JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- Best overall
- Best aluminized steel
- Best glass
- Best with handles
- Best for meatloaf
- What to look for in a loaf pan
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If you is one of your go-to meals or pound cake is your favorite dessert, a top-quality loaf pan is a must. Similar to a bundt pan, the best loaf pans are made for a specific style of baked good that can't be mimicked by a traditional cake round. Think banana bread, twisted babka, and standard sandwich loaves.
While researching the best loaf pans, we found that size and material were the two main considerations. In general, we recommend 9- by 5-inch aluminum or aluminized-steel pans. Our guide features loaf pans that have a strong track record of performance, durability, and versatility.
Top picks for the best loaf pans
Best overall: Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan - See at Amazon
If you are looking for a low-cost loaf pan that will release your baked goods without much fuss, turn to the Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan.
Best aluminized steel: USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan - See at Amazon
The materials used to construct the USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan facilitate the even cooking of food, and items are released cleanly.
Best glass: Pyrex 1.5-Quart Clear Basics Glass Loaf Pan - See at Amazon
With its easy-to-see-through glass construction, the Pyrex Bakeware 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Pan is an excellent solution if you want to take the guesswork out of baking.
Best with handles: Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Loaf Pan - See at Amazon
If you are looking for a loaf pan that is easy to grab and cooks evenly, consider the Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Bread and Meat Loaf Pan.
Best for meatloaf: Chicago Metallic Non-Stick 2-Piece Meatloaf Set - See at Amazon
The Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Healthy Meatloaf Set is designed for regular meatloaf eaters who prefer to keep the grease to a minimum.
Best overall: Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan
Pros: Inexpensive, effortlessly releases baked goods, pan lip allows for easy rotation
Cons: Concerns about durability
The Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan is made of stainless steel for long-term durability and is covered with a non-stick coating for quick food release and easy cleanup.
Though the 8.5 by 4.5 by 2.5-inch model is the most popular, Wilton sells the Recipe Right pan in a variety of sizes, including 9.25 by 5.25 by 2.75 inches and 5.25 by 3 by 2.125 inches. The pans are dishwasher safe, but we recommend washing them by hand to increase their lifespan. Wilton backs the quality of its products, including the best loaf pan, with a five-year warranty.
Best aluminized steel: USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
Pros: Releases baked goods effortlessly, cooks foods evenly, easy to clean
Cons: Pricey, no handles
There are two key features that contribute to the USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan's nonstick abilities and earn it a spot on our list of the best loaf pans. First, the pan is constructed of corrugated aluminized steel. The little ridges help with the release of baked goods, add to the rigidity and durability of the pan, and may also allow for better airflow and even cooking.
The USA Pan also has a layer of Americoat on the top and bottom. This is an eco-friendly, PFOA- and PTFE-free silicone coating that has excellent non-stick properties.
The loaf pans come in three sizes: 8.5 by 4.5 by 2.75 inches (the 1-pound model), 9 by 5 by 2.75 inches (the 1-1/4-pound model), and 10 by 5 by 2.75 inches (the 1-1/2-pound model). They are each made in Pittsburgh, PA and come with a lifetime limited warranty.
Best glass: Pyrex 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Pan
Pros: Browns food well, allows you to see how done the bottom of your loaf is
Cons: Concerns about durability, items may stick
Though glass bakeware generally isn't as durable and doesn't cook as quickly as its metal counterpart, it does allow you to easily gauge how your baking is progressing, since you can see the side and bottom of your loaf without removing it from the pan. This is one of the main benefits of the Pyrex 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Pan.
The Pyrex Loaf Pan measures approximately 10.25 by 5 by 3 inches and features handles for easy maneuverability. Made of soda lime glass, it is dishwasher, freezer, microwave, and oven safe. But, we advise against taking the pan out of the freezer and putting it in a preheated oven since it could experience "thermal shock" and burst into pieces. On the plus side, the nonporous glass is resistant to odors and staining.
Additionally, it's wise to grease this loaf pan before adding ingredients because items may stick to it.
Best with handles: Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Bread
Pros: Wide handles, nonstick coating, sturdy rolled steel construction
Cons: Sides flare wide
The Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Bread and Meat Loaf Pan stands out from the other pans on our list because it has wide handles that make it easy to maneuver the pan when wearing thick oven mitts. However, they are not too wide to make storage an issue.
The pan is 9 by 5 by 3 inches and is oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It is made of heavy-duty steel and features a rolled rim, which ensures durability and warp resistance. Though the pan is dishwasher safe, Farberware recommends handwashing it.
The pan is warp-resistant and cooks evenly, however, it's recommended to spray it before adding ingredients as the nonstick coating is not always effective.
Best for meatloaf: Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Set
Pros: Allows for even baking, cooks meatloaf without the grease, large handles, lifetime warranty
Cons: Not very versatile, questionable durability of non-stick coating
The Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Healthy Meatloaf Set is unique because it is specifically designed for making meatloaf. The set consists of a two-pound nonstick meatloaf pan made of heavy-weight aluminized steel and a perforated insert that elevates your meatloaf about ¾ of an inch above the bottom of the pan to allow for the grease to drain. This is a nice feature that keeps the bottom of the loaf from getting overcooked while sitting in its own grease. Large handles also make it easy to remove from the oven.
The pan has a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and Chicago Metallic backs it with a lifetime warranty.
What to look for in a loaf pan
Size: Loaf pans are generally around 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep, though the exact measurements vary brand-to-brand. A good rule of thumb is to use an 8.5-by-4.5-inch pan for recipes that call for three cups of flour or less (although you can expect some trial and error). If the recipe calls for 3.5 cups, then an 8.5-by-4.5-inch or 9-by-5-inch pan will do. Anything over 3.75 cups will work best in a 9-by-5-inch pan. However, a pain de mie pan, also known as a Pullman loaf pan, is ideal for recipes with more than four cups of flour.
Material: Since breads and loaf cakes are thicker than a single cake layer, it's crucial that thebest loaf pan cooks slowly and evenly without burning. Stainless steel, aluminized steel, and glass pans all do an excellent job of baking slowly. And here's a pro tip: If you are looking for a lighter exterior to your bread, choose a lighter-colored material for your pan.
James Brains Senior Reporter, Business Insider Reviews James is a Senior Reporter for Business Insider Reviews, specializing in sleep, HVAC, and kitchen appliances. He has tested more than 90 mattresses from startups like Casper and legacy brands like Tempur-Pedic, using his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and evaluate comfort, support, motion transfer, and more. He authors our guide to the best mattresses. In addition to being Business Insider Reviews' mattress expert, James has extensively covered air fryers, bidets, air conditioners, air purifiers, and anything you put on your mattress, including weighted blankets and pillows.He's a multifaceted writer who has covered everything from health and fitness to consumer technology. His mission is to help people get the most value for their money by guiding them in making informed buying decisions.James lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife, two kids, and a rambunctious rat terrier. When James isn't testing products and writing for Business Insider, he runs a popular local Facebook group, Lansing Foodies; hosts a local news segment called Foodie Friday; and puts on the Olive Burger Festival.See below for some of his work:- The 13 best mattresses of 2024, tested and reviewed
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