Learning how to buy a nonstick pan that's right for you is easy when you've got tips from a real-life restaurant chef. Our pan buying guide lists the important considerations you need to know before investing.
How to Buy a Nonstick Pan That’s Right for You
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
Anyone with a well-stocked kitchen can agree: Nonstick pans are an essential. You can’t make a perfect omelet or fluffy pancakes without one. It’s not all about brunch, either—they’re also well-suited for cooking delicate fish and making crepes.
But wait: Can’t nonstick pans cause cancer?
We’ve all seen the press about cancer-causing nonstick coatings. But the good news is that most pans aren’t made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) anymore. In fact, you’ll find the words “PFOA-free” on almost every nonstick pan—so look for that! (More on coatings later.)
Knowing that there’s a lot to consider, we broke down the differences between nonstick pans to help you choose the right set. Here’s your go-to nonstick pan buying guide:
What to Consider Before Buying a Nonstick Pan
Coating
These days, there are two different kinds of nonstick coatings. The most popular coating is PTFE (commonly known as Teflon), a synthetic coating that repels water. The other type of coating is called ceramic, although it’s actually a silica-based gel.
Either type of coating works well to prevent food from sticking to the pan’s surface, although Teflon coatings are reported to last longer than ceramic coatings. Just be sure to follow the care guidelines (basically, don’t scratch it!).
Our Pick for PTFE Nonstick Skillet: Calphalon Contemporary 13-Inch Deep Skillet, $110
Our Pick for Ceramic Nonstick Skillet: Original GreenPan Paris Pro 12-Inch Skillet, $90
Material
Most nonstick pans are made out of either aluminum or stainless-steel try-ply. The latter is much more capable of providing even heating, but these pans will be heavier and tend to be more expensive, too. Aluminum bases heat up more quickly but they’re not ideal for even heat distribution. They also can’t be used on induction burners (unless there’s a stainless steel plate welded to the bottom).
If you cook on an induction cooktop, make sure to check the package to ensure the pan is induction compatible. You can always test the pan by sticking a magnet to the bottom: If it’s magnetized, you’re good to go!
Our Pick for Aluminum Nonstick Skillet: Taste Recipes 12-Inch Skillet, $35
Our Pick for Stainless-Steel and Induction-Compatible Nonstick Skillet: All-Clad 9-Inch Skillet, $100
Price
I’ll be the first one to tell you that you get what you pay for when it comes to kitchen equipment. That being said, don’t spend a lot of money on a nonstick pan. Even if you take exceptional care of your pans, that nonstick coating will eventually start to wear off. Save your money for expensive stainless-steel pots and pans that will last a lifetime and replace your inexpensive nonstick egg pan when its performance starts to suffer.
Our Pick for Budget Nonstick Skillet: Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized 12-Inch Skillet, $40
Our Pick for Splurge Nonstick Skillet: Fissler Protect Steelux Premium 11-Inch Skillet, $120
Looking for more kitchen essentials? Head over to our guide to the best type of cookware.
Easy One-Dish Skillet Dinners
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
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.
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
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
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.
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 SkilletMy husband and I tried a dish similar to this on our honeymoon in Greece. I re-created the flavors in this recipe when we got home. When I make it now, it brings back wonderful memories. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York
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.
