Best pans for pancakes

Best pancake pans to buy at a glance

• Best mini frying pan: GreenPan mini frying pan, £14.99
• Best classic pancake pan: Eaziglide 25cm non-stick frying pan, £35
• Best fun pancake pan: Tefal sausage dog pancake pan, £20
• Best novelty pancake pan: Smiley Faces Pancake Pan, £23.90
• Best pancake pan for induction hobs: MasterClass Eco Induction Pan, £14.98
• Best budget pancake pan: Colourworks non-stick crêpe pan, £13.99
• Best small budget pancake pan: Vogue Black Iron Crêpe Pan, £15.20
• Best French pancake pan: De Buyer blue steel crêpe pan, £28.30
• Best investment pancake pan: Scanpan’s Titanium Classic Omelette/Crêpe pan, £69
• Best stylish pancake pan: Staub Pancake Pan, £75.96

Best pancake pans to buy 2023

GreenPan Mini Frying Pan

Best mini frying pan

The GreenPan frying pan has a Thermalon ceramic coating that is non-stick and can be heated to very high temperatures. It conducts heat well (so no hot spots) and, if you like to flip your pancakes, the sloped edge will help do just that (20cm, 24cm and 28cm sizes are available).

Eaziglide 25cm Non-Stick Pancake Pan

Best classic pancake pan

The Eaziglide pan comes with a lifetime guarantee and is a very versatile option, being dishwasher- and oven-safe up to 260C and suitable for all stove tops.

The combination of its damage-resistant, non-stick and shallow lip features means this pan is made for flipping pancakes.

Tefal sausage dog pancake pan

• Available from Ocado (£20)

Best fun pancake pan

How cool is this illustrated Tefal pan? It's called 'pancake art', and we're totally behind it.

Just wait until the pan is at cooking temperature (indicated by the Thermospot turning bold red), draw the outline in batter so it has time to brown, then fill in the gaps with the rest of your pancake mixture. There's also an enamel, glossy illustration of your sausage dog on the pan's base, so it looks cute, too.

Available from:
Ocado (£20)

Smiley Faces Pancake Pan

Best novelty pancake pan

This cast aluminium pan with a non-stick coating is perfect for making pancakes that will make you smile.

It is not suitable for induction hobs but if you have a ceramic, gas or electric stove top you can make six mini pancakes perfect for stacking and smothering with your favourite toppings.

MasterClass Eco Induction Pan

Best pancake pan for induction hobs

For the eco-conscious, this MasterClass pan is chemical-free, coated with a ceramic non-stick designed to release pancakes without them needing persuasion with a spatula. Suitable for all stove tops, it also comes with a 15-year guarantee.

Colourworks non-stick crêpe pan

Best budget pancake pan

Cheap and cheerful, this crêpe pan by Colourworks comes in a variety of colours and a two-year non-stick lifespan. Not a fan of washing up? Just pop it in the dishwasher when you're finished.

Vogue Black Iron Crêpe Pan

Best small budget pancake pan

This is a small and simple pan that has a black iron composition that evenly distributes heat for perfect pancakes. Season it before use with a little coat of oil and get flipping.

De Buyer blue steel crêpe pan

Best French pancake pan

If you want a pan that looks the part, and is very reasonably priced, then a De Buyer blue steel crêpe pan is the one for you. It’s French and they know a thing or two about crêpes.

Heavy duty, it will work on all hobs and happily go into the oven. Iron retains heat well, so it won’t behave like a lighter non-stick pan, meaning you’ll have to keep an eye on the crêpe. Plus you’ll have to season it and look after it, but it should last you a lifetime.

Be warned though, if you choose a 20cm pan the actual base measurement is smaller, so you’ll end up with neat, petite pancakes. Choose a 24cm pan for bigger crêpes.

Scanpan’s Titanium Classic Crêpe pan

Best investment pancake pan

This pan has a low edge and slight slope to the sides, making it very easy to handle. And at 25cm across it’s perfectly sized for big pancakes.

It’s dishwasher-safe, works on most types of hob (though not induction) and you can even put it in the oven. It isn’t cheap but you’ll use it all the time.

Staub Pancake Pan

Best stylish pancake pan

Staub's enamelled cast-iron pancake pan is specifically designed for flipping thin pancakes and crêpes, distributing heat evenly across its 28cm diameter by sitting flat and low across the heat source.

It's also suitable for any type of cooker, including induction hobs.

How to make the best pancakes

Generally speaking, a heavy, non-stick frying pan about 16cm across is best. Heat the pan over a medium heat then, just before you add the batter, brush lightly with melted butter - use a pastry brush or a piece of kitchen paper dipped in the butter.

Pour just enough batter into the pan and tilt so that it coats the base. Leave the pancake to cook until you start to see tiny bubbles appearing on the top.

Top tips for making the perfect pancake every time

• Preheat the pan to maximise its non-stick properties
• Lightly grease the pan before use
• Using a folded paper towel, wipe the pan clean of any left-over residue and lightly grease again before adding more batter

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