As you all know by now, I LOVE cookies. I love everything from loaded Monster Cookies, classic Peanut Butter Cookies, or soft and buttery Snickerdoodles.
I just finished my latest cookie cookbook (that will be available THIS fall!) and launched my Cookie Club newsletter in anticipation. This involves a lot of testing and baking, most of which depends on the quality of your cookie sheets. These are essentially baking sheets, but the ones I find work best for baking the perfect cookies.
Luckily, you can rely on my top picks for the best cookie sheets out there for an ooey gooey bite each time that cook evenly across the board and are quite easy to clean too. I also like using parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure there’s no burning or sticking to the pans. With these options, you’ll be whipping up Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies for your whole family in no time!
My Top Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Non Corrugated Half Sheet – $34.95 at Williams Sonoma
- My Favorite Aluminum: Nordic Ware Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet – $25.96 at Amazon
- Best AirBake: T-Fal AirBake Cookie Sheet Set – $29.99 at Amazon
- Best Extra Large: Nordic Ware Naturals Big Sheet – $14.39 at Target
- Best Nonstick: USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan – $23.97 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Cookie Sheets
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Half Sheet
I have used these Williams Sonoma pans for years! They are light in color so they won’t absorb as much heat, which means your cookies will bake evenly and they won’t come out overly browned. The aluminum steel makes them incredibly lightweight yet durable and I love the reinforced edges because they make them resistant to warping as well as convenient to grab from a hot oven.
They also come in a corrugated version that has a grooved texture to help with heat circulation before and after baking. I love using these ones too! But I found that both work well for all of my favorite cookies. The nonstick surface releases cookies easily and is easy to clean, though I like to line them with these Silpat baking mats, which fit them perfectly.
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminized steel
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dimensions: 17 ¼ x 12 ¼ x 1 inches
- Dishwasher safe: Yes; but hand-washing recommended
The Pros:
- Lightweight yet durable
- Resistant to warping
- Large baking surface
The Cons:
- Hand-washing recommended
- Metal utensils and scouring pads may scratch
What Others are Saying:
The Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Non Corrugated Half Sheet was named best nonstick baking sheet by CNN Underscore. Additionally, the corrugated version was named best corrugated cookie sheet by Food Network and Forbes.
Buy the Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Non Corrugated Half Sheet:
Buy the Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Corrugated Half Sheet:
2. My Favorite Aluminum: Nordic Ware Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet
I love these Nordic Ware half sheets because they consistently bake cookies evenly to a golden brown. They are sturdy and lightweight with a deep lip so they are durable enough to handle the weight of a sheet pan dinner without feeling like your treats will slip off — even if you’re wearing bulky oven mitts! They’re pretty inexpensive as a two-pack and you can also use them for roasting veggies.
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminum
- Nonstick: No
- Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 1 inches
- Dishwasher safe: No
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Versatile
- Oversized edge easy to grip
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- Lining recommended
- Not dishwasher safe
What Others are Saying:
The Nordic Ware Half Sheets have more than 31,000 reviews and a 4.8 rating on Amazon. Additionally, they were named the best half sheet baking pans by Serious Eats and by Wirecutter.
Buy the Nordic Ware Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet, 2 Pack:
3. Best AirBake: T-Fal AirBake Cookie Sheet Set
These cookie sheets feature two layers of aluminum that allow air to circulate in between them, preventing black and burnt cookies. It makes them more reliable with even baking and browning, which can be handy for anyone who has a history of burning cookies! I also love that the large size makes it easy to bake a bunch of sugar cookies once!
The design features an angled rim on one side to grab it easily with an oven mitt. Because they don’t have an edge on all sides, they are super thin and stack well, but just be sure you don’t tilt the pan and drop any!
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminum
- Nonstick: No
- Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 1 inches
- Dishwasher safe: No
The Pros:
- Air insulation prevents top sheet from overheating and burning
- No edgest help food slide off
- Resistant to rust
The Cons:
- Aluminum finish is reactive to acids
- Not dishwasher safe
What Others are Saying:
The T-Fal AirBake Cookie Sheet Set has more than 3,000 reviews and a 4.7 rating on Amazon. Food Network also named them the best value option in its roundup of cookie sheets.
Buy the T-Fal AirBake Cookie Sheet Set:
4. Best Extra Large: Nordic Ware Naturals Big Sheet
This extra-large capacity sheet is a game changer during the holidays because it’s so much bigger than a standard cookie sheet, so you can fit 20 cookies at a time! Perfect for a big batch of oatmeal cookies for the next bake sale. Plus, they will still bake consistently. You’d think it might be heavy because of its size, but you can easily grab it with two oven mitts thanks to the grippy angled walls. Its large size does make it tougher to wash in the sink or store, but if you find space, it’s totally worth it.
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminum
- Nonstick: No
- Dimensions: 21 x 15 x 1 inches
- Dishwasher safe: No
The Pros:
- Extra large size bakes more cookies at a time
- Foods bake and brown easily
- Reinforced steel rim prevents warping and adds strength
The Cons:
- Tough to store in small spaces
- Metal utensils can scratch
What Others are Saying:
The Nordic Ware Naturals Big Sheet has more than 9,000 reviews and a 4.8 rating on Amazon. It was named best large cookie sheet by both Better Homes & Gardens and Food & Wine.
Buy the Nordic Ware Naturals Big Sheet:
5. Best Nonstick: USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan
These USA Pan Bakeware pans are a fan favorite because they’re truly nonstick. This is because of the unique raised pattern surface that allows heat to distribute evenly throughout. The brand also claims to use a silicone coating that is PTFE, PFOA, and BPA-free, making it easy to lift cookies with a spatula and to wash away any stuck on bits. But you can still use parchment paper or a silicone mat on it if you’d like. It bakes evenly and the edges are warp-resistant to add extra strength, so it’s strong enough to use for a sheet pan dinner if you want.
The Specs:
- Material: Heavy gauge steel
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 12.5 x 1 inches
- Dishwasher safe: No
The Pros:
- Silicone nonstick surface
- Corrugated surface to lift cookies easily
- Made in the U.S.
- Thick edges
The Cons:
- Longer cooking times
- Should not be soaked overnight
What Others are Saying:
The USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan has more than 6,000 reviews and a 4.7 rating on Amazon.
Buy the USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan:
Other Cookie Sheets to Consider
Caraway Ceramic Baking Sheet
Reviewers rave about this ceramic option because its nonstick, ceramic-coated surface reliably bakes cookies to a golden brown without any fear of anything sticking to the pan. While the ceramic coating makes it more of an investment, it comes in nine color options and will continue to look like new for a long time. The Caraway Ceramic Baking Sheet is available at Amazon for $40.50.
GreenLife Bakeware Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Half Cookie Sheet
Another ceramic option, this cookie sheet comes in several pretty pastel hues. The nonstick coating is made from sand and, according to the brand, is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, so you can feel good while using it. It’s also oven safe up to 450 degrees F, but some reviewers mention that the bottom scratches or chips, so be sure to rest it on a smooth surface when it comes out of the oven. The GreenLife Bakeware Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Half Cookie Sheet is available at Amazon for $24.99.
Nordic Ware 3 Piece Baker’s Delight Set
If you want multiple pans, this set from our favorite cookie sheet brand Nordic Ware is a great option! It comes with quarter sheet, jelly roll, and half sheet pan to make a variety of services and baked goods. While not everyone needs all three, it would still make a great gift for the baker in your life and it’s at a great bundle price! The Nordic Ware 3 Piece Baker’s Delight Set is available at Amazon for $35.94.
Why You Can Trust Me
I LOVE cookies and bake A LOT of cookies. For this list, I shared my picks for the best cookie sheets that I personally use and used while testing recipes for my new cookie cookbook.
For the cookie sheets I haven’t personally used, I also scoured trusted online reviews to narrow down the best ones based on design, performance, and quality. I hope you use this list to find a new cookie sheet that will get you baking ASAP!
Everything to Know Before Buying a Cookie Sheet
What to Consider Before Buying an Cookie Sheet
A perfect cookie sheet needs to do two things really well: It needs to provide even baking for consistent cookies and it needs to be durable enough to be used for baking things beyond just cookies. Also, it shouldn’t be a pain to clean. Here are some other things to consider:
Material: Uncoated aluminum cookie sheets are typically what the pros use because it’s durable, has great heat conductivity, and is efficient. They heat up quickly and cool down fast, so your cookies hit heat immediately when you put it in the oven and the cooking process stops quickly once you take it out. The lighter color of these sheets browns the bottom of the cookies beautifully.
Aluminized steel pans are made of heavy gauge metal, which makes them more durable against warping and they can handle the weight a lot more than cookies.
Thickness: As long as your cookie sheet is made of quality materials, the thickness isn’t too big of a concern. Just make sure that it’s not too thin, or your cookie sheet could warp in high heat, which results in poor quality cookies.
Finish: Insulated cookie sheets with space for air between each sheet of metal take longer to warm up, so bake time may be longer. They do work wonderfully for delicate cookies and do not make cookies that are crunchy or crisp.
Nonstick Coating: Nonstick baking sheets are usually darker in color so cookies may cook quicker on them than they would with aluminum cookie sheets. I don’t recommend them.
What Size Should a Cookie Sheet Be?
Most of the cookie sheets on this list fit in a standard household oven. Commercial-size cookie sheets require a lot more space, so double check the dimensions of your oven’s opening and interior before purchasing one of them. I use half sheet pans.
Half Sheet: The standard size of cookie sheets for most household ovens, like most to make my list, measure 13 by 18 inches.
Quarter Sheet: Quarter cookie sheets are one step down in size from the standard half sheet and typically measure 9 by 13 inches. This size is optimal if you do most of your cooking in a toaster oven.
Eighth Sheet: The smallest of them all, the eighth sheet is perfect if you just want to pop in a handful of cookies for one or two people and can fit in a toaster oven.
Commercial Sheet: Commercial-sized baking sheets are the largest of them all at 18 by 26 inches. The large size doesn’t affect the cooking time, so if you want to make a lot of cookies quickly — and your oven is big enough — it’s a great choice.
How Do You Prevent Cookies from Burning?
Cookies should never burn if you use a quality cookie sheet — as long as you set a timer to avoid over baking them. My top picks for the best cookie sheets on this list ensure even heat distribution and are light in color so they don’t get too hot.
If you’re still burning your cookies, you may be using too dark of a pan or placing the cookie sheet too close to the bottom of the oven. The middle rack of the oven is the sweet spot! But to do this, you may only be able to bake one sheet at a time. If you’re using nonstick spray or butter to grease your pans, they might be causing them to over brown.
I also recommend using parchment paper or silicone baking mats to line and insulate the pan. With these you can avoid having to grease the pan as well!
It is always a good idea to test your oven temperature because sometimes the temperature isn’t accurate. You can put a little oven thermometer inside your oven to easily check the temperature.
How Do You Clean a Cookie Sheet?
To ensure the long life of your cookie sheet, I’d recommend hand washing, even if the manufacturer says it’s safe to wash them in the dishwasher, because it reduces the risk of corrosion, warping, or discoloration from detergents. Plus, they won’t get beat up or scratched and they’ll look better, longer!
Use a soft sponge or brush with a little bit of soap and warm water. If you use parchment paper or a Silpat mat, the job should be an easy one and it shouldn’t take too long!
What’s the Difference Between a Jelly Roll Pan and a Cookie Sheet?
Though they perform similar tasks, a jelly roll pan and a cookie sheet are not entirely the same.
A jelly roll pan is a medium-sized flat pan designed with a one-inch high rim to contain cake batter for jelly rolls, Swiss rolls, brownies, or dessert bars. They are typically made from thin steel or silicone. They also work to contain oils, marinades, and sauces so they are fantastic for one-sheet dinners that need to roast veggies or other ingredients without them rolling off the side of the pan.
A classic cookie sheet is thicker and completely flat with one rolled edge to help you pull it out of the oven. The open design allows for air to circulate around the cookies so they get an even bake and are less likely to burn. Many cookie sheets may also have a rimmed edge, but they are typically more shallow.
The main difference between the two is how deep they are. Classic cookie sheets have at least one flat side to all the hot air to circulate around the dough and to make it easy to slide off a cookie onto a cooling rack without disturbing it. A jelly roll pan typically has thicker, raised sides to hold batter, marinades, and juices.
The Best Cookie Recipes
Once you’ve chosen your favorite cookie sheet from my top picks, try your hand at some of my favorite cookie recipes:
- Monster Cookies: Once you’ve found a heavy-duty cookie sheet, load it up with these oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&M‘S. Both kids and adults love this classic cookie recipe, which is both filling and fun.
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: My family can’t get enough of these chewy, peanut butter-packed cookies that will have peanut butter fans rejoicing!
- Glazed Lemon Cookies: These soft, buttery cookies with an easy-to-make lemon glaze taste a lot more fancy than they really are with a great balance of sweet and tart.
- Oatmeal Cookies: This classic oatmeal cookie really takes a bit out of nostalgia! They are made with basic ingredients, easy to make, and a family favorite.
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: Don’t say I didn’t warn you! These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies take the classic soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies we all love and bump them up a notch with chocolate chunks, nutty browned butter, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
You can find all of my cookie recipes HERE! There are hundreds to choose from. I LOVE COOKIES!
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Thank you for the recs! In addition, what do you think is the best type of everyday skillet? (We are almost daily scrambled egg people.:)
Also…what are your thoughts on baking on cookie “stones”?
I have never used a stone.
For eggs, I love my Greenpan skillet.
I wish I could figure out what is wrong with the interplay between my gold touch sheet pans and my wolf ovens–cookies are raw on top and burnt on bottom more often than not when I use those pans–so I just use them for dinner items now. My t-fal airbake pans, however, perfect cookies every time. [Which tells me it’s not a temp issue!]. I do love my gold touch loaf pan though!
Interesting because I have Wolf ovens and don’t have a problem. So weird. I am glad you found a cookie sheet that you love!
“Thank you for sharing the article; it’s truly satisfying.”
Have you tried the ones from Pampered Chef? They are so awesome and clean really easily. I’ve tried several of the ones you mentioned but had to give a shout out to the PC ones. (and no I don’t sell them so non-biased)
I haven’t tried Pampered Chef. I would but I don’t even know where to buy them. Do you need an “in”?
I own one each of the first two you list. I love both of them. By the way, I make a lot of cookies and these two sheets are well worth the money.
Thanks for sharing!
Delicious Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Recipe