Muffins are great, and so are Yorkshire puddings, but when you are craving for something crispy on the outside, yet airy and light on the inside, nothing can compete against a basket full of piping hot, oven-fresh popovers. For those of you who are wondering what popovers are, they are the American take on England Yorkshire pudding, and are rolls that are hollow on the inside, yet crunchy and butter-coated on the outside.
Although many people try to make popovers in muffin trays, a dedicated popover pan is a must-have if you want to make the perfect popovers. Muffin trays and popover pans have significant differences between them, and the best popover pan is what makes your popover “pop”, giving it the elongated walls and the puffy structure at the top.Best Pick
The Bellemain Nonstick Popover Pan is our best pick because of its spacious capacity that prevents the popovers from becoming flat, its durable non-stick finish that allows for quick release, and its quality construction that allows it to perform well for a long period of time.
Budget Pick
The Chicago Metallic Professional Popover Pan is our budget pick because of its sturdy aluminized steel construction that helps to improve the baking performance, its high-quality non-stick coating that makes baking and cleaning a lot easier, and its well-built structure that can be used to prepare a wide variety of desserts.
Quick Comparison: Top 13 Best Popover Pans
| Product Name | No. of Cups | Weight (pounds) | Material | Item Dimensions (inches) | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellemain Nonstick Popover Pan | 6 | 1.79 | Alloy Steel | 13.62 x 10.31 x 1.73 | A |
| Chicago Metallic Professional Popover Pan | 6 | 1.70 | Aluminized Steel | 16 x 9.5 x 2.25 | A |
| Fox Run 4868 Muffin Pan | 12 | 0.86 | Steel | 10.5 x 13.75 x 1.25 | A |
| CHEFMADE Popover Cake Pan | 6 | 1.72 | Carbon Steel | 15 x 8.6 x 1.8 | A |
| Fox Run 4754 Linking Popover Pan | 6 | 1.76 | Carbon Steel | 1.97 x 9.13 x 14.96 | B |
| Norpro Nonstick Mini Popover Pan | 12 | 1.68 | Metal | 14.5 x 10.5 x 2 | A |
| Nordic Ware Petite Popover Pan | 12 | 2.00 | Cast Aluminum | 8.88 x 14.25 x 1.88 | A |
| Norpro Nonstick Linking Popover Pan | 6 | 1.04 | Metal | 16 x 9.25 x 2 | B |
| Chicago Metallic Gourmet Ware Popover Pan | 6 | 1.15 | Steel | 16 x 9.5 x 2.25 | A |
| Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware Popover Pan | 6 | 1.21 | Steel | 13.62 x 10.31 x 1.73 | A |
| HostStyleZ Popover Pan | 9 | 1.35 | Carbon Steel | 10.63 x 10.24 x 1.58 | B |
| R&M International Non-Stick Popover Pan | 6 | 1.60 | Steel | 15.75 x 9.25 x 2.44 | A |
| Nordic Ware Grand Popover | 6 | 2.25 | Aluminum | 14 x 9 x 2.2 | A |
1. Bellemain Nonstick Popover Pan
If you are doing everything right and your popovers are still not rising the way you want them to, then it would be high time you say goodbye to your old pan and look into this popover pan from Bellemain. This pan combines superior quality, performance, and user-friendliness in a way that is hard to come by.
The design of the pan would let any baker know that Bellamain understands the requirements for perfect popovers. The pan has six cups for making half a dozen popovers at a time, and the cups come with a generous depth of 2.25 inches which gives your popovers enough vertical space to rise high and become airy on the inside.
The pan also has an impressively effective nonstick surface which makes it possible for you to add just enough butter to add a rich flavor to your popovers and saves you from greasing your baking pan with an unhealthy amount of oil. The popover pan is also made of a dark charcoal colored steel, which helps it to absorb heat faster, making it more efficient at baking your popovers.
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2. Chicago Metallic Professional Popover Pan
If you like baking muffins, Yorkshire puddings, and popovers, this is a versatile pan from a renowned brand that you can use to fulfill your multiple tea time bakery wishes. The pan comes with six wells that are deep and appropriately spaced out, making it an excellent bakeware for making great popovers.
For your popovers to be airy and evenly baked, the pan uses aluminized steel in its construction. Removing a puffed-up popover from the popover pan can be tricky, but not with this pan, as it has been treated with silicone to make it nonstick which helps to make cleaning easier.
The durable build of the pan allows it to withstand a high temperature without warping or becoming worn out. You will be able to clean this item in the dishwasher and it can be used in the oven as long as the temperature does not exceed 450° F.
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3. Fox Run 4868 Muffin Pan
If you have a large family or like to bake some extra popovers for your neighbors, then you would love this pan from Fox Run that helps you to make twelve popovers at a time.
We know that the name of this product is muffin pan, and not a popover pan, but if you have been researching on popovers, then you would know that many people use muffin trays to bake popovers.
And if you are one of the people who does not want to keep a single-purpose pan such as a popover pan, then this would help you to bake a wide variety of baked goodies such as muffins, popovers, Yorkshire puddings, cupcakes, etc. Apart from the higher baking capacity, this pan has an excellent durability, thanks to its lightweight yet sturdy stainless steel which resists rusting, warping, and scratching.
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4. CHEFMADE Popover Cake Pan
This popover cake pan from CHEFMADE not only delivers exceptional performance but also acts as elegant bakeware that is suitable for daily use. Both the exterior and the interior of the popover pan are champagne gold in color. There are six wells on the pan that can each hold 65ml of batter. You will be able to make other desserts using this pan which makes it great for the holiday season, parties, and regular use.
The pan is made using commercial-grade carbon steel. It has a thickness of 0.8mm which allows for a faster and more even heat distribution.
The thick material also prevents the pan from warping when it is exposed to high heat. The pan has enhanced edges that increase traction, help to keep it stable during use and prevent warping as well. There is enough space between the wells for air to circulate properly which helps to make your popover light and fluffy.
You will not need to use a large amount of oil or butter to grease the pan as it has a durable non-stick coating on the interior. It is made using high-quality food-grade materials so it is unlikely to chip or become damaged when it is exposed to a high temperature. The non-stick coating allows you to transfer the popovers from the pan to another plate without ruining their shape. It also makes cleaning easier as all the hardened bits of food and crumbs wash off quickly.
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5. Fox Run 4754 Linking Popover Pan
If you have looked at the previous product from Fox Run, which was a muffin pan that can also be used to make popovers, and thought “Hmm, this looks nice but I do want a dedicated linking popover pan.”, then you are looking at the perfect product.
Since this is a pan that has been designed specifically to make the perfect popovers, it will give you superior results in making popovers compared to a muffin pan. The pan has a linking design, which allows air to circulate around the wells and cause the dome of the popovers to puff up and rise high, creating a crispy, and golden brown outer layer.
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6. Norpro Nonstick Mini Popover Pan
Whether you are making popovers for your family or for a party, a pan with a large number of wells will allow you to make lots of popovers in one single batch. One such popover pan is this one from Norpro. Although it is a small-sized pan, it provides you with twelve wells which makes it suitable for baking a large number of sweet treats in a short time.
Each well has a depth of 2 inches. The top part has a diameter of 2.25 inches while the bottom part has a diameter of 1.5 inches. This shape is perfect for making light, fluffy, and puffed-up popovers.
The popover pan is coated with a non-stick layer that enables you to use a lesser amount of oil, butter, or cooking spray for greasing. The non-stick coating allows the popovers to slide out without much hassle. Moreover, it also makes cleaning easier as you do not need to scrub any parts.
The popover pan has handles that allow you to take it out of the oven easily. Moreover, one of the handles has a hole on top which allows you to hang the popover pan on a wall mount for easy storage.
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7. Nordic Ware Petite Popover Pan
Even the most avid popover fans would want some variation in their popovers once in a while. And also, it is easier to munch on them as a light, healthy snack when the size of your popovers are small.
Keeping that in mind, the Nordic Ware, a brand that all of us know to make quality bakeware, have come up with this pan which lets you make adorable, bite-sized popovers, that are not only great for some quality tea time on your own, but also for parties, where you have to make a large number of popovers for a crowd.
This pan lets you make twelve popovers at a time, making it easier for you to make a dozen popovers in a short period of time. Since this pan has wells in a tray rather than a wire rack like many others, it has less chance of the batter dripping inside your oven, creating a mess.
We also love the fact that the pan has two handles at the sides so that you can safely move the pan into and out of the oven. Although the wells are on one pan, they have spaces underneath which maximizes the airflow around the wells to make the popovers swell and create soft, airy inside with a crispy outside.
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8. Norpro Nonstick Linking Popover Pan
This popover pan from Norpro not only lets you bake big, fluffy popovers but also lets you bake other desserts such as large cupcakes, big muffins, brownie bites, and lots more. You can also use the pan as a mold tray for making frozen desserts.
The popover pan is made using high-quality materials that enable it to withstand harsh conditions. It is unlikely to warp, become worn out, or discolored during the baking process. The pan is extremely durable and maintains its quality for several years.
The non-stick coating allows you to take the popovers out of the pan without needing to scrape the sides, which tends to ruin their shape. You only need to grease the pan with a very small amount of butter or oil.
Although this pan is not dishwasher-safe, it is still super easy to clean by hand. All you need to do is rinse it well with hot, soapy water. Make sure to use mild soap as abrasive soap may damage the non-stick coating of the pan.
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9. Chicago Metallic Gourmet Ware Popover Pan
Chicago Metallic never fails to disappoint with their bakeware items. This Gourmet Ware Popover Pan is no different. The pan has six cups so you will be able to make half a dozen popovers in one batch. If you are in need of a sturdy and highly-functional popover pan, this might be one of your best options.
The popover pan is made using heavy-gauge steel. It is quite thick so it is unlikely to warp while baking popovers, large cupcakes, or big muffins. The thick base also helps the pan conduct heat at a faster rate. It helps in distributing heat evenly throughout the interior so that your popovers cook perfectly within the set time.
The non-stick layer on top of the heavy-gauge steel prevents the popovers from sticking to the pan. This means that you will not need to use any baking liners as the popovers slide out easily. Just grease the cups with a little butter and you are good to go. Since nothing sticks to the pan, cleaning is much easier as you do not need to put much effort into scrubbing off the crumbs and other waste.
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10. Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware Popover Pan
This popover pan from Anolon is a simple, linking style popover pan that helps you to make six popovers at a time. The special feature of this pan is that the design of the pan, which has open space on the frame allows heat and hot air to flow around each of the wells, giving you consistent results each time, with each popover.
The pan is safe to be used in temperatures of up to 450 degrees F, and so there is no risk in using it in a high heat oven, especially when a hot oven is one of the main requirements of a crispy, golden brown, puffy popover. The pan has been constructed using carbon steel, which is highly resistant to rust and corrosion and makes your pan last for a long time.
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11. HostStyleZ Popover Pan
If you are looking for a popover pan that can be used to make other sweet treats, you might want to get your hands on the HostStyleZ Popover Pan. You will be able to make bread, cupcakes, muffins, tarts, crème brûlée, pudding, and lots more using this pan. The popover pan is constructed using high-quality and safe materials that make it suitable for everyday use.
It is made using food-grade heavy-gauge carbon steel that does not include any BPA or other harmful substances. The pan does a great job in conducting and distributing heat well. Since the walls are quite thick, the pan can retain heat for longer periods of time. It also has a non-stick coating on top which helps to ease your baking and cleaning processes.
There are 9 cups on the pan so you will be able to make a large batch in a short time. The inside of the cups is textured to improve the appearance of your desserts. Three of the nine cups have a plain texture, another three have a floral texture while the rest have a spiral texture. You will be able to create popovers or muffins in a variety of styles.
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12. R&M International Non-Stick Popover Pan
This non-stick popover pan from R&M International has six cups that have the perfect shape and size for making big, fluffy, and buttery popovers. You will be able to make other desserts such as muffins, brownie bites, or mini cakes. The pan weighs only 1.6 pounds and the outer edges allow you to easily carry it in and out of the oven.
The popover pan is made of sturdy steel which means that it has a high-temperature tolerance. All the cups heat up quickly and evenly so your popovers or other such desserts will cook properly within the set time.
The steel construction enables the popover pan to withstand harsh conditions. Moreover, the non-stick coating is extremely durable and works great. It allows you to slide out the popovers without needing to scrape the sides.
One thing we absolutely love about this pan is that it is dishwasher-safe. The non-stick coating is unlikely to chip or flake when exposed to high heat. This pan is also easy to clean by hand. All you need is warm or hot water and mild soap or dish detergent. You should dry the pan completely using a paper towel right after washing it. If you let it air dry, rust spots may form on the surface.
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13. Nordic Ware Grand Popover Pan
If you are in need of a popover pan that provides a long-lasting service, you might want to check out this popover pan by Nordic Ware. it has a well-designed structure that allows you to make half a dozen popovers in one batch. Moreover, the curved handles on the two sides allow you to easily carry it from one place to another.
Since the pan is made using heavy cast aluminum, the pan retains heat well and quickly spreads the heat across its cooking area. This helps to make popovers in a short period of time. Moreover, the sturdy construction also enables it to perform well for several years. The pan is unlikely to break apart or warp with frequent use.
Since this pan is made using aluminum, it is not dishwasher-safe. However, you will be able to make it squeaky clean using hot or warm water and mild soap. Since it has a non-stick layer on top, nothing sticks to the surface. You will not need to scrub or soak the pan in water to get rid of all the crumbs and food bits. Everything washes off quickly.
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As you have seen above, popover pans can come in different designs and models, and it is not wise to make a decision before knowing everything you need to know about buying a popover pan that would be perfect for you. Hence we have put together the nitty-gritty details of how to choose your popover pan.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Popover Pan
Capacity
If you usually bake popovers for parties or family gatherings, you might want to get a popover pan that has a lot of cups. Popover pans usually have 6 or 12 cups but it is not uncommon for them to have 9 cups. A popover pan with 9 or 12 cups will allow you to make more popovers in a single batch so if you are hosting a party, you can easily make enough for everyone in just 2 or 3 batches. On the other hand, a popover pan with 6 cups will work just fine if you and your family are not crazy about popovers.
Cup Size
Popover pans usually have two types of cup sizes - a full-sized one and a mini one. If you want your popovers to be big, light, and fluffy, you might want to get a popover pan that has full-sized cups in it. Popover pans with mini cups might be best for making popovers for children. However, with mini cups, the popovers may not rise that well.
Multifunctional Popover Pan vs. Regular Popover Pan
If you are looking for a pan in which you can bake not only popovers but also other types of baked items such as muffins, cupcakes, and puddings, then you might want to go for a multipurpose popover pan. But if you do not want to compromise the perfection of your popovers, then it is best to invest in a regular popover pan. The difference between a popover pan and a regular popover or muffin pan is that the wells on the pan where you put in the batter are deeper which gives the popovers more space for rising up and becoming puffy. Also, the wells are separated with a linking design with an open frame so the air and heat can circulate around the wells to bake the popovers faster. These special features of a popover pan give them an upper hand at making popovers compared to muffin pans.
Ease of Cleaning
Most popover pans have a non-stick coating that allows for easy cleaning. You can easily wash off all the crumbs and hardened bits of food using hot, soapy water. It is best if you use mild soap or mild dish detergent as abrasive ones are likely to damage the non-stick layer. If you want to save time and effort during cleaning, you might want to get a popover pan that is dishwasher-safe. Whether you wash it by hand or put it in the dishwasher, you should always wipe the pan dry using a paper towel. If you let it air-dry, rust spots may form on the surface.
Quality of Construction
You should always invest in a popover pan that is made using high-quality, food-grade materials. High-quality materials allow your popover pan to withstand harsh conditions, making it extremely sturdy and durable. The popover pan should be a little thick for it to conduct, retain, and distribute the heat properly throughout its cups. If your popover pan has a nonstick coating, make sure that the non-stick material does not contain any harmful substances such as PFOA or PTFE.
FAQ
How much batter should I pour into each cup?
Although this depends on the cup size, it is best to fill about 3/4th of the cup with batter. You should not fill the cups with batter completely as it tends to overflow, making a mess in your oven.
How do I prevent the popovers from becoming flat?
You should start by preheating your oven. It is best to put the empty popover pan inside the oven during the preheating process. Another thing you could do is use warm, popover batter. With a hot pan and warm batter, your popovers are likely to cook faster, making them rise quickly. You should not open the oven door during the baking session as it results in heat loss, causing your popovers to become flat.
