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A half sheet pan is essential to every kitchen. Measuring in at around 18 x 13 inches (and as small as 16 x 12 inches), this size typically fits comfortably into a home oven. Simple in design and offering a ton of versatility, it can be used for making cookies and crackers, creating sheet pan dinners, roasting vegetables and proteins, and much more. If you’re in the market for a new half sheet pan, look to our lineup of tried-and-true versions in an array of materials, from traditional aluminum to cutting-edge ceramic coatings. Here, our picks for the best half sheet pans.
Sturdy construction that resists warping
Easy to clean
Inexpensive
Hand wash only
The Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Half Sheet Pan checks all the boxes for what most people are looking for when it comes to baking sheets: It's an inexpensive, reliable workhorse that can be used again and again. This particular pan is the favorite of Clémence Gosset, pastry chef and co-owner of The Gourmandise cooking school in Santa Monica, California.
“We're such big fans that we carry it in our school store,” says Gosset. “It's made in the U.S. and is sturdy enough to keep from warping when the pan moves from hot to cold.”
Made from uncoated 18-gauge aluminum, it features rolled, encapsulated steel rims that hold the pan’s structure. The aluminum is naturally nonstick, and the pan is oven-safe to 500 degrees, allowing you to roast and broil vegetables and more. The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on this pan and advises that you hand wash to prevent discoloration from dishwasher detergents.
Rust-resistant
Easy to clean
Affordable
Warps slightly at higher temps, but straightens back
Sheet pans are often sold in sets to cover all baking needs. This versatile two-pack includes a larger half-sheet pan (15.8 x 12 x 0.95 inches) and a medium-sized quarter-sheet pan (12.4 x 9.6 x 0.95 inches). Made of stainless steel, they're easy to clean and won't rust, stain, or oxidize, even if used to roast acidic foods like tomatoes. Rolled edges prevent warping, though it still may be prone to temporary warping at higher temperatures.
Beautiful color
Non-toxic coating
Reinforced to prevent warping
Max temperature is lower than some other pans
This pan from Great Jones is a newcomer to the bakeware world, but it is quickly gaining popularity thanks to the combination of its vibrant, Instagram-worthy hue and outstanding performance. This rimmed baking sheet is made of aluminized steel with a non-toxic, Swiss-made ceramic coating that is free of PFOAs, so you can bake and roast without worrying about chemicals leaching into your food. The rolled edges are reinforced with steel rods to prevent warping, something that flimsier pans tend to do in the oven.
This pan measures 17.25 x 12.25 inches, with a 1-inch-high rim, large enough to cook sheet pan dinners for a family or make a batch of focaccia without overflow. It's oven-safe up to 450 degrees, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. When you’re not using it to cook, it can also double as an eye-catching serving tray.
Strong, durable steel base
PTFE-, PFOA-, and BPA-free
Corrugated surface promotes even heat and easy release
Nonstick coating is susceptible to scratches
Hand wash recommended
Oven-safe temperature is lower than non-coated pans
This classic sheet pan from USA Pan is made of heavy-gauge aluminized steel, which features carbon steel dip-coated with an aluminum-silicon alloy, making it strong with high thermal conductivity. The rims also incorporate steel wire to enhance the pan’s strength and prevent warping. USA Pans bakeware has a patented nonstick silicone coating which is PTFE-, PFOA-, and BPA-free—eliminating the worry of off-gassing—and will allow everything from cookies to baked fish to release easily from the surface.
This pan features a unique corrugated surface to help promote air circulation and heat distribution, allowing foods to cook evenly so your results are always consistent. The sturdy, scratch-resistant surface holds up well against higher temperatures (it's oven-safe up to 450 degrees) and is also incredibly easy to clean. The manufacturer recommends washing by hand and avoiding the use of sharp utensils to preserve the integrity of the nonstick coating.
Heavy-duty construction that will not warp
Stands up to daily use
Uncoated aluminum conducts heat well
Inexpensive
Heavy
This pan is great for those who are tough on their bakeware or simply like to bake often. The professional-weight half sheet pan is made of 18-gauge aluminized steel, which is thicker and heavier than most home bakeware. Featuring a rolled rim reinforced with wire rods, this pan will not warp and will easily stand up to daily use. The uncoated aluminum surface gives superior heat distribution, while its lighter color helps to prevent over-browning, which can be an issue with darker sheet pans.
These pans measure 16.75 x 12 inches, giving you plenty of cooking space, and as a set of two, you can cook twice as much in one go. These are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing will help to extend the pan’s life. For easier cleanup, line your pans with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent baked-on stains.
Our favorite half sheet is the Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Half Sheet, thanks to its solid performance, durability, and great price. For a trendier pick, we also like Great Jones Holy Sheet Pan, which gives satisfactory results and doubles as a stylish serving tray.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
The author of this piece, Bernadette Machard de Gramont, is an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After a two-year stint at the Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight. She interviewed one expert, Clemence Gossett of Santa Monica-based The Gourmandise cooking school, for this piece.