The 6 Best Bread Loaf Pans of 2024

Today I’d like to talk about something that’s essential in any baker’s kitchen: bread and loaf pans. And I also touch on cake pans, cast iron cookware, and more.

Whether I’m pulling my Starbucks Lemon Loaf out of the oven for an after-school snack or finding a fantastic way to use up zucchini (like my Blueberry Zucchini Bread recipe), I always use the best bread loaf pans out there.

I want one that’s easy to clean and cooks the bread to perfection. If you’re in the market for a bread loaf pan, I put this post together based on my experience baking hundreds of bread recipes in various types of pans.

Want this recipe? It’s my Mini Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread recipe.

In addition to the pans I own and love, I looked at popular options for glass, ceramic, enamel, and non-stick bread pans.

This list of the best bread loaf pans includes classic options from top brands like Chicago Metallic, Nordic Ware, and Le Creuset, but also a Bundt pan and round pan because they’re SO much fun to play around with in the kitchen. And because we all need a little bit of Parisian-style baguettes in our lives, I even found a great pan for French bread.

What I Use In My Kitchen

1. Best Loaf Pan For Banana Bread: Wilton Premium Nonstick Loaf Pan (9×5 Inches) – $5.97 at Amazon
2. Best Mini Bread Loaf Pans: Chicago Metallic Mini Loaf Pans – $19.09 at Amazon
3. Best Splurge: Emile Henry French Ceramic Covered Bread Pan – $89.22 at Amazon
4. Best for Cornbread: Le Creuset Signature 9-Inch Cast Iron Skillet- $133.63 at Amazon
5. Best for Sourdough: Le Creuset Oval Enameled Dutch Oven – $444.95 at Amazon
6. Best Bundt Pan: Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan  – $26.99 at Target

Reviews of the Best Bread Loaf Pans

1. Best Loaf Pan for Banana Bread: Wilton Premium Nonstick Loaf Pan (9×5 Inches)

I love, love, LOVE to use this 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan when baking my Cream Cheese Banana Bread (seriously, this is the BEST homemade banana bread recipe and BEST loaf pan for banana bread). The size is perfect for a large, soft, and moist loaf, and anything smaller runs the risk of having the batter overflow. 

I also use this go-to pan for favorites like my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread (which is packed with so much chocolate in every bite) because the pan is nonstick and the bread slides right out, inexpensive, and delivers great results.

It’s a price point that is so reasonable that even if someone needs to buy it to make the recipe, they likely won’t hesitate. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe! 

The Specs:

• Weight: 1 lb.
• Dimensions: 5.25” D x 9.25” W x 2.75” H
• Material: Steel
• Max Temp: 500°F

The Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Affordable
• Nonstick
• Durable

The Cons:

• Sold by a limited number of retailers

What Others are Saying:

The Wilton Premium Nonstick Loaf Pan (9×5 inches) has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon from more than 700 reviews. 

Buy the Wilton Premium Nonstick Loaf Pan (9×5 Inches):

2. Best Mini Bread Loaf Pans: Chicago Metallic Mini Loaf Pans

If you’re looking for the best mini loaf pans, this set of four is my favorite! They work great, are nonstick, easy to clean, and available at a very fair price.

When autumn hits, I love to use them to bake my Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread which is the recipe and image above. Bonus: The house smells great!

Also, and this is huge for me, I like the mini loaf pans to be separate and not ‘attached’ together like some other pans, which is a definite no in my book. For the above reason alone when you only need one pan, you’re stuck with four conjoined pans, which isn’t very useful at all.

The Specs:

• Weight: 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 3.25” D x 5.75” W x 2.25” H
• Material: Steel
• Max Temp: 500°F

The Pros:

• Set of 4 individual pans
• Great value
• Loaves bake evenly
• Limited lifetime warranty

The Cons:

• Can dent easily
• Hand-washing recommended (although they’re technically dishwasher safe)

What Others are Saying: 

The Chicago Metallic Mini Loaf Pans has a 4.7-star rating from more than 1,400 ratings on Amazon. 

Buy the Chicago Metallic Commercial Nonstick Mini Loaf Pans:

3. Best Splurge: Emile Henry French Ceramic Covered Bread Loaf Pan

If you want to upgrade your classic loaf pan, an Emile Henry ceramic loaf pan is a breadmaker’s dream, but they are pricey compared to the standard pans! It’s made out of Burgundian clay—nothing but the best from a long-time company in business since 1850 and still hand-making their products in France. The clay allows these beauties to absorb and retain heat evenly, and the domed lids have holes to release steam. 

The result of this attention to detail is that these loaf pans cook bread more evenly than some other options. However, I’ve found that in many situations, you need to account for the true cooking time (basically, more of it) to really nail the recipe.

If you’re willing to spend a little more or are looking for a great gift idea, these ceramic loaf pans are the way to go!

The Specs:

• Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Dimensions: 9.06” D x 5.5” W x 0.04” H
• Material: Clay
• Max Temp: 500°F

The Pros:

• Dishwasher- and microwave-safe
• Durable
• Good for sandwich-style bread

The Cons:

• A limited number of retailers
• Expensive
• Heavy

Buy the Emile Henry French Ceramic Covered Bread Loaf Pan:

4. Best Loaf Pan for Cornbread: Le Creuset Signature 9-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

For cornbread recipes, such as my Sweet Potato Cornbread, which is jazzed up with mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice, I always use this skillet from Le Creuset. I don’t bake cornbread as a traditional loaf of bread but rather in a flatter shape.

Cast iron distributes heat evenly, and this enameled pan is easy to clean and also compatible with induction stovetops.

That said, the price tag for this pretty pan is higher, although it includes a lifetime warranty. Also note that a great cast iron skillet is so useful if you want to make restaurant-quality steak at home, a 10-minute skillet pizza, or a classic blueberry Dutch baby pancake. Bottom line, it’s a super versatile item in any cook or baker’s arsenal!

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, I also recommend this Lodge Pre-Seasoned Skillet, which is in the $15 to $30 range. 

The Specs:

• Weight: 4.2 lbs
• Dimensions: 10.5” x D x 15.3” W x 1.6” H
• Material: Enameled cast iron
• Max Temp: 500°F

The Pros:

• Comes in bright, fun colors
• Compatible with several stove types
• Versatile 
• Lasts forever

The Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy

What Others are Saying: 

The Le Creuset 9-inch Cast Iron Skillet has a 4.6-star rating from more than 5,100 ratings on Amazon. 

Buy the Le Creuset Cast Iron Skillet:

5. Best Loaf Pan for Sourdough: Le Creuset Oval Enameled 6¾ Quart Dutch Oven

My Easy Sourdough Recipe calls for a covered Dutch oven, so I use and love this one from Le Creuset!

The Dutch oven traps the steam that’s released when the bread is cooking, so the result is a perfectly crusty crust that sourdough is known for.

Side note: If you need recipe ideas for bread, I also have an AMAZING cheddar-stuffed version of my sourdough bread, because everything is better with cheese! 

Like the Le Creuset pan I use for cornbread, this Dutch oven is made from enameled cast iron, so it’s easy to clean. Technically, it can go in the dishwasher, but hand washing is still a better bet. If you’re looking for a bread loaf pan with a lid, this is one I do not hesitate to recommend.

Plus, it’s a super versatile piece of cookware, so you can also use it for stews, soups, pot roast, chili, and tons of other easy, one-pot recipes. 

I cannot imagine making a pot of my Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup or my famous Best Broccoli Cheddar Soup which is better-than any chain restaurant’s version indeed!

Honestly if there is one piece of kitchen equipment that I highly recommend all cooks and bakers invest in, it’s a high-quality Dutch oven like this one.

Make sure to check the sizes and although you may think you really don’t need it to be “so big” as time goes on, you’ll be glad you bought the biggest one you can afford (or find storage for). This is a situation where sizing up is the way to go.

The Specs:

• Weight: 13.9 lbs
• Dimensions: 12.5” D x 9.75” W x 4.75” H
• Material: Enameled cast iron
• Max Temp: 500°F

The Pros:

• Comes in bright, fun colors
• Easy to clean
• Large capacity
• Lifetime warranty

The Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy

What Others Are Saying:

Food Network found the Le Creuset to be the “best oval Dutch oven,” of all the leading brands they tested. 

Buy the Le Creuset Oval Enameled 6¾ Quart Dutch Oven:

6. Best Bundt Pan: Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan

You might be thinking, “but this is a cake pan.” Yes, but in a pinch, it can also be used to make bread like my fun and savory, Cinnamon and Spice Sweet Potato Bread—that everyone will love. It also works great for my pull-apart stuffing ring!

I don’t have a ton of fancy pans like the ones with unique design patterns, so when I want to make the best pumpkin Bundt cake or this reader favorite rum cake (image below) for the holidays, I turn to this bundt pan by Nordic Ware, which actually invented the Bundt pan.

The pans can hold up to 3 liters of batter, and they’re nonstick, so the bread (or cake) will slide right out! That is key because you don’t want your precious cake or bread to get stuck in the intricate grooves.

Be aware that Bundt pans are hand wash only. I truly do only handwash my baking pans be it cake, Bundt, bread, quickbread, or muffins. They last years longer that way.

The Specs:

• Weight: 1.65 lbs
• Dimensions: 10.2” D x 10.2” W x 3.75” H
• Material: Aluminum
• Max Temp: Not specified

The Pros:

• Made in USA (family-owned business)
• Available in gray, bronze, and silver
• Non-stick coating
• 10-year warranty

The Cons:

• Not dishwasher safe

What Others Are Saying: 

The Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan has a 4.8-star rating from more than 5,600 reviews on Amazon.

Buy the Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan 12-Cup:

Other Bread Loaf Pans I Researched

Ohio Stoneware Kitchen Naturals Loaf Pan

I’m big on microwave-safe cookware, but there weren’t enough reviews yet to convince me that this one is tried and true, although it’s a rare stoneware loaf pan and some people really love how they look. This pan can take heat up to 500°F and be used in the microwave (EXTREMELY RARE!) and the dishwasher without falling apart. The Ohio Stoneware Kitchen Naturals Loaf Pan is available at Amazon for $19.99.

OXO Good Grips Glass Loaf Pan with Lid

One reason why you want to opt for a glass pan when baking bread is that glass tends to brown the edges nicely. Some people love this aspect of their bread, while others don’t. I like that this one comes with a lid, but I haven’t tested this personally. It has a ton of Amazon reviews and a high star rating, plus Food Network also ranks it as “the best glass loaf pan.” The OXO Good Grips Glass Loaf Pan with Lid is available at Amazon for $14.99.

Emile Henry Baguette Baker

If you’re trying to find the best pan for French bread, this one should be in the running. What I like about this baguette baker is that it makes THREE baguettes. And because it’s made by a long-time company in France, I would trust the quality. The bread reportedly does not stick to the pan and reviews rave about the thin, crispy crust that you can normally only find in France. The Emile Henry Baguette Baker is available at Amazon for $109.50.

Sassafras Superstone Stoneware La Cloche Bread Baker

Some bread recipes just do better in a round shape—especially if you like a cake-y aesthetic—and for that, you are going to need a round pan like this one. Despite a low number of Amazon reviews, it has a 4.5-star rating, and chefs and those working in commercial food settings swear by this pan. The Sassafras Superstone Stoneware La Cloche Bread Baker is available at Amazon for $74.95.  

GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick

More and more cooks are searching for eco-friendly options and I totally get that. GreenLife is a recognized brand that’s known for producing pans that are free of chemicals. This ceramic loaf pan is dishwasher safe and comes in two off-beat and fun colors: turquoise and lavender. The GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick is available at Amazon for $14.99.

Why You Can Trust Me

I love baking bread! So much so that I’ve compiled all my bread recipes here on my website, totaling more than 125!

My Six Banana Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful recipe, and a great way to use SIX over-ripe bananas, and I make it my recommended Wilton loaf pan.

I’m also the author of two cookbooks:

• Peanut Butter Comfort: Recipes for Breakfasts, Brownies, Cakes, Cookies, Candies, and Frozen Treats Featuring America’s Favorite Spread
• Cooking with Pumpkin: Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie

I’ve also been a food blogger since 2009 which makes me an OG in the world of blogging!

Want the recipe? It’s this reader favorite Best Strawberry Banana Bread.

To create this list of the best bread loaf pans I factored in durability, whether they’re easy to clean, price points, and also what the best recipes for each are.

All of the top picks are ones that I’ve personally used, but I also researched other types of bread loaf pans from top cookware brands that I’m familiar with. Before including those in this post, I combed through reviews and recommendations from consumers and notable culinary publications. 

What to Know About Bread Loaf Pans

Things to Consider When Choosing a Bread Loaf Pans

If you’re seriously into baking bread, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need just one pan. Each recipe is going to dictate different baking conditions, not to mention a different set of ingredients. This is why I like to use a Dutch oven for sourdough and a skillet for cornbread. That said, there are three features you want to keep an eye on when shopping for the best bread loaf pans for you.

Size

For kids’ lunches, sweets at the office, or as gifts for the holidays, mini loaf pans are perfect! But for an everyday bread loaf recipe—especially for banana bread—choose a regular-size, 9” x 5” inch pan. As mentioned, I use a different-shaped pan if I’m baking sourdough or cornbread, especially if it’s for a large group. I like how ceramic retains the heat, too, so I just put this right on the table with dinner and don’t worry about the bread getting cold.

Materials

Glass, ceramic, aluminum, steel, and cast iron are all choices when you’re sifting through options for bread loaf pans. For some, the choice of materials may be a matter of preference, but generally speaking, cast iron cooks very evenly, whereas glass gives the loaves light brown edges. Look for reviews that state how long the product has held up. If someone is using their parents’ bread loaf pans they were given at their wedding, that’s worth paying attention to as that means it’s made from long-lasting materials that can take heat and wear and tear. 

Easy to Clean

Let’s face it: While baking is fun and eating this fresh-out-of-the-oven bread is UNDENIABLY the best part, what’s not fun is the clean-up. Look for a bread loaf pan you can pop into the dishwasher with all the other messy dishes and the batter spoon. If you must wash it by hand, I highly recommend using pans that are designed to be nonstick. 

What Size is a Loaf Pan?

There’s a reason why there are different sizes for bread loaf pans—usually mini (5” x 3”), regular (9” x 5” or 8.5” x 4.5”), and large (which is anything larger than a 9” x 5”). If you’re not sure what to buy, just go with the regular size. You can always bake two regular loaves if you want to increase the recipe.

How to Line a Loaf Pan with Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is a baker’s BFF and once you use it, you will never go back. Just keep the size in proportion. Use a rectangular sheet slightly larger than your pan with edges hanging over only two oppposite sides of the pan, and ever so slightly. The same goes for cooking oil spray because you don’t get your hands sticky and oily. Another option is to buy silicone loaf pans as the bread easily pops out, which means your presentation gets an A-plus (no chunks of the bread missing because they’re still stuck to the pan!).

How Long to Bake Banana Bread in Mini Loaf Pans

Is there anything cuter than tiny banana bread (especially with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chips or chunks, yum!) baked in mini loaf pans? You should follow my bread recipes to a “T” in terms of ingredients and amounts, but the baking time might be done sooner than if in larger loaf pans. A general rule of thumb is to reduce the baking time by 25 percent. For my super-moist Blueberry Zucchini Bread, I recommend 20-25 minutes total in the mini pans.

How to Bake Banana Bread Without a Bread Loaf Pan

Banana bread is of course the TOP TOP TOP recipe when you ask people what their favorite bread is, and you shouldn’t panic if you have a bunch of overripe bananas but no bread loaf pan (rectangular-shaped). A square pan, preferably ceramic, I’ve found also works well (or a Bundt pan). 

My Top Recipes for Bread Loaves

Whether you’re new to bread making or a seasoned pro who still wants to up your game and play around with new recipes, you could literally bake a different bread each day of the year and still not cover them all. The field is that diverse, with a mix of sweet and savory, or crunchy and smooth, on the palette.

Here are a few of my top recommended bread loaf recipes—plus one for a copycat meatloaf on Cracker Barrel’s menu.

• Starbucks Lemon Loaf
• Strawberry Banana Bread
• Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
• Nutella Peanut Butter Bread
• Soft and Chewy Coconut Milk Bread

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.