Non-Toxic Muffin, Loaf & Cake Pans (Uncoated Bakeware)
Most muffin tins, loaf pans and cake pans on store shelves are nonstick-coated. Uncoated versions are easy to find once you know what to search for. Here are the ones we'd pick for holiday baking, and how to keep things from sticking.
Holiday baking means muffins for a crowd, quick breads to give away and a layer cake or two. Uncoated pans do all of it. They just need a little butter, flour or a paper liner.
What to look for
- The word “nonstick.” If a listing says nonstick, the pan has a coating. Look for “uncoated,” “natural aluminum,” stainless steel, cast iron or glass.
- Anodized isn't nonstick. Anodized aluminum is a hardened aluminum surface, not a coating. Read the listing to be sure there isn't a coating on top.
- Standard sizes. 12-cup muffin, 9x5 loaf, 9-inch round and 8x8 square cover most recipes.
- Care. Many aluminum pans are hand wash only. Nordic Ware says that about its Naturals muffin pan.
Muffin pans
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Product photos from the brand or retailer listings. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Muffin Pan, 12 Cup
Uncoated natural aluminum, made in the USA by Nordic Ware, with a steel rim to help keep it from warping.
Why we picked these
- Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Muffin Pan, 12 Cup Best uncoated muffin pan Uncoated natural aluminum, made in the USA by Nordic Ware, with a steel rim to help keep it from warping. Aluminum heats evenly, so muffins brown nicely. Worth knowing: Nordic Ware says to hand wash it. Use paper liners or grease the cups well, since there's no nonstick coating.
- P&P CHEF 12-Cup Stainless Steel Muffin Pan Stainless muffin pan A stainless steel muffin pan, listed as dishwasher safe, if you'd rather not have aluminum touch your food. Worth knowing: Stainless sticks more than other metals. Liners make life much easier.
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 6-Well Muffin Pan Cast iron muffin pan Cast iron seasoned with vegetable oil and made in the USA, per the listing. It gives muffins and cornbread a crisp, browned crust. It's heavy and holds 6, not 12.
- If You Care Unbleached Large Baking Cups, 60 ct (3-Pack) Unbleached muffin liners Unbleached paper muffin liners. They make uncoated muffin pans release cleanly and cut down on scrubbing.
Loaf pans
Some photos are product photos from the brand or retailer; the rest are illustrative. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Pyrex Basics 1.5 Qt Glass Loaf Dish
Tempered glass, listed as made in the USA.
Why we picked these
- Pyrex Basics 1.5 Qt Glass Loaf Dish Glass loaf pan Tempered glass, listed as made in the USA. Good for quick breads, meatloaf and banana bread, and you can see when the sides are brown. Worth knowing: Follow Pyrex's rules for glass: preheat the oven first and set the hot dish on a dry towel or rack.
- Homeplace 9x5 Stainless Steel Loaf Pan Stainless loaf pan A plain stainless steel loaf pan, listed as handmade in the USA. Nothing to chip, crack or peel.
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Loaf Pan Coating-free loaf pan A loaf pan with no coating for banana bread, meatloaf and sandwich bread. The seasoning builds over time for easier release.
Cake and square pans
Product photos from the brand or retailer listings. Tap a photo to see that pick on Amazon.
Nordic Ware Naturals Round Cake Pan, 9-Inch
A plain aluminum 9-inch round from Nordic Ware's Naturals line.
Why we picked these
- Nordic Ware Naturals Round Cake Pan, 9-Inch Uncoated round cake pan A plain aluminum 9-inch round from Nordic Ware's Naturals line. Buy two for layer cakes.
- Fat Daddio's Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan, 9 x 2 Inch Bakers' pick round pan Anodized aluminum with straight 2-inch sides. The listing says it's safe for citrus-based foods, made with no PFAS or PTFE, and rated to 550°F. Worth knowing: The listing recommends hand washing.
- Pyrex 2 Qt Square Glass Baking Dish (8x8) Glass 8x8 The standard 8x8 glass dish for brownies, bars, cornbread and small casseroles, listed as made in the USA.
Glass is great for brownies, bars and cornbread. Pyrex's usage rules say no stovetop or broiler, and avoid sudden temperature changes.
A note on bundt pans
Many bundt pans, including popular cast aluminum ones, have a nonstick coating. If you want an uncoated bundt pan, search for one listed as uncoated or natural aluminum, and grease every ridge with butter and flour. For most holiday cakes, a pair of 9-inch rounds or a loaf pan works just as well.
Keeping uncoated pans from sticking
- Line it. Paper liners for muffins, a parchment sling for loaves and bars, and a parchment circle for cake rounds. Unbleached parchment is in our baking sheet guide.
- Grease and flour any surface the batter touches.
- Cool briefly in the pan (about 10 minutes for cakes) before turning out.
Baking pies too? See our pie dish guide. For mixing, our glass and stainless mixing bowl guide has bowls with no plastic. A set of these pans also makes a nice gift; more ideas are in our low-tox kitchen gift guide.
FAQ
Is uncoated aluminum bakeware safe?
Uncoated aluminum bakeware is widely used for ordinary baking. Acidic foods can pull a little more aluminum from bare pans, so line them with parchment or liners for acidic recipes. If you'd rather avoid aluminum touching food, choose stainless steel, glass or cast iron.
How do I keep muffins from sticking without nonstick?
Use paper liners, or grease and flour the cups well. Let muffins cool for a few minutes in the pan before you take them out.
Are bundt pans non-toxic?
Many bundt pans are nonstick-coated, including some of the best-known ones. If you want uncoated, look for listings that say uncoated or natural aluminum, and grease every ridge well.
Is anodized aluminum the same as nonstick?
No. Anodizing hardens the aluminum's own surface; it isn't a PTFE coating. Some "hard-anodized" pans also have a nonstick coating on top, so read the listing.
Do you list prices?
No. Prices on Amazon change often, so we link to each listing where you can check the current price.
