As parents, whether we enjoy baking or not, we're bound to find ourselves oven-mitt deep in the kitchen sooner or later. The kids will need cookies for a bake sale, cupcakes for a party, or some cinnamon rolls to make them feel warm and fuzzy on a cold morning. You might also want to bake meats and casseroles. That is why one of the most necessary pieces of kitchenware in existence is the quintessential baking pan. Because baking pans are so versatile and so frequently used, you want to make sure you get yourself a good one. That is why we have compiled this list of the best baking pans for your kitchen. AmazonBasics Nonstick Oven Bakeware Set All-InclusiveGet a full set of baking pans for a great price.Best OverallFind on Amazon Although some of us love to buy each piece of bakeware individually, it can become time-consuming and end up costing more than it would to just buy an entire set at once. When you choose the AmazonBasics Nonstick Oven Bakeware Set you save both time and money without sacrificing quality. This bakeware set is a high-quality option that has been designed to last for years to come. Each piece has been constructed from heavy-weight carbon steel, which ensures your food is cooked evenly, while the nonstick coating prevents that food from sticking. Cleaning is easy, too: just swipe over the surface with a soft sponge and dish detergent, and once it’s dry, store it away until you need it again. We really love the variety of the pans included and we can’t think of a better option for getting started. Pros: Save time and get a full set of bakeware with one purchase Having all of the most popular types of baking pans in one set makes it perfect for recent college graduates or anyone else moving into their first home The carbon steel construction is durable and made to last longer than many of the more lightweight options A nonstick coating makes cleanup easy You get a loaf pan, 2 cake pans, a muffin pan, and 2 baking sheets, which covers you for all the necessities while you build your collection Cons: These pans are handwash-only Tiawudi Nonstick Loaf Pans Great ValueGet three high-quality loaf pans for an excellent price.Best Loaf PanFind on Amazon Loaf pans are one of the most versatile pieces of bakeware available. We use them for loaves of bread, casseroles, cakes, and so much more. The affordably priced Tiawudi Nonstick Loaf Pans will give you years of versatile use in the kitchen. These loaf pans are made of nonstick coated carbon steel. They cook your food evenly and make cleaning a breeze. The convenient handles at both ends of each pan make it easy to get them in and out of the oven, while the rolled rims prevent warping. Your food will release easily from the sides of this pan, so sticking and scrubbing are never an issue, either. If you love baking bread and small cakes, you can’t pass up the versatility and value of these pans. Pros: The nonstick surface makes it easy to get your baked goods out without ripping or tearing Cleaning is fast and easy We appreciate the company’s lifetime guarantee and great customer service You get three high-quality pans for what one single pan typically costs The rim and handles prevent warping so these pans last even longer Cons: You can’t put these pans in the dishwasher or use metal utensils on them Wilton Perfect Results Nonstick Muffin Pan Premium QualityGet great results every time you use this well-made muffin pan.Best Muffin PanFind on Amazon Newsflash: it is so much fun to make cupcakes and muffins with the kids. You can create new, fun flavors and add food coloring for unique creations and watch their faces light up with excitement and anticipation. However, you can’t get good cupcakes or muffins without a good pan, which is why you need the Wilton Perfect Results Nonstick Muffin Pan. This muffin pan is the standard size with 12 cups. The nonstick coating ensures your muffins and cupcakes come out perfect every time, even if you don’t use paper liners, while the chromium steel construction ensures that they all bake evenly. Because this pan is dishwasher-safe, you can feel free to let your kids decorate their cupcakes right in the pan without worrying about how to get all that sticky frosting off later. All you need to worry about is how manic they’re about to become once all that sugar hits. Pros: The cups are the standard size and made to bake evenly so your cupcakes and muffins will be bake-sale ready For easy cleaning, just throw this pan right into the dishwasher There is a 10-year warranty and the company has great customer service The nonstick coating makes it easy for you and your kids to get your muffins and cupcakes right out without any hassle or sticking, which is much appreciated because we all know how upset kids get if their cupcake crumbles It is affordably priced Cons: A 12-cup pan is not quite large enough for the large batches you need to make for bake sales and parties Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Sheet Pans Cakes and Cookies and Meats, Oh MyBake everything from cakes to roasts in these heavy-duty baking sheet pans.Best Sheet PansFind on Amazon Sheet pans are one of the most versatile cookware pieces you could ever own. They are used for cakes, cookies, meats, and more. You will use yours all the time, which is why we want to make sure you get the high-quality Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Sheet Pans. These sheet pans come in a wide variety of sizes so you are sure to get the right size for your family. The pure aluminum lasts a lifetime without any rust or corrosion, so you can expect to own these for quite some time. Thanks to their excellent heat conductivity, it’s pretty easy to get an evenly cooked meal, too. A rolled rim prevents warping for added durability and the entire thing is scratch-resistant. Overall, these baking sheets will be a favorite for your family for years to come. Pros: These pans are made in the USA of natural materials for maximum quality They are very durable thanks to the pure aluminum construction Choose from the different sizes based on your needs, or get one of each These pans don’t rust or warp, even under heavy use Although they are naturally nonstick, these pans are compatible with parchment paper and silicone baking sheets for easier cleaning Cons: You have to handwash these pans or they can become discolored Rachael Ray Yum-O Nonstick Cake Pan Are You Kitchen Me?Let's face the facts: no kitchen is complete without a durable cake pan.Best Cake PanFind on Amazon No kitchen is complete without a high-quality cake pan. You can use a cake pan for brownies, casseroles, roasting meat, rice crispy treats, and of course, cakes. The Rachael Ray Yum-O Nonstick Cake Pan has the ability to handle it all, and more. This cake pan is made of heavy gauge steel and touts a long-lasting nonstick coating. You will have it for years and never run out of uses for it. We love the silicone on the handles because they make it easy to navigate the pan in and out of the oven, too. Overall, it is extremely well-made and the price tag isn’t too bad, either. It is easy to clean and food never sticks, so you get good results every time. Pros: The thick steel heats evenly, which leads to evenly-baked food and perfectly browned baked goods It is priced affordably, especially when you consider the quality This cake pan is versatile and you will find yourself using it often Cleaning it is easy because the nonstick coating prevents sticking and stuck-on messes Cons: The coating is easily scratched with metal utensils Frequently Asked Questions Why are good baking pans important? It’s simple: baking pans are important because they allow you to bake your food. Baking is healthier than frying and often much easier, as well. A good baking pan will cook everything evenly while browning the surface. Once you take your food out of the oven, it should easily release without sticking. Low-quality baking pans will tear your food up and leave you with a big mess to scrub, which will in turn lead to scratching and damage to the pan. Do I need to use paper liners for muffins and cupcakes? Paper liners are a great choice, especially for parties and large batches; however, they are not necessary when you are just baking for your family. They may make clean-up easier, but paper can still be wasteful if you use it too often. Silicone cupcake liners are a great alternative and do a great job of protecting your pan while making it easy for your children to handle their muffins and cupcakes.