
While a lot of nonstick pans are convenient, they aren’t the most durable.
Do you want a rimmed baking sheet or a rimless baking sheet?
I’m willing to bet that you have nothing but rimmed sheet pans in your pantry… and that’s okay!
A rimmed baking sheet pan is extremely versatile and can be used to roast vegetables and meat – but you can also use a rimmed baking sheet to make baked goods!
Not to mention, the spill-proof sides help to keep everything inside of the sheet pan.
With all of that said, I wouldn’t sleep on a rimless baking sheet pan! Like I said before, these pans are awesome when it comes to sliding baked goods onto a cooling rack with ease. A lot of serious bakers invest in rimless cookie sheets because of how convenient they are.
Do you care about the texture of your baking sheet?
A standard baking sheet pan will have a smooth surface. This type of surface is perfect for a variety of baked goods!
However, a textured surface helps to promote airflow which is a huge plus if you’ll be baking cookies and pastries fairly often.
What size baking sheet pan do you want?
When it comes to sheet pans, the size matters! There are three standard sizes I want to talk about quickly…
- Half sheet pan. Half sheet pans are typically what most people have in their house. They fit comfortably in a home oven and
- Quarter sheet pan. Quarter sheet pans are perfect for reheating leftovers or toasting nuts. They’re much smaller than a half sheet pan, but they’re perfect for small jobs!
- Full size sheet pan. Typically the only time you’ll want a full sheet pan is when you’re working in a commercial setting. A lot of home ovens aren’t able to house a full sheet baking pan!
Now that you’ve answered most of these questions, let’s talk about the top 10 baking sheet pans!
The top 10 baking sheets of 2023
With so many baking sheet pans on the market, it can be hard to figure out which one works best for you!
Below are the most trending baking pans – ranging from rimless baking sheets, high quality baking sheets, all the way down to a simple half sheet pan!
1. Best Overall Sheet Pan: Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Half Sheet Pan
TBH, it’s very hard to beat anything from Nordic Ware naturals. These Nordic Ware 2 Pack Aluminum Half Sheet Pan are, overall, some of the best half sheet pans I’ve ever used.
These Nordic Ware Naturals are made of pure aluminum and promises to not rust (AKA you’ll have a lifetime of durability)! They’re easy to clean up and hand wash is recommended.
I’ve used them to make so many baked goods – from puff pastry cobbler to oven dried tomatoes, the results are great every time. It’s the one sheet pan I tend to gravitate towards whenever I’m in the kitchen.
2. Best Splurge Sheet Pan: Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Baking Sheet
The Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Baking Half Sheet Pan has a nonstick surface, which requires less prep before baking as well as minimal scrubbing to get these baking sheets clean!
All of the Caraway baking sheets are free from PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, lead, cadmium and other toxic materials that can latch onto your food when baking. Not only that, these baking sheets are able to withstand oven temperatures up to 550ºF. You truly can’t go wrong with Caraway baking sheets.
3. Best for Baking: All-Clad Stainless-Steel Cookie Sheet
The All-Clad Stainless-Steel Cookie Sheet is ideal for baking, roasting, and broiling! These cookie sheets are designed for high-performance heat conduction with uniform browning.
Thanks to the premium tri-ply construction, this cookie sheet is able to deliver even heat distribution with zero hot spots! The angled edges help when you’re baking cookies, too. Simply slide them onto the cooling rack with ease!
4. Best Textured: JOHO Baking Sheet Set
This JOHO Baking Sheet Set is constructed of heavy gauge steel. It’s bending and warp resistant even in the highest oven temperatures!
It has a micro-textured pattern that helps to minimize surface contact which promotes airflow. Whether you plan on baking some chocolate chip cookies or roasting meat, these are a must have!
5. Best Value: TeamFar Baking Sheet
The TeamFar Baking Sheet set is made with high quality stainless steel without toxic chemical coating! They’re rust resistant, durable, and dishwasher safe!
These baking sheets are processed with a mirror finish so the surface can decrease the risk of food sticking. They’re also very deep pans so when you’re roasting meat the juice won’t go everywhere! These baking sheets are also great for focaccia bread.
6. Best Quarter Sheet Pan: USA Pan Bakeware Quarter Sheet
The USA Quarter Sheet Pan is absolutely perfect to bake cookies, roast vegetables, and reheating leftovers! Made with a heavy gauge aluminized steel and the corrugated surface, these quarter sheet pans help to facilitate air circulation for quick release (AKA everything bakes evenly on these pans).
It’s best to hand wash these pans in hot, soapy water.
7. Best Aluminum Sheet Pan: Jelly Roll Aluminum Baking Sheet Pans
With these Jelly Roll Aluminum Baking Sheet Pans, you’ll be able to bake like a pro for a lifetime. These are commercial-grade, warp-resistant aluminum baking sheet pans are designed with premium aluminum as well as a reinforced steel rim that helps prevent warping.
These are dishwasher safe, though hand washing is preferred. You can use these baking sheets as a cookie sheet, jelly roll pan, or a roasting pan.
8. Best Aluminized Steel Sheet Pan: USA Half Sheet Pan
The USA Aluminized Half Sheet Pan is a classic pan for baking and roasting. They’re made from commercial grade and heavy gauge aluminized steel and are designed with a unique design with a corrugated surface.
They’re also crafted with a nonstick, patented silicone coating that’s PTFE, PFOA, and BPA free. The USA Pans have provided high quality bakeware for over 50 years now, too.
9. Best Nonstick Sheet Pan: Chicago Metallic Nonstick Baking Sheet
The Chicago Metallic Nonstick Baking sheet is ideal for baking and cooking! Made from a heavy weight carbon steel, it’s able to evenly disperse weight as well as heat for consistent baking results.
While these pans are great, they’re not really intended to be used under the broiler as they’re only oven safe for up to 450°F.
10. Best Ceramic Sheet Pan: CasaWare Ceramic Cookie/Jelly Roll Pan
The CasaWare Ceramic Cookie/Jelly Roll Pan is a heavy weight pan perfect for baking. It provides long lasting durability and is scratch resistant, as well as heat tolerant up to 450°F.
These ceramic baking sheets are so easy to clean – simply wipe or scrub softly and the food comes off easily!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question not answered below? Feel free to leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer!
What’s the difference between a cookie sheet and a sheet pan?
Did you know that a cookie sheet is a bit different than a baking sheet?
For example, a standard sheet pan will have rimmed sides (AKA rimmed baking sheets). These sheet pans are best for making focaccia bread or roasting vegetables.
Cookie sheets, however, are designed with a tapered edge that allows you to slide baked goods off of them onto a cooling rack with ease! This tapered edge also allows for more air circulation around your baked goods which makes for a faster, even bake.
A standard cookie sheet will also be made with an insulated design (which helps the bottom of your baked goods from over browning)!
While cookie sheets are great, a simple rimmed baking sheet will work just fine!
What is a jelly roll pan?
A jelly roll pan is a flat sheet pan that has a 1-inch rim around the pan’s sides. It’s typically designed to make thin sheet or sponge cakes!
They’re not really needed though, as you can do the same thing in any of the pans listed above (minus the cookie sheet).
