The 7 Best Baking Sheets in 2024, According to Testing

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From roasted veggies to perfect cookies, these pans truly do it all

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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

With all of the uses for baking sheets in the kitchen, it may be the hardest working piece of equipment you can ever own. When it comes to baking or roasting, you can have all of the right ingredients on hand for the perfect recipe, but if you don't have the right baking sheet, your finished product might end up burnt and stuck. A major component for this is the baking sheet's core material, which is most likely aluminum or steel.

Aluminum heats quickly and cools quickly, while steel cookie sheets take longer to heat up, but they retain heat. "Lighter-colored cookie sheets bake your cookies more efficiently," says Clemence Gossett, owner of The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica, California.

To find the best baking sheets, we tested 24 half-sheet pans in our own home kitchens, assessing the properties of each one by baking cookies and roasting potatoes. We then compared them side-by-side to see which one will work best in your kitchen.

Durable

Easy to clean

Easy to grip with oven mitts

Some warping

We are already fans of the Caraway cookware set, so it's no surprise that the brand's baking sheet is equally fantastic. This half sheet is made of aluminized steel and coated with Caraway's durable ceramic coating. Wide stainless steel handles are riveted to the pan's body and are easy to grab even when wearing oven mitts. The pan is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and should be thick enough to resist warping.

In our home kitchen, this pan performed beautifully—cookies came out perfectly golden brown on the bottom, while potato wedges were crispy on the outside. Due to the slick surface, everything released effortlessly, and cleaning up the pans was a breeze—no scrubbing required. While this pan does cost a little more than a typical baking sheet, we think it will last much longer while providing an enjoyable experience for bakers of any level.

And continued use has proved that statement true. We have seen some warping depending on the oven temperature, but it goes back to its original shape as soon as it cools off a bit. The best thing about this pan is how nonstick it is, even after months of baking. Foods literally slide around on the surface, and not even melted or burned cheese gets stuck. Because of that, cleaning is super easy. Food rinses right off, and then it’s just a swish with a soapy sponge and done.

Material: Aluminized steel | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 15 x 10 inches (medium), 18 x 13 inches (large)

Heavy-duty

Rust-resistant

Steel rims help prevent warping

Can darken over time

Aluminum baking sheets are classics in the kitchen. While some are cheap and flimsy, these are commercial grade, so they’re a heavier weight and much more sturdy. For even better performance, they have rolled, encapsulated steel rims so they won’t bend or warp in normal use, and they’ll never rust or corrode.

This set of two pans will speed up baking when there are multiple batches of cookies or other baked goods since one pan can be in the oven while the other is being unloaded, cooled, and reloaded with more cookie dough. Since aluminum is a responsive metal, these will cool quicker when they’re out of the oven, so they’ll be ready to use faster than steel pans. These half-sheet pans are the most common size in home kitchens, but they are also available in quarter-sheet size for smaller batches and for countertop ovens.

We've been fans of Nordic Ware for a while, because of its reputation for being sturdy, high-quality, and easy to maintain. There's never been any warping in the years we've been using these pans, and the heavy-duty rolled ridges don't let any juices or liquids spill into the oven, either. Don't be alarmed when the surface inevitably darkens over time—the quality is still there. (In fact, the darker surface can be a benefit at times!) These are certainly inexpensive compared to some of the high-end offerings, but they’re a workhorse in the kitchen.

Material: Aluminum | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 10 x 7-inch, 12.8 x 9.5-inch, 12.8 x 17.8-inch, 21 x 15-inch

High quality

Great side handles

Heavy bottom for less chance of burning

Easy cleaning

Expensive

Stainless steel has been used for cookware for a long time, but it’s less common in bakeware because it’s not optimum for the browning you’re looking for. Hestan OvenBond changes that with tri-ply construction, much like quality stainless-steel cookware. The result is bakeware that’s nonreactive, easy to clean, and that gives great results, whether baking cookies or roasting vegetables.

The half-sheet pan in this set is the standard size for cookies, buns, and more, and has sturdy handles that make it easy to get the baked goods in and out of the oven. We like the set that includes a rack for the half-sheet pan, along with a quarter-sheet pan that’s built to the same standards as the half-sheet. The smaller pan fits in many countertop ovens, and makes a great tray for carrying and serving food as well. If you're not looking for the whole set, the pieces can be purchased individually.

The only downside is that the larger sheet pan is quite tall when upright for storage because of the handles. After using this set for a while, we've notice that we use the smaller pan more than the big one, anyway. It is a perfect fit for a countertop oven and has the same great features as the larger option. And not only is it dishwasher safe, but it actually fits in there for super-simple cleanup when we're done making a mess.

Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Available Sizes: 9 x 12 inches (quarter sheet); 18 x 13 inches (half sheet)

Nonstick coating

Scratch-resistant

Bakes evenly

Dimensions are of the outside of the pan

Made from aluminized steel with a light-colored nonstick coating, your cookies won’t stick to this pan. The double-layered coating is reinforced with ceramic for durability and scratch resistance. It resists staining and keeps the steel from corroding, while the micro-textured pattern minimizes surface contact while maximizing airflow for even baking and easy cookie release.

This sturdy baking sheet proved its durability in our testing by resisting warping and turned out well-cooked potato wedges and cookies (though the bottoms had a tendency to brown quickly). The nonstick finish made this extremely easy to clean.

After you fall in love with this pan, you can buy more pieces of bakeware with the same features for a complete set. Every piece has dimension markings, so you’ll know that you’ve got the right size pan for your recipe. Just note that the measurements are of the outside of the pans (including their sizable rims).

Material: Aluminized steel | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 9 x 13-inch, 13 x 18 inch

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Evenly conducts heat

Dishwasher safe

Available in four vibrant colors

Lower heat threshold than others

Ceramic has become quite popular as a nonstick coating in cookware, so it’s no surprise to find ceramic-coated bakeware. The cheerful Holy Sheet pan by Great Jones is made of aluminized steel with a vibrant ceramic coating that can add a pop of color to your bakeware collection. It's slightly heavier than your average sheet pan but is easy to maneuver to and from the oven.

This sheet pan turned out cookies with deep golden brown bottoms and soft and gooey middles. Potato wedges were easy to flip and slide off of the pan—no sticking at all. We also found that the pan didn’t warp during use, which is often a concern with thinner pans.

While this baking sheet’s heat threshold is only 450 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s high enough for most general baking—you’ll be able to handle cookies, scones, cinnamon rolls, and the like. We also noted that though it is dishwasher safe, it is also very easy to clean, which is great news for anyone who might be resistant to washing dishes by hand.

Material: Aluminized steel, ceramic coating | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 18.5 x 13.5 inches

Made of high-quality silicone

Oven-safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

Easy to clean

May not be great for making large meals for multiple people

Sheet pan suppers are trendy, but not everyone wants their cauliflower cooked in chicken juices. Cheat Sheets’ design makes it simple to separate foods while keeping everything on the same pan, thanks to silicone divider pans that snug neatly into the baking sheet. People who have kids who are picky eaters, especially like these pans.

The metal sheet and silicone pans are oven-safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so the set is great for all kinds of baking and roasting. This will be useful for making an entire meal in the oven—including dessert—on one pan, and it’s just as handy for prepping food ahead while keeping everything separate. Since the individual trays can be removed at any time, it’s also ideal when foods have different cooking times. And, of course, the nonstick baking sheet can be used on its own when it’s time for cookies.

Material: Silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Available Sizes: 4.88 x 4.88-inch (square), 4.88 x 9.88-inch (rectangle)

Very large surface area

Nonstick

Easy to clean

Some warping can happen

Larger than a typical half-sheet pan, but still able to fit in home ovens, this 21 x 15-inch baking sheet gives you more room for cookies, biscuits, and pastries. It’s also perfect for making extra-long loaves of bread that wouldn’t fit on a standard sheet. It’s made from steel with a dark finish, so it retains heat well, which keeps cookies from spreading too quickly.

The nonstick coating on this baking sheet helps cookies and other baked goods release easily, and makes cleanup easier, too. While this is dishwasher safe, given its large size, it may not fit in most dishwashers. Handwashing with warm soapy water is recommended for longer life.

People love that they can cook twice as many cookies on the pan and how easy it is to clean; however, there can be some warping at temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Material: Nonstick coated steel | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Available Sizes: 15 x 21-inches

Our top pick is the Caraway Baking Sheet —it's a great-looking pan that performs really well and is a breeze to keep clean. For a well-made set of classic sheet pans, we also like the Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet.

Our editors spent weeks researching baking sheets and putting them through their paces in our home kitchens. We made sure to test a range of materials while keeping the majority to the standard half-sheet size. We then collected the data and insights, and used it to determine ratings and placement on this list.

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Like many at-home bakers and cooks, we've used baking sheets for just about anything in the kitchen. All the use we've gotten out of several of the options we recommend on the list above has helped us discover a few tips and tricks on how to utilize them to their full potential.

A baking sheet’s material will determine its temperature limits. Generally speaking, a good baking sheet should be able to withstand temperatures that include your high broiler setting. Some pans featuring nonstick coatings may have a lower heating capacity as traditional nonstick will tend to start to break down at high temperatures. If you’re only using them to bake cookies and other pastries, the heat threshold doesn’t need to be as high. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure your pans will meet your needs. Popular materials include:

Well-performing bakeware tends to have a few key features in common. Rolled edges, often time reinforced with steel rods, will help prevent a baking sheet from warping when subjected to big temperature changes. Heavy-gauge, aka thicker, construction also helps pans maintain their shape during use. "Rimmed edges prevent fat spillage when roasting everything from vegetables to chicken," says Clemence Gossett. "Bonus? You can bake sheet cakes and sponge cakes in a rimmed baking sheet."

Professional kitchens will almost always choose light-toned baking sheets over darker-toned options. "Lighter-colored cookie sheets bake your cookies more efficiently," says Gossett. Some recipes might specify that you use lighter-toned bakeware for this very reason. Dark-toned bakeware—like many nonstick pieces—attracts and spreads heat quicker and holds heat longer than a lighter-toned pan. The result is that cookies and other baked goods may brown too quickly and set before the inside has a chance to finish cooking. A good rule of thumb when using such bakeware is to lower the heat by 25 degrees and check for doneness well before the recipe’s actual full recommended bake time.

This size measures 26 x 18 inches and is mostly used in commercial kitchens to bake in large quantities. A full-size baking sheet is typically too large for most home ovens.

Measuring 18 x 13 inches, this size is the most common selection for a standard home oven. It is exactly half the size of a full sheet pan, hence its name. This size is generally big enough for baking a dozen cookies or roasting a spatchcocked chicken and vegetables for a sheet pan dinner.

As you can discern from its name, jelly roll pans are designed to bake a thin layer of cake for making such rolled desserts as a Buche de Noel or a Swiss Roll. These pans measure about 10.5 x 15.5 inches and are a size between a half sheet and quarter sheet, giving you a little more room to work with.

The quarter-size sheet pan measures 13 x 9 inches, exactly half the size of a half sheet. This pan size is ideal for toaster oven cooking, freezing pre-shaped cookie dough, refrigerating ingredients, or baking for just one to two people. You can also use them side by side in a conventional oven to roast two different items at the same time.

These mini pans measure 9 x 6.5 inches, a perfect size for roasting nuts, reheating pizza or flatbreads, or baking just a couple of cookies at a time.

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Rimmed baking sheets feature rolled edges that keep the contents—from marinades and sauces to batter—contained inside the pan. While many pro bakers prefer unrimmed sheets for their larger surface area and better air circulation—making them ideal for evenly baking cookies—home bakers find rimmed sheets more practical because of their versatility (thank you, spill-proof edges). This allows for a greater variety of dishes, from roasted meats or vegetables to pizzas to toasted nuts, without anything spilling over the edges.

Recipes often call for a "lined" baking sheet. This refers to the addition of a liner before baking—the best way to keep baking sheets in top shape. Parchment paper or a silicone mat provides a barrier between food and the pan’s surface for easier release and clean-up.

It is often recommended that you wash baking sheets by hand, particularly if they have a nonstick coating. As with most nonstick cookware, you will want to avoid using sharp or metal tools to prevent scratching the pan’s surface. If you’re working with uncoated aluminum or stainless steel, it might be a bit more difficult to remove stains or baked-on and burnt food—try coating the stains with a paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, let sit for a couple of hours, and scrub away with regular dish soap and water.

"Greasing" a baking sheet is simply applying some sort of oil to its surface in order to prevent food from sticking. You can do this with nonstick spray, an oil mister, or by using a pastry brush to apply a layer of melted oil onto the baking sheet. Another easy way to grease a baking sheet is to take a paper towel, put a bit of butter or other fat onto it, and gently smudge the inside of the pan until you have an even, see-through layer of grease with no clumps.

Donna Currie is a writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. She's also a bread-baking expert, having written Make Ahead Bread, a cookbook detailing the process. In addition to the top baking sheets, Donna's written lists on the best cookie tools and best bread machines of the year.

This piece was edited by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. She researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.