Baking sheets, cookie sheets, muffin pans, and pie plates can all be categorized under baking pans. However you choose to label your cookware, a baking sheet is essential for any modern kitchen. Baking sheets are ideal for roasting meats and vegetables. The wide surface area and efficient heating design even allow for an entire meal to be baked on a single sheet.
Manufacturers offer a variety of features for baking sheets—like grip handles, nonstick coatings (and not all coatings are the same, either), and silicone pads, plus varying sizes and thicknesses.
Different styles of baking sheets have their own specific strengths and weaknesses. For example, cookie sheets are specialized tools for certain types of baking but not optimal for other cooking tasks. How do you wade through the options and know what to purchase? In this guide, you’llfind a variety of considerations to keep in mind when searching for baking sheets to help you discover some of the best baking sheets on the market to add to your cookware collection.
- BEST OVERALL: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baker’s Half Sheet
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Betty Crocker Non-Stick Cookie and Baking Sheets
- BEST HIGH-END: Gotham Steel PRO Nonstick Cookie Sheet
- BEST RIMLESS: Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Cookie Sheet
- BEST NONSTICK: NutriChef Kitchen Oven Baking Pans-Deluxe Nonstick
- BEST WITH HANDLES: cuisinel Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Pizza and Baking Pan
- HONORABLE MENTION: SAVEUR SELECTS Rimmed Baking Sheet
What to Consider When Buying the Best Baking Sheets
There are several features to consider as you begin searching for the best baking sheets for your cookware collection. For example, the material and thickness of the baking sheet will affect how well a meal cooks and how easily you can clean up. The size of the baking sheet and rim style will determine the kinds of meals that fit on the sheet, and the coating will factor into how much the food might stick. Finally, handles can greatly affect how well you can maneuver the baking sheet.
Material
Aluminum is a popular material for baking sheets because it is durable, resistant to corrosion, inexpensive, and evenly distributes heat. When aluminum is combined with steel to create aluminized steel, the result is heavy-duty cookware, which also tends to be more expensive. However, aluminum can react to acidic foods like tomatoes, resulting in a metallic taste; to prevent such mishaps, line aluminum baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Stainless steel is also a popular option, but it does not conduct heat quite as well as aluminum and requires greater care when cleaning. Cast iron is a much less common material for baking sheets. However, while cast iron takes longer to heat up, it retains the heat much longer than any other materials and is much more durable, if properly maintained. Additionally, ceramic is becoming more popular as a coating for baking sheets atop titanium, aluminum, and steel.
Size
The standard size for a baking sheet—called a half-sheet—is 18 by 13 inches. However, some manufacturers might try to save on material costs by shaving a bit off this measurement. While it won’t affect your baking tasks for most purposes, it’s still important to be aware of the dimensions of a baking sheet.
Medium baking sheets vary between 14 and 15 inches in length and around 10 to 11 inches in width. Small baking sheets are generally 13 by 8.5 inches, with minor variations among manufacturers. Baking sheets made of more atypical materials, such as cast iron, are usually smaller due to the adverse increase in weight that too large of a sheet would create; these sheets are most often approximately 14 inches in diameter.
Thickness
Baking sheets are relatively thin—usually less than a half a millimeter—and have either short rims or no rim at all around the edges. These thin sheets and short sides allow for quick heating and cooking of whatever you are baking.
Rims, on average, are typically about 1 inch high. The exception is cast-iron baking sheets, which are significantly thicker and denser than other baking sheets yet thinner than most other cast-iron cookware.
Rimmed vs. Rimless
A rimless baking sheet lacks a folded edge; in other words, it’s a flat-edged baking sheet. Rimless baking sheets are typically called cookie sheets because they are particularly beneficial when baking cookies—you merely have to tip the sheet for the cookies to slide off (as long as the sheet has a nonstick coating).
A rimless baking sheet is not recommended for roasting meats because the juices will inevitably run off the sheet and make a giant mess in your oven, not to mention generating a lot of smoke. Instead, use a rimmed baking sheet to contain the juices from the roast. If you are cooking meat that releases a large amount of liquid, like a roast turkey, then it’s actually better to use a baking pan with a taller rim or a roaster pan.
Nonstick Coating
Many cookware products on the market are nonstick. Nonstick cookware or bakeware refers to cookware treated with a coating that prevents foods from fusing to the surface of heated metals. These coatings are usually a permanent component of the sheet or pan itself. Some metals—cast iron, in particular—have to be “seasoned” after each use. This term means to apply a light coating of cooking oil, usually vegetable oil, on the sheet or pan every time you finish cleaning it. If you ignore this step, future meals will inevitably become stuck to the sheet.
Nonstick baking sheets have a darker color and will bake items more quickly than standard aluminum baking sheets. Nonstick surfaces are also easy to clean, but keep in mind that this type of cookware varies significantly in quality. Additionally, remember to never scrape or scratch nonstick cookware with a metal utensil because it can cause permanent damage to the coating. Ceramic is another type of nonstick coating that functions well and is generally more durable than other coatings.
Handles
Rimless baking sheets, otherwise known as cookie sheets, will have at least one raised or folded edge that serves as a handle. A completely flat sheet would be next to impossible to remove from a hot oven, especially while wearing an oven mitt.
Most baking sheets feature a rolled edge with a downward lip to make them easier to grip. Some manufacturers install silicone pads or grips on the sides of a baking sheet for a more comfortable hold. Regardless of the handle style, it’s always essential to use oven mitts when placing or removing a baking sheet into or out of a hot oven. Silicone grip pads are not sufficient protection from burns and are more suitable for handling when the sheet is cold or at room temperature.
Our Top Picks
Baking is as much an art as a science. It’s essential to have the right tools available to assist you in preparing and serving an excellent meal or dessert as a result of your time and effort. Keeping this goal in mind, these recommendations were selected with the above factors in a variety of categories to help you discover some of the best baking sheets on the market.
Photo: amazon.com
Both baking sheets in this two-pack from Nordic Ware are made from pure aluminum, in addition to being an ideal size for most ovens. The aluminum boasts superior heat conductivity that enables your meals to bake and brown evenly, and a reinforced encapsulated steel rim helps prevent warping and adds strength. The sheet’s interior dimensions are 16.5 by 11.4 inches, and the exterior is 17.9 by 12.9 inches, making the size compatible with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat if you so desire.
While somewhat inconvenient, it’s preferable to handwash pure aluminum baking sheets instead of placing them in the dishwasher, as this will make them last longer.
Photo: amazon.com
These three multisize baking sheets from Betty Crocker are versatile enough to match a wide range of baking projects, from a large cookie-baking job to cooking an elegant dinner for two. They are made from carbon steel and feature a nonstick coating for ease of serving. Both dishwasher safe and oven safe to an impressive 500 degrees, they can take the heat of an oven and the power of a dishwasher equally well, making cooking and cleaning a snap.
Each baking sheet boasts a four-sided, easy-grip edge for more comfortable handling when you remove it from the hot oven. The large sheet measures 17 by 11.5 inches; the medium sheet measures 14.5 by 10 inches, and the small sheet measures 13.25 by 8.5 inches. With this one affordable purchase, you have covered the bases for your baking needs.
Photo: amazon.com
These dual baking sheets from Gotham Steel are not only nonstick, but they are also super durable thanks to the manufacturer’s patented Ticerama (titanium ceramic) blend coating. Each baking sheet is 17.6 by 11.8 inches with a 1-inch rim and offers a distinct copper color. Although the product title refers to these as “cookie sheets,” they are for cookies and so much more. Use them for baking bread, crusted chicken wings, baked whitefish, thin pizza, roasted veggies, brownies, and more.
The nonstick coating also means you can reduce or even eliminate the amount of oil, parchment paper, or any silicone mat you typically use. Each sheet features a solid aluminum core for better heat conduction, but it won’t warp in the oven or the dishwasher because of the above-mentioned patented coating. Safe for oven use up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, this pair of baking sheets is a bit pricier than other brands but well worth the cost.
Photo: amazon.com
A common issue with the many baking sheets specifically intended for baking cookies is that the lack of support-siding tends to lead to warping, either in the dishwasher or oven. However, the heavy-gauge steel core of this rimless baking sheet from Calphalon overcomes that problem with elegance and ease. The interior of each baking sheet includes interlocking, nonstick layers designed to deliver a long-lasting and high-performance baking surface.
The combination of the convenient flat-edge and the sleek, nonstick finish ensures ease of use when lifting or sliding your baked goods off each sheet when they’ve finished baking. This cookie sheet is also dishwasher safe, saving you time and effort during cleanup.
Photo: amazon.com
If you’re looking for a commercial-grade set of nonstick bakeware, consider this three-piece collection of baking sheets from NutriChef. Each sheet features a nonstick, PTFE/PFOA/PFOS-free coating for safe and convenient serving, cleaning, and handling. A red silicone handle on the ends of each baking sheet helps prevent accidental burns and creates ease of handling. While they are technically dishwasher-safe, the manufacturer recommends that you wash these baking sheets by hand to achieve the maximum life span of the set.
The set also features space-saving stackable molds and a wide-tray pan design for convenient storage. Safe to 446 degrees Fahrenheit and made from durable and BPA-free carbon steel metal, they are fully compatible with standard and convection ovens, in addition to being suitable for storage in both the refrigerator and the freezer. The larger sheet measures 17.1 by 11.8 by 0.67 inches; the medium sheet measures 15.1 by 10.03 by 0.59 inches, and the small sheet measures 13.38 by 8.66 by 0.59 inches.
Photo: amazon.com
This 13.5-inch pan-style cast-iron baking sheet from Cuisinel offers both versatility and durability for the oven, grill, stove, or even over a campfire. For added convenience, it features large handles for better control and mobility and is even preseasoned. Cast-iron cookware has been used by cooks and chefs across the world for centuries. One of the biggest reasons cast iron is so popular is that it is unmatched in even heating distribution and retention.
Like other cast-iron cookware, this baking sheet needs to be cleaned by hand and dried promptly and thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. While still warm after drying, it needs to be reseasoned with a light layer of vegetable oil and stored securely in a dry place.
Photo: amazon.com
SAVEUR Selects Artisan Series Rimmed Baking Sheet is made of heavy-gauge carbon steel that conducts heat quickly and evenly. A warp-resistant metal material has a clear veneer of Whitford Eclipse nonstick coating, for an easy release and effortless clean-up. A thick outer rim (embossed with SAVEUR Selects’ signature milled texture) offers a comfortable, non-slip grip when users hold onto it. This heavy-gauge baking sheet is dishwasher- and oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The baking sheet measures 19 by 12 inches, including the rims.
FAQs About Your New Baking Sheets
You might have lingering questions regarding your new baking sheets. Ahead, several of the most common queries about baking sheets are answered to provide additional guidance.
Q. What is the difference between a baking sheet and a cookie sheet?
Cookie sheets are frequently referred to as baking sheets, but a distinct difference exists. Baking sheets, which can also be referred to as baking pans, typically feature rimmed edges. Cookie sheets have rimmed edges on only the short sides and feature flat—or rimless—edges on the long sides, allowing you to slide cookies off the sheet without disrupting their shape by trying to lift them with a spatula.
Q. How many baking sheets do you need?
For most households, two or three baking sheets will suffice. A variety of baking sheets in different sizes will then provide a certain flexibility for baking a multitude of foods.
Q. Can baking sheets go in the dishwasher?
This depends on the material used for the baking sheet. Steel baking sheets are generally safe in the dishwasher, but remember to wash pure aluminum and cast-iron baking sheets by hand. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for recommendations about washing your baking sheets.
Q. How long do baking sheets last?
The material used to make a baking sheet will dictate how long it lasts. Steel and steel-covered baking sheets last longer than aluminum baking sheets, which are prone to warping. Cast-iron baking sheets typically last the longest. Nonstick coatings are useful but can be scratched off by metal utensils.
