TL;DR: When buying a loaf pan, consider the size, material, and how easy it is to clean. A loaf pan is only used for certain recipes, meaning it’s a specialty item for bakers. Having the right loaf pan — and often more than one — is critical for successfully making bread loaves.

I grew up learning to bake and have been baking for almost 20 years. Baking is just as much an art as it is a science, and I’m doing my best to keep learning and improving. I’ve developed a repertoire of quick breads, including banana bread, pumpkin bread, blueberry bread, chocolate tea bread, and apple cinnamon bread. I’ve also been experimenting with yeast dough and making my own sandwich bread.

Having the right tool for the job can make a huge difference in your results, so I do my best to ensure everyone I know is properly equipped for what they plan to make.

What Is a Loaf Pan?

A loaf pan — sometimes called a bread pan — is a specialized piece of bakeware used to make bread loaves or loaf-shaped dishes, such as meatloaf or pound cake. Its typically long and skinny rectangular shape is the standard loaf shape everyone is familiar with. There are also mini loaf pans resembling a muffin tin, and baguette trays with two or more long slots for baguettes.

What to Consider When Buying a Loaf Pan

A loaf pan isn’t something you’ll likely use every day – unless you love making bread – but it’s still an important piece of bakeware. When determining which loaf pan is best for you, here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. What are you going to make with it?

While the answer to this question may seem obvious, different loaf pans will be better for certain baked goods. For example, there are specific bread pans made for baguettes versus round loaves that you’ll need to choose from.

2. What material is it made out of?

This is likely the most important question you can ask yourself when buying a loaf pan. Different materials yield different results and have different care instructions. There are several options when choosing a loaf pan, including:

• Stainless steel: Stainless steel is always a solid choice for bakeware and cookware, as it’s tough and conducts heat well. For baking, it’s best to have a dull rather shiny pan, as it’ll result in a browned crust.
• Aluminum: In terms of bakeware, aluminum is one of the best choices. It’s light, safe to high temperatures, and conducts heat extremely well. Aluminum is prone to scratching (though it won’t affect performance), so it’s a good idea to use parchment paper so you don’t scratch your pan when getting your loaf out of the oven.
• Silicone: Bakeware made from silicone is relatively new, but as the material is oven-safe and has nonstick properties, it’s a practical choice. Most silicone pans can go in the dishwasher for easy cleanup, though it’ll depend on if it has a steel frame.
• Cast iron: While cast iron requires more care than the other materials on this list, its heat retention and distribution are second to none, resulting in beautifully browned loaves every time. However, it’s heavy and is hand wash only.
• Glass: While there are many options for glass pans, it isn’t the best material for baked goods. Glass is slow to heat up and cool, meaning that your loaves are likely to come out underdone on the inside and over-browned outside. You can bake at a lower temperature to compensate, but you have to be willing to alter the baking time, too. Glass is, however, extremely durable, microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and can go in the freezer.
• Ceramic: This is a less common material for a loaf pan, but still available. Ceramic has the same issues as glass in terms of heat distribution. That being said, most ceramic pans are quite pretty.
• Nonstick: Most stainless steel and aluminum loaf pans have a nonstick coating. Nonstick coatings often don’t require greasing, making it easier to get the loaf out of the pan and helping prevent bits of food from getting stuck in the corners. However, nonstick pans are usually not dishwasher-safe, and most nonstick coatings wear out over time.

3. What size should I get?

A standard loaf pan comes in two different sizes. It’s best to have the size loaf pan that’s specified in the recipe if possible. The two typical sizes are:

• 8½-inch by 4½-inch: Many recipes for banana bread and other quick breads will fit in a loaf pan this size. The batter should sit at least an inch below the top of the pan — probably more like 1 ½” or 2” — so that you don’t risk your bread overflowing. Don’t worry, it’ll rise a bit, even if it isn’t a yeast bread.

• 9-inch by 5-inch: If you want to have just one loaf pan in your pantry, it’s better to select the bigger size. While you may need to reduce baking time for a smaller recipe, you won’t risk the batter spilling over the edges and making a mess in your oven.

4. Should you have more than one?

If you’re someone who bakes regularly, it’s a good idea to have more than one bread pan – at least one of each size. For yeast breads, it’s not uncommon for the recipe to make two loaves of bread at a time. And as yeast dough shouldn’t sit for too long or it’ll collapse, it’s a good idea to have two pans so you can bake them both at once. If you plan to try making baguettes, investing in a tray is also a good idea.

5. How much should it cost?

Loaf pans aren’t typically expensive pieces of bakeware. Most run somewhere between $10 and $20. Generally, more expensive pans are either from a premium brand or have aesthetic embellishments. For most purposes, a $15 to $20 bread pan will be more than sufficient. Most baguette pans will range from $20 to $40.

What Are the Types of Loaf Pans?

There are a few different types of bread pans that can be used to bake bread. While a loaf pan will likely make you think of the standard rectangular pan, other bread pans can be included in the category.

8½-inch by 4½-inch:

This is the smaller of the two standard sizes of loaf pans.

Benefits:

• Works best for recipes that call for a loaf pan of this size.
• Makes a smaller loaf.

Be aware:

• Don’t use this for a recipe that calls for a 9x5 loaf pan, unless you don’t use all the batter, otherwise there’ll be overflow.

9-inch by 5-inch:

This size is easier to find, with many different manufacturers offering it, such as Circulon and Anolon.

Benefits:

• The better option if you only want to have one loaf pan — if you need to alter a recipe, having a pan that’s bigger works better than one that’s too small.

Be aware:

• You’ll need to reduce the baking time if making a smaller recipe.

Mini loaf pan

Benefits:

• Allows you to make individual smaller loaves.

Be Aware:

• There isn’t a standard size for mini loaves, so you’ll have to be careful when altering the baking time of a recipe to make sure that you don’t overbake the bread.

Baguette tray

Benefits:

• Specifically designed to make baguettes for the best results.

Be Aware

• Only useful for making baguettes

Features to Look for in a Loaf Pan

Most loaf pans are more or less the same, but there are certain features that will make a pan stand out from its competitors.

• Handles: Not all loaf pans have protruding handles, but it’s easier to handle a loaf pan with handles. Without them, as the pan is small, it can be difficult to take out of the oven with oven mitts.
• Lid: A lid isn’t a necessity for a loaf pan, but it does make storage and transport of baked goods easier.
• Quality: Make sure that your loaf pan is well-made. It should all be one piece, have a bit of heft to it, and unless it’s made of silicone, it shouldn’t bend or be easy to dent.
• Material: Stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum are excellent choices for high-quality loaf pans. If you want to use your loaf pan for other purposes, check to see what temperature is considered safe. For instance, most nonstick bakeware isn’t broiler-safe.

How to Choose the Best Loaf Pan for You

Different bread pans will suit different people at different skill levels. To help you get a sense of what might be the right loaf pan for your needs, I’ll describe three people with different baking experiences and which loaf pans I’d recommend to them.

Johnny: Novice Baker

Johnny is new to baking and wants to learn how to make basic recipes. He loves baked goods but wants to be more health-conscious by making them himself. He’s looking for good bakeware that isn’t too expensive, and that’ll make baking and cleanup easy.

Features to Look For:

• Nonstick bakeware that is easy to clean
• Dishwasher-safe materials

Loaf Pan Examples:

• Anolon nonstick loaf pan is made of heavy gauge steel and has silicone handles for a sure grip. It can also go in the dishwasher.
• Circulon nonstick loaf pan is made out of stainless steel, has a textured bottom for easy baked goods release, and can handle the dishwasher.

Sheila: Intermediate Baker looking for Premium Bakeware

Sheila has been baking for a few years and wants to upgrade her bakeware collection. She’s looking to improve and wants to start by making sure that she has the best bakeware available to ensure the best results.

Features to Look For:

• Cast iron or stainless steel offer excellent results and can last a lifetime

Loaf Pan Examples:

• Lodge’s cast iron loaf pan is a well-made pan that will deliver consistent results, though take extra care when washing it.
• Caraway’s non-stick loaf pan is an excellent choice. It has a ceramic nonstick coating, which is currently considered the best and comes in various colors.

Micheal: Gregarious Baker who Loves to Share

Micheal loves to bake and share what he makes with friends and family. He’s looking for good bakeware that’ll make it easy to make and transport loaves to social gatherings. He’s a good baker but doesn’t want anything too fancy or expensive.

Features to Look For:

• A pan made of glad and with a lid to make it easy to transport baked goods
• A pan that has multiple loaf compartments

Loaf Pan Examples:

• Circulon’s mini loaf pan is made out of heavy-weight steel and is nonstick. Making mini loaves is a great way to split up a recipe while giving each person an attractive and individual loaf.
• Oxo’s glass loaf pan with a lid is easy to care for, and the fact that it has a lid makes it easy to transport. Remember that glass bakeware doesn’t conduct heat as well, so you’ll need to bake at a lower temperature for longer to get the best results.

Find the Right Loaf Pan for You

It can be overwhelming to try to find the right choice for your needs, particularly if you don’t have experience with loaf pans. Some of it also boils down to personal preferences. If you need more information or advice, reach out to one of our Kitchen Experts here on Curated! Any of our Kitchen Experts would be more than happy to help you find the loaf pan that’s just right for you.