No baker is ever without any tools, and that includes a good quality loaf pan. It's one of the many kitchen items that have a variety of uses. Baking is an art. To create the perfect bread or pastries, you need precise measurements, good quality ingredients, and of course, the right set of tools.
If you're looking for a loaf pan for your next recipe, this article is the right one for you! We crafted a detailed buying guide, fact-checked and reviewed by professional baker Alexa Versoza, containing everything you need to know in order to buy the perfect baking yeast for you. But before all that, you can check out our top 10 recommendations!
Quick List - Top Loaf Pans
Alexa Versoza is a graduate of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde with a major in the Culinary Arts. She has trained in the US for 2 years as a Pastry Cook at The Four Seasons Vail and The Sonnenalp Vail. She got back from her training in 2017. Since then, she has been practicing her craft in the Pastry Arts. After training under Chef Richard Manapat, she has been more inclined in baking bread. Alexa now co-owns an Artisanal Bakery in QC, Apo Baking Society, where they specialize in making artisanal bread and pastries.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Loaf pans have many uses. They're traditionally used for recipes like banana bread, fruit cake, and carrot cake, but they can also be used for other types of bread, meatloaf recipes, and even pound cake. You can even use the small ones for weighing ingredients. It makes a good substitute for bowls when you have to prepare a lot and don't have enough bowls.
While loaf pans are generally used for baking, you can also use them to store marinated meats, make smaller casseroles, and even make icebox cakes. Loaf pans are a valuable and versatile kitchen tool.
Here are some key points to consider:
Most recipes mention the size of the loaf pan to be used, but they can be different each time. Some recipes call for smaller loaf pans, others call for the standard loaf pan size, and some also require a larger one. The typical sizes you might find are the following:
Smaller Size: 5 ¾ x 3 ¼ inches
Standard Size: 8 ½ x 4 ½ x 2/12 inches or 8 x 4 inches
Bigger Size: 9 x 5 x 2 ½ inches
Does the size of your loaf pan matter when baking? Yes, it does. It can either result in soft, well risen baked goods or in flat and dense ones. As a general rule, recipes ask that you fill your pan 2/3 of the way full with batter to ensure the right baking results. This is a good tip to keep in mind when picking a loaf pan. It helps you avoid overfilling or underfilling your loaf pans.
The material of the loaf pan is also important. There are a variety of materials to choose from, such as cast iron, ceramic, and even glass. Before choosing a type, it's important to know how each of these materials can affect your baking.
Metal is the material most commonly used in producing baking tins and pans. Aluminum is a crowd favorite because it is a great conductor of heat, it's lightweight and cheap. Stainless steel is another great material used because it also conducts heat well and it's durable.
Cast iron, although not commonly used for loaf pans, is also available on the market. It helps develop a nice crust on bread loaves. Do keep in mind that metal usually warps when baked in really really high heat (around 400F and up).
Although glass and ceramic loaf pans take longer to heat than metal ones, a plus side to them is that they are perfect for getting even browning or crusts on all sides. They also have a charm to them that reminds you of homebaked goods. It's important to note though, that these kinds of pans are a little heavy and fragile. Releasing baked goods from these types of pans may also take a while.
Glass and ceramic loaf pans are perfect for plating if you're using them primarily for food that does not need to be removed from their baking molds. Ceramic ones especially, come in different designs with quirky colors that add a nice presentation of your food.
Silicone loaf pans are also great for baking. Of all the types mentioned, it's versatile enough that you can place it both in your oven and freezer. It's floppy, so you can easily peel it off your baked goods- it makes for a good mold in case you're setting something like an icebox cake.
However, there are downsides to this versatility. For starters, the lack of sturdiness might make it difficult to fill it with batter. It might topple over and when transferring it in and out of an oven, the contents might spill. It is best to place silicone loaf pans on top of baking trays to avoid spillage.
Second, silicone is not so great at conducting heat. If you're looking to get an even browning in your baked goods, this is not the right pan for that. Silicone loaf pans also tend to be difficult to clean, so you may have to add extra effort to get rid of grease and gunk after baking.
You'll often read or hear about non-stick finishes in pans, but what exactly do they mean? The difference between unfinished vs non-stick finishes is that non-stick loaf pans are easier to use. Baked goods are easier to remove from non-stick pans, whereas unfinished metal pans take more effort to use.
But if you do end up buying an unfinished pan, greasing it properly will give you an easier release too. You have to make sure not to use steel wool or any harsh surface cleaning materials in cleaning non-stick pans to ensure their durability.
The design of the loaf pan is also important to consider, and we don't just mean the color or finish they come in. Have you ever noticed that some loaf pans have rounded corners and do not have seams, while other loaf pans have straight edges? Some loaf pans even have lids and handles. We will explain the importance of these features below.
Some loaf pans also come with handles. This is most common in loaf pans made of ceramic or glass. The handles make it easier to grip them. It also helps you avoid baking accidents, so that your batter doesn't spill or your baked goods don't slip out of the loaf pan too early.
Interested in making the perfect loaf of bread for sandwiches? Then the loaf pan you need to get is a pullman loaf pan. This type of pan comes with a cover that you can slide right on top of your dough. This is often made of metal to help you get an even browning on all sides.
The lid helps stop the dough from rising too much and shapes it to look exactly like the sandwich bread loaves you see in the grocery.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Home Zania Non-stick Loaf Pan | ![]() | One-Piece Molding for a Smooth Loaf Bread | |
2 | Rectangular Bread and Cake Loaf Pan | ![]() | Rust-proof Loaf Pan for Bread Rolls & Small Loaves | |
3 | Slique Premium Non-stick Loaf Pan | ![]() | Avoid Warping With This Loaf Pan | |
4 | Pots and Pans Depot Non-stick Mini Loaf Pan | ![]() | Loaf Pan for Making Bite-Size Loaves | |
5 | Pyrex Loaf Dish | ![]() | Stain and Odor-Resistant Loaf Dish | |
6 | Aluminum Loaf Pan With Lid | ![]() | Great for Storing Your Baked Goods | |
7 | Anchor Hocking Company Loaf Dish | ![]() | Perfect for Casseroles | |
8 | Golden Non-stick Toast Bread Mold | ![]() | Best Loaf Pan for Sandwich Bread | |
9 | Rectangle Silicone Mold | ![]() | Freezer-Safe Loaf Pan for Homemade Desserts | |
10 | Rectangular Toast Mold | ![]() | Corrugation That's Ideal for Browning |
This product from Home Zania has all the features you should look for in a loaf pan. It's made from black carbon steel, it has a textured bottom, and it has a non-stick finish. These key points make it great for baking.
The carbon steel material means that this loaf pan conducts heat easily, so you can expect even browning on all sides of your baked goods. It also has a ridged bottom which helps baked goods, such as bread and cakes get an even rise. Lastly, the non-stick finish makes this pan easy to clean.
More importantly, this loaf pan is a one-piece molding. This means that there won't be any seams or edges that appear in your baked goods. It also ensures that the loaf pan is durable and sturdy.
It's common for the quality of bakeware to change over time. One of these problems is rusting of the pan. Thankfully, this loaf pan is rust-proof. It's made from carbon steel, and it also has a food-grade rating so you can ensure that it's safe.
The carbon steel material used in this loaf pan means it receives even heat distribution. It also has a non-stick coating, so you can release your baked goods from this mold with ease. The size indicates that it's best used for bread rolls or small loaves.
Warping is another problem that commonly occurs in bakeware. This happens when parts of a bakeware experience uneven heating. Some areas of a loaf pan, for example, can warp if heat is not distributed evenly on its surface. Warping ruins the shape of the bakeware and the mold of your baked goods.
This loaf pan from Slique, however, ensures no warping thanks to its heavy-duty carbon steel construction. It promotes even heating all around to keep your baked goods from developing burnt spots while in the oven. It also has a non-stick finish, so you don't need to add extra butter or oil to your dough or batter when baking.
Looking for a loaf pan for smaller and bite-size baked goods? Check out this loaf pan from Pots and Pans Depot. It features 8 smaller cavities for baking, along with handles on the outer frame, so you can easily grip it as you put it in or take it out of the oven.
This loaf pan is also made from steel and has a non-stick finish, so it'll be easy to take your mini bread and pastries out. This product is perfect for small bakes like mini banana bread or carrot cakes. It's also perfect for mini loaf bread like dinner rolls.
Over time, bakeware can develop stains, greasy films, or even unpleasant odors. This loaf dish from Pyrex, however, ensures that you won't have that problem. Pyrex is a well-known brand for excellent quality glass bakeware, and their loaf dish is no exception to that.
Made with a unique blue tint that's easy on the eyes, this loaf dish is perfect for baking and presenting your food. It also comes with handles for a more comfortable grip. Lastly, it comes with a two-year warranty in case of thermal damages, so you can easily get a replacement in case of any accidents.
This loaf pan is perfect for taking your breads or cakes on the go. It's made from aluminum, which is a great conductor of heat. It also comes with a plastic lid, so you can secure your baked goods without worrying about them spilling or slipping out of their container. It's 10 pesos per piece, so you can buy as many as you want since it's pretty affordable!
If you have a baking business, this is also a perfect container for your products! You can fill it with batter or dough, put it in the oven, and deliver it as is. There's no need to transfer your baked goodies to another type of packaging. It's also disposable, so there's no need to clean it.
Not all loaf pans are used for baking. Some of them can be used for casseroles and even meatloaf, like this loaf dish by Anchor Hocking Company. This loaf pan is made of glass, so it's on the heavier side. It also comes with handles, making it easier to grip.
Although it doesn't have a non-stick finish like the metal loaf pans we've recommended, the slippery surface of the glass is still easy to clean and use. It also has an oven-to-table use, meaning you can bake and present your food without transferring it to another dish.
This glass loaf pan can make any table setting even more beautiful, so if you'll be serving layered dishes like lasagna, this is the perfect pan for that.
Want to try your hand at making those sandwich loaves you see in the groceries? Well, look no further because this loaf pan is the right tool for the job. It comes with a lid that helps shape the loaf, as well as holes at the bottom of the pan for ventilation. These help you achieve that nice crust on bread.
This loaf pan is also made of aluminized carbon steel, which can withstand heat until 350 degrees Celsius. It also has a non-stick finish for easy release and cleaning. As a bonus, it comes in a nice golden shade, which adds a pop of color to your kitchen!
Thinking of making an icebox cake or a chocolate mousse? Consider getting this loaf pan then! This product is made of silicone, which as we mentioned earlier, is great for molding cakes that need to be chilled or frozen. The silicone has a food-grade quality that is FDA approved, so it's safe to use.
It can also withstand maximum temperatures that range between -40 degrees to 230 degrees Celsius. Because it's also non-toxic, there's no chance of your food developing a plastic or toxic taste. It's also coated with a non-stick finish, so it's easy to remove and clean. Lastly, it comes in two bright colors, orange and purple, which are pleasing to look at.
If you've read about loaf pans with textured bottoms and are looking for something similar, then this loaf pan is for you. The bottom of this loaf pan has little circles that provide texture to the bottom of your loaf. It also helps in achieving an even browning on all sides because the spaces in between allow for air circulation.
As opposed to smooth loaf pans, this one will help you develop a better crust on your bread or pastries. The straight edges of this loaf pan are also perfect for bread, so you may want to consider using this specifically for loaves. Like other metal loaf pans, this is also made of food-grade carbon steel, and it has a non-stick finish.
Now that you have a loaf pan, consider getting other baking essentials, such as silicone spatulas, cupcake molds, and baking dishes. With more tools at your disposal, you can take on more baking projects! Take a look at these bakeware items that you can get for your kitchen.
Author: Chloe Gian S. Jundez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Home Zania|Non-stick Loaf Pan
No. 2: |Rectangular Bread and Cake Loaf Pan
No. 3: Slique|Premium Non-stick Loaf Pan
No. 4: Pots and Pans Depot|Non-stick Mini Loaf Pan
No. 5: Pyrex|Loaf Dish
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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