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Baking is having a moment in our culture — and nowhere more so than in Hollywood. All sorts of celebrities are into baking and cooking, whether they’re hosting a baking show, like Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg, watching a baking show (and getting very emotional over it!) like Keira Knightley; or hosting their own #PretendCookingShow, like Jennifer Garner.
If you are baking and cooking at home as well, you’ll need to be stocked in baking sheets — and there’s more to making this purchase than you may think. “The better the quality, the longer a baking sheet will last, and the easier it will be to clean,” Eloise Head, author of the best-selling Fitwaffle’s Baking It Easy, tells PEOPLE. “Always do your research before buying a baking sheet.”
We’ve got you covered in that department. We tested 23 baking sheets, putting them to work baking cookies as well as roasting potato wedges on each one.
Keep reading for the best baking sheets PEOPLE tested.
Easy to clean with some light scrubbing
Lightweight and easy to use
Performed well with even browning and no sticking
Our overall winner is a do-it-all type of kitchen tool, excelling in all of our tests and cleaning up nicely afterward. In our cookie test, each piece of dough was spaced 2 inches apart and they spread to 2.5 inches, baking up nicely and evenly browned. The cookies were very easy to remove from the baking sheet — they did not stick at all.
In our next test, cooking potato wedges, the potatoes were easy to flip mid-way through cooking, releasing very easily during our test. The pan did not warp at all and was a breeze to clean.
“This baking sheet is very lightweight and easy to use. The rolled edges and wall height make it easy to hold and get in and out of the oven,” says our tester. Equally easy to clean as it was to use, “there was minimal scrubbing” she adds. “It retains a nice shine after using it for several different things.” We couldn’t find a single scratch or stain after multiple uses and washings, and it only took a light scrub to get it clean (this model is hand-wash only).
“I would use these baking sheets for large batches of cookies, roasting vegetables, sheet pan dinners, and more. Basically the everyday kind of stuff,” adds our tester. “These are great for any cook who frequently uses sheet pans.” They’re a good value, too — considering they come in a pack of two. Overall, this is a quality, well-performing option at a fair price.
Price at time of publish: $25.30 for 2
Dimensions: 17.9 x 12.9 x 1 inches | Thickness/gauge: 20 gauge | Material: Aluminum | Max temp: 450 degrees; not broiler safe | Dishwasher safe: No | Compatible with wire rack: Yes
Feels durable and built to last
Handles make it that much easier when taking in and out of the oven
Performance was second to none
Higher price tag than most baking sheets on the market
We loved baking cookies on this high end cookie sheet, with its stainless steel handles adding a nice grip. The bottom of the cookies were perfectly golden brown in our testing, with a slightly gooey middle. Very easy to remove with a spatula just two minutes after taking them out of the oven. The potato wedges came out just as well with this pan, coming out with a delicious crisp, and the pan was very easy to clean after use, looking brand new.
“This pan was amazing!” raves our tester. “I loved using the stainless handles when putting it into the oven, and I was able to have a nice grip on the edge when removing it from the oven. It has a nice weight to it, but it was still easy to hold and move. It’s extremely durable and built to last—I would trust this pan with any recipe.”
While pricier than other models, we think this one is worth the splurge for its stellar performance, easy cleaning, and great durability. We’d recommend it to the frequent cook or baker. “It’s an excellent choice for anyone who’s willing to splurge on a quality product," says our tester.
Price at time of publish: $25.30
Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 1 inches | Thickness/gauge: Very thick and durable | Material: aluminized steel body with nonstick ceramic coating/stainless steel handles | Max temp: 550 degrees | Dishwasher safe: No | Compatible with wire rack: Yes
Handles and lightweight design make for even transfers
Cookies came out perfectly in our tests
Given the thickness of these pans, cooking may take a bit longer
“Everything cooked evenly and effectively,” says our tester of this baking sheet. The cookies came out “perfectly golden brown on the bottom, and each cookie is the same color.” We were equally successful cooking potato wedges. They didn’t stick at all, and the handles on this sheet made it easy to maneuver without any concern for the oil spilling out.
This pan lives up to its non-stick billing, though it’s rather thick, which may add some cooking time. “It’s lightweight, perfectly-sized, and the handles make it easy to transfer,” adds our tester.
Even with the grooves that line these baking sheets, they were very easy to clean. The nonstick surface meant minimal scrubbing. It feels very durable and heavy-duty to use, and we expect this pan to stand the test of time. “They fit a good amount of food and seem to be a staple that can do a lot in the kitchen. Great for everyone.”
Dimensions: 10 x 15 x 1.25 inches | Thickness/gauge: Thick material | Material: Steel | Max temp: 500 degrees | Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended | Compatible with wire rack: Yes, a small rectangular one
Easy food removal and clean-up, thanks to the nonstick ceramic coating
More of a splurge than a staple in this category
Edges aren’t particularly tall
This was one of our favorite baking sheets to make cookies. “The bottoms got really crispy and dark golden, while the top and middle remained soft and gooey,” says our tester. “I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to remove them — they slid right off.”
Cooking potato wedges was just as easy, and they glided right off the pan when finished, no spatula needed. “The potatoes especially got a beautiful perfect crisp to them without being overcooked.” The pan was easy to clean without any scratching.
We found this baking sheet to be worth its high price point, since everything baked and cooked so well, sliding right off without any sticking. It’s a great size for large batches, and the colors are vibrant and beautiful, making it a showpiece for your kitchen and dining table. Adds our tester: “This baking sheet is best for the home cook who wants to cook large batches of food with a nice crisp and also cares about the aesthetics of their kitchenware.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 18.5 x 13.5 x 2 inches | Thickness/gauge: On thinner side | Material: Aluminum | Max temp: 450 degrees | Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended | Compatible with wire rack: Yes
Great performance — this pan produced crispy, crunchy cookies and potatoes
At 2.5 lbs, this baking sheet may feel a bit heavy to some
Some staining left after hand-washing
We loved the texture of both our chocolate chip cookies and potato wedges that we made on this baking sheet. Of all the pans our tester put to work, this one “produced my crispiest items,” she says.
The cookies came out slightly golden brown with a crispy, crunchy bottom. They were very easy to remove, as were the potato wedges, which came out super crunchy. “This pan is great for baked goods, roasted vegetables, juicy chicken, pan pizzas, or sheet pan cakes,” adds our tester.
At 2.5 lbs., it’s a tad heavier than other baking sheets, but the handles help with stability. It was easy to clean by hand, but we did end up with some staining. “For $38, this versatile sheet pan is a bit of a splurge, but it's worth it. It's a superior sheet pan that helped me achieve very crispy foods and is built to last.”
Price at time of publish: $37.99
Dimensions: 15 x 10 inches | Thickness/gauge: Heavy gauge | Material: Aluminized steel | Max temp: Oven safe up to 450 degrees | Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended | Compatible with wire rack: Yes
Plenty of space for a couple dozen cookies or a sheet pan dinner
Added handles make this large sheet easier to use
A little tougher to maneuver while cleaning due to its size
If you want to make cookies in bulk, this is your baking sheet. We made 24 good-sized cookies on this large baking sheet, and they came out golden brown and evenly baked, with no stickage when it was time to remove them from the sheet. We had equally good results with the potato wedges.
The feel was one of the biggest selling points for us with this sheet. “With rolled edges and gently angled, approximately 1-inch walls, this pan is easy to hold onto,” says our tester. “Because this sheet is larger, it's a little tougher to maneuver into and out of the oven, but it’s not unwieldy.”
While it's not dishwasher safe, the sheet was easy to clean by hand and no staining occurred. A big name in baking sheets, Nordic Ware is typically a great value, and at the time of publication, this sheet was a steal at less than $20. “For someone who makes a lot of sheet pan dinners or, say, roasts big batches of vegetables, the Big Baking Sheet offers more room,” our tester adds.
Price at time of publish: $30.50
Dimensions: 21 x 15 x 1.25 inches | Thickness/gauge: 18 gauge | Material: Aluminum | Dishwasher safe: No | Compatible with wire rack: It fits, but since it's larger than a standard half sheet, the cooling rack slides around
Can handle high heat (up to 600 degrees, per the manufacturer)
Holds large batches and cooks evenly
A bit stickier than others we tested when releasing food
On the heavy side and might be too big for some ovens
This pan gets top marks for performance. “The cookies were beautifully crispy on the bottom and the potatoes evenly roasted,” notes our tester. However, its extended size means it may not fit in every oven.
It was fairly easy to remove both the cookies and potato wedges, though there was a bit of stickage with the latter. Given the thick material, this sheet is a bit heavy to hold and transport in and out of the oven, though the walls make it easy to grip.
A small kitchen sink, like a small oven, may preclude some home cooks from using this particular sheet, but if it fits with your space, it’s a solid investment. “This pan is really durable and sturdy, the material feels high-quality, and it performs exceptionally,” says our tester, adding that it can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees.
“At $45, it's not the most budget-friendly, but I think it is worth the price for a really reliable and sturdy investment piece," says our tester.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 19.5 x 13 x 1 inches | Thickness/gauge: Thick material | Material: Aluminum and steel | Max temp: 600 degrees | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Compatible with wire rack: Yes
“I generally use a sheet made of carbon steel or heavy-gauge aluminum,” says Fitwaffle Kitchen’s Eloise Head. “I like to have a well-made baking sheet that won’t buckle when heated. And I always make sure I use a sheet that has a high-quality, non-stick surface. A good non-stick surface can also save you on cleaning time.” To clarify, none of our winners buckled or warped in testing.
Make sure you buy a baking sheet with enough thickness to hold up to lots of use. “I always avoid thin and flimsy sheets,” says Head. “I want my baking sheets to be sturdy enough so I am confident it will not twist when put in an oven at high heat, and they will last for a long time." For example, the Caraway Large Baking Sheet is very thick and feels durable and built to last.
Serena Chow Fisher, Executive Pastry Chef at San Francisco’s Marlena, seconds that priority, telling PEOPLE Tested readers to always note a baking sheet’s weight and thickness. "It should not be super flimsy." she says. "Consider the fact when you add vegetables, batter, or cookie dough on top of your baking sheet, will the sheet be able to accommodate the extra weight without bending? If you are adding oil or seasoning to your vegetables, is the lip of the baking sheet high enough to catch all the juices and oil?”
No one likes roasted vegetables toppling out of a sheet pan onto the kitchen floor, or cooking oil dripping on your oven mitt. So consider what you’re preparing before deciding on a baking sheet. If you’re making sheet pan dinners, higher raised edges on a baking sheet (such as the All-Clad Pro-Release Jelly Roll Pan) will come in quite handy, whereas they aren’t needed for those exclusively baking cookies. You’ll want the lip or edge on a sheet “for things that ‘ooze’ juices or liquids — the lip of the pan will prevent it from sliding off the tray and making your oven dirty,” says Chow Fisher. Adds Head: “It helps to know exactly what you're looking to do with your baking sheet, as this may determine which material you go for and whether you choose a cookie sheet, sheet pan, or both.”
We baked cookies and roasted potato wedges on each of the baking sheets, and also tested each of the 23 sheets for warping, setting it inside an oven preheated to 475 degrees. Our testers also rated each baking sheet’s durability, performance, ease of cleaning, and finally, after learning the price, its value. We paid special attention to the weight and thickness of each baking sheet, the usefulness of any rims or handles, and whether a wire rack fit into each baking sheet.
Aluminum is a very popular choice among baking sheet-buyers, and our baking expert Eloise Head recommends a nonstick surface. But be careful with aluminum as it relates to flavor. “Aluminum can react to acidic foods such as tomatoes, resulting in a metallic taste, so it’s best to line aluminum sheets with baking paper,” says Head.
While some baking pans are called dishwasher-safe by the manufacturer, most tend to be hand-wash recommended. We noted which sheets on this list are labeled as dishwasher-safe.
As the size and the thickness of a baking sheet goes up, so will its price in most cases. Expect to pay even more for sheets with aesthetics to match their performance, like the show piece we chose for oven-to-table. However, all the more expensive sheets on this list, we believe, are worth it thanks to their stellar baking performance, ease of clean-up, and more.
“A baking sheet has a rimmed edge, and a cookie sheet does not,” Head explains. “A cookie sheet is generally a flat sheet that may have a lip on one side to make it easier to pick up or pull out of the oven.” Cookie sheets also tend to have a bigger surface area so you can make more cookies at once, while a baking sheet is used for not only baking, but also, “for cooking dinners such as chicken and roasted vegetables, as you don’t have to worry about anything spilling over the edge.” The term “sheet pan” is often used interchangeably with “baking sheet.”
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