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Oct 14, 2024

The Best Cookie Sheets of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. We tested dozens of the internet's favorite cookie sheets, including options from

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

We tested dozens of the internet's favorite cookie sheets, including options from Caraway, Great Jones, and Nordic Ware.

In This Article

My years working in professional kitchens taught me to respect one piece of essential bakeware above all: the cookie sheet. Whether it was 3:30 a.m. and I was pulling a batch of almond croissants out of the oven or balancing two hot pies above my head hoping my kitchen shoes didn’t slip in the puddle of spilled chicken stock beneath me, nearly every project in my restaurant kitchen career required a reliable, no-nonsense cookie sheet.

I look for specific qualities in the cookie sheets I use in my kitchen at home now. A good cookie sheet should conduct heat evenly and steadily. It should also be nonstick and easy to clean, handle, and store. The best cookie sheets can handle sweet and savory recipes and last without significant wear and tear. I tested dozens of popular cookie sheets to find the best, including internet favorites Caraway, Great Jones, Nordic Ware, and USA Pan.

These cookie sheets baked cookies evenly and browned veggies more consistently than most options on this list. They also never warped.

This cookie sheet has a silicone nonstick coating which can show wear and tear over time.

Of all the cookie sheets we tested, this USA Pan is the only one with a silicone nonstick coating as opposed to a ceramic or other coating. And, as it turned out, the silicone coating was our favorite; it was the most durable of all the nonstick options we tested. Cleanup was effortless, as residue and sticky food bits were easily released from its smooth surface.

Aside from its easy-to-clean surface, the reasonably priced set of two cookie sheets is designed with versatility in mind. They have ribbed bottoms for evenly distributed heat, an indented surface for liquid and fat retention, and a single easy-to-grip rim for moving in and out of the oven. We used this pan for sweet bakes like classic chocolate chip cookies and savory tasks like broiled steaks and toasting nuts. This cookie sheet performed consistently well for both applications.

Material: Aluminized steel | Size: 18 x 14 inches | Coating: Americoat silicone nonstick coating

With one angled side and a thin, sharp edge on the opposite side, this affordable cookie sheet easily scoops up rolled doughs like galettes and pizzas.

Because this cookie sheet is slightly shorter on one side, pre-cut parchment pieces and baking mats are too long and will spill over the sides.

Nordic Ware is an editor-favorite brand for bakeware and there’s a reason why: They’ve perfected the art of crafting high-quality, untreated aluminum bakeware. This classic sheet pan tackled cookies exceptionally well. Our cookies had nicely browned bottoms and gooey, evenly cooked interiors. When working with savory food items, even though excess oil or liquid tended to drip from the single un-rimmed side, we found that meats and veggies emerged golden brown and did not stick.

Its shiny surface will accumulate little scratches over time but maintains its luster with repeated use and does not discolor or warp. It’s also lightweight and easy to handle without feeling flimsy, even when loaded with a full batch of cookies. The thin and angular design also works great for larger pieces of dough that need to be scooped up, like a fruit galette or pizza.

Material: Aluminum | Size: 14 x 13 inches | Coating: None

With a surface that retains liquid and oils, this shiny, high-quality cookie sheet worked to get a nice char on savory food items and consistent texture throughout baked goods.

The size of this cookie sheet is very small, limiting its use to smaller ovens and toaster ovens.

All-Clad's extremely sturdy, 3-ply stainless steel cookie sheet is built to last decades. One of the only cookie sheets we tested that can withstand the broiler, there was virtually no task this heavy piece of bakeware couldn’t handle. It created even, deep color on savory food items and churned out beautiful, uniform baked goods. There was a learning curve for understanding how pure stainless steel heats up and cools down. Because stainless steel conducts heat more slowly than aluminum (or aluminized steel), pulling cookies out of the oven a minute or two earlier than we were used to, and allowing cookies to cool on the sheet, served to produce a perfectly baked outcome. This cookie sheet is a bit smaller than other options we tested, so it's ideal for toaster ovens.

Material: 3-ply bonded stainless steel | Size: 10 x 14 inches | Coating: None

This space-saving cookie sheet is superbly nonstick and a great choice for those with smaller ovens.

Without any indentation, sloped edges, or rims, parchment paper and food items easily slid off this cookie sheet if it was not inserted or extracted from the oven with care.

This very flat cookie sheet is finished with a stunning, almost mica-like nonstick coating that does more than just look pretty. It makes for effortless lifting, flipping, and cleaning. We felt the nonstick surface was impressively durable (within reason of course, avoid sharp utensils) and held up to continued use without wear or discoloration.

In testing, we discovered that it baked cookies equally well with and without parchment, making it a great choice for those looking to eliminate the use of parchment paper or silicone baking mats. It should be noted that, because it does not have any rims or walls, this cookie sheet is best suited to cookies and pastries that stay in place as they bake.

Material: Aluminized steel | Size: 17 x 13 inches | Coating: Whitford Xylan Nonstick Coating

Insulated and with heavy-gauge steel construction, this cookie sheet never warps. It also requires no effort to release food items from its surface.

Due to its large size, this cookie sheet might not fit in smaller ovens or sinks and takes up significant storage space.

This is the largest cookie sheet we tested, but every cookie in our batches of chocolate chip cookies came out consistently and evenly cooked. Like other carbon steel pans we’ve tested, this extra-large nonstick cookie sheet is incredibly well insulated. This means it takes a bit longer to heat up, but once it reaches that desired temperature, it stays there consistently. Our cookies had perfectly crisped, browned bottoms that didn't bake more quickly than the tops. Texturally, our cookies were perfect.

We tested this pan with and without parchment paper. In both instances, we were impressed by this pan’s ability to consistently produce uniform color and texture in our sweet and savory recipes. We also found that its angled rim on one side made putting it into and pulling it out of the oven a breeze with our oven mitts.

Material: Carbon Steel | Size: 20 x 15.5 inches

This versatile piece of bakeware has a nonstick surface so slick that cleanup feels effortless.

This cookie sheet requires delicate handling as it is prone to scratching and general wear and tear if not cooled before cleaning or when sharp utensils are used.

Few brands are as stylish as Caraway for high-quality ceramic cookware sets and bakeware pieces. This large baking sheet is no exception. Available in many bold colors, all outfitted with easy-to-grip stainless steel handles, this baking sheet performed particularly well for savory food items. In our testing, we specifically appreciated the sloped rim on all four sides of this sheet, keeping liquids, oils, and smaller pieces of food contained.

Its broad surface is constructed from aluminized steel and topped with a ceramic nonstick coating so foods can achieve favorable coloration without sticking as you stir or flip them. We also loved that it can be popped on the stovetop and used as a griddle of sorts.

Material: Aluminized steel; stainless steel | Size: 18 x 13 inches | Coating: Ceramic coating

This lightweight cookie sheet has a dual-angled handle that improves portability. It effortlessly released residue we expected to stain.

Anodized aluminum has a chalky texture, which is not for everyone.

Fat Daddio’s is a brand commonly found in professional kitchens because their cookware and bakeware are crafted from anodized aluminum; a lightweight aluminum treated to prevent corrosion, improve thermal conductivity, and increase durability. In other words, a Fat Daddio’s sheet masterfully picks up and distributes heat and will hold up to some serious hardcore use. In the case of this cookie sheet, it demonstrated superior thermal conductivity, producing perfectly baked biscotti, chocolate chip cookies, and pastries with precision.

We recommend this cookie sheet when working with delicate doughs, laminated pastries, or flaky crusts. We also appreciate how quickly the cookie sheet cools once pulled from the oven, minimizing downtime between batches and getting warm cookies onto cooling racks quickly.

Material: Anodized aluminum | Size: 17 x 14 inches | Coating: None

Available in five colors, these half-sheet tray-sized cookie sheets fit in any conventionally sized oven or freezer.

While technically dishwasher safe, this cookie sheet may be prone to rusting if not washed by hand.

For those looking to add a pop of color to their kitchen, look no further than this sturdy, beautiful, and fun Great Jones cookie sheet. The sheet is dipped in a ceramic coating that gives it its distinctive hue but also makes for a pretty impressive nonstick surface. It's oven-safe up to 450°F to handle any baked good recipe and nearly all savory applications. If you’re gifting a baker, this cookie sheet would be our recommendation.

The sheet’s four-sided rims collect runoff juices and crumbs, allowing versatility for sweet recipes like jelly roll cakes or savory recipes like roasted starches or toasted nuts. It also doubles as a serving platter, making it a great all-in-one kitchenware item for those with small kitchens or limited storage space. One word of advice: We’ve tested this pan a few times and highly recommend avoiding putting it in the dishwasher, as the nonstick surface tends to rust more quickly. Hand wash this one.

Material: Aluminized steel | Size: 18.5 x 13.5 inches | Coating: Ceramic nonstick coating

USA Pan’s Cookie Sheet won out above the dozens of cookie sheets we tested due to its versatility, even baking results, and easy-to-use design. Its nonstick surface was incredibly durable, holding up against more abrasive cleaning tools and metal utensils, and its ability to conduct and transfer heat impressed us with sweet and savory baking recipes.

In our most recent round of real-world tests, we tested 13 cookie sheets and evaluated their durability, heat conduction, ease of cleaning, and material construction. We tested more cookies than anything else, assessing the kitchenware items with a single cookie (from the same batch of dough) in an oven set to a consistent temperature, rotating the cookie sheet at ten minutes, and pulling it from the oven at 17 minutes total. This single cookie evaluation served as a controlled variable of sorts.

Food & Wine / Stella Totino

We then also tested each cookie sheet with a whole batch of cookies. These batches varied in terms of cookie type (including biscotti and chocolate chip cookies) and bake time. Finally, we used each for a savory food item to evaluate each pan's versatility for savory baking tasks.

Food & Wine / Stella Totino

In our previous tests, we assessed 19 baking sheets by baking cookies from prepared cookie dough and baking homemade potato wedges. We examined how much the cookies spread, how dark or crisp the bottoms were, and how simple they were to remove from the sheet. During the latter, we noted how easy or not it was to flip the wedges during cooking and then release them from the pan once finished.

In a third test, we observed whether or not the baking sheet warped in an oven heated to 475°F. Throughout these processes, we observed how easy it was to handle and hand wash the baking sheet. Based on durability, performance, ease of cleaning, and value, we rated each pan from one to five, with five being the highest score.

The cookie sheets included above are constructed from either aluminum or steel. There are pros and cons to both base materials. Aluminum is generally revered for its superb heat conductivity, whereas steel is favored for its durability. In some cases, cookie sheets may be dipped in a nonstick coating. Some of these coatings are ceramic, others are made from food-safe easy-release chemicals, and others are made from food-grade silicone.

Some cookie sheets are dishwasher-safe. However, we always recommend washing cookie sheets by hand because the high heat and continuous water pressure applied throughout the dishwashing cycle can decrease the lifespan of cookie sheets. Our general rule of thumb is warm water and a sponge. To remove any stubborn stains, grease, or stuck food, some baking soda or a little Bar Keeper’s Friend usually does the trick.

Food & Wine / Stella Totino

The cookie sheet size you opt for depends on your oven and your baking needs. Almost every standard kitchen oven can accommodate a half-sheet tray-sized baking pan, which is 18 inches long and 13 inches wide. If you have an exceptionally big or small oven, select a cookie sheet’s size accordingly. Generally speaking however, most cookie sheets will fit inside any home kitchen’s oven and average-sized freezer.

While cookie sheets are technically a type of sheet tray (also called a sheet pan), the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, the distinction is quite important to their application: Sheet trays have rims on all four sides whereas cookie sheets are rimmed on three sides, have lower or a single rim, or are rimless altogether.

There are generally two base metals used: aluminum and steel. There is also a material called aluminized steel, which is essentially steel dipped in a layer of aluminum. Aluminum has a much higher thermal conductivity than steel. Metals with higher thermal conductivity quickly take on the temperature of their environments.

Therefore, aluminum will conduct heat better than steel (and aluminized steel better than pure steel). However, steel is much more durable than aluminum, making for more reliable use over time. Steel also may more evenly retain dispersed heat, reducing the potentiality of hot spots across a pan’s surface.

Coated nonstick cookie sheets are great for eliminating stubborn or sticky food items. You also can potentially eliminate the need for parchment paper or silicone baking mats (although we highly recommend using some barrier between baked goods and the direct surface of the sheet for the best results).

However, there are also downsides to opting for a nonstick-coated cookie sheet. When scratched, coated cookie sheets may risk contaminating foods cooked on top of them with chemicals and thus should be disposed of. They also may have a shorter use-life as nonstick coatings are much less durable than non-coated surfaces. It should also be noted that some nonstick coatings will limit the higher end of a sheet’s temperature range.

Umite Commercial Quality Baking Sheet, Set of 2 ($33 at Amazon)

While the cookie sheets in this set worked to conduct even and steady heat, were lightweight, and did not warp, the way the corners are constructed allows food residue or rust to accumulate quickly in the folds of the pan's rim.

Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Cookie Sheet ($35 at Williams Sonoma)

While this cookie sheet was perfectly adequate, it baked sweet food items more slowly and unevenly than its competitors and we found that cookies spread more than we would have liked or expected them to when baked on its surface.

Matfer Bourgeat Blue Steel Baking Sheet ($60 at Amazon)

Constructed with corrosion-resistant, durable blue steel, this Matfer Bourgeat option undeniably conducts and transfers heat like a pro; however, we found its price somewhat inaccessible.

OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Bakeware Cookie Sheet ($33 at Amazon)

Cleaning this OXO sheet’s nonstick surface was extremely easy and we found that other cookie sheets easily nestled inside without scratching for easy storage. However, we noticed cookies browned slightly more on one side of the cookie sheet, requiring rotation of the sheet mid-bake.

There were a few cookie sheets that didn’t make the cut. With some, we felt we couldn’t justify the price for the value. With others like the Greenlife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Cookie Sheet, the nonstick coating discolored and scratched extremely quickly. Others still were prone to warping and rusting like the Boxiki Nonstick Baking Sheet.

Stella Totino is a former pastry chef turned food writer with years of experience testing and researching all things food. Invested in discovering fun new flavors and the tools that help to create them, you can find her work in the Strategist, Simply Recipes, Apartment Therapy, and the Kitchn. With years of experience in professional kitchens, Stella has tested dozens of cookie sheets in restaurants and her home kitchen.