The Best Pancake Making Pans

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle

Built to last

This sturdy cast iron skillet heats up beautifully and will last for countless breakfasts to come.

Best Overall

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Cast iron skillets are indispensable for many reasons, which is why Lodge’s pancake pan shines. It’s incredibly durable and distributes heat evenly, which is especially ideal for cooking pancakes. This pancake pan from Lodge is excellent because it’s pre-seasoned, so it’s ready to go, as opposed to cast iron skillets that typically need to be prepped by “seasoning” it with oil between uses. We recommend buying a silicone handle cover to go with this pan so that you don’t have to worry about accidentally burning your hand when grabbing the handle. Truly an investment kitchen tool that will take you far.

Pros:

• Heats evenly and retains heat well
• The wall of the pan is just the right height to keep oil in the pan without making it hard to flip pancakes
• Oven-safe and great for outdoor cooking

Cons:

• Cast iron skillets are heavy, and some prefer something more lightweight

Good Cooking Emoji Nonstick Pancake Pan

Insert smiley face

Kids and adults alike will find it hard not to smile at the fun pancakes this pan creates.

Best For Kids

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Pancakes are a “blank canvas” food — customizable in any way, from the sauces you drizzle on top to the various toppings you choose to sprinkle over your creations. Good Cooking takes this idea and goes in a fun, unexpected direction with emojis in its griddle sections. This lightweight, easy-to-handle pan is made of PTFE-free nonstick coating so you can easily slide your pancakes out when they’re done.  You can have a separate pan heated up and flip the whole emoji pan onto it to cook the “backs” of the pancakes, which also makes it quicker to cook large batches.

Pros:

• Ideal for families and breakfast parties
• Easy to use and clean

Cons:

• The wells for the griddles are a bit on the shallow side, and some prefer thicker pancakes

Nordic Ware Patterned Pancake Pan

Easy and breezy

Simple silver dollar pancakes are a cinch with this convenient pan.

Best Design

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The Nordic Ware patterned pan is definitely for the cooks who like being festive and cooking according to a theme. Cast from PFOA-free aluminum, the pan feels light but sturdy and distributes heat evenly. The handle is well-shaped and comfortable in the palm and stays cool even after sitting on the stovetop. One handy tip for using these patterned pans is to leave one well open so that when the pancakes are ready to flip,  you flip them into an empty well. Not only will it give you a variety of patterns on both sides, but you won’t need to get out another pan to flip and cook the pancakes onto.

Pros:

• A variety of patterns that are fun for everyday use, or so that holidays feel extra special
• Ideal for families, and this would make a fun weekend cooking project with the kids

Cons:

• Having a patterned pan might be too specific for those who prefer a more basic pan

Norpro Nonstick Stuffed Pancake Pan

An extra-special touch

If you want to go the extra mile with some stuffed pancakes, check out this well-designed, easy-to-use pan.

Best For Stuffed Pancakes

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Norpro’s pancake features seven deeper wells for aebleskiver, a Danish dessert that resembles donut holes, but you can think of them as stuffed pancake balls. The pan is made of cast aluminum that heats quickly and has a nonstick surface. The pan is thicker than most pancake griddles, but we like that the handle angles up so you can hold it comfortably and that it stays cool to the touch. The sky’s the limit for what you want to stuff your pancakes with — you can go the sweet route and fill them with jam or peanut butter, or go savory and fill them with cheese.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Works well for other small, pancake-like foods, like Japanese takoyaki
• Ideal for adventurous cooks who are looking for a fun new kitchen tool to experiment with

Cons:

• Not as versatile as other pancake pans, since you’re limited to cooking things this size and shape

OXO Good Grips Nonstick Square Griddle

Well-rounded, square-shaped

This pan is roomy enough to cook a whole breakfast at once.

Most Versatile

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OXO’s sturdy, well-designed griddle is a sleek, multipurpose tool. It’s got a three-layer, PFOA-free nonstick coating and comfortable stainless steel handles that offer a nice contrast to the pan. The nonstick coating makes it convenient to wipe down the pan between batches of pancakes. The walls on the pan sit quite low, so you can reach in easily with your spatula to flip your food. It’s an ideal size — large enough to make several pancakes at once — but the square shape means it versatile for grilling bacon or anything else. We love a multi-functional kitchen tool, and OXO’s griddle certainly doesn’t limit you to pancakes alone.

Pros:

• Handles easily and has just the right amount of heft without feeling too heavy or too lightweight
• Oven-safe up to 430°F, adding to how versatile it is
• Dishwasher-safe, though we recommend washing by hand

Cons:

• The walls of the pan might be too shallow for some who want to make sure oil stays on the pan

Frequently Asked Questions

Any tips for using pancake pans?

We recommend cooking your pancakes on low-medium heat. Not only does this help guarantee that your pancakes will cook all the way through without burning, but your pancakes will cook more evenly. For patterned pancake pans, don’t overfill the pancake wells. And even if your pan is nonstick, a spray or light coat of oil will ensure your pancakes flip cleanly.

Can I put these in the dishwasher?

Check the label’s instructions. Cast iron skillets should only be hand-washed, and they need to be dried immediately to avoid rust. Even if your pan is dishwasher-safe, we usually recommend washing your pots and pans by hand for a gentle but effective clean that won’t wear out their surfaces.