Academy of ChocolateCHOCOLATE · BAKING · DISCOVERY

10 Best Donut Baking Pans of 2026 for Easy Release and Even Baking

A good donut baking pan helps you make evenly shaped baked donuts without a fryer. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize browned edges, easy release, or enough cavities to finish a batch quickly.

These picks span metal and silicone molds, including deeper cavities and multi-pan sets. Here’s what to consider before choosing one for your oven and favorite recipe.

Best 10 Donut Baking Pan Picks for 2026

Best for Batch Baking

NutriChef 4-Pack Donut Pans

NutriChef 4-Pack Donut Pans
  • Four six-cavity carbon steel pans
  • Makes 3.15-inch donuts
  • Oven safe to 450°F

Best For: Large batches of full-sized baked donuts

Best PFAS-Free Option

Wilton Gold 2-Piece Donut Pan Set

Wilton Gold 2-Piece Donut Pan Set
  • Two six-cavity carbon steel pans
  • Coating made without PFAS
  • Dishwasher safe; rated to 450°F

Best For: Flexible six- or 12-donut batches with a PFAS-free coating

Best Hand-Wash Metal Set

Bellemain 2-Pack Donut Pans

Bellemain 2-Pack Donut Pans
  • Two nonstick six-cavity metal pans
  • Designed for donuts and bagels
  • Handwashing required

Best For: Metal-pan baking in manageable batches

Best Flexible Silicone

2-Pack Silicone Donut Pans

2-Pack Silicone Donut Pans
  • Two six-cavity silicone molds
  • Flexible release after cooling
  • Dishwasher safe; rated to 446°F

Best For: Easy-release donuts and versatile silicone bakeware

Gold Steel Set

Deep-Cavity 12-Donut Baking Pans

Deep-Cavity 12-Donut Baking Pans
  • Two pans make up to 12 donuts.
  • Deep 2.8-inch cavities.
  • Nonstick carbon steel; 450°F limit.

Best For: Fuller cake donuts in dozen-size batches

Best for Everyday Use

Aichoof 3-Inch Donut Pan Set

Aichoof 3-Inch Donut Pan Set
  • Flexible silicone aids release.
  • Six listed 3-inch cavities.
  • Dishwasher safe; 446°F limit.

Best For: Easy release and compact storage

Black Steel Set

Deep-Cavity Dozen-Donut Pans

Deep-Cavity Dozen-Donut Pans
  • Two pans make up to 12 donuts.
  • Deep 2.8-inch cavities.
  • Nonstick carbon steel; 450°F limit.

Best For: Fuller donuts in a black steel two-pack

Flexible Family Set

Walfos 3-Pack Silicone Donut Pans

Walfos 3-Pack Silicone Donut Pans
  • Three silicone molds for group baking
  • BPA-free; no nonstick coating
  • Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe

Best For: Families baking donuts together

Rigid Steel Pick

NutriChef Two-Pack 6-Cavity Donut Pans

NutriChef Two-Pack 6-Cavity Donut Pans
  • Two trays with 12 cavities total
  • Carbon-steel construction
  • Nonstick coated; oven safe to 450°F

Best For: Bakers wanting rigid, full-size trays

Pop-Out Silicone Pick

Anaeat 3-Pack Full-Size Donut Molds

Anaeat 3-Pack Full-Size Donut Molds
  • Three six-cavity silicone molds
  • Flexible pop-out release
  • Dishwasher safe; oven rated to 446°F

Best For: Larger batches of full-size donuts

Best for Batch Baking – NutriChef 4-Pack Donut Pans

If you regularly bake for a crowd, this donut baking pan set gives you four carbon steel trays with six cavities each. The 3.15-inch cavities make full-sized donuts, and the nonstick coating helps with release and cleanup.

Best For: Baking up to 24 full-sized donuts in one round, provided your oven can accommodate the trays.

Pros:

  • Four six-cavity pans provide plenty of room for batch baking.
  • Carbon steel construction is designed to distribute heat evenly and resist warping.
  • Oven safe to 450°F; stackable trays help with storage.

Cons:

  • Handwashing is recommended to extend the coating’s life, despite dishwasher-safe labeling.
  • Four trays may be more than occasional bakers need.

This is the capacity-focused choice if you want matching donuts for gatherings or meal prep. The pans can also be used for bagels and other ring-shaped bakes.

Best PFAS-Free Option – Wilton Gold 2-Piece Donut Pan Set

This two-piece donut baking pan set is a practical middle ground for baking six or 12 donuts at a time. Its nonstick coating is made without PFAS, while the carbon steel pans are designed for even heating.

Best For: Home bakers who want a PFAS-free-coated, dishwasher-safe set for half-dozen or dozen batches.

Pros:

  • Two six-cavity pans let you scale a batch up or down.
  • Nonstick coating is made without PFAS and is described as scratch resistant.
  • Extended handles aid handling; pans are oven safe to 450°F.

Cons:

  • A dozen-donut batch requires room for both pans.
  • The set offers less batch capacity than a four-pan option.

Choose this set if coating composition is a priority but you still want the familiar handling of metal bakeware. Dishwasher-safe care adds convenience after baking.

Best Hand-Wash Metal Set – Bellemain 2-Pack Donut Pans

The Bellemain donut baking pan set supplies two nonstick, six-cavity metal pans for cake donuts or bagels. Its steel construction and nonstick surface are aimed at consistent baking and easier release.

Best For: Bakers who want a two-pan metal set and do not mind handwashing.

Pros:

  • Two pans offer six cavities apiece for baking multiple donuts.
  • Nonstick coating helps donuts release and makes cleanup simpler.
  • Suitable for both cake donuts and bagels.

Cons:

  • Handwashing is specified for care.
  • The supplied dimensions are inconsistent, so confirm cavity size if it matters to your recipes.

This set covers the essentials without requiring a four-pan commitment. It makes the most sense if you prefer metal bakeware and are comfortable washing coated pans by hand.

Best Flexible Silicone – 2-Pack Silicone Donut Pans

If you prefer flexible bakeware, this donut baking pan set includes two six-cavity silicone molds for approximately 3-inch donuts. The BPA-free, food-grade silicone is designed to let cooled donuts pop out without prying.

Best For: Beginners and families who value easy release and dishwasher-safe cleanup.

Pros:

  • Flexible molds help release donuts after cooling.
  • Safe for the oven, microwave, freezer, air fryer, and dishwasher within the stated -22°F to 446°F range.
  • Two pans can be stacked or hung for storage.

Cons:

  • The 446°F upper limit is lower than the 450°F rating of some metal options here.
  • Donuts should cool before removal for the release described by the maker.

These molds trade rigid metal construction for flexibility and broad appliance compatibility. They are a straightforward pick if getting donuts out intact is your main concern.

Gold Steel Set – Deep-Cavity 12-Donut Baking Pans

This gold two-pack is a donut baking pan option for making a dozen fuller cake-style donuts at once. Each carbon-steel pan has six deep, 2.8-inch cavities and is oven safe to 450°F.

Best For: Bakers who want thicker baked donuts and a 12-donut batch.

Pros:

  • Two six-cavity pans bake up to 12 donuts per batch.
  • Deep cups are designed for fuller donuts.
  • Nonstick coating helps with release; pans are dishwasher safe.

Cons:

  • Hand washing is recommended to help preserve the coating.
  • Each cavity is 2.8 inches across, rather than a larger 3-inch size.

Choose this set for its deeper shape and steel construction, while allowing for gentler cleaning if you want to maintain the nonstick finish.

Best for Everyday Use – Aichoof 3-Inch Donut Pan Set

The Aichoof donut baking pan set swaps rigid metal for flexible, BPA-free silicone. Its listed six-cavity design makes 3-inch donuts, and the pans can go in the oven, microwave, freezer, or dishwasher.

Best For: Bakers who prioritize flexible release and easy storage.

Pros:

  • Flexible silicone helps cooled donuts pop out.
  • Suitable for temperatures from -22°F to 446°F.
  • Dishwasher safe and flexible enough to stack or hang.

Cons:

  • Its 446°F upper limit is slightly below the 450°F limit of the steel options.
  • The supplied details identify six cavities but do not clearly confirm a 12-donut batch for the two-piece set.

This is the practical choice if easy release and compact storage matter more to you than a rigid steel pan.

Black Steel Set – Deep-Cavity Dozen-Donut Pans

This black donut baking pan set includes two nonstick carbon-steel pans with six deep cavities apiece. It is designed for fuller cake-style donuts and lets you bake up to 12 at a time.

Best For: Bakers seeking a black steel set for dozen-size batches of thicker donuts.

Pros:

  • Two six-cavity pans support a 12-donut batch.
  • Deep 2.8-inch cups are designed for fuller donuts.
  • Nonstick coating helps with release; oven safe to 450°F.

Cons:

  • Hand washing is recommended to help extend coating life, despite the dishwasher-safe listing.
  • The 2.8-inch cavities will not make 3-inch-wide donuts.

It offers the same core deep-cavity steel format as the gold set, with a black finish; pick the color you prefer rather than expecting a different donut size.

Flexible Family Set – Walfos 3-Pack Silicone Donut Pans

This donut baking pan set includes three flexible, food-grade silicone molds for making homemade donuts with family or friends. The molds are BPA-free and do not rely on a chemical nonstick coating; Walfos recommends a light spray of oil before baking to help the donuts release.

Best For: Families who want multiple flexible molds for baking donuts together.

Pros:

  • Three molds provide room for larger baking projects.
  • Flexible silicone helps release donuts and stores easily.
  • Dishwasher safe and suitable for microwave and freezer use.

Cons:

  • A little oil is recommended before use.
  • Flexible molds may need careful handling when filled with batter.

The three-pack is a practical choice if you value easy storage and cleanup over a rigid pan. Its stated temperature range is -40°F to 500°F.

Rigid Steel Pick – NutriChef Two-Pack 6-Cavity Donut Pans

If you prefer a rigid donut baking pan, this NutriChef set supplies two carbon-steel trays with six full-size cavities each. The pans have a nonstick silicone coating and are rated for oven temperatures up to 450°F.

Best For: Bakers who want sturdy, full-size pans for making up to 12 donuts in a batch.

Pros:

  • Two six-cavity trays offer 12 donut molds total.
  • Carbon steel is designed for even heat distribution and resistance to warping.
  • Nonstick coating supports easier release; pans are dishwasher safe.

Cons:

  • The nonstick surface is a coating, unlike uncoated silicone molds.
  • Each rigid tray measures 12.59 by 8.26 inches, so check oven and storage space.

This set makes sense when a firm tray and full-size cavities matter most. The coating is listed as PFOA-, PFOS-, and PTFE-free, though the pans still require room to store.

Pop-Out Silicone Pick – Anaeat 3-Pack Full-Size Donut Molds

This Anaeat donut baking pan set includes three flexible silicone molds, each designed for six full-size donuts. Lightly oil the cavities, then set the molds on a baking tray for support before they go into the oven.

Best For: Bakers who want multiple full-size silicone molds with simple pop-out release.

Pros:

  • Three six-cavity molds can make up to 18 donuts at once.
  • BPA-free, food-grade silicone flexes to help release baked donuts.
  • Stackable, dishwasher safe, and rated from -40°F to 446°F.

Cons:

  • The instructions call for light greasing before filling.
  • The flexible molds should be placed on a baking tray for oven use.

Anaeat is a good match for bigger batches if you already have a baking tray to support the molds. The silicone is also listed as suitable for microwave and freezer use.

How We Picked These Donut Baking Pans

We focused on the differences that matter when you bake: pan material, cavity depth, batch capacity, release, cleaning, and stated oven limits. The selected products include rigid metal pans and flexible silicone molds, with sets ranging from two to three pans. Product descriptions are a starting point, not a substitute for checking the current listing and care instructions; oven-safe temperatures, coating details, and dishwasher guidance can vary by model.

Quick Comparison: Metal Vs. Silicone

Metal pans are the practical choice if you want more browning and a firm pan that is easy to move in and out of the oven. A nonstick coating can help with release, but it still needs gentle handling and thorough cleaning around the center posts.

Silicone molds flex to help release delicate donuts and are easy to store. They can be less stable when filled, so placing the mold on a baking sheet makes transfer easier. Expect a softer exterior than you would typically get from metal.

Key Buying Factors for a Donut Baking Pan

Cavity Size, Depth, and Batch Capacity

Most options here have six cavities per pan, but a two-pack or three-pack lets you bake more donuts at once if your oven can accommodate them. Check the pan’s outside dimensions as well as its cavity measurements: “full-size” and “deep” are useful descriptions, but they do not guarantee identical donuts across brands. Deeper molds may suit fuller cake donuts, while smaller cavities can help with portion control.

Material and Release

Choose rigid metal if browning and easy handling matter most. Choose silicone if flexibility and compact storage are higher priorities. For either material, follow your recipe’s greasing instructions and let the donuts cool briefly before removing them; forcing hot donuts out can tear them. If coating composition matters to you, verify the exact product’s current materials rather than assuming every nonstick finish is the same.

Oven Fit and Cleanup

Confirm that your oven rack fits the number of pans you plan to use without crowding. Check the stated temperature limit before baking, especially if you use high-heat recipes. Also consider whether you are willing to hand-wash tight curves and center posts; even when a listing says dishwasher-safe, the manufacturer’s care directions should take priority.

Who Should Buy Which Donut Baking Pan?

For browned cake donuts: start with a metal Donut Baking Pan, particularly if you prefer a rigid mold for filling and transfer. For delicate recipes or limited storage: consider silicone and use a baking sheet for support. For larger batches: compare two- and three-pan sets by total cavity count, oven fit, and storage space. For thicker donuts: look closely at cavity depth rather than relying on “full-size” wording alone.

Whichever style you choose, confirm the current specifications before ordering. The right pan is the one that fits your oven, your usual batch size, and the texture you want.