Updated on Dec. 07, 2023
Looking for the best nonstick frying pan for weekend breakfasts and beyond? Our Test Kitchen pros put plenty of pans through their paces. Here are their top picks.
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Next to your cast-iron skillet, there’s one other pan in your kitchen that sees a lot of use: your frying pan. It’s the go-to pan for everything from scrambled eggs to skillet sides to one-pan dinners.
Because frying pans are so frequently used and do a lot of hard work in the kitchen, it’s important to find an option that you really enjoy using. For many of us, that means that these pans are sturdy, easy to clean and even oven-safe. We know you don’t have time to test out pan after pan to find your favorite—but our Test Kitchen does! Our team of pro cooks tested the most popular nonstick frying pans on the market to find amazing options for home cooks.
Finding the best nonstick frying pan is a tall order! You definitely want to know if the nonstick surface is really nonstick (not the sort of surface that requires extra scrubbing), if the surface heats evenly, if the handle gets too hot and much more. For this test, our kitchen pros put each pan through its paces cooking recipe after recipe, all the while keeping these criteria in mind.
After cracking a few dozen eggs, our Test Kitchen found the best nonstick frying pan brands for home cooks.
In our Test Kitchen, you’ll find a lot of OXO products. This brand makes lots of great gadgets like spiralizers, spatulas and kitchen scales. It also produces one of our favorite frying pans: the OXO Good Grips Nonstick Skillet.
OXO’s frying pan was a dream to work with. For $60, you get a pan that produced terrific skillet meals, eggs that didn’t stick and a host of perfectly browned proteins. And you can pop it in the oven—perfect for recipes like skillet cornbread. If you skip the metal utensils, this sturdy pan should last for years and years (you might even want to buy it in multiple sizes—it comes in 8-, 10- and 12-inch sizes).
This pan was also exceptionally easy to clean. The nonstick surface didn’t leave any stuck-on bits in the pan, and unlike other skillet options we tested, it’s dishwasher-safe. Is there anything better than a top-performing pan that’s incredibly simple to clean? (Not in our Test Kitchen there’s not!)
Looking for an alternative to traditional nonstick coatings and hard-anodized cookware? Give ceramic cookware, like the GreenPan Valencia Skillet, a try. Coated with a ceramic finish, this midweight aluminum pan was a joy to use.
Fried eggs didn’t stick a bit in this pan—they slid right out onto breakfast plates. And while it took a few minutes to get some good color, chicken breasts cooked up with a pretty brown sear in about 10 minutes. After all the cooking was done, there was no need to scrub this pan. Any residual bits in the pan wiped right out. And while GreenPan encourages handwashing, you can pop this pan in the dishwasher if you’re in a pinch.
Besides the easy cleanup and cooking performance, our Test Kitchen appreciated how this coated pan works with metal utensils (that’s unusual for ceramic). Also, this pan can go from stovetop to oven so you can start searing pork chops on the stove and finish it off in the oven while you work on the rest of your meal.
You already know that one of the best ways to treat yourself in the kitchen is with Le Creuset. This kitchenware brand is known for its gorgeous Dutch ovens and enamelware, but it also produces a dynamite frying pan. The Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Fry Pan, like all Le Creuset cookware, was sturdy, beautiful and a top performer in our Test Kitchen.
This nonstick pan earned high marks from our pros for balancing the easy-to-clean nonstick finish we all desire when it comes time to do the dishes along with a durable surface that creates fond (that’s the fancy name for the tasty brown bits left in the pan) that gives food flavor.
Our pros found that chicken, eggs and more all cooked up beautifully in the pan. If you wanted you could even pop this skillet into the oven to finish making a frittata. Overall, oven-safe skillets were the big winners in our test for their versatility—particularly this Le Creuset model that’s broiler-safe.
Need a good nonstick pan for Sunday morning pancakes but don’t want to break the bank? You want the T-fal Nonstick Fry Pan.
This lightweight aluminum pan heats up quickly and has a feature that lets you know when the pan is nice and hot. The T-fal logo turns red when the pan is hot and ready for pancake batter (or eggs or bacon or whatever else you want to cook). This is a feature our Test Kitchen crew hadn’t seen before but really enjoyed.
Our testing team liked this pan because it gave the chicken breast a nice sear and left a bit of fond behind. That being said, it wasn’t the most nonstick of the nonstick options, though it did clean up easily.
Be aware that hand washing is preferred, though you can toss it in the dishwasher on occasion. Also, use metal utensils with caution according to the directions. You may want to stick with silicone or nylon tools to be safe.
A reliable nonstick frying pan will see a lot of use in any home kitchen. Use it to make omelets in the morning, grilled cheese for lunch and one-pan meals for dinner. And don’t forget about using your nonstick pan for prep. It’s the perfect vehicle for toasting nuts, browning butter and much, much more.
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Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
This is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. It's one of my favorite one-skillet meals! —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
Beef and Rice SkilletIf you love stuffed peppers but don't love the effort, this loaded beef and rice skillet is the answer. You can get it on the table in a half hour flat.
Best Chicken ‘n’ BiscuitsClassic Southern comfort food at its best: buttery biscuits topped with creamy chicken and veggies. Easy to prepare with ready-made biscuits or your own. Cozy and delicious.
Sausage Pierogi SkilletI made this simple pierogies and sausage recipe one night when I hadn’t planned anything for dinner. It’s convenient because it uses items I usually have on hand. Plus, there’s hardly any cleanup! —Susan Held, Cooksville, Maryland
Weeknight Skillet Spinach PieI love sneaking extra veggies into my kids’ dinners, especially with this skillet spinach pie recipe. With a flaky crust and extra cheese, the kids never know they’re eating a vitamin-rich dish and I’m not hovering over an oven for hours. Put the spinach and phyllo sheets in the refrigerator the night before or early in the morning for thawing. —Kristyne McDougle, Lorain, Ohio
Barley Beef SkilletEven my 3-year-old loves this family-favorite beef barley skillet. It's very filling, inexpensive and packed with veggies. It's also really good spiced up with chili powder, cayenne or a dash of Tabasco. —Kit Tunstall, Boise, Idaho 
Moroccan ShrimpMoroccan shrimp and Israeli couscous simmer with onions, pine nuts and a traditional seasoning blend until they're plump and steeped in flavor.
Hash Brown Pork SkilletAdd potatoes and veggies to leftover pork tenderloin for an easy, creamy weeknight supper in minutes! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Serve this meal with one of our favorite skillet sides.
One-Skillet PastaThis recipe was given to me 25 years ago and remains a family favorite. It's a tasty twist on traditional spaghetti, and making a one-skillet pasta saves time on prep and cleanup, too. —Susan Spence, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Sausage Potato SkilletGrowing up, I would eat this sausage and potato skillet recipe almost every day. I could never get enough of my favorite meal! —Amelia Bordas, Springfield, Virginia
Easy Sausage and Vegetable SkilletThis is an old recipe that has been passed down in our family through my sister-in-law. When I was a child, she did most of the cooking in our house, and this was my favorite meal. The variety of vegetables makes this an attractive dish, and the cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
These easy skillet meals can be prepped in just 15 minutes!
Chicken StewThis chicken stew is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, a rich, savory broth—and a surprise ingredient.
Santa Fe SkilletAs a mother who works full-time, I’m always looking for quick, easy, one-skillet meals to prepare. This is a timeless recipe. —Lorie VanHorn, Waddell, Arizona
Low on groceries? Try our favorite 4-ingredient skillet recipes.
Skillet Pork Chops with Apples & OnionPork chops with apples and onions is a timeless pairing; the combination of the simple ingredients yields a savory entree that's sweet, tart and perfectly saucy.
Beef TortelliniThis quick and easy beef tortellini recipe combines ground beef, Montreal steak seasoning and a melty Italian cheese topping for a one-pot meal to please all palates.
Stovetop ChiliThis hearty chili comes together quickly and is packed with vegetables, cheese and meat. It's an easy-to-prepare one-pan meal that you'll reach for on repeat in the fall and winter months.
Chicken Burrito SkilletWe love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! —Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Peasant SkilletI prepare this supper frequently throughout the year, substituting whatever vegetables are in season. No matter how often I make it, I'm always asked for the recipe. —Lisbeth Whitehead, Watertown, South Dakota 
Skillet TacosThis fast and healthy alternative to traditional tacos has a delicious southwestern flair. The fact that is comes together in just 30 minutes makes it even more irresistible. —Maria Gobel, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Taco SkilletBusy day? Save time and money with this one-dish meal the whole family will love. It calls for handy convenience products, so it can be on the table in minutes. —Kelly Roder, Fairfax, Virginia
Chicken and Rice DinnerThe chicken in this recipe bakes up to a beautiful golden brown while the moist rice is packed with flavor. The taste is simply unbeatable! —Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas
Sausage Veggie SkilletThis sausage veggie skillet recipe is a no-fuss, filling meal. Made with potatoes, onions, spinach and corn, this hearty dish is surprisingly quick to prepare and can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
One-Skillet Chicken Fajita PastaYou can have this quick, easy fajita pasta on the table in no time. We love the kicked-up Southwestern flavor, and I like being able to make the whole meal in my cast-iron skillet. I sometimes garnish it with crushed corn chips. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Creamy Skillet Noodles with PeasI’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
Maple Sausage SkilletMaple syrup adds sweetness to this yummy stir-fry. I sometimes add a little broccoli, too, for a change of pace. Add a green salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a complete meal in minutes. —Dottie Tarlton, Malvern, Arkansas
Stuffed Pepper SkilletThis stuffed pepper skillet recipe reimagines the classic dish of bell peppers stuffed with tomatoey beef and rice as a hearty and satisfying skillet dinner that's packed with flavor and easy to make.
Skillet Pork ChopsSkillet pork chops are the kind of hearty, comforting, fuss-free meal everyone needs to have in their repertoire. With just a handful of ingredients and one pan to clean up, it's an ideal weeknight meal.
Pierogi Beef SkilletHearty and thick with beef, veggies and potatoes, this is a complete meal in one. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Mexican Mac and CheeseThis Mexican macaroni and cheese is the ultimate quick-comfort recipe that will leave the entire family satisfied.
Cajun ShrimpSpice up your weeknight meals with our quick and easy Cajun shrimp recipe.
Confetti Kielbasa SkilletHere's one of my husband's favorite dishes. When it's in season, substitute fresh corn for frozen. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. —Sheila Gomez, Shawnee, Kansas 
Sausage and Vegetable SkilletThis hearty stovetop entree has been a family favorite for years. The variety of vegetables makes this dish attractive. Cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Hearty Skillet SupperWhen the weather starts turning cooler, I start to hear requests for this dish. The light soy, onion and garlic flavors blend nicely with fresh carrots and potatoes in this budget-minded recipe. —Pat Jensen, Cottonwood, Minnesota
Grecian Pasta & Chicken SkilletWe love a homemade meal at the end of the day. But the prep involved? Not so much. My Greek-inspired pasta is lemony, herby and, thankfully, easy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Tasty Turkey SkilletI like using boxed rice and pasta mixes to jump-start quick meals. This colorful dish is simple to cook on the stovetop using fried rice mix, tender turkey and convenient frozen vegetables. —Betty Kleberger, Florissant, Missouri
Skillet Zucchini and SausageI lived on the Oregon coast for 20 years and had plenty of guests dropping by. I often turned to this quick and easy dish, serving it up with skillet cornbread or garlic bread. Judging by the requests for the recipe, everyone loved it! —LaBelle Doster, Vancouver, Washington
Breakfast Pizza SkilletI found the recipe for this hearty stovetop dish several years ago and changed it to fit our tastes. When I served it at a Christmas brunch, it was an instant hit. —Marilyn Hash, Enumclaw, Washington
Feta Shrimp SkilletThis Mediterranean-inspired feta shrimp skillet is the vacation meal you need after a busy workday. Shrimp, tomatoes, salty feta and herbs create a flavorful getaway—even for just a few minutes.
Ham and RiceThis one-pot ham and rice meal combines savory ham, earthy mushrooms and fluffy rice to create a crowd-pleasing dinner that's ready in just 25 minutes.
Eggs and PotatoesLoaded with tender potatoes, semi-runny eggs and gooey cheese, this skillet eggs and potatoes recipe captures the perfect combination of flavors and textures. This recipe uses a single skillet to whip up a hearty meal in only 30 minutes.
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It'salso a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Spanish Noodles and Ground BeefBacon adds flavor to this comforting stovetop supper my mom frequently made when we were growing up. Now I prepare it for my family. —Kelli Jones, Peris, California.
Quick Italian Veggie SkilletWhen you don’t know what to serve, Italian flavors are a good starting point. We combine cannellini and garbanzo beans for this snappy rice dish. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Honey Chicken Stir-FryWho needs takeout when you've got this quick and delicious honey chicken stir-fry! Simple ingredients and a full-proof method mean dinner will be ready in a flash.
Dirty Rice with Ground BeefDirty rice with ground beef is a departure from the typical chicken liver-centric version, but it's just as tasty. This recipe also cooks in just 30 minutes, quick enough for an improvised weeknight meal.
Weeknight Pasta SquigglesThis zesty pasta dish is ideal for busy weeknights. It contains just a few ingredients, is easy to prep, and tastes so comforting when the weather turns cool. A salad on the side makes this healthy pasta recipe a meal. —Stacey Brown, Spring, Texas
Hamburger CasseroleThis hamburger casserole recipe is such a hit it's traveled all over the country! My mother originated the recipe in Pennsylvania, I brought it to Texas when I married, I'm still making it in California, and my daughter treats her friends to this oldie in Colorado. It's hearty, yet simple to prepare. —Helen Carmichall, Santee, California
Cashew ChickenThis quick cashew chicken recipe is great as a weeknight timesaver that you won’t find yourself compromising on flavor. If you’ve never cooked with nuts before, prepare for a pleasant surprise. They really bring the best out of the chicken breast.
