Best Pancake Pan: 13 Non

By Lucy Smith

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.

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.

Even 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).

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.

By Meg Walters

By Hayley Spencer

By Gabi Thorne

Save money on all your cookware and ingredients for pancake day with these Amazon discounts

N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.

Save money on non-stick cookware with these Wayfair discount codes

N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.

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)

By Meg Walters

By Hayley Spencer

By Gabi Thorne

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(while stocks last)

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

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.

Sturdy, easy to clean with a sponge and, as one buyer puts it, is the “best” pan for your pancake recipe.

High-quality, top notch performance over high and medium heats, and brings out a great colouring on all your foodie makes.

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.

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.

N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.

N/A - no customer reviews as of yet.

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.