A donut pan lets you bake donuts in the oven instead of frying them. The batter sits in ring-shaped cavities, so sizing, coating and material decide how easily the donuts release. Metal pans and silicone pans behave differently, and set size varies a lot.
The six pans below range from a two-pan metal set to a commercial-style aluminized steel pan and a silicone pan with a metal frame. Sizes, coatings and warranties come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these pans ourselves. Coating and material claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | Metal browns the edges; silicone flexes for release |
| Cavity size | Full-size and mini rings need different pans |
| Set size | Two pans bake a dozen at once |
| Cleaning | Some are dishwasher safe; others are hand wash only |
Specs at a Glance
| Pan | Cavities and size | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilton Gold | Two 6-cavity pans; 12.5 x 8 x 1 in | Aluminum in the overview; steel in the text | Oven safe to 450F; dishwasher safe; made without PFAS |
| NutriChef | Two 6-cavity pans; 12.5 x 8.5 in | Carbon steel | Oven safe to 450F; fits full-size donuts |
| USA Pan | 6 wells; each 3.5 x 3.38 x 0.88 in | Aluminized steel | Corrugated surface; lifetime warranty |
| Lekue | 6 holes; 12.2 x 7.1 x 1.2 in | Carbon steel with silicone handles | Ceramic coating; hand wash only; 5 year guarantee |
| Nordic Ware | Six 3-1/4 in cavities | Carbon steel | Non-stick; 10 year warranty |
| BRONYPRO | 6 large cavities | Silicone with a metal frame | Listed as oven, dishwasher and freezer safe |
The 6 Best Donut Pans
1. Wilton Gold Non-Stick Donut Pan Set, 2-Piece
Two non-stick 6-cavity pans, each 12.5 inches long, 8 inches wide and 1 inch deep, for half or full dozen batches. The maker says they are oven safe to 450F, scratch resistant, dishwasher safe, made without PFAS and fitted with extended handles. The overview lists aluminum while the text says steel.
Suits: a dozen donuts at once. Strengths: two pans and extended handles. Weaknesses: conflicting material details. Skip it if you only want one pan.
View Wilton Gold Non-Stick Donut Pan Set, Made Without PFAS, 2-Piece on Amazon
2. NutriChef Nonstick Donut Pans, 2 Pack
Two carbon steel pans with six cavities each, 12.5 by 8.5 inches, with a non-stick coating. The maker says they are oven safe up to 450F and fit full-size donuts, and that the holes give a fuller shape.
Suits: full-size donuts and bagel-style rings. Strengths: a two-pan set. Weaknesses: little care detail in the listing. Skip it if you want mini donuts.
3. USA Pan Aluminized Steel Donut Pan, 6-Well
A heavy gauge aluminized steel pan with six wells, each listed at 3.5 by 3.38 by 0.88 inches. A corrugated surface is meant to help air flow, the coating is a silicone the maker calls PTFE, PFOA and BPA free, and a lifetime warranty is listed. It is made in the USA, per the maker.
Suits: a single sturdy pan. Strengths: a lifetime warranty and clear well sizes. Weaknesses: one pan only. Skip it if you want a dozen per batch.
View USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Donut Pan, 6-Well on Amazon
4. Lekue Non-Stick 6 Hole Donut Mold
A carbon steel pan with silicone handles and a ceramic non-stick coating, measuring 12.2 by 7.1 by 1.2 inches with six holes. The listing says hand wash only and gives a 5 year manufacturer guarantee.
Suits: easy handling in and out of the oven. Strengths: silicone handles. Weaknesses: hand wash only. Skip it if you want a dishwasher pan.
5. Nordic Ware 6 Cavity Donut Pan
A carbon steel non-stick pan that makes six donuts with 3-1/4 inch cavities, with a 10 year warranty listed. The listing is short on other details such as overall pan size.
Suits: a known bakeware name. Strengths: a long warranty. Weaknesses: sparse specs. Skip it if you need full dimensions before buying.
View Nordic Ware 6 Cavity Donut Pan, Metal on Amazon
6. BRONYPRO Silicone Donut Pan With Metal Frame
A silicone pan with a metal reinforced frame and six larger cavities. The maker says donuts pop out with a gentle push and that it is oven, dishwasher and freezer safe.
Suits: easy release. Strengths: a frame that keeps it from flopping. Weaknesses: silicone browns less than metal. Skip it if you want crisp edges.
Care and Setup
- Grease or spray the cavities even on non-stick pans.
- Pipe or spoon batter in rather than pouring.
- Cool donuts briefly before turning them out.
- Use nylon or wood tools on coated metal.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the cavities.
- Washing hand wash only pans in the dishwasher.
- Using metal tools on coatings.
- Placing a flexible pan on the rack without a baking sheet under it.
Donut Pan FAQ
Metal or silicone?
Metal browns more. Silicone releases with a gentle push.
Can I fry in these?
They are sold for oven baking. Follow each maker’s guidance.
The Short Version
For a two-pan set, the Wilton Gold. For full-size rings, the NutriChef. For a sturdy single pan, the USA Pan. For silicone handles, the Lekue. For a known name, the Nordic Ware. For silicone with a frame, the BRONYPRO.
