Looking for the best non-stick frying pan? With pancakes being one of our favourite year round treats, now is the perfect time to invest in a new pancake pan to make some delicious crêpes, with the help of non-stick to make flipping easy.
In our guide we've included non-stick frying pans from Ninja, Stellar, Zyliss, Le Creuset and Our Place. These come with a selection of non-stick coatings, some of which can even be used alongside metal utensils, and many of them can go through the dishwasher.
Many of these frying pans have been tried and tested by the Real Homes team, and our hands-on experience is reflected below with our thoughts on the quality of the design, the handle dimensions, and the durability of the construction. Many come in a selection of sizes, from 20cm up to 30cm in width, and while the right one for you will vary, you can even choose a few pans in different sizes to serve your every kitchen needs. Keep in mind though, the best size non-stick frying pan for pancakes would be 28cm. To complete your cooking arsenal, you could also take a look at our guide to the best kitchen knives, for more expert options.
The best non-stick frying pans
We've tried, tested and we love this Rocktanium non-stick frying pan. In fact, out of all of the frying pans we have used, this one stuck out the most for ticking all of our boxes. And, it comes in a range of sizes from 20cm to 30cm wide, to suit your family size.
What we noticed when testing
When testing this frying pan on our hob, we immediately noticed how comfortable its curved handle was – great if you are using this pan for pancakes or eggs, or you are cooking something that needs constant attention, and therefore, persistent handle holding. Another thing we loved is how fast it took to heat up – this pan was by far the quickest to get our eggs to perfection. Onto non-stick: we used no oil when testing, and we found that the egg was actually sliding around the pan as I moved it – the non-stick coating is that good. In terms of washing, I couldn't fit it in my slimline dishwasher so I washed it up by hand with no issues.
Good to know
This pan is completely dishwasher-safe, and oven safe (up to 210ºC), as well as suitable for use on all hob types. It has a PFOA-free non-stick coating – QuanTanium – and the pan itself is reinforced with titanium to stand up to almost anything. Its curved handle features a loop at the end, should you want to hang it, and it comes with a 10-year non-stick warranty. The only thing we are not so keen on is its grey speckled design – not as much of an issue if you are storing in a cupboard, though.
The Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK Frying Pan comes in a range of sizes, from 20cm through to 30cm, and its angled handle is designed to offer ergonomic comfort while still being oven-safe.
What we noticed when testing
It's really easy to use thanks to the durable design. No need to worry about scuffing this pan with metal utensils, because you're permitted to use these even with the non-stick coating.
This coating is made of plasma ceramic, which sounds fancy, and does genuinely work very well. Because the interior is a little textured it's not the slippiest pan, but with a drizzle of oil you'll be flipping pancakes all day long.
It heats up fast too, and cleaning is straightforward whether you want to use a dishwasher or clean by hand.
Good to know
You can pop this frying pan in the oven at temperatures of up to 260ºC. That's seriously good, especially if you love to cook stovetop pizzas or sear your meat before cooking it in the oven.
If you've got pancake day on the mind, the MasterClass Crêpe Pan is a top choice. It has a very shallow base that will make flipping so quick and easy, and the double layer of nonstick reduces the need for oil when cooking.
Top features
The pan is oven-safe up to 150 degrees, and the cast aluminium will heat fast and evenly for making consistently delicious crêpes.
We like how long the handle is; great for getting some distance when the pan is hot, and ideal for flipping pancakes with plenty of control.
Good to know
You can use the MasterClass Crêpe Pan on all hob types, including induction. Oh, and the 28cm width is the perfect size for a crêpe.
The Always Pan puts a different spin on the concept of a non-stick frying pan. It's got high-quality ceramic nonstick as well as a depth of 6.5cm, and a lid. You can use it for bacon and eggs, but don't think that that's all it can do.
What we realised when testing
The design is gorgeous. You can choose from green, peach, red, blue, cream, black (and more) finishes, and you can also buy a wooden or metal steamer insert if you like your dumplings. The pan was designed to be suitable for many different uses, so the steaming insert is perfect for steaming veggies and more.
When it comes to quality non-stick, this is top tier. From pancakes to fried eggs, everything slips around the pan with next-to-no oil.
Good to know
You can't put it in the dishwasher, which is offputting, but we were surprised by how little we minded. It's very easy to clean by hand. It's not oven-safe though, which is a limiting factor for bakes and large cuts of meat.
- Read our full Always Pan review.
When it came to testing, our initial impression of the Zyliss Cook Ultimate Induction Frying Pan was excellent. The soft-grip handles and quality textured nonstick makes it feel like a much pricier pan. There are three sizes to choose from, so you could even get a collection going.
What we realised when testing
The weight of the Zyliss Cook Ultimate Induction Frying Pan means it's not ideal for flipping pancakes or moving around a lot. It's 600g, which is about the weight of a small bag of flour.
The non-stick is great. It uses Swiss design and triple-layered coating with a textured design that reminded us of the Ninja pan.
Good to know
While this frying pan can go in the dishwasher and the oven, it's worth knowing that it can only go in the oven up to 180 degrees. That's to be expected with soft grip handles.
This Kuhn Rikon non-stick pan is our best non-stick frying pan for pouring. It certainly beats our first suggestion in terms of looks and sturdiness, but with that comes a higher price tag.
What we noticed when reviewing
First thing's first: this frying pan is heavier, though it's not too heavy as this extra weight just makes it feel more sturdy. Its handle is nice and comfortable and easy to grip, while it has really good non-stick – I didn't have to try and peel the eggs of the pan, the sides automatically curled for easy moving. The one thing we are not too keen on is its textured base. This makes your utensils feel like they are scratching the pan. With that in mind you might want to avoid metal utensils. Though this shouldn't be an issue when using the pan to cook sauces, stews and other liquidy meals – we imagine it would be great when charring food, too. And, its all-round pouring lip makes serving a breeze. Cleaning was easy and the pan just needs a light scrub in the sink. You may want to hand dry the stainless steel base so as to prevent watermarks, though.
Good to know
This pan is made from five layers, three of those layers being stainless steel, aluminium and PFOA-free non-stick. It can be used on all hob types, including induction, while it can be used in the oven up to 240ºC, and it's dishwasher-safe, too. The comfortable handle and loop mean that it can be displayed with pride – it looks good, so why not?
The Stellar S327B 24cm Forged Frying Pan is a little different from the rest of the non-stick frying pans we tried. It has a unique hexagonal pattern on the double-layered non-stick, which is great for some things, but a bit of a hindrance for others.
What we realised when testing
The non-slip handle is great. It's grippy, but doesn't prevent the pan from being oven safe (up to 180 degrees). The hexagonal design creates interesting charring that you usually wouldn't find on a non-stick pan. This adds a nice depth of flavour, and makes it easier for your food to not stick to the pan itself because it is elevated.
What it's not great for is sauces or scrambled eggs, because things do get stuck in the little grooves. Cleaning this away by hand wasn't too much of a hassle (which is proof of the quality of that non-stick) but it did require getting a scrubbing brush involved.
Good to know
The non-stick is covered by a 10-year warranty and it's dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning straightforward.
If you are looking for an eco-friendly non-stick frying pan, then your search ends here, with the Lakeland Eco Hard Oxidised Frying Pan. It comes in two sizes – 24cm and 28cm. We think it's a great secondary pan, for smaller jobs that don't require too much attention.
What we noticed when testing
This Lakeland frying pan surprised us while testing! We did notice almost immediately that the flat handle wasn't the most comfortable, but we also realised how good the non-stick coating was. This pan is squared around the sides, making it deep enough for sautéing, too. It's also a dream to wash up as the surface is so nice and slippery – though we did notice some watermarks after leaving to dry on our draining board.
Good to know
The non-stick coating of this pan is eco-friendly, BPA-free and PFOA-free. There are three layers of this coating to ensure longevity. Not only is this pan induction safe, but it can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and you can use it in the oven up to 180ºC. It also looks nice – albeit plain – being black and stainless steel and with steep sides. There's a loop at the end of the handle for displaying, too.
This Le Creuset non-stick pan is our best pick for families. Why? It comes in three sizes, it's super deep for cooking to feed more mouths, and it has two handles for easy carrying. You can also take it from the hob (or oven) to your table for serving – less washing up! Oh, and it's sturdy enough to deal with daily use.
What we noticed when testing
Admittedly, the egg test didn't fare well with this pan. Realistically, though, you would never use this large (and deep) pan for frying an egg – it's more for cooking up hearty meals from pastas to risottos. And we love it for doing just that – it's large, too, so it can cook plenty enough for four portions (we are talking about the 28cm pan). It is quite heavy, but with two handles this makes it easier to carry from the hob to the oven or your table. What we will say is, you are best to use it with non-metal utensils or it will feel like you are damaging the pan – and for the price, you don't want to do that. It's a little too large to fit in a slimline dishwasher, but washing by hand was easy and smooth.
Good to know
This Le Creuset pan has a great, PFOA-free non-stick coating – three layers, to be exact – while it features ergonomic handles for easy carrying. It's also oven safe to a whopping 260°C, and you can use it on all hob types from induction to AGA. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee – if you are only going to buy one good frying pan, and you want it to last for years of daily use, then we suggest this Le Creuset one.
How to buy the best non stick frying pan
When buying the best non-stick frying pan, there are a few things to consider. We've listed all of these factors above, below each every pan, but here's what else to know:
Size
This should be dependant on how many people are in your household, and what you are buying a non-stick pan to mostly cook. The pans in our guide range from 20cm to 30cm. It's also a smart idea to consider the depth of your new pan, for when it comes to cooking sauces or stews.
Non-stick coating
This is obviously a very important factor – all of the pans in our guide have a non-stick coating. Though some have three layers, others have one layer of coating. This non-stick coating will last depending on how you care for the pan, and how often its used. Simply enough, PFOA-free means that the coating is free from the chemical PFOA. A non-stick pan will usually be made from polytetrafluoroethylene – otherwise known as PTFE – to make them smooth and to ensure your food doesn't stick to them.
Suitable for all hob types
If you are investing in a pan that you'll be using for years, you definitely want to make sure it is suitable for every hob type. Should you move home or change your hob, your pan will still be compatible.
Dishwasher safe?
As simple as it sounds – is your new non-stick pan dishwasher safe? Be mindful that larger pans won't necessarily fit into slimline dishwashers, and washing your pan in the dishwasher could damage the non-stick coating. In our eyes, you are always best to hand wash and dry frying pans.
Oven safe?
For when the hob won't cut it, lots of frying pans can be popped in the oven after the hob, for browning or heating your food twice-through. Be sure to check which temperature your new pan is safe for – some are 180ºC, others 260ºC. And not all are oven-compatible!
Price
Lastly, but arguably most importantly, is price. If you are looking to buy a pan to last you a lifetime, and you use a non-stick frying pan pretty much every day for cooking breakfast, lunch or dinner, then you may want to invest more in something that will last. If you never use a pan, just for the occasional fried egg or omelette, then you can get away with something a tad more reasonable.
