Pancake day has crêped (!!) up on us once again, so it's time to get our best pancake pan out of retirement. For most, that ends up being a tired frying pan that has clung with us from our student accommodation days right through 'til our first proper homes. But no more, we say. It's time to upgrade our kitchenware collections with pans that'll look straight out of The Bear - if you don't know, get to know (it's on Disney+) - and Shrove Tuesday seems a perfect occasion to kick off our cookware overhaul.
What type of pan is best for pancakes?
The optimal place to start: research. A handful of factors are at play when it comes to choosing the best pancake pan, with a non-stick functionality, a shallow rim and - if we were being picky - a cool touch handle being good places to begin your frying foray.
For beginners and those who aren't renowned for their fryer/flipper/batter-making prowess, we'd recommend opting for a non-stick coating on your pan, as opposed to a pan that requires 'seasoning' (the process of repeatedly pressing oil into a pan to create your own non-stick layer). Pans with a non-stick coating are often made from aluminium and, these days, are generally PFOA free. PFOA is a man-made substance that resists sticking and was previously used in Teflon production; however, in recent years the chemical has been posed as a health risk, with the American Cancer Society finding that it “increases the risk of certain tumours.” Naturally, this means that most non-stick pans avoid PFOAs, but we've included a handy note on each of our chosen pans herein to flag which ones do/do not disclose the inclusion of PFOAs.
PFOAs aside, on the flipside 🥞, if you're a time-earned chef or baker, then you might want to look to pan materials like cast-iron and carbon steel which, while requiring more know-how and upkeep, will offer more even heat distribution and long-lasting durability. Not to mention more versatility in terms of their use. Think: eggs, Spanish tortilla, bubble and squeak etc.
A shallow rim and flat diameter (as opposed to a gently curving pan base), will allow you to get into the middle of your pan with a pancake spreader for an even thinner and crispy crêpe. If you're not familiar, a pancake spreader is a utensil - typically wooden - that's shaped like a T-bar and is used to distribute your pancake batter thinly in an even circle around your pan.
KitchenCraft Crepe Spreader, Beechwood, 24 cmEven if you don't think you're up to the task of big crêpes that warrant a crêpe spreader, a shallow rim will still ensure that you can lodge your spatula under your pancake easily, without tearing through its fragile membrane-like texture.
Think you're up to speed? Let's take a look at the best pans on the market for pancake day 2023 (February 21st, FYI).
Keep scrolling for our full edit of the best pancake and crêpe pans for fantastic flips this Shrove Tuesday.
1. Best pancake pan overallMasterpan Non-Stick Pancake and Crepe PanSpecifications:- Pan material - Cast aluminium
- Handle material - Wood-effect soft-touch handle (removable for oven use)
- Suitable for - gas, electric and induction hobs, plus is oven safe
- Dishwasher safe? Yes
- Size - 28cm diameter
- PFOA? Free from
- While the handle is made from a cool touch wood-effect, making it not oven-safe, that same handle is actually clipped on/off, thus making rendering the pan oven-safe after all.
- Free delivery for all buyers + free next day delivery for Amazon Prime members.
- We can't flaw it, it has nearly 400 five-star reviews.
A great non-stick pancake pan, said non-stick is very effective, you don't need to use much oil and it's just as much a top pick for French crepes as it is Indian-style dosas.
Save money on all your cookware and ingredients for pancake day with these Amazon discounts
2. Best pancake pans for induction hob17 Stories Home Essential 25Cm Crepe Pan - IvorySpecifications:- Pan material - Non-stick aluminium
- Handle material - Cool to the touch wood-finish Bakelite handle
- Suitable for - Induction hobs
- Dishwasher safe? Yes, but washing up by hand recommended
- Size - 25cm diameter
- PFOA? Free from
- The most aesthetic of the frying pans in this buying guide, if you ask us.
- Suitable for use with metal kitchen utensils.
- The ivory speckled non-stick coating allows buyers to use a smaller portion of oil when cooking everything from pancakes to omelette.
- Not oven safe with its wood-finish handle.
N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.
Save money on non-stick cookware with these Wayfair discount codes
3. Best pancake pan non toxicMasterpan Aluminium Non Stick Crepe PanSpecifications:- Pan material - Ceramic coated aluminium non-stick
- Handle material - Stainless steel
- Suitable for - Induction, electric and gas hobs, plus - with its stainless steel handle - it has in-oven functionality
- Dishwasher safe? Yes, but handwash recommended
- Size - 28cm x 28cm
- PFOA? Free from + free from PTFE, lead, cadmium and heavy metals
- Perfect for larger crepes, American pancakes and omelettes.
- Griddle pan is oven-safe for up to 30 minutes at 220°C.
- Not suitable for use with metal utensils.
- Handle will likely get hot when in use, so you'll need a silicone grip or oven gloves, especially if finishing off any omelettes or tortillas (the egg kind) in the oven.
N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.
4. Best pancake pan for electric stoveLakeland Forged Aluminium 25cm Crêpe PanSpecifications:- Pan material - Forged aluminium with a bonded stainless steel base, plus two layers of non-stick
- Handle material - Soft touch stay-cool Bakelite handle
- Suitable for - Induction, gas and electric hob types, plus is oven-safe
- Dishwasher safe? Yes, but handwash recommended to keep it a non-stick crêpe pan for longer
- Size - 25cm diameter
- PFOA? Free from + BPA free
- The low level rim means it's less fiddly to get your spatula into the pan for easy flipping with thin crepes.
- Handle stays cool so you can take your perfect pancake swiftly from hob to plate.
- Only oven-safe up to 170°C and most recipes recommend a high temperature of 180°C+ (flatbreads, tarte tatin etc.)
Makes perfect crepes and arrived just in time for Shrove Tuesday last year. (Lakeland deliver as soon as the next working day, if you're in a rush)
Save money on your purchase, whatever it may be. Perhaps the best dish soaps to create a soapy water lather for your new handwash-only pancake pan? Just use these Lakeland voucher codes when you checkout
5. Tefal pancake panTefal Unlimited Aluminium Non-Stick Pancake Pan, 25cmTefal x Bonne Maman Ultimate Pancake Day Pack(while stocks last)
Specifications:- Pan material - Aluminium pancake pan with an extra-thick titanium non-stick surface
- Handle material - Ergonomic handle (material not disclosed) is oven safe up to 175°C
- Suitable for - All types of hob, including induction
- Dishwasher safe? Yes
- Size - 25cm diameter
- PFOA? PFOA, lead and cadmium free
- THERMO-SIGNAL™ technology in the centre of the pan (the little red circle) signifies when you've reached the high heat desirable for cooking.
- Anti-scratch layer gives your non-stick frying pan an even longer lifespan.
- The Bonne Maman collaboration pack (exclusively available at Sainsbury's) includes a selection of BM preserves and Bonne Maman's own hazelnut spread - just what you'll need for the very best brunch pancakes this February 22nd.
- Some customer reviews dispute the pan's performance on induction cookers.
Helps to ensure fluffy pancakes, has a great non-stick coating for crepe making and is certainly worth the money.
Save money on the best pans for your sublime crepe batter with these John Lewis discounts
6. Pancake pan non stick (that won't cost the earth)John Lewis ANYDAY Aluminium Non-Stick Pancake Frying Pan, 24cmSpecifications:- Pan material - Lightweight aluminium non-stick
- Handle material - Soft-grip bakelite handle
- Suitable for - All heat sources except ovens (induction-compatible)
- Dishwasher safe? No
- Size - 24cm diameter
- PFOA? No mention, but “all John Lewis & Partners induction pans are tested to British and European standards for safety and performance.”
- Highly accessible price point.
- Promises even heat distribution.
- Includes a lifetime guarantee.
- Not necessarily a con, but is relatively lightweight at just 500g. Typically, heavy duty pans tend to maintain their heat better.
Has been a versatile kitchen addition for whatever buyers have chosen to cook in it, especially fried eggs. People are, however, divided over its suitability for induction hobs, as promised in the product information.
7. Best pancake pan for gas stoveGreenPan Copenhagen Hard Anodised Ceramic Non-Stick Pancake Pan, 28cmSpecifications:- Pan material - Hard-anodised ceramic with Thermolon™ Infinity Pro non-stick coating
- Handle material - Riveted stainless steel
- Suitable for - All stovetops, including induction + oven safe up to 220°C
- Dishwasher safe? Yes, but handwash recommended
- Size - 28cm diameter
- PFOA? "Non-stick coating is a PFAS chemical-free alternative to traditional non-stick coatings.”
- GreenPan's ceramic non-stick coating is made from eco-friendly materials, including sand and diamonds.
- Comes in at a durable 1kg in weight.
- Buyers will need to wait for pan to cool before washing in either cold or hot water. Not necessarily a con, but certainly an inconvenience.
Sturdy, easy to clean with a sponge and, as one buyer puts it, is the “best” pan for your pancake recipe.
8. Best pancake pan AmazonLe Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Crepe Pan 28cmSpecifications:- Pan material - Hard anodised forged aluminium + three-layer toughened non-stick
- Handle material - Not listed, but we'd hedge our bets on stainless steel
- Suitable for - All heat sources including oven and grill
- Dishwasher safe? Handwash
- Size - 28cm diameter
- PFOA? All Le Creuset products are PTFE and PFOA free
- Shallow lip makes for an excellent crepe maker.
- Requires minimal (if any) fat, be it for American-style pancakes or omelettes with fillings.
- From our experience with pots & pans wherein the handle is screwed onto the base (with the screws passing through into the pan's interior), your food - be it bbq sauce or batter - tends to get caught around the screw caps' rims.
High-quality, top notch performance over high and medium heats, and brings out a great colouring on all your foodie makes.
9. Best pancake pan UKSTAUB Cast Iron Pancake Frying Pan, Black, 28cmSpecifications:- Pan material - Cast iron
- Handle material - Wooden handle
- Suitable for - All cooking surfaces bar ovens
- Dishwasher safe? No
- Size - 28cm diameter
- PFOA? Free from
- Includes a 30-year guarantee.
- Staub products are known for their wishlist-worthy quality, and this pan comes in at a heavy duty 2.6kg+ in weight. Long-lasting and with a heat resistant handle.
- Needs seasoning with olive oil to enhance the performance of the enamel.
- Not non-stick.
Handle is well-built, is the best pancake pan but also great for Indian breads and even crumpets. It's getting top marks from buyers.
10. Le Creuset crepe panLe Creuset Durable Cast Iron Crepe Pan With Long Lasting Enamel CoatingSpecifications:- Pan material - Cast iron crepe pan with a long lasting satin black enamel interior
- Handle material - Cast iron handle with an ergonomic grip
- Suitable for - All hob types plus ovens (induction-compatible)
- Dishwasher safe? Yes, but hand wash recommended
- Size - 27cm diameter
- PFOA? All Le Creuset products are PTFE and PFOA free
- Wooden batter spreader and narrow spatula included with the Le Creuset enameled cast-iron pan.
- One of the best crepe pans in terms of heat distribution.
- Doesn't have a stay cool handle.
- Can only be used with silicone or wooden spatulas/utensils, no metal.
Great for Indian rotis and parathas just as much as pancakes and it maintains heat well. You will, however, need a handle cover as it gets quite hot while cooking.
11. Best American pancake makerCuisinart 2 in 1 Waffle and Pancake MakerSpecifications:- Pan material - Plate material not disclosed, but they are non-stick and pancake/waffle plates are usually composed of cast aluminum, cast steel or cast iron
- Handle material - N/A
- Suitable for - Makes pancakes and waffles at a consistent temperature (up to 210°C), sandwich and grill plates available separately.
- Dishwasher safe? Yes, the plates are removable and dishwasher safe
- Size - 26cm x 32cm x 15cm
- PFOA? PFOA and Teflon free
- Is a two-in-one electric crepe maker and waffle maker.
- Maintains a constant, level heat (something which is harder to achieve over a hob)
- Cuisinart mention how the product has been designed with appearance in mind so the device should fit in with your other kitchen gadgets seamlessly with its sleek and minimalist profile.
- No versatility in the design to allow for using a crepe spreader/making bigger crepes.
N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.
12. American pancake panNordicware Smiley Face Pancake Pan (27cm)Specifications:- Pan material - Non-stick cast aluminium
- Handle material - Phenolic handle
- Suitable for - Gas, electric and ceramic stovetops (not induction compatible)
- Dishwasher safe? No
- Size - 27cm diameter
- PFOA? Free from
- This Nordicware smiley face pancake pan has enough moulds for seven pancakes, allowing buyers to make enough mini pancakes for around two-three adults in one go.
- Includes a 10-year warranty.
- Made in the USA, so is one of the less eco-friendly picks in terms of travel miles/carbon footprint.
N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.
13. Small pancake panDe Buyer Mineral B Black Iron Crepe Pan 240mmSpecifications:- Pan material - Black iron
- Handle material - Black iron (also known as carbon steel)
- Suitable for - All cooktops including induction
- Dishwasher safe? No
- Size - 24cm diameter
- PFOA? PFAO or PTFE coating free
- One for the chefs who'll give you a real masterclass is crepe flipping, this De Buyer carbon steel pan conducts heat faster and with a more even distribution than stainless steel. This also means you won't struggle with hot spots wherein your pancakes are overheating/burning in one area.
- The Mineral B pan is not dishwasher safe.
- Needs to be seasoned before use and will require a handful of uses before it performs at its best.
No written reviews but ratings are four and five star only - no angry refund requests here!
After more practical homeware? Check out our round up of the best vacuum cleaners, our Always Pan review and our selection of the best smoothie makers.
For more from GLAMOUR UK Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith.
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