The 5 Best Half Sheet Pans of 2021

Best Overall: Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Baker's Half Sheet

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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.

Best Set: TeamFar Pure Stainless Steel Cookie Sheet Set

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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.

Best Ceramic: Great Jones Holy Sheet Pan

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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.

Best Nonstick: USA Pan Aluminized Steel Half Sheet Pan

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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.