Whether we are talking about fluffy American pancakes, thin crepes or even stuffed pancakes, they are quick-to-make crowd-pleasers and are easy to make with the proper pancake griddle. Or you can create a sticky mess with the wrong pan...
For good pancakes we need to have two things: a simple recipe, and of course a good quality pan. You can use a standard frying pan if you like, but for sure that you won’t achieve the same texture.
Specific pancake pans are thinner so they heat up faster, and because of the curved edges they give the ultimate toss.
It’s not an easy choice to decide which model you should buy. That’s why we came up with our list of the best pancake pans as well as our advice on everything you need to pick the perfect product for making excellent pancakes.
7 Top-Rated Pancake Pans Reviewed
Pancakes are one of the easiest breakfast to make but it can become challenging to bring out that fluffy texture and your desired shape and size, especially when you have to make many pancakes in a short period of time.
We have done the job of comparing dozens of models and picked the winners for you for a variety of pancake styles and budgets.
*We select and review all products independently, based on our opinion and customer feedback. Some links on this page are affiliate links and if you make a purchase we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more info on our disclaimer page.
Best value   | Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized Crepe Pan - Base material: hard-anodized aluminum | Our Rating 9.1
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Best overall   | Gourmex Toughpan Induction Pancake Pan - Base material: heavy gauge aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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Best fluffy style   | Nonstick Emoji Smiley Face Pancake Griddle - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.0
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#4   | Scanpan Classic 10-Inch Crepe & Pancake Pan - Base material: cast aluminum | Our Rating 9.1
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#5   | Cook N Home Heavy Gauge Pancake Griddle - Base material: heavy-gauge aluminum | Our Rating 8.7
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Best high-end   | Cuisinart French Classic Try-Ply Pancake & Crepe Pan - Base: 3-ply stainless steel w. aluminum | Our Rating 9.4
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Best stuffed pancake pan   | Nonstick Norpro Stuffed Pancake Pan - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.0
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Best value  |
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized Crepe Pan - Base material: hard-anodized aluminum |
Our Rating 9.1
|
Best overall  |
Gourmex Toughpan Induction Pancake Pan - Base material: heavy gauge aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
Best fluffy style  |
Nonstick Emoji Smiley Face Pancake Griddle - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.0
|
#4  |
Scanpan Classic 10-Inch Crepe & Pancake Pan - Base material: cast aluminum |
Our Rating 9.1
|
#5  |
Cook N Home Heavy Gauge Pancake Griddle - Base material: heavy-gauge aluminum |
Our Rating 8.7
|
Best high-end  |
Cuisinart French Classic Try-Ply Pancake & Crepe Pan - Base: 3-ply stainless steel w. aluminum |
Our Rating 9.4
|
Best stuffed pancake pan  |
Nonstick Norpro Stuffed Pancake Pan - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.0
|
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized Crepe Pan
Design:
Cuisinart Classic pan is dark in color and is 10 inches wide. The pan has a long stainless steel handle that is highly polished and held in place by two rivets on the interior of the pans body.
At only 1 pound, this pan is conveniently light. The cooking surface is also non-stick while its depth makes it the perfect crepe pan.
Materials:
The pan's body is made of hard anodized aluminum that makes it wear and scratch resistant. The non-stick interior reinforced with titanium, which enables easy cooking and fast cleanup.
The tapered rim at the top edge eliminates drips when pouring. Its stainless steel handle remains cool to touch and is oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The pan supports gas, electric, and ceramic stoves.
Usability:
The pan's anodized body is thin to facilitate rapid and effective heat distribution. The titanium-reinforced non-stick cooking surface, on the other hand, allows easy food release and lasts a long time without scratching and peeling.
Satisfied users praise the pan's cooking surface for being easy to clean. The handle also stays cool to touch even after cooking on the stove for a long time. Users also like this pan's performance in the oven for up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most users warn against using metal utensils on this pan claiming that it destroys the non-stick surface easily. We also found comments from users who were let down by the pan's inability for use on induction heaters.
Pros
Cons
Gourmex Toughpan Induction Pancake Pan
Design:
Gourmex Toughpan features a starry pattern on the non-stick cooking surface. The handle is long and slightly bent to give you a firm grip when cooking with this pan.
The bottom has a checkered magnetic plate, is 10.2 inches wide, and about 0.6 inches deep.
Materials:
The body on this pan is made of heavy-duty cast aluminum. The thin body heats up rapidly and distributes heat evenly. The non-stick coating offers easy food release and is anti-scratch.
A magnetic bottom on the pan's base makes it compatible with induction heaters as well as all other common cooking stoves. The flat base enables cooking on glass cooktops without causing scratches.
Usability:
The pan's thick and heavy cast aluminum body enables prompt and even heat distribution without creating hotspots. The pan is durable and withstands high heat with no possibility of warping. This means that you will be able to make those perfectly round pancakes and crepes for long.
We recommend that you clean the pan with warm water and soap before first time use. Moreover, ensure the pan cools down before cleaning with water to avoid damaging it with fast contractions.
The magnetic bottom has received positive reviews from users of this pan. This is because the magnetized base makes it compatible for use with induction heaters.
Easy cleaning and the ever-cool handle are also features that users like about this pan.
Pros
Cons
Nonstick Emoji Smiley Face Pancake Griddle
Design:
The Emoji pan has a unique design that features seven round compartments on the cooking surface that are engraved with seven different emoji faces for cooking unique prints on your pancakes.
The emoji faces included are A Happy Face, An Angry Face, A Heart Eye Face, A Winky Face, A Pucker Face, A Laughing Crying Face, and An Excited Face.
Materials:
This pan brings delight to your kitchen with small pancakes that communicate different moods. The interior has a non-stick coating that is PFOA and PTFE free. The non-stick coating offers easy release of the food you cook on the pan. Easy cleanup is possible with a surface that does not allow sticking of food items.
The handle is also thick for a firm grip. Moreover, it comes covered in silicon to prevent burns on the user's hand when handling the pan.
Usability:
The Emoji pan gives your day a fun start in the morning with pancakes that capture different emotions. This pan will have you and your whole family eager for breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day.
The easy to clean non-stick surface makes the cleanup process after cooking using this pan fast and efficient so that you can quickly move on to other tasks.
Users like the sense of character that pancakes made using this pan bring to the breakfast table. The small compartments can be used to make small-sized eggs but you have to monitor the cooking process continuously to make sure that they do not run over.
The pan's flat bottom also makes it great for use over glass cooktops without scratching.
Pros
Cons
Scanpan Classic 10-Inch Crepe & Pancake Pan
Design:
The classic Scanpan utilizes advanced technologies from Denmark that deliver quality long lasting cookware.
This pan comes in a dark gray color and a dark gray handle punctuated by a shiny edge where the handle meets the pan's body. The pan is 10 inches wide and is lightweight for easy tossing.
Materials:
Scanpan has designed this pan with remarkable and innovative ideas. The body's core is hard cast aluminum that has been pressed with 200 tons on pressure. The thin body distributes heat and prevents warping when the pan is heated on extreme heat.
The ceramic and titanium enforced non-stick surface is durable and toxin free. The pan allows oven use up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and supports use over gas, ceramic, and electric stoves.
Usability:
We like Scanpan's design because its non-stick surface comes fortified with titanium, which makes it durable and scratch free even when used with metal utensils. The hard cast aluminum body heats up fast and spreads heat quickly.
The high temperature tolerance for the pan's body allows its use over ceramic and electrical heaters even at extreme temperatures without warping.
Users who have used the pan recommend its use over glass cooktops due to its flat bottom that does not scratch the delicate tops.
Users also like the pan's lightweight nature because it allows even the old and frail cooks to handle it with ease. The pan makes crepes fast and cleans easily according to feedback from a majority of users.
Pros
Cons
Cook N Home Heavy Gauge Pancake Griddle
Design:
Cook N Home pan comes in a dark gray color on both the interior and exterior.
The pan is 10 inches wide, has a depth of 1.8 inches, and weighs only 1.5 pounds. The pan has a shiny polished bottom.
Materials:
This pan's body is made of heavy gauge aluminum while the cooking surface is coated with toxin free non-stick materials. The aluminum body ensures heat distributes easily throughout the pan while the non-stick surface offers quick food release.
The long handle has a silicone grip that enables tossing and turning even when cooking for long hours. The pan supports gas, ceramic, and electric stoves.
Usability:
This pan's lightweight and firmly attached handle makes it easy to use when preparing crepes and pancakes. The non-stick surface allows you to use less cooking oil and releases food materials easily.
We also like the fact that the non-stick coating is scratch free and long lasting. Although the manufacturer advertises it as dishwasher safe, we recommend regular hand washing with soap and water since it will remove left over food substances from the pan effectively.
Users warn against using the pan directly over coal as a source of heat because the heat cannot be regulated. Too fast heating causes uneven cooking on crepes cooked on the pan.
More warnings have been issued by users to avoid using this pan on the broiler because the material on the lid gets damaged easily. The pan is also not safe for use in the oven according to the manufacturer.
Pros
Cons
Cuisinart French Classic Try-Ply Pancake & Crepe Pan
Design:
The Cuisinart Classic pan comes in a polished silver color that is reflective on the exterior and fine-textured in the interior. The handle is tulip shaped and slightly bent.
The bottom of the pan has shallow circular contours. The pan is 10 inches wide, 3.25 inches deep, and weighs 2.5 pounds.
Materials:
The core material on the body is aluminum that has a stainless steel coating. The aluminum body quickly transfers heat to all areas of the pan while the stainless steel nonstick finish enables safe and healthy cooking of your food. The body is triple layered for optimum heat distribution.
The elegantly shaped handle is made of stainless steel and remains cool to touch even after long hours on the cooking stove. The pan supports use over gas, electric, and ceramic cooking stoves.
Usability:
The Cuisinart Classic pan performs well in home kitchens because its uniquely shaped handle makes it easy to toss and turn pancakes and crepes. The thin aluminum body distributes heat quickly and evenly to all parts of the pan including the sides.
From most users' feedback, we gathered that the stainless steel covering the pan's cooking surface makes cleaning easy even when one needs to remove tomato sauce stains.
In fact, users warn against using abrasive cleaning pads. Instead, consider using cleaning sponges, running water, and soap.
Users' comments also revealed that the pan comes with stainless steel lids, which was a letdown to users who prefer glass lids. Glass covers allow cooks to monitor the food cooking on the pan without the need to uncover.
Pros
Cons
Nonstick Norpro Stuffed Pancake Pan
Design:
The Norpro Stuffed Pancake pan has a thick body with a dark gray color. The cooking surface is partitioned into 7 small and circular spheres that hold the pancakes in place as they cook.
The pan has an ergonomic handle that comes covered with a silicone grip for easy handling. The pan measures 9 inches in width and is 1.25 inches deep. Each of the sunken spheres is 2 inches wide and 0.75 inches deep.
Materials:
The body of the pan has an aluminum core that makes heating fast and evenly distributed. The cooking surface on the spheres is smooth and coated with a non-stick material for easy release of food. Moreover, its ergonomic handle is 7.5 inches long and stays cool to touch.
Usability:
We like this pan's design because it makes it perfect for small pancakes. The sunken spheres on the cooking surface are evenly spaced while their depth allows them to hold fruit, jam, cream cheese, peanut butter, cheese, chocolate, or meats like sausage, ham, or bacon. As a result, cooking with this pan adds flavor to your pancakes.
The non-stick covered cooking surface is easy to clean because foodstuffs do not stick on it. In fact, the manufacturer recommends wiping the surface with soapy water and a cleaning sponge only.
Users of this pan have warned that pancakes cooked on high heat on this pan end up turning gooey. We advise you to control the heat when using this pan and maintain it at moderate level for best results.
Pros
Cons
Buyers Guide
What features to look for when choosing a pan for pancakes?
The cookware market has so much to offer. Most manufactures offer their utensils for sale in sets that have a wide assortment of utensils with each meant for a specific use.
When picking a pan for your kitchen, you want one that will serve your intended cooking needs. Experienced cooks know the problem that comes with choosing the wrong utensil for a specific cooking job in the kitchen.
Pans that are made to cook good pancakes require certain specifications to ensure they produce crispy and well-cooked pancakes. (1) Trying to cook pancakes on a pan not meant for the pancakes might make your pancakes irregularly shaped or compromise their quality.
Below are the features that a good pancake pan should have:
Heat distribution
A good pancake pan should distribute heat evenly to all areas of the pan. The even heat distribution enables the pancake cooking on the pan to cook evenly both in the middle and on the edges. A pan with poor heat distribution delivers poorly cooked pancakes.
If the edges heat faster than the center, for instance, the edges of the pancake will burn as you wait for the center to cook. If the stove heats up the pan's center faster than the sides, you get an unevenly cooked pancake with raw edges. This means that a pancake pan should heat up on all parts at the same time.
Shape
The conventional shape for a pancake is the circular shape. This goes together with the round shape on most burners. As such, a round pan will deliver better-cooked pancakes when compared to any other shape.
Attempting to cook pancakes on a square shaped pan, for instance, often makes the edges of your pancake less crispy. This results from the cold spots that develop along the edges of the pan.
Some pancake pans come in customized designs such as the Emoji pan. The cooking surface is separated into smaller partitions that hold the dough for the pancakes. These pans can cook multiple flavored pancakes at the same time. A down side of such pans is the limitations to size of the pancakes that they can cook.
Depth
A good pancake pan should be shallow and wide. This allows the dough you are using to cook the pancake to spread wide and become thin. Shallow pans will also spread the heat to all parts faster and heat up the sides of the pan as well.
Ease of flipping
Cooking pancakes requires frequent flipping from one side to the other to ensure that both sides cook evenly. A pan that makes pancakes, therefore, should allow easy flipping.
The walls on the pan should also be slightly sloped to allow a spatula flip of the pancake. Shallow and sloped edges also make it easy to place the pancake once it is ready.
Weight
When making pancakes for the whole family, the cooking process involves a lot of maneuvers with the pan. As a result, a pancake pan should be lightweight for easy movement on and off the cooking stove.
The handle should also be well designed to withstand long hours on the cooking stove without becoming too hot to handle.
What are the best materials for a pancake pan?
Modern pans come in different core materials. When picking one pan out of the many that are available in the market, you want to take into consideration matters such as how long you want the pan to last, the kind of cooking stove that you will use the pan with, and how often you cook pancakes.
Below are the available materials that make up pancake pans and brief pointers on which conditions work best with them.
Aluminum
Aluminum is used in cookware due to its effective heat distribution capability. It is also readily available and cheap. A down side of aluminum is the possibility of acidic food items reacting with the metal.
Due to this, the use of aluminum utensils is only possible after coating their core aluminum materials with a non-reactive material such as stainless steel or non-stick Teflon and ceramic.
Non-stick Pans
Non-stick coating on pancake pans makes cooking easy and economical. For instance, the non-stick pans require little or no oil when cooking pancakes. They also offer quick release of the pancakes when they are ready for plating with most pans allowing the pancake to slide off.
The non-stick pans, however, are prone to damage over time. The non-stick ability only lasts for a while even though you can extend its life with proper care. To prevent the non-stick surface from getting damaged, avoid placing metal utensils on the non-stick surface.
Additionally, use running water and regular hand washing with soap or a cleaning sponge to get the pan clean after you are done cooking. The pans also require moderate heat to ensure that they do not chip or start warping.
Cast Iron
Pancake pans that are made of cast iron are bound to last a long time. According to the manufacturers, cast iron utensils require seasoning the pan and avoiding soap when cleaning the surface.
With proper care, cast iron pans generate a non-stick cooking surface that gets more efficient as the pan is used more. You only need to cover the pan with a light layer of oil to protect the surface from oxidation.
FAQ
How to Clean Pancake Pans?
The cleanup process differs depending on the material that your cooking pan is made of. For non-stick pans, avoid washing in the dishwasher. Just use running water and a cleaning sponge with soap.
To remove burnt food from the pan, soak the pan in warm water for a while to make the stuck food easy to remove.
Cast iron pans should never be cleaned with soap. Use warm water to soften up any left-over food items and wipe the pan dry. Before storing it, always apply a thin layer of oil on the pan to prevent the iron surface from oxidizing.
What's the best size for a pancake pan?
Pancake pan sizes depend on the manufacturer. Most pans that are branded for preparing pancakes have a width of between 10 inches and 16 inches. The perfect size for you depends on the size of pancakes you want to make.
The size also affects the weight and ease of handling when you are cooking. Larger pans are heavier and more difficult to toss and turn pancakes as they cook on them.
Can I use a frying pan for pancakes?
Frying pans can be used to cook pancakes effectively. However, the results will not be as good as using a pan that is meant for pancakes.
Achieving crispy edges, for instance, is difficult when you cook pancakes on a regular frying pan. Tossing and turning with the frying pan, which is deeper as compared to the pancake pan, is also problematic.
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