Whereas loaf pans are the go-to for banana bread and pound cake, these versatile gadgets of bakeware would possibly assist bake quite a bit previous that too — suppose non-public dimension casseroles, meatloaf, and further! As a recipe creator, Meggan has personally used better than a dozen loaf pans, and whereas they seem simple ample, they’re not all created equally. The most effective loaf pans are reliable, sturdy, and simple to wash — and it doesn’t injury if they provide the impression of being pretty in your kitchen too.

Meggan and I labored collectively to provide you this guidelines of the perfect loaf pans. We relied on our private firsthand experience, recommending the loaf pans that we use and love ourselves (this set from USA Pan is her favorite!). We moreover did intensive evaluation, evaluating the choices side-by-side. Ultimately, we narrowed it down to six selections, along with metallic, ceramic, cast iron and glass picks. Confirm all of them out below.

Our Prime Picks

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: USA Pan Loaf Pan Set – $18.99 at Amazon
2. Most interesting Value vary Loaf Pan: Amazon Fundamentals Rectangular Baking Bread Loaf Pan (Set of two) – $13.49 at Amazon
3. Most interesting Non-Stick Loaf Pan: OXO Non-Stick Skilled 1-lb Loaf Pan – $20.99 at Amazon
4. Most interesting Ceramic Loaf Pan: Caraway Loaf Pan – $40 at Amazon
5. Most interesting Solid Iron Loaf Pan: Lodge Solid Iron Loaf Pan – $19.99 at Amazon
6. Most interesting Glass Loaf Pan: Pyrex Easy Seize 1.5-Qt Glass Loaf Dish – $14.47 at Amazon

Opinions of The Most interesting Loaf Pans

1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: USA Pan Loaf Pan

After testing out USA Pan’s muffin pan, Meggan bought the mannequin’s loaf pan and loves it merely as quite a bit! The pans are accomplished with proprietary silicone non-stick coating, which allows for easy launch and quick clean-up — baked gadgets will pop correct out of the pan even once they’re nonetheless barely warmth. Megan moreover loves that they’re PTFE-, PFOA-, and BPA-free, and made inside the US. Plus, they’re sturdy and durable and easily work quite properly. Wins all through!

One issue to note is that the company doesn’t advocate putting these pans inside the dishwasher. Nonetheless because of they’re so non-stick, each factor ought to come back correct off with some scorching, soapy water.

The Specs:

• Baking Flooring Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.75 inches
• Weight: 1 pound
• Supplies: Alloy steel
• Dishwasher-safe? No

What I Like:

• Releases merely
• Bakes evenly
• Made inside the US
• Nonstick

What I Don’t Like:

• Crumbs can get caught in seams
• Will likely be powerful to wash in folds
• Not dishwasher-safe

What Others Are Saying:

After testing, Vital Eats and Reviewed picked the USA Pan Loaf Pan as among the many best loaf pans. It moreover has a 4.8-star frequent from just about 8,500 opinions on Amazon.

Buy the USA Pan Loaf Pan:

2. Most interesting Value vary Loaf Pan: Amazon Fundamentals Rectangular Baking Bread Loaf Pan (Set of two)

Do you have to just like the considered a non-stick set nonetheless want to save lots of barely in your purchase, I wish to advocate this Rectangular Baking Bread Loaf Pan Set from Amazon Fundamentals — the worth breaks down to easily under $7 per pan. Whereas Meggan hasn’t tried these personally, she owns various totally different kitchen merchandise from Amazon’s lineup and is always impressed with the usual you get for the worth.

These are made out of steel with a non-stick coating, and reviewers say the assemble top quality is prime notch and baked gadgets come out fantastically with minimal clear up. It’s best to wash these by hand nonetheless since they’re non-stick, it should be easy!

The Specs:

• Baking Flooring Dimensions: 9.5 x 5 x 2.8 inches
• Weight: 0.64 kilos
• Supplies: Steel
• Dishwasher-safe? No

What I Like:

• Low cost
• Easy to wash
• Is obtainable in a set
• Nonstick

What I Don’t Like:

• Small handles
• Not dishwasher-safe
• Won’t be as sturdy as others

What Others Are Saying:

Delish chosen the Amazon Fundamentals Rectangular Baking Bread Loaf Pan as actually one in every of their options for the perfect loaf pans. This set moreover has a 4.8-star frequent rating from better than 26,000 opinions on Amazon.

Buy the Amazon Fundamentals Rectangular Baking Bread Loaf Pan (Set of two):

3. Most interesting Non-Stick Loaf Pan: OXO Non-Stick Skilled 1-lb Loaf Pan

OXO is a beloved kitchen mannequin, and the Non-Stick Skilled 1-lb Loaf Pan comes extraordinarily actually useful. This heavy-duty, steel pan is non-stick and scratch-, stain-, and abrasion-resistant so it would stand as a lot as quite a few baking! The steel helps distribute heat evenly for an exquisite bake, whereas a textured pattern on the bottom reduces ground contact to help promote airflow.

The edges are moreover rolled, which makes them easier to grip when you’re transferring the pan to and from the oven. Plus, the shiny beige finish provides it some extra attract that makes it stand out from totally different bakeware. As an added bonus, it’s made inside the US and PFOA-free.

The Specs:

• Baking Flooring Dimensions: 9 x 5 x 3 inches
• Weight: 0.86 kilos
• Supplies: Aluminized steel
• Dishwasher-safe? Positive

What I Like:

• Easy to grip
• Pretty coloration
• Made inside the US
• Proof towards scratches, stains, and abrasions

What I Don’t Like:

• Textured ground can depart designs in your muffins
• Some say sizing is off
• Can rust if not dried promptly

What Others Are Saying:

The Spruce Eats, Forbes Vetted, and Vital Eats all chosen it as actually one in every of their prime picks. It moreover has a 4.8-star frequent from better than 1,300 opinions on Amazon.

Buy the OXO Non-Stick Skilled 1-lb Loaf Pan:

4. Most interesting Ceramic Loaf Pan: Caraway Loaf Pan

I personally private and use this loaf pan and it’s really among the many best! I’ve examined a minimal of a dozen loaf pans and nonetheless private various, and that’s the one I attain for many ceaselessly. It’s terribly non-stick — baked gadgets and meatloaves merely come correct out even with out oil or butter — and the ceramic distributes heat evenly for an exquisite bake. The coating is free from PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, and heavy metals, so it’s really non-toxic. Plus, it’s fully pretty and is out there in 9 colors, from a mushy cream (my favorite!) to a vivid marigold.

You do ought to be careful with using and storing this pan because of the coating can chip off must you’re too powerful, nonetheless fortuitously, it cleans very merely, so that you just don’t have to clean it.

The Specs:

• Baking Flooring Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.72 inches
• Weight: 1 pound
• Supplies: Ceramic
• Dishwasher-safe? No

What I Like:

• Easy to wash
• Non-toxic
• Is obtainable in pretty colors

What I Don’t Like:

• Expensive
• Can chip merely
• Hand wash solely

What Others Are Saying:

After intensive evaluation, Forbes Vetted chosen the Caraway Loaf Pan as the perfect ceramic loaf pan.

Buy the Caraway Loaf Pan:

5. Most interesting Solid Iron Loaf Pan: Lodge Solid Iron Loaf Pan

Cast iron is probably going one of the crucial sturdy baking provides and with the proper care, this heirloom-quality loaf pan from Lodge will stand the examine of time. Reviewers say it heats up quickly and bakes evenly, offering you with well-defined edges and a fantastically browned crust. It comes pre-seasoned so that you just don’t ought to fuss with it sooner than using it for the first time (although you’ll ought to season it semi-regularly, counting on how sometimes you put it to use).

As a result of cast iron constructing, it’s quite a bit heavier than totally different loaf pans of this dimension, nonetheless it moreover has quite a bit greater handles that make it easy to grip, even with oven mitts.

The Specs:

• Baking Flooring Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.5 x 3.68 inches
• Weight: 3.68 kilos
• Supplies: Cast iron
• Dishwasher-safe? No

What I Like:

• Sturdy
• Heats evenly
• Easy to change to and from the oven
• Cheap for the fantastic high quality

What I Don’t Like:

• Heavy
• Reviewers say it’s onerous to wash the corners
• Might must season it sometimes

What Others Are Saying:

Epicurious and Delish every chosen it as actually one in every of their prime picks. It moreover has better than 3,000 opinions on Amazon with a imply rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Buy the Lodge Solid Iron Loaf Pan:

6. Most interesting Glass Loaf Pan: Pyrex Easy Seize 1.5-Qt Glass Loaf Dish

Pyrex is probably going one of many hottest producers for glass bakeware and it’s for good trigger. This choice is sturdy and high-quality, and it would ultimate eternally with right care. I moreover private it and have found it to be terribly reliable, notably as a result of it cooks evenly with pretty browning. It’s non-stick with the proper greasing sooner than baking, too.

Whereas it would take barely longer to heat up, the glass retains heat properly, and it’s non-reactive and non-porous, which means it acquired’t absorb stains, flavors, or odors. Plus, it’s microwave-safe, which makes a glass pan a really versatile risk for all types of cooking and baking. I moreover love the massive handles (I can merely seize them with oven mitts) and the lid is useful for storage or journey.

The Specs:

• Baking Flooring Dimensions: 8.75 x 5.25 x 3 inches (with handles)
• Weight: 1.74 kilos
• Supplies: Tempered glass
• Dishwasher-safe? Positive

What I Like:

• Easy to wash
• Easy to hold
• Doesn’t absorb odors or colors

What I Don’t Like:

• A bit heavy
• Lid isn’t airtight
• Might take longer to heat up

What Others Are Saying:

After testing, Reviewed chosen the Pyrex Easy Seize 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Dish as the perfect non-stick. Meals Group and Tech Gear Lab moreover chosen it as actually one in every of their prime picks, and it has a 4.7-star frequent from better than 12,500 opinions on Amazon.

Buy the Pyrex Easy Seize 1.5-Qt Glass Loaf Dish:

Totally different Loaf Pans to Consider

Le Creuset Heritage Loaf Pan

Le Creuset is a pacesetter in ceramic cookware, and this is usually a reliable (and beautiful!) risk. However it’s dearer than most and likewise you will not have to spend cash on a loaf pan till you’re using it recurrently. That talked about, it has easy-to-grip handles and a non-stick ground, and it’s obtainable in a dozen pretty colors. The Le Creuset Heritage Loaf Pan is available on the market at Amazon for $55.95.

Nordic Ware Naturals Meatloaf Pan with Lifting Trivet

This loaf pan is absolutely useful by Forbes Vetted as the perfect meatloaf pan, and it’s good for that aim. Whereas it could be used with out the lifting trivet, there are greater selections for those who want a additional versatile loaf pan. The Nordic Ware Naturals Meatloaf Pan with Lifting Trivet is available on the market at Amazon for $17.56.

Farberware Nonstick Loaf Pan (Set of two)

One different budget-friendly risk, this Farberware loaf pan is an environment friendly choice for a lot of who solely use it typically. Some opinions say it’s not as non-stick as others, nonetheless it has easy-grip handles and a heavy-duty constructing which will stand as a lot as extreme heat. You may too buy it in a set of two for those who want to save way more. The Farberware Nonstick Loaf Pan (Set of two) is available on the market at Amazon for $13.49.

Wilton Advance Select Premium Non-Stick Bread Loaf Pan

This loaf pan has various good opinions, nonetheless I’ve personally examined it and positioned that it bakes erratically. Whereas it’s great for cooking meatloaf and fewer delicate baked gadgets, you would possibly want to try one different one for those who want to make breads and pound muffins. The Wilton Advance Select Premium Non-Stick Bread Loaf Pan is available on the market at Amazon for $7.97.

Rachael Ray Yum-o! Oven Lovin’ Nonstick Loaf Pan

The Rachael Ray Yum-o! Oven Lovin’ Nonstick Loaf Pan is an efficient choice for a lot of who want a really non-stick pan. It has large handles that are easy to grab and is out there in various coloration selections. It didn’t end up in our guidelines of the perfect because of some opinions say it doesn’t preserve up properly to frequent use, nonetheless you might enhance its longevity by intently following the care instructions. The Rachel Ray Yum-o! Oven Lovin’ Nonstick Loaf Pan is available on the market at Amazon for $13.99.

Why You Can Perception Us

Howdy, I’m Lindsay, a purposeful nutritionist, recipe creator, and product reviewer with just about 15 years of experience testing kitchen merchandise. I’ve tried better than a dozen loaf pans and have baked each factor from pound cake to meatloaf to each factor in between — and I nonetheless personally private two of the picks that made our final guidelines! You’ll uncover my work all through a variety of digital publications, along with The Spruce Eats, Larger Homes and Gardens, Forbes Vetted, and Consuming Properly.

I labored on this roundup with Meggan, a classically expert chef and founding father of Culinary Hill. Together with using our private firsthand experience, we extensively researched dozens of additional selections to slim down this guidelines. We in distinction provides, dimension, value, and opinions side-by-side, in the long run landing on six selections that we predict stand out among the many many many choices.

Each half to Know Sooner than Purchasing for a Loaf Pan

What to Consider Sooner than Purchasing for a Loaf Pan

When choosing an risk, dimension and provides are most important. Nonetheless you may also have to take into accounts the handles — within the occasion that they’re easy to grip and preserve with oven mitts on — and a few totally different choices.

Measurement: Loaf pans can be found in diverse sizes. An atypical pan is about 8.5 inches prolonged by 4.5 inches deep. When a recipe requires a loaf pan, that’s typically what it means. You’ll uncover shut variations on that too, like 9 inches by 5 inches or 9.5 inches by 5 inches. There are moreover mini loaf pans, which normally measure 5.75 inches prolonged by 3.25 inches deep. These are good for baking smaller components or giving out baked gadgets as gadgets. When choosing one, bear in mind the way in which you’ll use it, nonetheless when uncertain, go along with the same old dimension.

Supplies: They primarily can be found in steel, glass, ceramic, and cast iron. Each has its execs and cons, so the perfect supplies for you really will rely on what you’re looking out for. Steel is an outstanding choice must you’re looking out for a lightweight loaf pan that’s sturdy and heats evenly. Glass doesn’t heat up as quickly, nonetheless it could be additional versatile and can final extra as a result of it’s non-porous. Ceramic is very non-stick and an excellent heat conductor, so it provides a reliable bake. And whereas it’s heavy, cast iron can ultimate eternally — and get even greater with time!

Handles: Some have large handles that are easy to grip whereas others barely have a rim and are onerous to take care of. Do you have to’re choosing a lightweight supplies like steel, you won’t need greater handles, nonetheless must you’re going for a glass or cast iron pan, make sure the handles are sufficiently massive to comfortably seize whereas sporting oven mitts.

Totally different choices: Counting on what you plan to utilize it for, it is your determination totally different user-friendly choices too. Some embrace lifting trivets, which can be good for lifting meatloaf out of the pan (and forsaking grease!). Others have a lid so you might retailer leftovers merely or secure meals when touring.

What Is the Measurement of a Customary Loaf Pan?

When a recipe requires the usual loaf pan, it’s typically referring to a 1-pound pan. These can measure 8.5 inches prolonged by 4.5 inches deep by 2.5 inches tall or 9 inches prolonged by 5 inches deep by 2.5 inches tall.

How Do You Line a Loaf Pan with Parchment Paper?

It should rely on whether or not or not you should line merely the underside or your complete pan. Do you have to solely have to line the underside, place it on prime of the parchment paper, use a pen or pencil to trace throughout the bottom, after which scale back out merely contained within the traced strains. Put the scale back piece of parchment paper into your loaf pan and it’s in a position to go!

In case you want to line your complete pan, there’s a easy hack it’s best to use to make sure your parchment paper is neat and tidy: Flip the loaf pan the opposite manner up and lay a bit of parchment paper on prime. Then, fold the parchment paper throughout the short ends akin to you’re wrapping a gift, guaranteeing the parchment paper creases the place you fold it. Take the parchment off, flip the loaf pan correct side up and add the parchment paper in. It should drop correct in!

How Prolonged Should You Bake in Mini Loaf Pans?

It should rely on what you’re baking! That talked about, must you’re making a recipe that takes 50 to 55 minutes to bake in a 1-pound loaf pan, it’s a great suggestion to start out out with 25 to half-hour for a mini loaf pan. You may start checking on it throughout the 20-minute mark to make certain you don’t overbake.

What Can You Make in a Loaf Pan?

Meggan says there are numerous potentialities. You presumably can bake quick breads, pound muffins, yogurt muffins, and bread pudding. You may too bake completely different types of meatloaf and traditional yeast breads. Loaf pans are moreover a great way to freeze ice cream or make granitas. Do you have to’re serving a smaller crowd, you can even make 2- to 4-serving casseroles, like small-batch inexperienced bean casserole and even baked macaroni and cheese.

The Most interesting Loaf Recipes

Meggan loves using her loaf pan to make each factor from buttery pound cake to old style beer bread. Listed below are some delicious recipes that may help you get started.

Prices had been right at time of publication.