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10 Best Donut Pans

From leading brands and best sellers available on the web.

Buying Guide for the Best Donut Pans

When looking to buy a donut pan, it's important to consider how often you'll use it, what type of donuts you want to make, and how many you want to bake at once. Donut pans come in a variety of shapes and materials, and picking the right one can make homemade donuts much more enjoyable and easier to bake. Understanding different features of donut pans ensures that you'll get perfectly baked donuts that release easily, are simple to clean, and meet your baking needs.
MaterialThe material of the donut pan determines how evenly your donuts bake and how easy the pan is to care for. The most common choices are metal (often nonstick coated) and silicone. Metal pans tend to bake donuts more evenly and produce a slightly crisper edge, which is great if you like a traditional baked donut texture. Silicone pans, on the other hand, are flexible, making it very easy to pop your donuts out, and they're usually dishwasher safe. If you prioritize easy release, choose silicone; for crispier donuts and a traditional pan feel, go with metal.
Number of CavitiesThis refers to how many donuts you can bake at once. Pans typically range from 6 to 12 cavities. If you only want to bake a few donuts at a time for small servings or single use, a 6-cavity pan might be enough. For bigger families, parties, or if you like to batch bake, a 12-cavity pan will save you time and let you make more donuts in one go. Pick based on your typical donut-baking quantity.
Donut SizeThe size of the cavities in the pan will determine how big each donut turns out. Standard donut pans usually make donuts similar to those you find at a bakery, but you can also find mini donut pans for bite-sized treats. Smaller sizes are fun for kids or parties, while regular sizes are good for more classic donut experiences. Consider what fits your needs—do you prefer full-sized treats or smaller, snackable donuts?
Nonstick CoatingNonstick coating is a key feature that makes removing the donuts much easier and leaves less mess behind. Metal pans often come with a nonstick layer to prevent sticking and help with quick cleanup, but beware that over time, these coatings can wear off with heavy use or dishwashing. If you dread scrubbing pans and want donuts to come out cleanly, choose pans with a reliable nonstick surface or silicone pans, which are naturally nonstick.
Ease of CleaningSome donut pans are dishwasher safe, while others require hand washing. Silicone pans are usually the easiest to clean because they can go right into the dishwasher and tend not to trap batter in corners. Metal pans, especially if not nonstick, may need some soaking and scrubbing. If you value convenience in cleanup, check the manufacturer’s instructions for dishwasher compatibility and read user reviews for real-world experiences.