Tl;dr: When picking out a sheet pan, consider what material it’s made out of, if it’s textured, and whether it’s nonstick. A sheet pan is a highly versatile piece of bakeware, meaning that it’s something you’ll be using on a regular basis.

I’ve been a baker since I was old enough to be left alone in the kitchen. I started off making cookies, but have since expanded into cakes, rolls, biscuits, and dog treats.

While my mom always used cookie sheets, I’ve since collected half-sheet pans. I find them to be both easier to find and to have more uses in the kitchen. I’ve used them to bake calzones, crescent rolls, biscuits, french fries, and homemade dog treats.

I’ve come to find that having the right tool for the job makes all the difference. As I’ve learned more about what the better materials are and which work best for what circumstances, I’ve wanted to share my knowledge. I like to make sure that everyone has what they need to get the best results from their time and effort.

What Is a Sheet Pan?

You may be wondering: what’s the difference between a sheet pan, a cookie sheet, and a jelly roll pan? While a cookie sheet and half sheet pan are similar in size – approximately 18-inch x 13-inch – the difference between them is the rim. A sheet pan will have a high rim, at least one inch, around it, while a cookie sheet will typically only have raised sides on the short ends. That makes a sheet pan more versatile, as the rim can keep juices in the pan.

A jelly roll pan also has a rim, but it’s specifically designed for making jelly rolls. Usually, it’s a 10-inch x 15-inch pan, meaning that its dimensions are in between a half-sheet pan and a quarter-sheet pan.

What to Consider When Buying a Sheet Pan

A sheet pan has a lot of different uses, meaning you’ll likely be using it regularly. Therefore, it’s to your benefit to pick out a well-made pan that’s durable, long-lasting, and for your style of home cooking. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you make a purchase:

What Material is It Made of?

There are several options in terms of what material a sheet pan can be made from. Each has pros and cons.

• Stainless steel: For general durability and versatility, stainless steel is hard to beat. It’s safe for high temperatures, has good heat distribution, and is scratch-resistant. A heavy-gauge stainless steel pan can last you a lifetime.
• Aluminum: If your primary concern is heat distribution, then aluminum is the superior choice. It’s lightweight and excellent for baking cookies and rolls or making roasted vegetables. However, highly acidic foods will damage the pan over time. Aluminum is also prone to scratching, and while this is mainly cosmetic, it does make the pan look ragged after a while.
• Aluminized steel: For the best of both worlds, aluminized steel has a tough steel core and an aluminum and silicon outer to prevent rust and aid in even heating.
• Anodized aluminum: For those who prefer aluminum but don’t want to worry about scratches, anodized aluminum is the best choice. Aluminum is treated with a chemical bath and electrical current to cause it to oxidize and bond the oxidation to the metal. That makes the pan tougher, resistant to oxidation, and grants nonstick properties.
• Silicone: Bakeware made of silicone is becoming more popular. There aren’t many options for silicone sheet pans, but they do exist. Silicone has the advantage of being safe up to high temperatures, nonstick, and dishwasher-safe. However, it can’t handle the broiler. Most silicone bakeware has a metal frame, which may degrade over time in the dishwasher.

What Do I Plan to Make?

Sheet pans can be used to make any number of dishes, ranging from cookies, biscuits, salmon, chicken, vegetables, and even a sheet pan dinner. What you intend to bake on it will determine what material is best. For instance, aluminum doesn’t do well with acidic food, so it may be best to reserve that for baked goods. If you plan to make fish or other broiled foods, then you likely want to use either uncoated stainless steel or aluminum, as they’re guaranteed to be safe at high temperatures.

Do I Want My Pan to Be Textured?

Some sheet pans have a textured surface. A texture on the surface can help with crisping up certain vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, and can promote even heating and better airflow. That being said, I find them much harder to clean, even with a nonstick coating. And if it has a nonstick coating, you’re limited in what you can use to clean it without damaging it.

Should I Get a Pan with a Nonstick Sheet Pan?

There are several nonstick options for sheet pans. Deciding whether or not to get one will depend on how you plan to use it and what’s most important to you in a baking sheet. Here are some pluses and minuses of nonstick pans:

Benefits:

• It’s easy to remove food from the pan.
• Cleanup is easier, as foods are less likely to stick or be burned.
• There are many different nonstick coatings, giving you tremendous variety in terms of choices.
• They’re easy to find as almost every store offers several nonstick options.

Be Aware:

• They require extra care in terms of utensils and cleaning.
• They don’t do well with high temperatures, so they aren’t broiler-safe.
• Most nonstick coatings break down over time, meaning that you can end up with flakes of it in your food.
• You’ll have to replace your pans more often.

Different Types of Sheet Pans

Most sheet pans are going to be more or less the same, save for the material used. However, there are different sizes you’ll want to use, depending on your baking needs.

Half-sheet pan

The most common sheet pan size for home cooking, measuring 18-inch by 13-inch.

Benefits:

• Works well for several fish filets, pork chops, or chicken breast recipes, and you can even add potatoes or broccoli to make a one-pan dinner.
• Is the expected size for recipes that call for a sheet pan.
• Easy to find, as it’s a common size.

Be Aware:

• A bit oversized for one person.
• Most sheet pans are only designed for oven use.

Quarter-sheet pan

If you’re in a store, this is the next most common size you’ll see. A quarter-sheet pan is half the size of a half-sheet pan, as implied by the name, measuring typically at 13-inch x 9-inch.

Benefits:

• Works well for smaller one-pan dinners, for one or two people, or for that extra bit of cookie dough.
• Will fit in a large toaster oven.

Be Aware:

• Won’t fit in every toast oven, especially if it has prominent sides.
• Is about half the size of most sheet pan recipes.

Eighth-sheet pan

Pans this size are less common. Eighth-sheet pans are usually 7-inch x 10-inch pans.

Benefits:

• Good size for a meal for one person.
• Fits handily in most toaster ovens.

Be Aware:

• Difficult to find.
• Few recipes call for them.

Sheet pan

A full-size sheet pan is 26-inch x 18-inch and is primarily used commercially.

Benefits:

• Generous capacity.
• Tends to be made of heavy-duty materials and designed for industrial use.

Be Aware:

• You’d be hard-pressed to get it into a home oven.
• They aren’t something you’re likely to find on store shelves.

Features to Look for in a Sheet Pan

There are certain features that good sheet pans will have in common with one another. If you’re looking to get a high-quality sheet pan, then here are some features to look out for:

• Material: You want a sheet pan made of heavy gauge steel or high-quality aluminum. That ensures even heat distribution, longevity, and that the pan won’t be damaged by everyday use. Most nonstick pans are made of coated steel or aluminum as well, which means while the coating may require more care, the pan itself is sturdy.
• Thickness: It’s important that the metal that makes up the pan isn’t too thin. The pan should feel solid, and you shouldn’t be able to easily bend or flex it. For stainless steel, there should be some heft to the pan. Thin pans are prone to minor flexing or warping in the oven, which can cause problems over time. Severe warping can ruin your pan altogether. Most of the time this is due to uneven heating in your oven (such as if you have an older one), but a well-made pan is unlikely to be affected by this. It also happens when you put a hot pan in cold water, causing thermal shock – even a well-made pan can fall victim to this.
• Lid: Most sheet pans don’t come with a lid, but they’re a handy addition. It makes storing and transporting what you made a lot easier. Also, if you don’t use your sheet pan all the time, storing it with the lid on keeps dust off of it and pristine for the next use.
• Height of the rim: Most sheet pans are going to have a rim that’s about an inch in height. That’s more than adequate for the majority of purposes. A higher rim can be useful to make sheet cakes, as you don’t have to worry about overflow, or if you like to bake very saucy dishes.

How to Choose the Right Sheet Pan for Your Kitchen

Due to how commonplace sheet pans are, there are several options on the market. In order to make it easier to pick the right sheet pan for your circumstances, I’ve created three different personas and what my recommended products would be for each of them.

Enrico: Space Conscious College Student

Enrico’s a good cook, but with limited space and a limited budget, he wants decent pans at a low price. He primarily cooks for himself, though he’s hoping to get to the point where he can host in the near future.

Features Enrico Should Look for:

• Heavy gauge steel or aluminum with a steel rim at a reasonable price.
• Pans that can stack.

Sheet Pan Examples:

• Anolon Pro Bake Bakeware Aluminized Steel Half Sheet Baking Pan Set, 2-Piece: Anolon makes good quality bakeware at a decent price, as it includes two pans in the set. Aluminized steel is tough, works with high heat, and has an attractive finish.
• Oxo Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 2 Piece Sheet Pan Set: Oxo makes good, affordable cookware. Their sheet pan set has a textured surface to ensure even heat distribution, a nonstick coating for easy cleanup, and includes a half-sheet pan and quarter-sheet pan, so you can adjust recipe sizes depending on the situation.

Diamond: Experienced Baker Looking for the Best

Diamond has been baking for a long time and has finally gotten to the point where she can splurge on her baking equipment. She’s looking for an excellent sheet pan that delivers consistently good results and is attractive.

Features Diamond Should Look for:

• Anodized aluminum or heavy gauge steel.
• Thicker pans that have some weight to them.

Sheet Pan Examples:

• Hestan Provisions 13" x 18" OvenBond Half Sheet Pan: Hestan makes high-end gorgeous bakeware with a price to match. It’s stainless steel with an aluminum core for excellent heat distribution and has beautiful ornate handles.
• Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Non-Corrugated Half Sheet: Williams Sonoma is known for making high-end bakeware, and this sheet pan doesn’t disappoint. It’s made of commercial-grade aluminized steel with a nonstick coating.

Noah: Busy Father Looking for Low-Hassle Equipment

Noah does his best to make good meals for his family every night and is looking for good cookware to make easy-to-prepare meals. He doesn’t want anything that requires too much care or is too expensive.

Features to look for:

• Dishwasher safe or nonstick.
• Simple care instructions.

Sheet Pan Examples:

• Anolon Advanced Bakeware Nonstick Pan with Silicone Grips. A nonstick pan is easy to clean and get food off. The silicone grips also ensure you can get a good hold on the pan’s handles.
• Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet. Nordic Ware’s Naturals collection is made just out of plain aluminum, making it excellent at conducting heat and versatile. While it’s hand-wash only, aluminum is easy to clean, but isn’t good for acidic food.

Find the Right Sheet 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 sheet pans. Some of it also boils down to personal preferences in terms of whether it’s nonstick and what material it’s made out of. If you feel you need more advice, reach out to one of our Kitchen Experts! Any of our Experts would be happy to help you find the sheet pan that’s just right for you.