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10 best baking trays and sheets
Whether you’re making mouth-watering macarons or rustling up a quick dinner of chicken nuggets and chips, a baking tray is an essential utensil that no kitchen can be without.
By Louise Cole | Last updated Jul 2, 2021
It may not be the most glamorous of cooking implements, yet the humble baking tray is the unsung hero of the kitchen. No baker – novice or pro – can be without this trusty workhorse, which comes into its own when you’re making anything from cookies to cupcakes and pastries to pizzas.
Easy to store and taking up little space, this unappreciated multifunctional tool is a must-have whenever you’re whipping up sweet treats or savoury snacks and can be used to cook a huge array of foods. The wide, flat surface of this kitchen staple makes it the go-to cookware, whatever the culinary delight.
Available in various materials and designs, each with pros and cons depending on its features, baking trays and sheets can cost anywhere between a few pounds and the price of a meal out.
Being used so often, it’s worth doing your research to ensure you pick the right one for you, yet there’s an overwhelming choice out there, which is where we come in.
We’ve rolled up our sleeves to sift through hundreds so that you don’t have to. Edgeless, enamel, eco-friendly and easy to clean, we’ve weighed them all up and found the best so you get excellent results every time.
Whether baking batches of biscuits or roasting tasty veggies, you’re sure to find a reliable kitchen assistant among our selection. Here are the best baking trays and sheets that will step up when the heat is on.
Best overall baking tray: Le Creuset Rectangular Baking Sheet
“My DH bought me two Le Creuset non-stick baking trays for Christmas and I’ve been using them non-stop the last few days. Nothing sticks to them. They’re a dream.”
French cookware company Le Creuset is renowned for being top of the pots – and its flawless design extends to baking trays and sheets, too.
Made of strong carbon steel, this heavy-duty sheet is up to the task, whatever you’re baking. Its non-stick coating ensures that food will glide off effortlessly and it can easily be handwashed.
We love the heat-resistant silicone handles that provide grip for safe lifting and the fact that it can be put in the freezer. Although one of the pricier trays available, it comes with a lifetime warranty, giving you further justification for spending the extra dough.
2. Best budget baking tray: Argos Home 3-Piece Baking Tray Set
“I get cheap trays and scrub them with hot water and a scourer or maybe just put them through the dishwasher. They work fine.”
This trio of non-stick baking trays is the perfect choice for those on a budget. With each one differing in dimensions, there is a good range of useful sizes and the set can be used for a variety of purposes.
Not only are these trays great value, they’re also lightweight and space-saving, fitting neatly inside one another for easy storage.
Guaranteed for one year, these are a priceless addition to any kitchen – particularly when you can pop them in the dishwasher when they’ve done their job.
3. Best non-stick baking tray: Circulon Momentum Square Baking Tray
“All mine are Circulon ones – had them over a year and they are still in great shape.”
If non-stick capacity tops your priority list, then this could be the one for you – its manufacturer is so confident of the tray’s effectiveness that it guarantees that food will not stick. Circular grooves on the surface help prevent your bakes from clinging on and also mean that less cooking oil is required.
This spacious, square baking tray is 1.5cm deep and provides plenty of room for spreading out your culinary creations. Made to last for many years with proper use and with a lifetime guarantee, you could even pass it on to your grandkids.
4. Best glass baking tray: Pyrex Glass Baking Sheet
“We’ve made the switch to Pyrex baking trays and have not looked back. No more issues with peeling non-stick surfaces and they will take a vigorous scrubbing if they get grimy. We’ve had no real issues with food sticking to them either.”
“I absolutely love my glass Pyrex trays. They get used for absolutely everything and just get stuck in the dishwasher. No worry of scratches, things sticking, it getting rusty or it bucking in the heat.”
It goes without saying that the advantages of glass baking trays are crystal clear (ahem). They won’t rust and can be used in the fridge, freezer or even microwave if they’ll fit.
This Pyrex baking sheet is a good all-rounder. By distributing heat more consistently it will provide a more even bake than non-glass alternatives and, being transparent, you only need to peek underneath to see if your creations are ready to be removed from the oven.
Oh, and feel free to go crazy with the chilli powder because it will won’t stain, nor will it retain odours or flavours.
5. Best silicone baking tray: Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Mat
These non-stick silicone baking mats wear many hats. Oh-so-convenient, they take the place of disposable foil, cooking oil and baking parchment – just place one in your baking tray and voila!
They’ll not only come in handy when you’re baking buns, bread or biscuits; put one under pies and casseroles to catch any spillages and prevent your oven or tray from getting messy.
These flexible baking mats are suitable for all ovens apart from the direct-fire type and an added bonus is that metal utensils won’t scratch or damage them. Washable either by hand or in the dishwasher, they come in a set of two and can be reused time after time.
6. Most versatile baking tray: Mermaid Hard Anodised Baking Sheet
“Mermaid Anodised: not cheap, but not outrageously expensive either. Substantial and robust. None of my Mermaids have warped or in any way deformed in up to 20 years of constant use.”
“We have some that are Mermaid brand. I must have had them for five years at least and they are still in good nick. They were a bit pricey, but worth the extra.”
Mermaid baking trays and sheets come highly recommended by Mumsnetters for their superior quality and sturdiness.
This anodised aluminium baking sheet has a multitude of uses, as well as a super-smooth surface. Being rimless, it is particularly well-suited to cooking items that need to be transferred to a cooling rack with minimal hassle, such as cookies. The lack of raised edges also aids the sheet’s cleaning, which is simple despite it being handwash-only and lacking a non-stick coating.
A strong and solidly-made piece of bakeware, it will do its job without bending or buckling.
Best for easy cleaning: Eaziglide Neverstick Non-Stick Baking Tray
“Eaziglide – best purchase ever! Not cheap, but great results and little if any oil needed.”
Cleaning this fuss-free baking tray is a piece of cake thanks to its superlative coating, which Eaziglide claims won’t peel or flake and is seven times stronger than other non-sticks. This is the one to choose if you suffer from clean-up dread – nothing clings to it and you can either wipe it clean or put it in the dishwasher, saving you time, elbow grease and possibly a broken fingernail or two.
With no greasing required, this tray makes for healthier baking. It’s also 100% PFOA-free and guaranteed for life.
Made from toughened aluminium, we love the ‘night sky’ finish and the fact that it is oven-safe up to a whopping 260C.
8. Best enamel baking tray: Russell Hobbs Romano Vitreous Enamel Baking Tray
“Enamel ones – a bit heavy, but almost indestructible.”
“I love the ones with an enamel coating. We’ve had one for years and it still looks practically new!”
Designed to easily fit into all standard gas and electric ovens, this speckled baking tray is perfect for everyday use. Made from long-lasting steel coated with vitreous enamel, it conducts heat well, cooks evenly throughout and resists warping.
It’s not only the oven where this dishwasher-safe tray will prove its worth – being enamel, it can be used with most heat sources, including the grill and hob.
Weightier and more solid than some oven trays, it won’t stain or discolour and is a worthwhile addition to your cookware collection.
9. Most customisable baking sheet: Lakeland Magic Non-Stick Baking Tray Liner Sheet
“I use liners now in all my baking sheets. I’ve cut them to size.”
Environmentally-conscious bakers cannot fail to be impressed by this multiuse baking tray liner, which can be cut to fit all trays, tins, dishes and pans to both preserve them and make them non-stick.
A reusable and eco-friendly alternative to foil or baking paper, it comes in a 25cm by 50cm sheet that is heat-resistant up to 260C and safe to use in the oven or microwave. It can also go in the freezer, so any bakes frozen on the liner are ready to pop in the oven as required. Food will slide straight off – simply wipe it clean afterwards or place it in the dishwasher.
Ideal for intricate chocolate work or for rolling out pastry, icing and marzipan, the possibilities are endless with these liners, which last for up to five years.
How to choose the best baking tray
Who’d have thought there were so many factors to take into account when you’re in the market for a baking tray? Durability, ease of cleaning, price, sturdiness, shape, warp-resistance and whether or not it’s non-stick, freezer-compatible or microwave-safe are all potential priorities – and all styles have their plus points.
Perhaps the most important consideration is what it’s made from. Metal bakeware warms up quickly and can stand high temperatures. A popular choice with many bakers, it will brown your food better than a tray made from other materials.
While glass trays are slower to heat, they stay hotter for longer. Sweeter foods may therefore bake quicker than expected and will burn more easily, so reduce the temperature or save these trays for savoury bakes. Bear in mind that glass trays are heavier than other kinds.
Silicone is the ultimate non-stick material and baking mats made from it are well worth a look, as are liners that replace foil, oil and parchment, with no greasing required.
Perhaps the most prevalent baking trays are those that have a non-stick coating. While these have an obvious advantage, many need to be handwashed and are damaged by metal utensils. Non-coated trays, however, have the drawback that food is more likely to stick and more scrubbing may be required as a result.
In terms of shape, certain trays and sheets lend themselves better to particular bakes. Those with rimmed sides prevent your precious creations from slipping off, while at the same time catching oil, juices and other liquids. They make for slower baking than sheets without edges, however, which cook quicker by allowing better air circulation in the oven and are convenient when making goodies such as pizzas and cookies.
How long do baking trays last?
If you choose wisely, baking trays can last for years or even decades – ideally at least five years. Look out for manufacturers’ guarantees, some of which cover the product for life.
What’s best for cleaning baking trays?
Clean your baking tray immediately if possible – it will be harder to remove dirt the longer you leave it.
First, use kitchen roll to remove the worst of the grease and grime from the baking tray. Many trays can then just be wiped clean or put through the dishwasher.
Those that can’t should be cleaned with washing-up liquid and a cloth or sponge if they’re non-stick – no wire wool pads or scourers should be used as they will scratch the coating and cause it to deteriorate. Non-stick trays can also be soaked for at least an hour in warm, soapy water before being cleaned and dried thoroughly.
Baking trays and sheets that don’t have a non-stick coating can be scrubbed with metal scourers, ideally in water that is hot enough to shift all grease. Many Mumsnetters use biological washing powder to clean theirs, which is said to work wonders. Others recommend using dishwasher tablets.
However you choose to clean your bakeware, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the best baking tray?
The best baking tray is Le Creuset’s Rectangular Baking Sheet – it can be used to cook a wide range of food and it pretty much has it all. Strong, non-stick and freezer-compatible, it’s designed to be practical, look smart and last for decades.
Just pipped to the post was Lakeland’s Magic Non-Stick Liner, which has a multitude of uses and is eco-friendly to boot. We were also hugely impressed by Eaziglide’s Neverstick Non-Stick Baking Tray, which is the ultimate non-stick bakeware.
How we chose our recommendations
We first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which baking trays and sheets discerning Mumsnetters recommended and had bought themselves, noting their feedback about these brands. We then drew up a shortlist of those that were repeatedly mentioned.
From there, we did some research across the wider web, consulting independent review sites and taking into account what customer reviews said about the products featured. Having collated all that information, we picked the baking trays we thought were worthy of taking the titles in an array of interest categories.
Why you should trust us
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Main image credit: Le Creuset