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Making homemade pizza starts with choosing the right pan to accommodate your favorite style of pizza, whether that is thin crust, deep dish, or something in between. There are many things to consider when shopping for a pizza pan, including size, material, and maintenance. It’s important to select the best pizza pan for your cooking needs. Here are some of the best pizza pans for home-cooked pies.
- BEST OVERALL: Wilton Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Pizza Pan
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: American Metalcraft TP14 Wide-Rim Pan
- BEST DEEP DISH: Chicago Metallic Deep Dish Pizza Pan
- BEST DETROIT-STYLE: LloydPans Kitchenware Detroit Style Pizza Pan
- BEST FOR CRISPY CRUST: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware Pizza Pan
- BEST MINI PIZZA PANS: TeamFar Pizza Pan, 10 inch – 3 Pack
- HONORABLE MENTION: SAVEUR SELECTS 12-Inch Pizza Pan
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Pizza Pan
Size, material, and ease of cleaning are a few of the considerations to take into account when shopping for a pizza pan. Here are some of the most important features and functions to look for when choosing the best pizza pan for your kitchen.
Shape and Size
Pizza pans are available in different shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of oven sizes, storage spaces, and pizza preferences. It’s a good idea to measure your oven first to ensure the pan will fit. You can also choose two smaller pans that fit side by side in the oven.
Common pizza pan shapes are round, square, or rectangular. Thickness, which is measured by gauge, is another important factor when determining the best pizza pan size. Although it may sound confusing, the thicker the pan, the smaller the gauge. Thicker pans require longer cooking times and produce a doughier crust.
Type
Pizza pans are available in different styles depending on the type of pizza you want to make. Deep dish pans have high metal walls and are either round or square shaped. They can be made out of aluminum, nonstick materials, or tin-plated stainless steel. Pizza screens and perforated disks are often used for thin-crust pizza, as heat is able to easily and quickly transfer through the mesh bottom or holes, resulting in a crispy crust.
Traditional pizza trays can be used for cooking and serving pizza. Other types of speciality pans include cutter and wide-rim pans. Cutter pans have curved edges designed for cooking rolled dough. Wide-rim pans make it simple to bake, slice, and serve pizza all on one tray.
Material
Pizza pans are available in a variety of materials including cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum. Cast-iron pizza pans heat up quickly and retain heat. They are also durable and can be used on all types of cooktops; however, they need to be seasoned before use. Stainless steel pizza pans are simple to use, come in many different styles, and are good at transferring heat. Aluminum pizza pans are lightweight and provide even heating.
In addition to these materials, also look for features including dark and light coated, anodized hard coated, silicone glazed, and uncoated. Dark-coated pans absorb and retain heat, which speeds up cooking time. Light-coated pans reflect heat, which slows down cooking time. Anodized hard-coated pans include a dark finish that is resistant to corrosion and flaking and helps decrease cooking time. Silicone-glazed pans reduce the amount of oil needed and help prevent sticking. Uncoated pizza pans require longer cooking times due to their light color and reflective properties.
Pizza Preferences
Using a quality pizza pan can help you achieve the desired dough texture while ensuring the toppings are also cooked to your preferences. If you prefer deep-dish pizza, consider a lighter pan to prevent the crust from burning before the toppings have finished cooking. Pans with high edges are also the best type for deep-dish pizza. Dark pans can sometimes produce a darker crust, so it’s important to monitor the cooking temperature and time to achieve the preferred crust color. Pans with a higher gauge tend to produce a crunchier crust since the pan is thinner.
Nonstick Coating
A nonstick coating makes it easy to remove pizza from the pan once it’s done cooking and provides simple cleanup. There are a few different types of nonstick coating for pizza pans including Teflon and PTFE-free nonstick coating. Using a pizza pan with a nonstick coating eliminates the need for seasoning the pan in advance or using oil while cooking. Just make sure you don’t overheat the pan because it could damage the nonstick coating.
Handles
Handles are a convenient addition to some pizza pans. They are typically shaped like a loop and add to the pan’s functionality. Pizza pan handles provide a secure grip so you can safely lift your pizza pan and conveniently transport it throughout the kitchen. If you are looking for a pizza pan that you can easily carry from the oven to the table or take with you on the go, choose one that comes with built-in handles.
Ease of Cleaning
The best cleaning method for pizza pans depends on the material of the pan. Pizza pans with a nonstick coating should be hand-washed with warm water, soap, and a soft sponge. Cast-iron pizza pans should be cleaned with a damp cloth to protect the seasoning. No matter what type of pan you have, avoid harsh detergents and hard sponges. Some stainless steel pizza pans are dishwasher-safe, but always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for best results.
Our Top Picks
The following guide features a variety of pizza pans including pans designed for making deep dish, Detroit-style, and even mini pizzas. Here are some of the best pizza pans for home chefs.
Best Overall
Wilton Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Pizza Pan
777Wilton’s nonstick round pizza pan offers easy release and efficient cleanup. It’s made out of steel and has a 14-inch diameter. The edgeless design makes it easy to cut pizza slices. This pan can be used for making homemade pizza or heating store-bought pizza. It’s dishwasher-safe but should be cleaned with warm soapy water for best results.
Best Bang for the Buck
American Metalcraft TP14 Wide-Rim Pan
777American Metalcraft’s budget-friendly, wide-rim pizza pan is made out of heavy-duty 18-gauge aluminum. The wide-rim design keeps the pizza in place while baking, and the flat bottom provides even and consistent cooking results. This pizza pan has a durable build and a quality design, and is suitable for use while baking and serving. This pan is hand-wash only.
Best Deep Dish
Chicago Metallic Deep Dish Pizza Pan
777This round pizza pan is designed for making Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, stuffed pizza, or even cookie pies. It’s made out of heavy-duty carbon steel for ultimate durability. This nonstick pan has an easy release surface that prevents your pizza from sticking and helps with cleanup. Its 14-inch diameter and high edges make it a good option for deep-dish pizza. This pan is dishwasher-safe, but hand-washing is recommended to keep the pan in good shape after many uses.
Best Detroit-Style
LloydPans Kitchenware Detroit Style Pizza Pan
777LloydPans Kitchenware’s 10-inch by 14-inch rectangular deep-dish pizza pan is a great choice for making Detroit-style pizza. It’s built out of hard anodized aluminum with a PTFE-free, nonstick coating for easy release from the pan. This pan does not require pre-seasoning and can be safely heated up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also safe to use with metal utensils and is easy to clean.
Best for Crispy Crust
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware Pizza Pan
777This 14-inch stainless steel pizza pan has a perforated surface that helps create crispy crust. Built out of heavy-gauge aluminized stainless steel, this pizza pan is capable of evenly heating food. It also features thick rolled edges that prevent warping and a nonstick surface for easy food release and efficient cleanup.
Best Mini Pizza Pans
TeamFar Pizza Pan, 10 inch – 3 Pack
777This pizza pan set features three 10-inch round pans made out of nontoxic, thick-gauge stainless steel. The smooth-brushed surface prevents food from sticking and provides easy release of food. The sloped edge keeps pizza crust from falling out of the pan. These durable mini pizza pans can be used to prepare, bake, and serve pizza. They are also an ideal size for serving salad or snacks and reheating leftovers.
Honorable Mention
SAVEUR SELECTS 12-Inch Pizza Pan
777SAVEUR SELECTS’ durable pizza pan is made out of carbon steel, which quickly and evenly distributes heat. The heavy-gauge metal is warp-resistant so the pizza pan can maintain its shape for years. This pan is designed for making homemade or frozen pizzas and flatbreads. Other features include a nonstick coating for easy release of food and efficient cleanup, a nonslip surface, and thick rolled rims for a comfortable grip. This pizza pan can be safely used in the oven up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
FAQs About Pizza Pan
Here are some frequently asked questions and the answers needed to help you make the most of your new pizza pan.
Q. How do you season a pizza pan?
First wash and dry your pizza pan and then wipe the entire pan with a thin layer of oil. Place it in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Do NOT exceed this temperature because the oil could ignite.
Q. Should I preheat my pizza pan?
Yes, preheating a pizza pan will help produce a crispy crust. For best results, preheat your pan for 20 minutes to an hour before cooking your pizza.
Q. How do I use a pizza pan with holes?
Cover the pizza pan with cooking spray or flour before cooking to prevent the dough from falling through the holes.
Q. Can I use a pizza pan for other dishes?
Yes, pizza pans are a good option for making other types of food such as nachos and cookie pies.