You guys know how much I LOVE making homemade banana bread, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, and more!

Every time I post a new recipe, you guys can’t get enough of them either!! I’ve come up with dozens of bread recipes, from zucchini, pumpkin chocolate chip to chocolate banana. They are all delicious and start with a loaf pan!

Throughout my years of bread-making, I’ve tried tons of loaf pans, ultimately finding the best ones that make moist, perfectly baked loaves. To help you find a great option for your kitchen, I researched other top-rated picks from editorial sites and retailers.

Below, check out my top picks for the best loaf pans!

Our Top Picks: 

1. Special Loaf Pan: Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Loaf Pan – $55.95 at Amazon
2. My Favorite Budget Pick: Wilton Recipe Right Medium Bread Loaf Baking Pan – $7.97 at Amazon
3. My Favorite Pullman Style Loaf Pan: USA Pan Pullman Loaf Pan – $36.07 at Amazon
4. My Favorite Metal Loaf Pan: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Loaf Pan – $29.95 at William Sonoma
5. My Favorite Ceramic Loaf Pan: Caraway Loaf Pan – $48.94 at Amazon
6. My Favorite Mini Loaf Pan: Cuisinart Mini Loaf Pan – $11.99 at Amazon

Reviews of The Best Loaf Pans

1. Special Loaf Pan: Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Loaf Pan

I’ve owned this Le Creuset loaf pan for YEARS and highly recommend it, especially if you like the look of stoneware in your kitchen. It can take a little longer to bake so you’ll need to adjust your baking time a bit, but I LOVE that stoneware distributes heat well, which means the bread bakes and browns evenly. It’s also SUPER pretty and the inside of the pan has a sleek finish that’s non-stick, so cleanup is easy, too. 

You can choose from a few different colors, ranging from Le Creuset’s signature cherry red to neutral white. Regardless of which hue you opt for, I love that the colorful glaze is scratch- and stain-resistant. As an added bonus, it’s oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and can go in the microwave, freezer, broiler, and dishwasher! Personally, I LOVE baking my Pumpkin Bread in this beautiful loaf pan.

The Specs:

• Material: Stone
• Dimensions: 9” W x 5” D x 3” H 
• Weight: 2 lbs
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Pros:

• Pretty design
• Easy to clean
• Distributes heat well
• Non-stick interior

The Cons:

• Takes longer to bake
• Heavy

What Others are Saying:

Epicurious lists this Le Creuset loaf pan as one of the best. 

Buy the Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Loaf Pan: 

2. My Favorite Budget Pick: Wilton Recipe Right Medium Bread Loaf Baking Pan

Whether you’re new to baking or just don’t want to spend much on a loaf pan, this budget-friendly option from Wilton is the way to go. The stainless steel pan is similar in size to the Le Creuset option, so it’s great for mid-size loaves, but it’s a little lighter in weight and simpler in its design. It also has a non-stick coating that’s supposed to help the bread slide out without breaking apart. You can bake everything from my easy Strawberry Bread to my sweet seasonal Eggnog Bread in this affordable Wilton pan.

The Specs:

• Material: Stainless steel
• Dimensions: 9.5” W x 4.5” D x 2.5” H 
• Weight: 0.55 lbs
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Pros:

• Lightweight
• Easy to clean
• Inexpensive
• Non-stick interior

The Cons:

• Plain design

What Others are Saying:

In addition to having more than 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, Insider lists the Wilton loaf pan as its best overall pick.

Buy the Wilton Recipe Right Medium Bread Loaf Baking Pan:

3. My Favorite Pullman Style Loaf Pan: USA Pan Pullman Loaf Pan

I recommend a Pullman loaf pan if you want an even, square-shaped bread for sandwiches or to serve more aesthetically. Since it has straight sides and a sliding lid that’ll flatten the top, it’s perfect for pre-making bread for the week. Despite the square size of the pan, you can still take the lid off for a rounded top for curved loaves, making it a bit more versatile.  

I love that it’s made of aluminized steel and has a nonstick coating, so the bread slides out easily. While it’s not dishwasher-safe, cleaning up isn’t too much of a hassle — all you have to do is use hot water, mild soap, and a gentle brush to get rid of leftover crumbs.

The Specs:

• Material: Steel
• Dimensions: 13″ W x 4″ D x 4″ H 
• Weight: 1 lb
• Dishwasher safe: No

The Pros:

• Great for sandwich bread
• Lid is removable 
• Lightweight
• Tons of great ratings

The Cons:

• Not dishwasher safe

What Others are Saying:

This Pullman-style pan has a 4.7-star rating from more than 10,600 reviews on Amazon.

Buy the USA Pan Pullman Loaf Pan: 

4. My Favorite Metal Loaf Pan: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Loaf Pan

William Sonoma’s Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Loaf Pan is my favorite metal loaf pan and it comes in a GORGEOUS gold hue that I haven’t seen anywhere else. It’s made from aluminized steel and features a non-stick coating, and it’s available in 1-, 1.25-, and 1.5-pound pan options for larger breads. It’s a durable option that distributes heat well for an even bake.

I like that it’s available in a fun gold metal, making it a little bit different than your classic silver look. The brand even states that its Goldtouch Pro nonstick coating is better at releasing bread without breaking it, and I find that it’s super easy to clean because of this.

The Specs:

• Material: Steel
• Dimensions: 8.5” W x 4.5” D x 2.5” H 
• Weight: 1 lb
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Distributes heat well
• Available in multiple sizes

The Cons:

• None that we could find

What Others are Saying:

Epicurious named this Williams Sonoma option the best overall loaf pan, and Wirecutter called it a runner-up pick.

Buy the Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Loaf Pan: 

5. My Favorite Ceramic Loaf Pan: Caraway Loaf Pan

Caraway’s loaf pan has a lightweight, sleek design that comes in several pretty colors, including a trendy sage green and bright marigold. Bread easily glides out of this aluminum pan once it’s cooled, thanks to the non-toxic, non-stick ceramic coating. I also like the rounded edges of this pan, which gives a softer look to the bread that differs ever so slightly from other picks on my list. It’s also able to withstand oven temperatures up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and is sustainably made.

If you’re looking for a chic pan to serve bread in, this is a great option that’s a little more affordable than my favorite from Le Creuset.  

The Specs:

• Material: Ceramic
• Dimensions: 5” W x 9” L 
• Weight: 1 lb
• Dishwasher safe: No

The Pros:

• Sleek design
• Non-toxic nonstick coating
• Lightweight

The Cons:

• Not dishwasher safe

What Others are Saying:

Mental Floss says this Caraway pan performs well and is easy to clean. It also gets near-perfect ratings on Caraway’s site, with a 4.9-star rating from more than 5,500 reviewers.

Buy the Caraway Loaf Pan: 

6. My Favorite Mini Loaf Pan: Cuisinart Mini Loaf Pan

If you want to make petite loaves — and maybe add different mix-ins to each — these Cuisinart Mini Loaf Pans are a great pick. They’re made from heavy-gauge steel and have a nonstick coating, so you’re not struggling to get them out. I like that they come in an affordable set of 4, so you get a great bang for your buck, plus, they’re dishwasher safe.

FYI: You don’t necessarily have to find a specific mini loaf recipe and can just adjust the time for a regular-sized one! I recommend my Banana Bread or even my Easy French Bread Pizza. YUM!

The Specs:

• Material: Steel
• Dimensions: 3.54” H x 6.29” D x 1.77” W 
• Weight: 1.1 lb
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Lightweight
• Affordable

The Cons:

• None that we could find

What Others are Saying:

These Cuisinart pans have a 4.6-star rating from more than 3,600 reviews on Amazon.

Buy the Cuisinart Mini Loaf Pan:

Other Loaf Pans to Consider

The Pampered Chef Stoneware Loaf Pan

This loaf pan is another stone option with a simple design. It distributes heat evenly and retains heat to keep your bread warm, making it a good option if you like to serve from the pan. That said, for a similar price, you can grab the Le Creuset pan in a pretty color. The Pampered Chef Stoneware Loaf Pan is available at Amazon for $58.99.

Nordic Ware Naturals 1 Pound Loaf Pan

This Nordic Ware pan is a simplistic aluminum option that’s durable and offers a consistent bake. However, I’d recommend snagging the options from Williams Sonoma or Wilton since they’re dishwasher-safe and have non-stick interiors. The Nordic Ware Naturals 1 Pound Loaf Pan is available at Amazon for $15.50.

Pyrex Glass Loaf Pan

A glass loaf pan is a great option for a beginner baker because you can easily monitor the bread’s progress even while it’s cooking. This Pyrex loaf pan receives rave reviews on Amazon, with a 5-star rating from more than 12,600 buyers. I like that it comes with a lid for storage, but glass tends to retain heat longer than other materials, so it may take a long time for your bread to cool down before cutting in. The Pyrex 1.5-quart Glass Loaf Pan is available at Amazon for $21.49.

Lodge Cast Iron Loaf Pan

Cast iron is known for giving an even bake because of its great heat retention. If you’re interested in trying a cast iron loaf pan as opposed to metal, steel, or stone, Lodge is a popular option and isn’t too pricey. And while it has good ratings from Amazon buyers, cast iron is definitely way heavier than other materials, and it will need to be hand-washed after every use. The Lodge Cast Iron Loaf Pan is available at Amazon for $19.90.

Why You Can Trust Me

I’m ALWAYS trying out a new bread recipe to serve to my kids or to have a quick snack (seriously, I have TONS of bread recipes that I’ve created, including this yummy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!). I’ve also used some of the most popular bread pans out there from beloved kitchenware brands, including some of the ones listed above. 

To create my list of the best picks, I thought about what I like about my favorite bread pans, like being dishwasher-safe or coming in a pretty color. From there, I read through roundups on editorial sites and customer reviews on retailer sites. I’m sure that these options can help you bake the delicious bread of your dreams!

Everything to Know Before Buying a Loaf Pan

What to Consider Before Buying a Loaf Pan

There are a TON of loaf pans to look through, but here are a few things to think about so you can get the best one for you!

Material: Loaf pans come in a variety of materials, like metal, cast iron, ceramic, glass, and stone. Each of these should give a good, even bake, but you may find it easier to use a material you’re familiar with. If you’re used to the speed of a metal pan, you may like that instead of stoneware, which may take longer. And if you’re new to baking, you may want a glass pan because it’s transparent, which will allow you to see if you’re over-browning your bread. Really, it’s all up to your preference!

Size: Most loaf pans are about the same size, which is usually 9 inches by 5 inches or 8 ½ inches by 4 ½ inches. If you know you want to make sandwich bread, it’s worth paying closer attention to the width of the pan (a Pullman-style pan will make a narrower loaf, as they’re typically 4 inches wide). And if you want tiny loaves, a set of mini loaf pans is worth considering, like my pick from Cuisinart.

How to Line a Loaf Pan with Parchment Paper

If you want to line your loaf pan with parchment paper to make sure it won’t stick to the pan, the first step is to cut a piece that’s the same length as the longest side of the pan. Once you have a square of parchment paper, lay it inside the loaf pan, pushing it down to the bottom and flush against the edges of the pan, folding any excess pieces over the sides. 

To make sure the shorter sides of the tin are covered, you can cut a strip of paper that’s as wide as the short sides and lay it across the length of the pan, crossing over the first piece you put down. 

What Size is a Loaf Pan?

Loaf pans come in a variety of sizes. Most are rectangular and about 9 inches by 5 inches. A Pullman pan, which is best for sandwich bread, is typically longer and slender at 9 inches by 4 inches, as it’s used for making square-shaped slices of bread. Other pans are slightly larger overall, like the Caraway Loaf Pan. You can also find mini pans that are closer to 6 inches by 3 inches. 

Do You Need to Adjust the Cooking Time for Mini Loaves? 

Yes, you’ll want to adjust your bake time for mini loaves. Typically, you’ll want to reduce the time by about 25% of what the recipe calls for. For example, a recipe that calls for 40 minutes of baking time would be reduced to 30 minutes. If it’s not done, check the loaf with a toothpick every five minutes or so until it comes out clean.

How Do You Measure a Loaf Pan? 

Loaf pans are measured by length, width, and height. You should measure from one inside edge to the other inside edge rather than the outside edges. When you’re measuring the height, you’ll want to stand your measuring tape straight up rather than slant with the edge of the pan.

The Best Bread Loaf Recipes

Once you’ve purchased your loaf pan, you’re ready to bake! I’ve shared dozens of bread loaf recipes on my site that’ll appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. Here are some of my favorites! 

• Chocolate Zucchini Bread
• Chocolate Banana Bread
• Lemon Zucchini Bread
• Strawberry Bread
• Pumpkin Bread
• Best Banana Bread
• Chocolate Zucchini Bread
• Orange Cranberry Bread

Prices were accurate at time of publication.