Best Non-Toxic Bakeware: 2024 [Chef Tested] - Organic Authority

This guide to non-toxic bakeware makes safe and healthy baking easy. Our expert chef tested everything from ceramic nonstick, pure ceramic, cast iron, French porcelain, glass, stainless steel and more.

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This guide to the best non-toxic bakeware makes it easy to bake or roast healthy meals. Our expert chef tested ceramic nonstick, stoneware, pure ceramic, cast iron, French porcelain, glass, stainless steel, and more to share our honest recommendations.

If your nonstick bakeware collection hasn’t changed since you moved into your first apartment, it’s time for a refresh. Throw away the old, scratched, hand-me-down pans and take the opportunity to upgrade with some new non-toxic bakeware.

Just like clean cookware, non-toxic bakeware is an essential tool when it comes to making delicious, healthy meals in your home kitchen. Your favorite baked berry oatmeal, chocolate chip peanut butter banana bread, or paleo coconut flour banana bread will taste that much better on Sunday mornings when you use the best non-toxic bakeware sets.

To help you decide which non-toxic bakeware to invest in, we’ve done all the research to compile a list of the safest bakeware options on the market today. From the best non-toxic baking sheets to gorgeous, show-stopping pans that meet all those CA Prop 65 standards, we tested them all. Here’s what we found.

What are forever chemicals anyway? They’re a class of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals (also known as PFAS chemicals) that include PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), GEN X, PFOS, and PFOAs. They are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the human body or the environment.

Discovered in 1938 by DuPont, the original creator of Teflon-coated nonstick cookware, these chemicals get introduced into our food when we use PTFE nonstick bakeware and cookware. They can also be found in many popular consumer products like food packaging, toilet paper, cosmetics, and even the pesticides that get sprayed on common produce like kale and strawberries.

Scientists have found that persistent PFAS chemicals can collect in our blood and organs, causing long-term health issues. Forever chemicals have been linked to testicular and kidney cancer, infertility, liver damage, and thyroid disease, among other negative effects4,5.

With all of the potential damage to consider, is an easy cleanup worth the risk?

Thankfully, nobody is making you choose between your health and a clean kitchen (because who has time to scrape scrambled eggs off of the bottom of a pan every time you want a delicious breakfast?!).

Our editor-in-chief and expert chef Laura Klein has been personally testing non-toxic bakeware for over 10 years. She’s got you covered from your next clean cake pan to non-toxic baking sheets, and even your next non-toxic muffin pan (blueberry muffins, anyone?).

Whether it’s stoneware, enameled cast iron, or ceramic, chef Laura Klein is a pro at finding the best in non-toxic, nonstick bakeware. When it comes to cookware, she’s already dove into the differences between carbon steel, stainless steel, and even cast iron cookware — plus some of the best food storage sets for when you need to store the leftovers from all the cooking you’ve been doing in your new pots and pans. And now she’s back to share the non-toxic bakeware recommendations we all need.

We do our best to update this guide regularly to shout-out exclusive savings and seasonal sales, where Organic Authority readers can save big on non-toxic cookware brands. Sign up for the newsletter here to never miss an exclusive sale.

When it comes to clean and healthy baking, in our experience, here are the best materials.

Yeah, we all know Teflon (a.k.a. PTFE) is bad news. But sometimes in the moment, it doesn’t seem nearly as bad as having your freshly baked batch of extra dark sweet potato brownies stick to the pan. Considering the public health issues linked to forever chemicals, however, brownies sticking to the pan might be the least of your concerns if you stick with Teflon. Luckily, there is a way to have your cake and eat it too.

If you’ve been daydreaming about comforting treats that easily pop from the pan to your mouth, ditch that old PTFE-coated metal bakeware and go with ceramic. Ceramic coatings are stain-resistant, metal utensil-resistant, and most importantly, nonstick. And unlike PTFE-coated bakeware, ceramic has a much greener manufacturing process. Not to mention how satisfying it is to watch your baked goodies slide right off a ceramic cookie sheet!

When it comes to ceramic-coated nonstick, Caraway is one of our top picks (read our review of Caraway cookware after 5 years of testing). This nonstick bakeware is made with aluminized steel coated with ceramic. We also love their transparency — the brand regularly tests for surface-level contaminants like lead and cadmium, is California Prop 65 compliant, and happily provided their lab test results upon request (read our interview with the founder Jordan Nathan).

After using the Caraway set for several years now, Laura Klein loves the clean design and useful storage rack that comes with a set.

“I love Caraway’s nonstick bakeware,” she says. “It’s easy to use and clean. I love that baked goods easily release from the surface, so I don’t have to use a lot of butter or oil if I don’t want to.”

Whether you choose ceramic-coated nonstick or an alternative, invest in at least one or two essential pans (or an entire set!) that will satisfy all your baking dreams. Caraway even has a half, five-piece bakeware set if a full bakeware set is too much for your kitchen. Both come with storage organizers that we absolutely love.

Price: $545, $395 at time of publish

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This new award-winning line from GreenPan (one of our favorite brands!) is a baker’s dream. Every piece features their signature PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating for healthier oven cooking.

When it comes to non-toxic, nonstick bakeware, GreenPan takes the cake (pun intended!). Not only is it good for you and your kitchen, but it’s also intentionally designed for convenience. This one-piece design was crafted to eliminate food traps (because let’s be real, the last thing you want after whipping up a delicious and healthy home-cooked meal is to have to scrape it out of a crevice).

It’s crafted from cast aluminum to deliver even heating and remarkable durability, and we know from earlier investigations of GreenPan that they use recycled aluminum to be more sustainable in their production — heck yeah.

(Oh, and did we mention it’s award-winning?)

A GreenPan Premiere set is all you need for dinner AND dessert — think delicious vegan apple bars in the square pan (served a la mode, naturally), and our Baked Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables with Maple-Tahini Dressing on the half sheet. You can also buy single pans if you don’t need a full set.

Price: $244.99 $135.99 at time of publish

Cooking with stoneware is a game-changer for both health and convenience. Stoneware is definitely one of the best materials out there, especially if your priority is finding the safest bakeware for your family.

Made from natural clay, stoneware heats evenly, which means your food cooks more consistently and retains its moisture. Stoneware is typically nonporous which helps make cleaning a breeze. It is also naturally nonstick, so you can cut back on oils and fats to make your meals healthier.

Most of the stoneware we reviewed was also gorgeous, so it can go straight from the oven to the table and save you from washing extra dishes. Plus, stone is super durable and will just get better with use. The more you cook with it, the more natural seasoning develops which makes your food taste better.

After cooking with Pampered Chef stoneware for several weeks, it is very easy to see why it has received such high ratings. The beautiful stone pieces are not just stunning, but they are also very versatile. The unglazed stoneware heats evenly and retains heat, which means your food turns out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. It ensures everything bakes uniformly, browns beautifully, and roasts to absolute perfection.

The stoneware withstands heat up to 500°F and is both microwave and dishwasher-safe. It has quickly become my go-to cookware after just a few short weeks. Laura also admitted that she is a little bit obsessed with the non-toxic baking tray and has been using it almost daily, cooking everything from sheet pan chicken to roasted veggies.

SAVE 25% OFF All Stoneware Products when you shop now through October 31st, 2024!

Pampered Chef offers three different types of stoneware — glazed, partially glazed, and unglazed. The partially glazed and glazed stoneware both have a shiny, high-end look that is fantastic for baking and serving on holidays. I personally like the unglazed stoneware, which is made with the signature StoneFusion formula and is the most durable option. All choices work well, but I love the natural look and feel of the unglazed stoneware.

One of the biggest benefits of Pampered Chef Stoneware is that it is made in the USA using a proprietary clay formation that contains no metals. The stoneware has been tested and meets or exceeds all regulations for food contact safety, including California Prop 65 and European Union Food Contact testing. Plus, the stoneware comes with a 3-year warranty, making it a completely winning purchase.

What’s included in a set:

Price: $135, $115 at time of publish

SAVE 25% OFF All Stoneware Products when you shop now through October 31st, 2024

If you don’t need a full set, you can buy single baking dishes, too.

Another safer alternative to PTFE-coated cookware is cookware made entirely from ceramic. Some of our favorite brands in this category include Made In, Staub, or Xtrema® Pure Ceramic Cookware.

Made from pure ceramic, Xtrema Bakeware is truly the choice for those whose top priority is their personal health and the environment (read our brand profile review of Xtrema cookware). Why? Because it’s made with just two ingredients — clay and water — making it the bakeware with the lowest carbon footprint around.

Luckily, Xtrema sells a non-toxic Dutch oven that Laura put to the test. This Dutch oven makes baking bread, soups and stews, and roasted chicken for you and your family ridiculously easy (and delicious).

If you love desserts as much as you love durability, the new Xtrema 8.5-inch square cake pan is guaranteed to be your go-to for your next cake or crumble.

And if that weren’t enough to knock your oven mitts off, the company has also made great strides in improving the sustainability of its packaging, phasing out Styrofoam and transitioning to a 100 percent recyclable blend of cardboard and poly foam. Xtrema is also compliant with FDA and California Prop 65 guidelines for lead and cadmium.

Classic Oval Dutch Oven: 7.5-Quart with lidPrice: $349.99, $314.99 at time of publish

Square Ceramic Cake Pan: 8.5-inch Square Cake Pan (100% pure ceramic!)Price: $92.99, $83.69 at time of publish

Exclusive code: Use code OA15 to save an extra 15% off your order at checkout.

Staub’s stoneware, designed in France, is excellent at retaining heat and won’t absorb moisture. Finished with glass porcelain, these dishes are scratch- and thermal shock-resistant. Staub ceramics are also oven- and broiler-safe up to 572°F. They can easily be used in the microwave oven and are dishwasher safe.

Price: $169, $129 at time of publish

Made In’s ceramic bakeware is made from high-fired clay that’s oven safe up to 482°F. Its thermal shock-resistant enameled surface creates a naturally nonstick, smooth baking surface, resulting in a durable dish that’s microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.

This company also boasts excellent environmental stewardship — for more deets, read on, because we cover this in the section below on their French porcelain bakeware. You have the option of buying a whole set or single pieces — their square non-toxic cake pan is a favorite for birthday cakes!

Price: $217, $189 at time of publish

Heavy and durable, cast iron creates a crunchy crust and a rustic look on anything from cornbread to skillet cookies. Skillets can turn out lovely pies, loaves of bread, and one-pot dinners. Plus, cast iron is naturally non-toxic, and cooking with cast iron can even help you get more iron in your diet! (But keep this in mind if your system is sensitive to iron — check with your primary health care provider before purchasing a set).

When it comes to cast iron, we’re head over heels for Staub. Their Dutch oven, au gratin dish, and roaster are some of our top choices for braises, bakes, and roasts, and we especially love these dishes for baking homemade bread. You can read more in our review of Staub cookware and their clean enameled cast iron pots and pans. Bonus: they truly are as beautiful as they are useful.

Staub’s gorgeous cookware boasts a unique black matte enamel coating made of quartz particles, putting the bling in bakeware. Not just pretty to look at, this surface promotes exceptional browning. It also resists wear and tear from metal utensils on the rare (or, uh, not so rare…) occasion you throw caution to the wind and neglect to grab your trusty wooden spoon. Plus, their Dutch ovens are so beautiful that you can leave them on your stovetop as a homey decorative touch when not in use.

Another big reason we love Staub? Their commitment to worker’s rights and environmental stewardship is built into the company philosophy and core values. When you purchase bakeware from Staub, you’re not just ensuring healthy, safe, and delicious food — you’re also supporting a company that cares for its workers and the environment. Now that’s a winning recipe.

Cocotte Specs: 2.75-qt Round Cocotte with lidChoose from 7 colorsPrice: $279.99 at time of publish

As much as we love ceramic, we might have an even softer spot for porcelain, at least when it comes to bakeware. French porcelain is oven-safe up to 650F, as compared to ceramic clay’s 482F. It also has a slight edge on ceramic when it comes to durability. Porcelain also heats evenly and gently, and it’s naturally nonstick to boot.

Laura makes everything in this set from Thanksgiving’s sweet potato casserole, to mashed potatoes, baked berry oatmeal, and more.

Let’s be honest: when it comes to food, the French kind of own the landscape in a major way. From a real pain au chocolat to real porcelain, French companies have cookware craftsmanship on lock.

One of our favorite brands for French porcelain is Made In (read our review of Made In cookware). Made from a 200-year-old porcelain recipe, this bakeware boasts natural nonstick properties, plus high heat conduction and performance. It’s pretty much guaranteed turn your baking game up a few notches.

And we’re not the only ones who think so: Nancy Silverton, the James Beard Award-winning chef, baker, and founder of the famous La Brea Bakery in Los Angeles, even helped develop a special edition three-piece bakeware set in collaboration with Made In. We’re also crazy about the baking slab. Pull this baby out with a slab pie in it at your next dinner party and people will be wowed.

Aside from the celebrity chef street cred, Made In is also 100 percent lead and cadmium-free, and is California Prop 65 compliant. Their environmental initiatives provide several other reasons to love them:

Price: $269 at time of publishIf you don’t need a full set, you can buy single baking dishes too.

If you’re the type of baker that likes to see what’s going on inside the pan as it bubbles away, you might like glass bakeware. Easy to clean, naturally nonstick, and free of toxic chemicals, it’s pretty charmant if we do say so ourselves.

Brands like Pyrex are classics, and you can add some vintage flair to your collection (without hours spent combing through thrift stores) with the company’s designed-in-Paris glass pie dish.

This dish is a stalwart for a reason. It can go from freezer to oven no prob (yes, you can assemble and freeze your whole pie ahead of time!), and the clear glass affords the perfect opportunity to watch the exterior of your treats brown to golden perfection when you just can’t stare at your screen a moment longer.

Price: $33.91 at time of publish

A favorite among professional chefs, stainless steel is a workhorse on the pastry line, too. Stainless steel heats evenly, promoting uniform browning, and it won’t rust. Large sheet trays can roast a week’s worth of veggies or deliver a perfect batch of your grandma’s chocolate chip cookies with equal ease.

Williams Sonoma’s Ovenware utilizes Thermo-Clad technology to ensure even heat distribution — perfect for homemade cookies or roasted organic vegetables! Their 3-ply construction and aluminum core are the secret to their efficient temperature control and heat transfer.

The design is sleek, minimalist, and efficient, including side handles that ensure a steady grip (even with oven mitts!). Once those homemade cookies are done baking, the cooling rack is the perfect size to fit over their baking sheet. This Williams Sonoma-exclusive design is exclusively theirs, and perfect for your kitchen!

Pric: $149.95 at time of publish

Speaking of baking sheets (and cookies…), we’re loving Made In’s baking sheets and cooling racks. The latter are made from coated stainless steel, while the baking sheets are made from commercial grade 3004 aluminum.

Aluminum is a favorite among chefs thanks to its durability and quick, even heating. That said, there has been some worry about aluminum as it pertains to leaching when it comes into contact with acidic foods. Using aluminum may also be a point of concern for those with heavy metal sensitivities or who are immunocompromised. That’s why we recommend using 3004 aluminum, the highest level of food-grade aluminum.

Made In Baking Sheet: 17.75×13-inch Fully Rimmed Aluminum Sheet Pan (comes in half sheet and quarter sheet, as well as standard and nonstick!)Price: $25 (for half sheet standard) at time of publish

Made In Sheet Pan Rack: 16.5×11.4-inch sheet pan rackPrice: $15 at time of publish

A baking sheet is a flat, rectangular metal pan designed for baking all sorts of goodies, from cookies and pastries to roasted veggies. It usually has a raised edge to keep everything in place, and it’s a kitchen essential for anyone who loves to bake or roast. They come in various sizes and materials, including a wide range of non-toxic bakeware options.

Baking sheets warp when they’re exposed to high temperatures because the metal expands and contracts. If the sheet is made from a thinner or cheaper material, this process happens unevenly, causing the sheet to buckle or bend. It’s pretty normal and usually doesn’t affect your cooking, but it can be annoying! This is yet another reason why you should use high-quality bakeware like stoneware, ceramic bakeware, or cast iron pans that will not buckle or bend.

Not exactly. A cookie sheet is a type of baking sheet, but it’s usually flat with no raised edges, making it easy for cookies to slide off. Baking sheets, on the other hand, have a rimmed edge, which makes them great for roasting or baking foods that might release juices. In a pinch, you can use either, but cookie sheets are all about maximizing space for those perfect, round cookies!

Yes, silicone bakeware is considered non-toxic and safe for cooking. It’s made from food-grade silicone, which is heat-resistant and doesn’t leach chemicals into your food. Just be sure to choose high-quality silicone products and avoid using them at temperatures higher than what’s recommended (usually around 450°F).

Absolutely! Porcelain bakeware is non-toxic and a fantastic option for baking. It’s made from natural materials and is free from harmful chemicals. The smooth, non-porous surface of porcelain doesn’t absorb odors or flavors, making it perfect for everything from casseroles to desserts. Just handle it with care to avoid chips or cracks, as it’s a pretty delicate material.

Here’s the bottom line: Whatever you fancy baking up next, from copycat Girl Scout cookies to vegan cherry pie, this clean bakeware guide is your go-to to stock your kitchen with quality gear that is good for the planet and your health. And if you’re curious which safe and healthy brands we like for your stovetop, be sure to check out our Non-Toxic Cookware Guide and see how the rest of your pots and pans measure up.

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Lauren Lobley is a mom of two, private chef, published cookbook author, food blogger, and host of a podcast... More about Lauren Lobley