10 Best Pancake Pans

Who doesn’t like pancakes? Down through the ages, people have cooked variations on the sweet/savory confection, which fills the air with an aroma of warmth and sweetness. Pancakes are so light and airy that they’re one of the more guilt-free treats, yet versatile enough to be transformed into a meal of some substance.

Different cultures have their own take on the basic pancake formula: the French have crépes (thinner; sometimes resembling a collection of bubbles melded together), the English version tends to be unleavened – hence the English expression “flat as a pancake” really does hold – whereas the American pancake is a fluffier, thicker delight thanks to the leavening agent typically used. There are almost as many other subtle modifications as there are countries, but for the purpose of this article, we’ll mostly adhere to the classic eggs, milk, and butter batter as the template. In any case, many of the pancake pans which we discuss and recommend are as versatile as the pancake itself.

We have factored in the specific requirements and, using reviews and tests, compiled a list of ten pans which meet different criteria.

 

Selecting the Best Pan to Cook Pancakes in March, 2021

Product	Available Sizes	Weight	Brand
1. Cuisinart French Classic Nonstick Crepe Pan	3.25 x 9.75 x 17 inches	1 pounds	Cuisinart
2. Tefal Expertise Pancake Pan	17.13 x 10.39 x 1.93 inches	1.84 pounds	Tefal
3. Nordic Ware Scandinavian Silver Dollar Pancake Pan	17.5 x 10.25 x 2.5 inches	1.8 pounds	Nordic Ware
4. Cuisinart 623-24 Chef's Classic Nonstick crepe pan	3.3 x 16.5 x 10.5 inches	1 pounds	Cuisinart
5. Norpro Nonstick Stuffed Pancake Pan	9 x 1.25 x 9 inches	1.7 pounds	Norpro
6. Cook N Home Nonstick Crepe Pancake Pan	18 x 10.25 x 1 inches	1.5 pounds	Cook N Home
7. T-fal Nonstick Inside and Out Square Griddle Cookware	15 x 10.25 x 1 inches	1.5 pounds	T-fal
8. Mini Crepe Maker Pancakes with Silicon Handle, Black Animal	17 x 10 x 0.5 inches	1.76 pounds	Wiseton Store
9. Techef Swedish Pancake Pan	19 x 10 x 2 inches	2.69 pounds	Techef
10. Chefmade Crepe Pan with Bamboo Spreader	16.69 x 8.98 x 0.55 inches	1.6 pounds	Chefmade

1. Cuisinart FC23-24NS Crépe Pan: Best Luxury Pancake Pan

It’s no surprise that a French manufacturer can produce such a stylish, elegant crépe pan. As mentioned earlier, there’s no essential difference between these and pancakes in terms of cookware requirement and the FC23-24NS delivers all that could be wished for. A graceful stainless steel pan ensures an even distribution of heat and a steel handle stays cool during the use.
Versatility is a key here with a model perfect for the use of induction hobs. Cuisinart is well-established and renowned producers of cookware with a vast array of products available including lidded pans. We chose this one for its impressive heft and durability and a lifetime warranty. Relatively expensive, but it will repay the investment.

2. Tefal Expertise Pancake Pan: Best All-Round Pan

Having listed a quality non-stick pan as a significant aide to rustling up the best pancakes, it’s inevitable that Tefal would figure among our recommendations. Furthermore, in an area of kitchenware where homogeneity abounds, the Tefal Expertise Pancake Pan brings some novel features to the table along with the non-stick attributes. The bakelite composition with titanium reinforced coating provides durability alongside evenly distributed heat. The handle made from bakelite and stainless steel combination which is tapered and comfortable to grip.
The 10.25-inch pan is compatible with induction hobs and PFOA-free but the clincher for us is Thermospot: a small circle in the middle of the pan’s surface which glows red when the pan has reached the optimum temperature for cooking. With Tefal non-stick coating and Thermospot, there is no more burnt or under-cooked pancakes.

3. Nordic Ware Silver Dollar Pancake Pan: Best Pan for Small Pancakes

Not all pancakes conform to the thin round-shaped 10-inch variety and the Nordic Ware Silver Dollar Pancake Pan is alternative item. This warp-resistant aluminum pan has seven thin circular recesses (or molds) that receive the poured batter. The outcome will be seven small bite-sized pancakes of a type particularly popular in Scandinavia.
With a reduced portion of the surface in contact with the cooker, the heat is concentrated and the Tefal coating ensures that pancakes cook quickly. The molds facilitate inserting a spatula to turn the pancakes and honing your skills at flipping seven small flat cakes simultaneously. Nordic Ware has been around for over 70 years and this pan with smiley faces and emojis stamped into the seven pancake molds is loved by kids and adults alike.

4. Cuisinart 623-24 Chef’s Classic Crépe Pan: Best Budget Pancake Pan

The Cuisinart 623-24 Crépe Pan is essentially a budget version of the same manufacturer’s crépe pan seen earlier. This model combines durability with ease-of-use to provide a versatile pan that accommodates all cooking disciplines. Cuisinart offers various combination sets of cookware and browsing some of their multi-set collections may pay dividends in furnishing your kitchen with all the pots and pans you’re ever likely to need.
This 10-inch non-porous pan is made from agonized aluminum, ensuring longevity. Pancake cooks will delight in the patented non-stick reinforced surface (Quantanium) which is a multi-layered non-stick coating strengthened by titanium particles.

5. Norpro Nonstick Stuffed Pancake Pan: Best Specialist Pancake Pan

If a Danish delicacy-shaped hole exists in your life, prepare to have that filled. Aebleskiver, (literal translation is apple slices) are deep-filled Nordic cousins of pancakes which require a specialist pan with semi-circular pockets. Step forward, the Norpro Stuffed Pancake Pan. This heavy-duty cast aluminum pan has seven ¾ inches (2cm) deep holes for the batter and the filling – encompassing sweet or savory e.g. jam, cheese, chocolate, fruit, or meats, etc.
The pan has an ergonomic handle to aid the process, a handle that stays cool to the touch. It requires some care and attention, but the practical element helps here as a few drops of oil should be poured into each hole before cooking aebleskiver which, in turn, facilitates cleaning the pan after use. Norpro includes a recipe book with this pan to help get started on the delights of aebleskiver.

6. Cook N Home Nonstick Crépe Pan Griddle:Best Value for Money Pan

For those who classify themselves as “beginners” in the kitchen, the Cook N Home Crépe Pan Griddle makes an excellent choice. It is very favorably priced and comes with all the basic requirements for making pancakes. Made from heavy-gauge aluminum, it has a non-stick coating, eliminating one potential culinary pitfall. The handle stays cool in use and it has durability belying its weight.
Here we have this pan’s major attraction. Lightweight (1.5 lbs or 0.7kg) to the extent that it will be easy-to-use for anybody, it is also conducive to the type of dishes whose range pancakes fall within. A rapid and even distribution of heat will speed up cooking, and the 10.25 inch (26cm) size is pancake-friendly. Consistently a best-seller, it represents top-notch value.

7. T-fal Initiatives Square Griddle: Best Square Shaped Pancake Pan

Defying the conformity that pancakes must be circular-shaped, the T-fal Initiatives Griddle will effortlessly create a pancake as flat as can be wished for. It does conform to the conventional dimensions – 10.25 inch (26cm) – but has individuality thereafter. It is very light (less than 1.5 lbs) and may even be viewed by some as overly so but that is part of the charm as it will heat very quickly and distribute that heat to all four corners.
Made from aluminium, this griddle rests easily on any surface but lacks compatibility with induction hobs although one of our testers reported favorably on that front. This griddle is low maintenance, can be cleaned in a dishwasher and is oven-safe.

8. EZJOB Pancake Maker: Best Novelty Pan

Certain items of cookware seem designed to brighten your day, and the EZJOB Pancake Maker falls into that category. It is a die-cast aluminum pan with seven shallow molds, each of which is embossed with animal shapes allowing you to create three-inch pancakes stamped with popular creatures. The surface is non-stick and easy-to-use making the pan an excellent way to introduce children to cooking.
The cross-generational appeal is one of the aims here and only a curmudgeon would not be amused by partaking of these bite-sized treats. Some may even look too good to eat, but let’s not detract from the thought which has gone into this pan. The silicone handle is an effective safety feature augmented by its recyclable properties and the PFOA and lead-free coating. Fun for everybody and good for the environment!

9. TECHEF Eggcelente Pan: Best Stuffed Pancakes Pan

Another pan that deviates from the thin/round pancake template, the TECHEF Eggcelente Pan is an aluminum construct that keeps cooks’ options open. Its four pockets can accommodate eggs or small pancakes not to mention burgers, etc. but comes to the fore for making stuffed pancakes. With a stainless steel handle to ease any chances of burns, the Eggcelente (sorry but we don’t like the name) is a robust pan weighing 2.7 lbs which will withstand repeated usage.
The Eggcelente is coated in three layers of new Teflon Select so there will not be any issues over pancakes sticking. It is dishwasher-safe, and devoid of lead or PFOA. It will make a versatile addition to anybody’s cookware arsenal, especially since TECHEF is synonymous with being market leaders in frittata-production.

10. CHEFMADE Mini Crépe Pan: Best Pancake Pan for Induction Hobs

Our final recommendation again sees us edge away from the standard pancake design with the eye-catching CHEFMADE Mini Crépe Pan. Guaranteed to stand out among the anodyne blacks and greys of traditional cookware, this is a champagne-gold colored 6-inch pan – a gift to those who favor medium-sized pancakes. Exceptionally light, it heats quickly and its carbon steel composition leaves it more resistant to scratches than other pans.
This product works particularly well on induction hobs and the carbon steel surface requires less oil than other vessels; a healthy boon. The silicone handle is ergonomic, resists heat and a hole in the handle facilitates storage. Included with the pan is a bamboo spreader to assist with cooking. All in all, a unique pan which is a welcome newcomer to cookware.

Buyer’s Guide

Cooking a pancake sounds like simplicity itself but, as is often the case with much-loved straightforward dishes, it can easily go awry. What any pancake cook must possess is a pan that is designed, if not specifically for pancakes, at least with them in mind. We will look at the requirements for such a cooking vessel and provide our recommendations on which to buy. On the face of it, they sound pretty homogeneous, but distinctions exist. Our list should suit all circumstances, tastes, and budgets.

Do I Really Need a Pan Designed Just for Pancakes?

Manufacturers exist with an entire range of cookware pertaining to the specific task of preparing pancakes and their close relatives. They proclaim that only through purchasing their pan designed specifically for pancakes/griddle cakes/crépes/hotcakes you will get the desired outcome. There may well be truth in such declarations, but the result will be a kitchen with rows of near-pristine copper/aluminum/steel vessels of varying shapes and dimensions sparingly used.
Pancakes are best made quickly with a minimum of fuss. Once the batter has been mixed, cooking time should be no longer than a few minutes and the main specialized skill called upon is the ability to flip them over half-way through. Most frying pans can accommodate those stipulations, so economy and ease of maintenance should rank high on any cook’s list of essential requirements.

What are the factors to be considered when shopping for the best pancake pan?

Pan Options

Frying Pan: Irrespective of which diet a person favors – carnivore, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, etc. – it is unlikely that their kitchen will be without a standard frying pan. One of the most versatile implements available to any cook, it can fry, sauté, scramble, sweat, and perform an array of other activities. It’s also the go-to vessel for cooks when it comes to pancakes. The standard size for a pancake is 10 inches (26cm) and a pan of this dimension will be available from most manufacturers.
Skillet: A skillet, by definition, is a pan with slanted sides or what many people would refer to as a frying pan.
And that’s it for our purposes. We won’t get embroiled in the semantics of applying different names to items of cookware which are essentially the same.

Dimensions

There seems to be a consensus that for pancakes, the optimum pan size is about 10 inches (25cm): a dimension available from almost all manufacturers. Personal preference will play its part, of course, and there are also what are known as silver dollar pancakes (usually about 3 inches in diameter). The silver dollar variety tends to deviate from the traditional flat of thin pancake giving rise to a thicker pancake. The larger pans will also complement the flipping maneuver.

Composition & Other Considerations

Two schools of thought exist on the ideal composition for a pancake pan with time and effort expended in the kitchen also entering the equation. One’s perception of what a pancake represents is another determinant. If a pancake is perceived as the daily breakfast, the cook will want a reliable, fast-acting, and low maintenance model. Should the pancake epitomize a more gourmand dish, the cook may wish to expend added time and effort on the preparation and aftercare.
Stainless Steel: Pans fashioned from stainless steel are generally durable, exude simple elegance, encompass easy-care virtues, and distribute heat quickly.
Aluminum: Viewed by skeptics as lightweight bordering on flimsy, aluminum frying pans are equally conducive to creating pancakes, although they can have a propensity to buckle. The winning simplicity is tempered somewhat by various gradations of aluminum – anodized, etc – all of which represent degrees of thickness and do not merit extensive analysis. Again, the non-stick coating assists with faster pancake cooking.
Iron: The choice of many professional cooks with guaranteed longevity and, in the case of cast-iron pans, capable of transferring strength-enhancing iron to the food, albeit in minuscule quantities. Pleasingly robust, they will require seasoning to impart non-adhesive properties and usually represent a pricier option.
Other pans belonging to more niche culinary pursuits will also serve a purpose for making pancakes and we have included one such in our recommendations but the above represent the popular choices. One’s decision may be subject to budgetary restraints, but a suitable pan for making pancakes should be within the price range of most people.

Other Considerations

 

A sticky issue

A perennial problem when cooking with heat is ingredients sticking to the surface of the pan. Nowhere is this frustration more palpable than with pancakes: having invested time and money and utilized culinary knowledge in creating the perfect batter only to see it congeal into a gooey mess emitting acrid burning odors.
It is recorded that the ancient Romans and Greeks devised primitive yet ingenious workarounds for this problem but the concept of non-stick pans properly gained currency in the mid-20th century when polytetrafluoroethylene or (PTFE) was added as a coating under the patented name of Teflon. One downside: the Teflon coating discharged fumes with traces of an organic pollutant, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). This has since been eradicated, but customers are advised to ensure any pan purchased is PFOA-free.
Some culinary purists, a better solution is to season pans rendering them free from sticking but this solution will mitigate against the twin goals of speedy cooking and low maintenance after-care.

Flipping

Cooking can be an arid experience: pressure to synchronize parts of a recipe requires juggling skills, but flipping pancakes requires another form of manual dexterity, contributes to a successful outcome and injects some fun into the process. Flipping the pancake allows the two sides to be evenly cooked, The same result can be achieved through using a spatula to invert the half-cooked mix but nonchalantly tossing the pancake and seeing it land back in the pan on the uncooked side will bring a smile to even the most jaded cook; although seeing it stick to the ceiling will not!
Certain pans facilitate this operation and the manufacturers will certainly allude to this; the criteria being handle design and pan shape, which should be generously proportioned to grant the pancake a safe landing.

Compatibility

Not all pans can be used with all cookers, so exercise caution when making your choice. The most common problem is with induction cookers as the bottom may mark the induction hob. Our guide will indicate any such likely occurrences.

Ease of use/ Ergonomic design

Cooking pancakes involves acceleration and the pan must facilitate this with a surface evenly distributing heat which is either non-stick or pre-seasoned. A comfortably held handle contributes to the flipping stage. Crucially, the handle should not be a heat conductor to avoid unpleasant burns. Not desirable on aesthetic grounds perhaps, but plastic or rubber handles are effective as are combinations where the pan and handle are not one-piece.

We hope that the above will be of benefit to your pancake-cooking pursuits and welcome your comments to make this guide and these recommendations ever more relevant. Happy cooking and flipping!