We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. What to Buy Cookware The 4 Best Nonstick Pans, According to Our Tests These pans are ideal for cooking more than just omelets. By Laura Denby Laura Denby Laura Denby is a food writer and chef with six years of professional culinary experience. Find her work in Real Simple, Food Network, Better Homes & Gardens and more. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 10, 2024 In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOur Favorite Nonstick Frying Pan Factors to Consider FAQ The Tests Other Nonstick Pans We Tested Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine / Joy Kim Not all frying pans are created equally, and that fact is never more apparent than when you're making eggs. They're super slippery when raw, but they become the world's stickiest food when cooked—especially if you use the wrong type of pan. We love a good French rolled omelet, for example, but nothing turns us off more than when silky eggs begin to coat the bottom of the pan, leaving that thin, crusty, flakey layer that's impossible to scrape off. That's where a quality nonstick pan comes in—it's an indispensable tool every home cook needs, and there is no substitute. Though multifunctional frying pans have their benefits, some tasks—like scrambling eggs and searing flakey fish—require a dedicated nonstick pan, and having one you can rely on is essential. But with so many different options available, it can be hard to know where to find the best nonstick cookware. To help you find the best nonstick pan, I put 13 of the leading models to the test. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Zwilling Deep Fry Pan at Amazon ($105) Jump to Review Best Value: All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set at Amazon ($100) Jump to Review Best Oven-Safe: Caraway Frying Pan at Amazon ($95) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Le Creuset Nonstick Pan at Amazon ($175) Jump to Review Best Overall Zwilling Deep Fry Pan PHOTO: Amazon $105 At Amazon $60 At Target $60 At Food52 Pros This sturdy pan was the slickest I tested and easily passed all of our tests. Cons It's only oven-safe up to 300°F, so be mindful of what temperature you're cooking at when you transfer from stovetop to oven. The deep sides of this sturdy, heavy-duty pan allow for braising and frying, adding versatility that some other pans did not have. It's the perfect option for cooking up larger batches. In my tests, I found that pancakes slid around easily in the pan without the help of a spatula, and salmon seared beautifully without sticking. Even the melted marshmallows seared to golden brown rather than burning and sticking. The handle felt surprisingly balanced, considering how deep the cooking surface is, and it managed to stay cool even when using high heat. The PFOA-free coating is completely nonstick, so no food is left behind, and the pan itself is scratch-resistant and oven-safe up to 300°F. It's dishwasher-safe but is also easy to clean with a damp cloth between each use. Size: 11 inches | Induction compatible: Yes | Oven-safe: Up to 300°F Food & Wine / Joy Kim Best Value All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set PHOTO: Amazon $100 At Amazon $70 At Williams-Sonoma $100 At Wayfair Pros This affordable set of versatile and sturdy pans is compatible with all stovetops and oven-safe up to 500°F. Cons The handle can get a bit hot, so be careful when using high heat or transferring to the oven. This two-piece set is a fantastic way to add two high-quality pieces to your cookware collection. Both pans are easy to hold and maneuver, and the nonstick coating passed all of our tests with no stuck eggs, fish, or marshmallows. These pans are compatible with all cooktops and are oven-safe up to 500°F. Though they are dishwasher-safe, All-Clad recommends washing these PFOA-free pans by hand for the best results. This set scored a spot in our top five because both pans easily passed all of our tests and are an unbeatable pick for the price. You can also buy the 10-inch pan separately ($60 at Williams Sonoma). Size: 10 inches and 12 inches | Induction compatible: Yes | Oven-safe: Up to 500°F Best Oven-Safe Caraway Frying Pan PHOTO: Amazon $95 At Amazon $95 At Target $95 At Macy's Pros This super-slick pan delivers even heat distribution and can handle high heat, so it's easy to transfer from stovetop to oven for a variety of cooking projects. Cons This pan should be hand-washed to maintain its nonstick coating. This heavy-duty nonstick pan is perfect for whipping up large batches of one of your best scrambled eggs recipes or braising Sunday sauce. The PTFE-free coating is super slick, safe to use on all types of stovetops and oven-safe up to 550 °F. This sturdy pan is a kitchen workhorse that can easily be transferred from stovetop to oven. The tight-fitting lid is great for gently simmering, and the long handle makes it easy to maneuver. Overall, this is an exceptionally sturdy, non-toxic pan suitable for many cooking projects. Size: 10.5 inches | Induction compatible: Yes | Oven-safe: Up to 550°F Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine/Joy Kim Related: The 8 Best Non-Toxic Cookware Buys for Home Cooks, According to Customers Best Splurge Le Creuset Nonstick Pan PHOTO: Amazon $175 At Amazon $110 At Williams-Sonoma $175 At Sur La Table Pros This pan is oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, induction compatible, and completely nonstick. The PFOA-free coating delivers even heat distribution, and food doesn't stick. Cons Though this pan is super slick and easy to use, it's one of the most expensive on the list. This Le Creuset nonstick pan is dishwasher-safe, oven-safe, scratch-proof, and safe for all stovetops, so it's a versatile pan that goes beyond just stovetop cooking. It performed exceptionally well on our tests, including delicate omelets, salmon, pancakes, and marshmallows. The PFOA-free coating created even heat distribution with a slick and completely nonstick cooking surface. This is a reliable, functional pan that will come in handy for a multitude of tasks in the kitchen. Size: 11 inches | Induction compatible: Yes | Oven-safe: Up to 500°F The Best Nonstick Cookware Sets, According to Our Tests Our Favorite Nonstick Frying Pan I tested more than a dozen pans, and none matched the overall versatility and functionality of the Zwilling Madura Plus. This pan easily exceeded our expectations—the surface is super slick, the handle is balanced, slip-free, and easy to hold, and the deep sides mean it can be used to braise and deep fry. Factors to Consider Care and Cleaning Cleaning and caring for a nonstick pan might be different than some of your other cookware. For example, many nonstick pans shouldn't be put in the dishwasher, and perform best when washed by hand with mild soap and water. You want to avoid scrubbing them; even a soft cloth or soft-bristle brush needs to be used gently. Nonstick pans can work wonders in the kitchen if you treat them correctly, but it's important to keep in mind that they're a bit sensitive, and preserving their nonstick surface means treating them with extra TLC. Cost and Longevity When buying a nonstick pan, know that it won't last nearly as long as an heirloom-quality Dutch oven. You'll have to replace it as the coating wears off, likely after a few years. But, you can maximize its lifespan by being careful not to damage the nonstick surface. Just as a dishwasher's high temperatures and harsh detergents can break down the coating, so can a stove burner on high heat. Metal tools can scratch the coating, so we recommend using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Another culprit: cooking spray builds up on nonstick coating, and removing it can take some aggressive scrubbing. Frequently Asked Questions How long do nonstick pans last? There is no simple answer to this, as it depends on the quality of the pan, how often you use it, and how well you care for it. Generally, experts advise replacing your nonstick pans about every three to five years. They don't tend to last as long as regular frying pans. Can you put a nonstick pan in the oven? "This depends on the model. You will always want to check the oven safety and safe temperature range of your specific pans," says Bev Shaffer, a chef, culinary instructor, and food writer. "Most nonstick cookware is oven safe to at least a temperature of 350°F, provided that the handle is also an oven-safe material like metal." Do nonstick pans work on induction cooktops? Many nonstick pans are compatible with induction cooktops, but not all are. We've noted which options are and aren't induction safe. The Tests Food & Wine / Laura Denby After far too much time spent unsuccessfully scraping stainless steel pans, I did what any normal person would do: I cooked 68 omelets, 51 pancakes, and 48 ounces of salmon in 13 different pans to find the best nonstick pan. Then, I made things even stickier and melted marshmallows in each pan. I put the pans to work over a month, where I assessed everything from weight to price to care and clean up. I'm happy to report that I found a lot of great options. Most importantly, my quest reaffirmed what Food & Wine already knows thanks to our extensive testing: if you treat it right, a nonstick pan is a culinary game-changer. Functionality A good nonstick pan should distribute heat evenly without causing any food to stick. I tested each pan to assess nonstick functionality by cooking the stickiest foods I could think of: French omelets, pancakes, salmon, and marshmallows. I used silicone tools for most, and used metal tools only if the brand designated its pan as "scratch-proof." Look and Feel For each pan, I noted the ease of handling and maneuverability. I also wanted to make sure that the handle and base of the pan felt balanced, so you don't strain your wrist when lifting it. Lastly, I assessed whether or not the handle stayed cool when using high heat, and if the grip felt sturdy or slippery. Durability and Brand Promises Each pan came with brand promises. For those that claimed to be dishwasher-safe, I ran it through a cycle and noted any changes in functionality. If a brand promised that the pan was scratch-resistant, I made sure to test that claim by using metal spatulas and tongs. Food & Wine / Laura Denby Other Nonstick Pans We Tested Nordic Ware Restaurant Cookware 10.5-inch Nonstick Frying Pan In a previous version of this article, this 10.5-inch Nordic Ware pan took the title of Best Value, but it's since been discontinued. I found it delightfully light, easy to work with, and completely nonstick. It passed every test I put it through and was one of the most affordable options on the list. The silicone handle was easy to hold, slip-resistant, and stayed cool to the touch even when I used the pan on high heat. Most importantly, the PFOA-free coating was one of the slickest I tested. For an alternative, I recommend upgrading to the 14-inch version, which is itself a great value. Strong Contenders Made In 10-inch Fry Pan ($120 at Made In) OXO Good Grips Nonstick Pro Open Fry Pan ($50 at Amazon) Great Jones Small Fry ($75 at Great Jones) Misen 1-inch Nonstick ($65 at Misen) Sardel 10-inch Nonstick Skillet ($115 at Sardel) Our Place Always Pan ($145 at Our Place) Our Expertise Every pan in this piece was fully tested by Product Reviews Food Writer Laura Denby. Laura is a writer and former professional chef, who has a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and experience cooking in kitchens in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Hamptons. For this piece, Laura performed competitive research to develop a comprehensive product set of the best nonstick pans available. She utilized her culinary experience to test each pan and assess functionality over many months. You can find more of Laura's work in Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, FoodNetwork.com, Delish, and more. 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