6 Best Scone Pans
Any home baking fanatic will tell you all about their favorite cookware, and a good-quality scone pan is pretty much indispensable if you want to turn out amazing scones and cornbread.
But how do you choose a good scone pan which will give you consistent results every time?
So, what makes the best scone pans? The best scone pans have excellent heat retention and distribution to create the perfect scone crust. It should be durable and resilient, easy to clean, and must have a high-quality non-stick surface. Some scone pans can also be used for other types of cooking and baking.
Feel like cooking up a batch of scones for your next brunch? Read on to learn what makes the best scone pan, and we’ll reveal our top 6 best scone pans to help you choose!
What Are Scone Pans?
If you’ve been baking scones on a baking sheet all this time, you might be wondering why exactly you need a scone pan? And while we’re talking about it, what even is a scone pan?!
Well, a scone pan is a baking sheet that has individual indentations to hold your scones while they are baking. These little single-serve molds hold and shape your baked goods, cooking them to perfection.
The raised sides of the compartments help the sides of the scone cook evenly, giving you the perfect delicate texture we all adore!
The shape of the scone molds does vary widely. Traditionally, scones were round, and many scone pans still have round compartments.
However, it is very common to get triangular pizza-slice shaped scones these days, and it is easy to find scone pans with pie-shaped sections.
How To Choose The Best Scone Pans
Scones are one of those divine indulgences we just can’t get enough of. Fresh from the oven, these flaky, moist, and crumbly baked delights are truly irresistible.
Best of all they are easy to make at home, with even the most amateur baker capable of getting good results!
It can be so annoying to find what you think is a good scone pan, only for your scones to turn out badly or, even worse, practically welded to the tray.
Sadly, many scone pans just don’t live up to the marketing claims, and we end up disappointed when scones and cornbread just don’t turn out as good as we’d hoped.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a new scone pan, how do you know what to look for?
Let’s find out!
Size
It might sound obvious, but you need to buy the right size scone pan to suit you and your kitchen! Scone pans come in many shapes and sizes, and which one you choose depends on how you plan on using it.
If you are thinking of cooking up large batches of scones, then opt for the biggest pan you can fit into your oven. There is no point in trying to cook three dozen scones if you can only bake four in your scone pan at one time!
For smaller batches or smaller kitchens, look for the most space-efficient option. A scone pan that bakes pizza-shaped scones will fit in much more per pan than one which cooks traditional round scones.
Think about your storage as well – do you have somewhere to keep a scone pan in your kitchen? If you’re short of space then a silicone scone pan might be the solution, as these can squash and fold into smaller cupboards and drawers.
Cooking Surface
Traditionally, scone pans are made from cast iron. This durable material is less commonly used these days, which is a shame as it gives great results when used for baking.
Cast iron gives a consistent and evenly spread heat, which is exactly what you want for creating the perfect scones.
These days, scone pans can come in a wide range of different cooking surfaces, not just cast iron. One of the most common is aluminum, normally coated with a non-stick surface. Silicone bakeware is also rising in popularity.
So, which cooking surface do you choose when you are looking at buying a new scone pan? Cooking experts swear by their traditional cast iron pans, which will give you a better crust than any of the alternatives.
However, don’t rule out other types of cooking surfaces, as they can also give you good results when baking scones.
Ease Of Cleaning
So, you’ve cooked up a big batch of scones for the whole family. Yummy! But, unfortunately, now it’s time to clean up.
Nothing ruins that warm, fuzzy, home-baking mood quite like spending hours soaking baked-on food off your precious cookware!
Ideally, the surface of your scone pan should just wipe clean in seconds. Some scone pans are suitable for washing in the dishwasher, while others are hand-wash only.
Adaptability
Who doesn’t love a versatile cooking pan? There is no point taking up valuable cupboard space with multiple trays which only do one thing each.
Luckily, many scone pans also double up as a baking tray for cornbread, muffins, and even cookies.
So, if you are tight on space in your kitchen, it makes sense to opt for a multifunctional baking tray that can do more than one job.
The 6 Best Scone Pans
From a traditional cast iron scone pan to a multifunction silicone tray, the key to making the best scones is a consistently high temperature and high-quality non-stick surface. Here are our top picks for the 6 best scone pans!
| Rank | Product | Best Feature | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | YOLOPLUS+ Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Scone Pan (Best Overall) | Pre-seasoned cast iron for crisp wedges | Read review |
| 2 | Nordic Ware Scottish Scone & Cornbread Pan (Best Traditional) | Classic 8-wedge Scottish design | Read review |
| 3 | Wilton Non-Stick Mini Loaf Pan (Best Mini Loaf) | Made without PFAS, easy release | Read review |
| 4 | USA Pan Nonstick Mini Loaf Pan (8-Well) (Best For Big Batches) | Sturdy 8-well commercial-grade build | Read review |
| 5 | Xstronq Mini Carbon Steel Baking Molds (12 Pack) (Best Budget) | A dozen mini molds for the lowest price here | Read review |
| 6 | Bluedrop Silicone Perforated Bread Molds (Best Silicone) | Perforated silicone for even browning | Read review |
1. YOLOPLUS+ Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Scone Pan (Best Overall)
For our number one spot, we absolutely had to go with a cast iron pan, with round scone molds.
This is a very traditional style of scone pan, which is guaranteed to produce amazing results.
The cast iron base and sides of this pan are the perfect height and thickness to retain and distribute heat evenly, giving your scones the perfect light but crisp crust.
It can also be used for making other desserts such as biscuits and muffins.
This heavy-duty cast iron pan can be used on gas and ceramic stovetops, and also works on some induction stoves. It can also be used in the oven and has easy-grab handles to lift and move it safely.
If you have never used a cast iron pan before, you might be a bit daunted about looking after it properly! However, they are actually very easy to wash with just warm water and a soft cloth.
All you need to remember is to wipe the surface with a thin layer of cooking oil when it is dry, and your cast iron pan will last for years.
2. Nordic Ware Scottish Scone & Cornbread Pan (Best Traditional)
A good compromise between cast iron and silicone is heavy-duty cast aluminum, like this high-quality version by Nordic Ware.
With this pan you get the heat retention and distribution of a cast iron pan but with a durable non-stick surface.
The Nordic Ware Scottish Scone & Cornbread Pan can be used in the oven, on your stovetop, or under the broiler. It makes 8 perfect triangular scones, and can also be used to make cornbread, polenta, and biscuits.
This pan is not dishwasher safe, but it will wipe clean easily in warm soapy water. The manufacturers do warn that metal utensils must be kept away from the non-stick surface to keep it at its best.
If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, they also do a mini scone version. This makes 16 cute little triangular scones, perfect for the smaller hungry people in your family!
3. Wilton Non-Stick Mini Loaf Pan (Best Mini Loaf)
Wilton bakeware comes highly recommended by many chefs and home bakers, for good reason!
This bakeware manufacturer produces high-quality non-stick pans at a very reasonable price, and their products are renowned for their durability and ease of use.
If you’re looking for a scone pan that is also very versatile, then you can’t go wrong with this one.
As well as baking amazing scones, it will also turn out perfect bread, meatloaf, and quiches. The premium non-stick surface means your baked goods will pop right out of the pan.
The heavyweight durable steel pan is warp-resistant and will withstand everyday use. It distributes heat evenly, giving you a lovely crust on your baked goods. It will wipe clean easily after use and is also dishwasher safe.
4. USA Pan Nonstick Mini Loaf Pan (8-Well) (Best For Big Batches)
USA Pan is another firm renowned for producing high-quality bakeware.
They produce commercial-grade pans for the home kitchen, so you know you are getting a high-end product when you buy from this manufacturer!
The aluminized steel body of this pan gives incredible heat distribution, strength, and durability. The body is coated with a patented Americoat surface, a form of silicone which means your baked goods are guaranteed not to stick.
With a unique corrugated surface to allow air to circulate evenly, this loaf pan will make perfect scones every time.
The pan itself has a reinforced rim, with steel wire to prevent warping. The wide edges of the pan make it easy to grip and lift to and from the oven.
5. Xstronq Mini Carbon Steel Baking Molds (12 Pack) (Best Budget)
Haven’t got room in your cupboard for yet another baking tray? Don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect solution for you here!
If you don’t have space to store a scone pan, you can turn any baking tray into one with this set of 12 mini baking molds.
Simply place the molds onto your normal flat baking tray, add your scone mix to the molds, and pop them into the oven.
The fluted outer rim of the molds will allow air to circulate around your scones, giving the perfect crust every time. These little molds are also perfect for making other baked goods, such as baked eggs, tarts, quiches, and desserts.
After use, the non-stick carbon steel surface will wash clean easily in warm soapy water, or you can pop them into the dishwasher. They then stack away neatly in your cupboard, taking up barely any space at all!
6. Bluedrop Silicone Perforated Bread Molds (Best Silicone)
Here is another clever take on the silicone baking mold!
The Bluedrop Silicone Perforated Bakery Mold is a flexible silicone coated fiberglass mesh baking sheet.
It’s vented with tiny holes throughout the entire cooking surface.
This ensures that heat can reach all areas of your baked goods, whilst also allowing steam to escape.
This innovative design is perfect for baking scones, giving you a delightfully light crust every time. It is also great for baking buns, biscuits, and cornbread. Just remember to put it onto a rack or pan, and don’t use it for batter or other liquids!
As with all silicone products, this baking mold is quick and easy to clean. Food will pop easily off the non-stick surface, and it will wipe or rinse clean in seconds.
