Angel food cake is mostly egg whites, sugar and air. It climbs the pan as it bakes, and then it has to cool upside down or it sinks into itself. That is why the pan matters more here than with almost any other cake.
A good pan needs a center tube, a way to lift the cake out in one piece, and a way to stand upside down. This guide covers seven pans, what America’s Test Kitchen found when it compared tube pans, and which pan fits which baker.
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Quick verdict: which tube pan to buy
The Chicago Metallic 2-Piece Angel Food Cake Pan is the best angel food cake pan for most bakers. It won America’s Test Kitchen’s tube pan review, and it has a removable center and cooling feet. For an uncoated pan, choose the Wilton 10-Inch Aluminum Angel Food Pan. For a light, plain pan with feet, choose the Fox Run 9.75-Inch Aluminum Angel Food Pan.
The other five cover easy cleaning, a simple light pan, a sturdier steel body, a small cake and six mini cakes. For layer cakes and sheet cakes, see our guide to the best baking pan for cake.
Five tube pans side by side
Five of the seven, one for each kind of buyer. All seven are described in full below.
| Pan | Best for | Bottom | Cooling feet | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago Metallic 2-Piece Angel Food Cake PanBest overall
|
Most bakers | Removable center | Yes | View on Amazon |
Wilton 10-Inch Aluminum Angel Food PanBest uncoated
|
Uncoated baking | Removable core | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Fox Run 9.75-Inch Aluminum Angel Food PanBest simple pan
|
Plain, light everyday baking | Two-piece, drop-out | Yes, three | View on Amazon |
Wilton Gold Nonstick Angel Food Tube PanBest for easy cleaning
|
Easy cleaning | Detachable | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Fat Daddio’s 8-Inch Anodized Angel Food PanBest small pan
|
Small cakes | Not stated | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Details come from each listing or maker.
Our picks for the best angel food cake pan
Seven pans, and the differences are real. Look at the size, whether the bottom lifts out and whether the pan has feet.
1. Chicago Metallic 2-Piece Angel Food Cake Pan – The Independent Favorite
America’s Test Kitchen reviewed five tube pans for angel food and pound cake, and this model, 16184, was its winner. It was the only removable-bottom pan in that review that did not leak, even with a very dense batter. ATK also liked the feet, which let the inverted pan rest on a flat surface instead of balancing on a bottle.
It measures 9.5 inches across and 4 inches high, and the listing gives a 16-cup capacity. The body is heavy-weight carbon steel with a silicone-based nonstick coating, and the center tube lifts out so the cake comes free in one piece. The listing also suggests it for pound cakes and Bundt-style cakes.
There are two honest notes. BestReviews says some owners report rust and a lightweight feel, so dry it fully after washing, as the maker advises. And the dark nonstick finish tends to brown cakes more deeply. ATK found that darker pans gave a crunchier crust and more caramelized flavor, which many people will like, but it will not give you the palest possible cake.
Why we like it
- Winner of ATK’s tube pan review
- Did not leak in ATK’s review, even with dense batter
- Removable center tube for a clean release
- Built-in feet for cooling upside down
Key specifications
| Model | 16184 |
|---|---|
| Size | 9.5 x 4 inches |
| Capacity | 16 cups, per the listing |
| Material | Heavy-weight carbon steel |
| Surface | Silicone-based nonstick |
| Bottom | Two-piece, removable center |
| Cooling feet | Yes |
| Care | Hand wash recommended, dry fully |
Why we recommend it
It suits nearly anyone baking angel food at home, and anyone who also wants a tube pan for pound cake.
Skip it if you want a pale, uncoated pan, because this one is dark and nonstick.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strongest independent verdict here
- Clean release
- Feet for inverting
Cons
- Some owners report rust, per BestReviews
- Lightweight feel reported, per BestReviews
- Hand wash recommended
2. Wilton 10-Inch Aluminum Angel Food Pan – Pale, Uncoated Classic
This is the plain, uncoated option. It is the same model number ATK reviewed, 2105-2525, and ATK’s verdict was Recommended with Reservations, so you should know what the reservations were. Testers were split on the cake. It came out light and delicate, but without the crisp, caramelized outside that darker pans gave. ATK did say its finish was the most durable of the group. Real Homes made it its top pick.
The pan is 10 inches across and 4 inches deep, made of anodized aluminum that Wilton says is oven safe to 450 degrees F and will not rust. The inner core lifts out for easy release. Wilton says the anodized aluminum helps reduce over-baking, and its listing describes the pan as made without PFAS.
The main drawback is leaks. In ATK’s review, this pan let out a few teaspoons of dense pound cake batter. Angel food batter is lighter, but if you bake anything heavy in it, wrap the outside in foil or set it on a baking sheet, as ATK suggests. It is hand wash only, and the listing says it is not dishwasher safe. The listing does not mention feet.
Why we like it
- Most durable finish in ATK’s review
- Uncoated anodized aluminum
- Removable inner core
- Oven safe to 450 degrees F, per Wilton
Key specifications
| Model | W2525 (2105-2525) |
|---|---|
| Size | 10 x 4 inches |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Anodized aluminum |
| Surface | Uncoated |
| Bottom | Two-piece, removable core |
| Cooling feet | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash, not dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits a baker who wants a pale, tender cake and an uncoated surface.
Skip it if you want the crisp, browned edge that a darker pan gives, or you plan to bake a lot of pound cake.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Durable finish, per ATK
- Light, delicate cake, per ATK
- Will not rust, per Wilton
Cons
- Leaked with pound cake batter, per ATK
- Pale crust
- Feet not stated
3. Wilton Gold Nonstick Angel Food Tube Pan – Two-Piece, Dishwasher Safe
If you know you will never hand wash a cake pan, look here. Wilton lists this two-piece steel pan as dishwasher safe, and it is the only pan on our list described that way.
It measures 9.37 inches by 4.2 inches, a little smaller than a standard 10-inch pan, so check your recipe first. The pan comes apart so you can lift the cake free. Wilton says the nonstick coating is scratch-resistant and made without PFAS, that the pan resists warping, and that it is oven safe to 450 degrees F.
We found no independent review of this exact pan. BestReviews did name a Wilton nonstick fluted tube pan as a top pick, while saying some users find the nonstick surface unreliable, but that is a different shape. So the case for this pan rests on the listing and on Wilton’s long history in home baking. The listing does not mention cooling feet, and a dishwasher will shorten the life of most coatings, so hand washing is still the safer habit if you have the time.
Why we like it
- Dishwasher safe, per Wilton
- Two-piece detachable design
- Oven safe to 450 degrees F, per Wilton
- Coating made without PFAS, per Wilton
Key specifications
| Model | 191011491 |
|---|---|
| Size | 9.37 x 4.2 inches |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Steel |
| Surface | Nonstick, made without PFAS per Wilton |
| Bottom | Two-piece, detachable |
| Cooling feet | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home baker who makes angel food now and then and wants quick cleanup.
Skip it if your recipe calls for a full 10-inch pan, since this one is a little narrower.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy cleanup
- Two-piece release
- Resists warping, per Wilton
Cons
- Feet not stated
- Slightly small for 10-inch recipes
- No independent review of this pan found
4. Fox Run 9.75-Inch Aluminum Angel Food Pan – Light Pan With Three Feet
Fox Run keeps things plain. This is a lightweight aluminum tube pan with a drop-out bottom and three feet, which is really all an angel food pan needs. The listing gives its weight as 9.6 ounces, which is very light for a pan this size.
The feet raise the cake while it cools, and they also keep the pan off your countertop. It bakes a cake 9.75 inches wide at the top and 8.25 inches at the bottom. With the feet the pan measures 10.5 by 10.5 by 5 inches. The listing also suggests it for hot milk sponge cake, Bundt cakes and pound cakes.
There are limits to a pan this light. ATK noted that one very light aluminum pan in its review produced pale cakes, and called that a minor issue. That was not this pan, which ATK did not review. We found no independent review of it, so the case rests on the listing. Wash it by hand, as the listing says. The listing does not name a coating, and the title sets it apart from Fox Run’s nonstick version, so plan on treating it as bare aluminum.
Why we like it
- Drop-out bottom for easy removal
- Three cooling feet
- Weighs just 9.6 ounces, per the listing
- Also suits sponge, Bundt and pound cakes, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 4795 |
|---|---|
| Size | 10.5 x 10.5 x 5 inches with feet |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Surface | No coating named |
| Bottom | Two-piece, drop-out bottom |
| Cooling feet | Yes, three |
| Care | Hand wash |
Why we recommend it
It suits a baker who wants the basics, feet and a removable bottom, with nothing extra.
Skip it if you want a heavy pan, or you want an independent review behind your choice.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Feet and a removable bottom
- Very light
- Versatile, per the listing
Cons
- Very light build
- Wash by hand
- No independent review of this pan found
5. USA Pan Global Bakeware Angel Food Pan – Aluminized Steel, Silicone Finish
USA Pan is known for commercial-style bakeware, and this pan brings that build to an angel food shape. It is aluminized steel, which the maker describes as combining steel’s strength with aluminum’s heat conduction, finished with its silicone Americoat nonstick.
It measures 9 inches across and a generous 4 inches deep. Check that against your recipe, because a 9-inch pan holds less than a 10-inch pan. Note the name too. This is the Global Bakeware range, and the maker says it partnered with a family-run European company on these cake pans, so do not assume it is made in the USA just from the brand name.
We found no independent review of this pan, so the case for it rests on the listing and USA Pan’s reputation. The listing does not say whether the bottom lifts out, whether it has feet, or how to care for it. Those are real gaps for this type of pan, so look at the photos and the listing’s current details before you buy. It is a better fit for a baker who already likes the brand than for a first-time angel food baker.
Why we like it
- Aluminized steel body, per USA Pan
- Silicone Americoat nonstick, per USA Pan
- 4-inch depth
- Commercial-style finish, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 1904CP |
|---|---|
| Size | 9 x 4 inches |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Material | Aluminized steel |
| Surface | Silicone Americoat nonstick |
| Bottom | Not stated |
| Cooling feet | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a baker who already trusts USA Pan and wants a steel body rather than aluminum.
Skip it if you need a confirmed removable bottom or feet, since the listing states neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Steel for strength, per USA Pan
- Easy release, per USA Pan
- Deep sides
Cons
- Bottom and feet not stated
- Smaller 9-inch size
- No independent review of this pan found
6. Fat Daddio’s 8-Inch Anodized Angel Food Pan – Small Batches, Bare Aluminum
Not everyone needs a 16-cup cake. Fat Daddio’s makes this smaller pan in 16-gauge anodized aluminum, and it measures 8 inches by about 4 inches, with an overall size of 8.5 by 4.25 inches. The listing gives a capacity of 5 cups, so scale your recipe down rather than pouring in a full one.
The pan has no coating. Fat Daddio’s says it has no extra metals, chemical additives, dyes, PFAS, PTFE or PFOA, that it will never rust, peel or flake, and that it is safe for citrus-based foods. It is rated up to 550 degrees F, the highest limit stated on this page, and the listing says it is freezer safe.
The size has another use. The listing says it fits 6- and 8-quart pressure cookers and 5.3- and 10-quart air fryers. That makes it a handy pan for a small kitchen. The listing does not state whether the bottom lifts out or whether it has feet, so plan to invert it over a bottle or a rack. We found no independent review of this pan, so the case rests on the listing and maker. Hand washing is recommended, and the maker gives a lifetime warranty.
Why we like it
- 16-gauge anodized aluminum, per the listing
- Rated to 550 degrees F, per Fat Daddio’s
- Fits pressure cookers and air fryers, per the listing
- Lifetime warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | PAF-8375 |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 x 3.75 inches |
| Capacity | 5 cups, per the listing |
| Material | 16-gauge anodized aluminum |
| Surface | Uncoated |
| Bottom | Not stated |
| Cooling feet | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small household, or anyone who wants to bake a cake in a pressure cooker or air fryer.
Skip it if you want to use a standard recipe as written, since the listing gives only 5 cups.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Uncoated surface
- High temperature rating
- Small-appliance friendly
Cons
- Small capacity
- Bottom and feet not stated
- No independent review of this pan found
7. Norpro 6-Cup Mini Angel Food Pan – Six Single Servings
This one is a different idea altogether. Instead of a single large cake, Norpro’s tray bakes six small ones, and “6 Cup” here means six cups in the tray, not six cups of batter. Each small cake is 4 inches across and 2.25 inches deep, and the tray measures 17 by 11 by 2.25 inches.
Small cakes make sense for a party or a dessert plate, where each guest gets their own with fruit or cream. They also cool quickly and need no slicing. Check that your oven can take a tray 17 inches long before you order.
The listing is short. It says the surface is high quality nonstick and that hand washing is recommended, and that is about all. It does not name the metal or the coating, and it mentions no removable centers or feet, so expect to ease each cake out by hand. We found no independent review of this pan, so the case rests on the listing and Norpro’s name in kitchen tools. Scale your recipe down, and start checking for doneness well before the time a large cake would take.
Why we like it
- Six individual cakes
- Nonstick surface, per the listing
- Each cake is 4 inches across, per the listing
- Needs no slicing
Key specifications
| Model | 3975 |
|---|---|
| Size | 17 x 11 x 2.25 inches |
| Capacity | Six cakes, 4 x 2.25 inches each |
| Material | Not stated |
| Surface | Nonstick |
| Bottom | Not stated |
| Cooling feet | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who wants individual cakes for a party or dessert plate.
Skip it if you want a traditional tall angel food cake, since this tray will not make one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Single servings
- Shorter cooling time
- Nonstick surface
Cons
- No removable parts stated
- Listing has few details
- No independent review of this pan found
How to choose a tube pan for angel food
Angel food is a simple cake, so only a few pan details decide how it turns out. Look at these in this order.
Start with a removable bottom
ATK found this was the biggest difference. With a two-piece pan, the whole cake lifts out cleanly. Fixed-bottom pans needed scraping and shaking, and those cakes came out looking ragged or splotchy.
Decide if leaks matter to you
The trade-off with a removable bottom is leaking. Angel food batter is light, so this matters most if you also bake pound cake in the pan. In ATK’s review, every removable-bottom pan leaked dense batter except the Chicago Metallic. If yours leaks, wrap the outside in foil or set it on a baking sheet.
Look for feet or a tall tube
The cake must cool upside down. Feet let the pan rest on the counter, and ATK’s testers preferred them to balancing the pan on a bottle. A tube that stands taller than the rim does the same job. If your pan has neither, set the tube over a sturdy bottle.
Think about finish and color
ATK found darker pans gave a browner, crunchier crust with more caramelized flavor, while the light, uncoated Wilton pan gave a paler cake. Neither is wrong. Real Homes says a good pan needs an interior the cake can cling to, and many bakers prefer bare metal for that reason. Even so, ATK’s winner is a nonstick pan, so a coating is no deal-breaker when the bottom lifts out.
Match the size to the recipe
Most recipes assume a 10-inch tube pan or something close to it. A 9-inch or 8-inch pan holds less, so a full recipe can overflow. Check the size and capacity against your recipe first, and scale down when needed.
How we chose these seven tube pans
We started with America’s Test Kitchen’s tube pan review, then read Real Homes and BestReviews. We kept pans sold for angel food cake that were plain in stock with a new lead offer, from named bakeware makers. We have not baked in any of them.
Some pans dropped out. Nordic Ware’s Naturals two-piece pan and Fat Daddio’s 10-inch pan were running low on stock. We also passed on several less-known brands, because no independent review of them turned up in our searches, and a pan that touches food should have more behind it than a listing. The Chicago Metallic and the Wilton aluminum pan have reviews behind them. For the others, we say plainly that the case rests on the listing and the maker.
Angel food cake pan questions, answered
What is a tube pan?
It is a deep round pan with a hollow tube up the center. The tube carries heat into the middle of the batter and gives it a surface to climb. Angel food pans usually have straight sides, and fluted ones are usually Bundt pans. Our guide to the best Bundt pan covers those.
Can I use a Bundt pan for angel food cake?
It is not the usual choice. A Bundt pan has no removable bottom, and its fluted shape makes a delicate cake harder to release. A straight-sided tube pan with a removable bottom is the safer pick.
Do I need a pan with feet?
No, but they help. The cake has to cool upside down, and ATK preferred feet to balancing a pan on a bottle. A tall center tube or a sturdy bottle will also work.
Should I grease an angel food cake pan?
Follow your recipe and the pan maker’s instructions. Real Homes says the batter needs an interior it can cling to, so many recipes leave the pan ungreased.
Is nonstick or uncoated better for angel food cake?
Both can work. Uncoated pans suit bakers who want a pale cake and a durable finish. Nonstick pans suit bakers who want an easier release and a browner crust. ATK’s winner is nonstick, and its Wilton uncoated pan had the most durable finish.
What else do I need to make angel food cake?
A stand mixer or a hand mixer does the hard work on the whites, and a sifter keeps the flour light. See our guides to the best hand mixer and the best flour sifter.
Our final pick for a tall, light cake
For most bakers, the Chicago Metallic 2-Piece Angel Food Cake Pan is the one to buy. It has the removable center, the feet and the strongest independent verdict here. Choose the Wilton if you prefer bare metal and a paler cake, or the Fox Run if you want a light, plain pan with feet. For more baking gear, go back to our guide to the best baking pan for cake or see the best cooling rack.
Related guide: Best tube pan.
And on the nights when dessert is someone else’s job, see the menu or call to order.