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From warm apple pie to crunchy roasted potatoes, a world of delicious food options opens up when you have a good bakeware set. Armed with tried-and-true recipes, quality bakeware sets allow you to produce some delectable dishes.
Whether you're stocking the kitchen in a first home or replacing an old bakeware set, you might not know where to start. After all, you can find all kinds of sets, featuring various pieces, made from a range of materials, so how do you tell which one is right for you?
We researched dozens of options and narrowed the choices down to this list of our favorites. Our top pick is the durable All-Clad Pro-Release Nonstick Bakeware Set, a high-quality option that comes with 10 essential pieces for all your baking needs.
Editors’ Favorite
Material: Heavy-gauge aluminized steel w/ceramic-reinforced coating| Dishwasher-Safe: Yes, handwashing recommended | What’s Included: 2 sheet pans, cooling rack, muffin pan, 2 round cake pans, loaf pan, 2 rectangular pans, 2 square pans
There are many reasons to add this All-Clad Pro-Release Nonstick Bakeware Set to your kitchen tool collection, including our baking expert’s assessment of its notable quality. Made of heavy-gauge aluminized steel, each piece is built to last for years of use.
The baking pans have a ceramic coating that makes food slide off with ease. A comprehensive set, it includes two sheet pans, a muffin pan, two rectangular pans, two round cake pans, a loaf pan, two square pans plus a cooling rack. Each piece can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees. Wide handles allow you to easily grip them when baking is complete.
While this set is dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is recommended to protect the nonstick surfaces. Using utensils that are made of materials such as wood and silicone that are safe to use on nonstick surfaces will also help prevent scratches. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, it’s truly one of the best bakeware sets available on the market.
Great Value
Material: Carbon steel | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | What’s Included: Roasting pan, sheet pan, 2 muffin pans, round cake pan, square pan, loaf pan
If price is one of your top considerations when choosing the best bakeware set for your needs, the Carote 7-Piece Nonstick Stackable Baking Pans Set is for you. The seven-piece carbon steel set won’t break most budgets but comes with pieces that are essential for making numerous types of cakes, muffins, breads and more.
A roasting pan, sheet pans, two muffin pans, a round pan, square pan and loaf pan are included in this popular set. Each pan has a nonstick surface that prevents stuck-on baked foods. Although stick-resistant, this set can also be cleaned in the dishwasher. What’s more, the gray and blue design gives it a contemporary appearance that looks great in any kitchen.
Storing this set is easy thanks to the stackable design. Their practical sizes fit nicely together, which means they won’t take up a lot of space in a cabinet. The features and practical design plus a reasonable price make the Carote seven-piece set our top pick for the best value.
Best Under $50
Material: Alloy steel | Dishwasher-Safe: No | What’s Included: Roasting pan, sheet pan, muffin pan, 2 round cake pans, loaf pan
From novice cooks to budget-minded chefs, the Amazon Basics Nonstick Carbon Steel Bakeware Set is a simple yet solid option that’s great for most cooks. Featuring six essential pieces at a price that’s less than $50, it’s an affordable choice that will fulfill many baking needs with minimal investment.
This bakeware collection comes with all the essentials. There’s a roasting pan, sheet pan, muffin pan, two round cake pans and a loaf pan. Made of alloy steel, each pan features nonstick surfaces for excellent results. While it’s recommended to wash them by hand, this is an easy task to accomplish as food slides off easily.
Must-have pieces and quality construction make this value option one of the best bakeware sets we considered. The pans can accommodate temperatures as high as 428 degrees, which make them ideal for baking delicious breads, cakes and other treats. Overall, it’s a basic, affordable set that makes a thoughtful gift for beginners.
We began our analysis of bakeware sets by reaching out to our baking expert to gain insight on the qualities and features that make each option worth purchasing. We included 59 sets in our initial research and narrowed them down based on features and quality. Cooks want to know what bakeware sets are made of and how many pieces are in each set, so we included that in our research. We also factored in stick-resistency and ease of cleaning. As we narrowed down our list, we analyzed customer feedback to get insight on real-world results when cooking with our favorite sets.
Just to make things complicated, there's no such thing as a standard bakeware set. Different sets contain different combinations of pieces. Your chosen bakeware set may contain all or some of the following. Think about what you want to bake and choose your set accordingly.
Most bakeware sets contain at least one pair of round cake pans for creating layer cakes. Some sets may contain a couple of pairs in different sizes. Round cake pans may be springform types or have fixed or push-out bottoms. Some sets also contain a loaf pan for making loaf cakes, quick breads, and yeast loaves.
Baking trays are rectangular dishes with a shallow rim. These are useful for cooking a range of foods, from flat sponges for jelly rolls or opera cakes to frozen oven fries.
Baking sheets are similar to trays but rimless. These are excellent for cookies or for transferring pizza dough onto a pizza stone.
Baking dishes have deep sides and so are suitable for a range of baking and roasting tasks. While you can find oval baking dishes, most are square or rectangular. Most bakeware sets include at least two baking dishes of different sizes. Square eight-by-eight-inch or nine-by-nine-inch dishes are ideal for brownies and other traybakes. Larger rectangular dishes are great for cooking a wide range of foods, including lasagna, casseroles, and roasted vegetables.
Unless you rarely bake sweet food, consider a bakeware set that contains at least one muffin pan. Muffins and cupcakes are popular sweet treats, so most bakers get plenty of use out of these pans. The most common addition to a bakeware set is a standard-size 12-cup muffin pan, but you can also find giant muffin pans that make six large muffins and mini muffin pans that make 24 small muffins.
If you like to bake pies, a pie pan is a must-have in your bakeware set. A nine- or ten-inch pan is the most common option for pie recipes. Some sets may also include tart and/or quiche pans.
Ramekins are small, round dishes that are ideal for baking individual desserts, soufflés, and pot pies. While not everyone will need ramekins, some bakers use them often.
Pros: Aluminum bakeware sets are lightweight and tend to be inexpensive. The dishes conduct heat well for even browning.
Cons: Aluminum bakeware is thin, so it can warp with regular use. Some pieces have a nonstick coating that scratches off easily.
Pros: Carbon steel bakeware sets are heavy-duty and highly durable. These sets are naturally nonstick without the use of chemical coatings.
Cons: Carbon steel isn't a great conductor of heat. These bakeware sets can be expensive.
Pros: Cast iron bakeware is durable enough to last a lifetime if properly cared for. It retains heat extremely well and cooks food evenly.
Cons: Cast iron is extremely heavy, so dishes can be hard to handle when full. It tends to be fairly expensive, too.
Pros: Ceramic is a great insulator and tends to cook food well. It's also attractive and makes ideal oven-to-table ware.
Cons: Ceramic bakeware sets usually include only baking dishes and ramekins, so they're not ideal if you want to bake cakes.
Pros: Most ovenproof glass bakeware is dishwasher safe. Since you can look at the food from all angles as it cooks, this bakeware helps prevent over-browning and burning.
Cons: Ovenproof glass doesn't conduct heat as well as metal.
Expect to pay between $15 and $80 for an aluminum bakeware set, depending on how many pieces it contains.
Small carbon steel bakeware sets with just a few pieces start between $15 and $20. Large, high-end sets can cost up to $100.
While you can find small cast iron bakeware sets (with just a couple of pieces) for around $20, large sets could cost several hundred dollars.
Expect to pay anywhere between $25 and $150 for a ceramic bakeware set, depending on the size, quality, and manufacturer.
Basic ovenproof glass cookware sets start at around $20. Large sets can cost as much as $100.
Check the size of the pieces in your set. Make sure the pieces are the correct size to meet your needs. For instance, if you're cooking for a large family, you'll need larger dishes.
Opt for durability. The most durable, hard-wearing bakeware sets cost more. However, a high-end set might make financial sense in the long run because it could last 20 years, while a set half the price might last only five.
Consider the food you like to bake. It's all very well to have a bakeware set that contains six different cake pans, but if you rarely bake anything other than savory food, they'll just end up gathering dust.
A. Taking good care of your bakeware can increase its longevity. Follow these tips to help keep it in top-notch condition.
If your bakeware has a nonstick coating, never use metal utensils on it because metal can scratch off the coating.
Follow the care and washing instructions. These vary depending on the material.
Make sure you thoroughly dry your metal bakeware before storing it to avoid the chance of rust or corrosion.
Be careful when storing your bakeware because stacking could chip or dent more fragile pieces.
A. If you have any kind of metal bakeware, never put it in the microwave. Most ceramic and Pyrex bakeware is microwave safe, but check the manufacturer's specs before you nuke it.
A. Having the right tools is essential for anyone who loves cooking or baking. If you don't have the right equipment and accessories, you might be caught short when you want to try a new recipe. While the following list isn’t exhaustive, avid cooks and beginning bakers should pick up the following baking equipment.
Measuring cups and spoons
Piping bag and assorted tips
Cooling racks
Flour sifter
Cookie cutters
Rolling pin
Scoops
Whisk
