A popover is mostly egg, milk and flour, and the only thing that lifts it is steam. Put a wet batter in a very hot cup and the moisture turns to steam, pushing the batter up the sides and out the top into a tall, crisp, hollow shell. The pan’s job is to get heat into that batter fast and give it deep walls to climb.
That is why a popover pan looks like a muffin tin with longer, narrower cups. This guide names eight worth buying, explains when a muffin tin will do, and covers the small detail that catches people out: many recipes start at the top of a pan’s temperature rating.
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Quick verdict: which popover pan to buy
For most kitchens, the best popover pan is the USA Pan 6-Well Popover Pan: deep wells, aluminized steel, a 450°F rating and a limited lifetime warranty, all stated by the maker. For heavy cast aluminum and big cups choose the Nordic Ware Grand, but confirm its oven limit. For the easiest cleanup choose the Cuisinart 6-Cup, and for a dozen small ones the Chicago Metallic Mini.
We did not find a rigorous head-to-head test of popover pans, so these picks rest on stated specifications. We say where those run out.
Five popover pans side by side
Five picks for five kinds of baker, with what each maker or listing states. All eight pans are reviewed in full below.
| Pan | Best for | Build | Heat & care (per maker or listing) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
USA Pan 6-Well Popover PanBest overall
|
Most home bakers | Aluminized steel, six deep wells | 450°F; hand wash only | View on Amazon |
Nordic Ware Grand Popover PanBest cast aluminum
|
Frequent bakers, big cups | Cast aluminum, 3/4-cup wells | Limit unclear; hand wash | View on Amazon |
Mrs. Anderson’s Baking 6-Cup Popover PanBest large cups
|
Largest listed cups | Carbon steel, open frame | 450°F; hand wash | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart 6-Cup Popover PanBest easy care
|
Easy cleanup | Heavy steel, tapered cups | Limit not stated; dishwasher safe | View on Amazon |
| Brunch and party plates | Heavy steel, 12 mini cups | Limit not stated; hand wash advised | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Oven limits and care are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best popover pan
These eight pans cover standard six-cup pans in steel and cast aluminum, a narrower pan, a dishwasher-friendly option, a mini pan and an uncoated one. Each pick explains who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. USA Pan 6-Well Popover Pan – Deep Wells, Solid Build
This is the pan we would point most home bakers to first, because the maker’s numbers are clear and they suit the job. USA Pan lists six wells of 2.75 by 1.875 inches and about 2.4 inches deep, in commercial-grade aluminized steel with a fluted surface for strength. Deep, separate wells are what a popover needs: the sides hold the batter up as steam pushes it higher.
The coating is USA Pan’s Americoat, a silicone nonstick the maker describes as food-safe. The oven limit is 450°F, and that is worth noticing, because a recipe like King Arthur’s starts at exactly 450°F. This pan handles that, but do not push past it.
Care is by hand. USA Pan says to wash in warm water with mild soap, keep the pan out of the dishwasher and avoid cooking spray, so grease it with soft butter or a brush of oil instead. Use silicone, nylon or wooden tools. It carries a limited lifetime warranty and is made in the USA from globally sourced materials.
Why we like it
- Six deep wells, about 2.4 inches deep per the maker
- Aluminized steel with a fluted surface for strength
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Made in the USA from globally sourced materials
Key specifications
| Model | 1290PO |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminized steel |
| Coating | Americoat silicone nonstick |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | 2.75 x 1.875 x 2.438 inches |
| Pan size | 15.75 x 11.125 x 2.438 inches |
| Oven limit | 450°F |
| Care | Hand wash only; no cooking spray |
Why we recommend it
This suits a home baker who wants one standard popover pan with clear specifications and a long warranty. It also works for Yorkshire puddings when you want six full-size ones.
Skip it if you need a dishwasher-safe pan. USA Pan rules that out.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear maker specifications
- Strong warranty
- Rated for a 450°F starting oven
Cons
- No dishwasher, no cooking spray
- No margin above 450°F
- Takes more shelf space than the Global version
2. Nordic Ware Grand Popover Pan – Cast Aluminum, Big Cups
Nordic Ware’s Grand pan is built differently from the stamped steel pans here. It is heavy cast aluminum with a nonstick coating, made in the USA according to the listing, and retailers and Nordic Ware’s own product copy put each cup at about 3/4 cup. That is a large popover, and the listing also suggests the pan for oversized muffins.
Cast aluminum is the appeal if you want a pan that feels solid and heats evenly, which is what the listing claims. Retailer dimensions run around 14 by 9 by 2.5 inches. The listing gives a 10-year warranty, while some retailers say limited lifetime, so check the card in the box.
We could not confirm one number that matters. Retailers give the oven limit as anywhere from 400°F to 450°F, and the listing gives none. A popover recipe that starts at 450°F may exceed that, so check the packaging before you run it hot, or choose a recipe with a lower starting heat. The listing says hand wash with mild detergent.
Why we like it
- Heavy cast aluminum body per the listing
- Large cups of about 3/4 cup each
- Made in the USA per the listing
- Works for oversized muffins as well
Key specifications
| Model | 51748 |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast aluminum |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | About 3/4 cup each |
| Pan size | About 14 x 9 x 2.5 inches (retailers vary) |
| Oven limit | Not confirmed; retailers say 400°F to 450°F |
| Care | Hand wash with mild detergent |
Why we recommend it
This suits someone who bakes popovers often and wants a cast pan rather than stamped steel, and who is happy to confirm the oven limit before the first batch.
Skip it if you follow a recipe that starts at 450°F and cannot confirm the rating. A USA Pan or Chicago Metallic pan states it plainly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Solid cast construction
- Big cups
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Oven limit unclear across retailers
- Hand wash only
- Warranty wording varies by seller
3. Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan – Open Frame, Long Warranty
Chicago Metallic’s pan holds six separate tapered cups in an open frame, which lets oven air move around each one. The listing puts each cup at 2.75 by 2.25 inches, in a pan of 15.5 by 9 by 2.5 inches, and calls the wells perfect for popovers, Yorkshire puddings and standard muffins.
It carries a silicone-based nonstick coating and is rated to 450°F, so it can handle a hot-start recipe. The listing gives a 25-year warranty, the longest term on this page, and says the pan is dishwasher safe, though hand washing will extend its life.
There are two things to weigh. The listing says carbon steel in the title and heavy-weight aluminized steel in the features, so we cannot settle the metal. And on Food52’s hotline, one home baker reported that a Chicago Metallic pan of this cup-and-wire type lost its nonstick quality over time. That is one person’s report, not a test, but it is reason enough to grease well and treat the coating gently.
Why we like it
- Separate cups in an open frame, for air around each well
- Rated to 450°F per the listing
- 25-year warranty per the listing
- Dishwasher safe, though hand washing is advised
Key specifications
| Model | 26562 |
|---|---|
| Material | Coated steel; listing says both aluminized and carbon steel |
| Coating | Silicone-based nonstick |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | 2.75 x 2.25 inches |
| Pan size | 15.5 x 9 x 2.5 inches |
| Oven limit | 450°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
This suits a baker who likes the open-frame design and wants the longest written warranty on this page, with the option of the dishwasher on a busy night.
Skip it if you dislike greasing a nonstick pan. One user report suggests this coating may not last without care.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Open frame around each cup
- Long stated warranty
- Hot-start temperature rating
Cons
- Listing is inconsistent on the metal
- A user report of fading nonstick
- Hand washing still advised to extend its life
4. Mrs. Anderson’s Baking 6-Cup Popover Pan – Deep Wells, Open Frame
Mrs. Anderson’s Baking, a housewares line from Harold Import Company, lists the largest cup here at 3.75 by 2.5 inches, in a pan of 15.75 by 9 by 2.25 inches. The brand says the deep wells and open frame maximize airflow and push batter upward, which is the goal with any popover pan.
The body is 0.7-millimeter carbon steel with a PFOA-free nonstick coating and a beaded rim the brand says resists bending. It is rated to 450°F, and instructions come with it, which is helpful if this is your first popover pan.
The listing’s numbers do not quite line up, since neither cup figure fits inside a pan listed at 2.25 inches tall unless the cup measures 2.25 deep or less. Read them as a large, deep cup rather than exact measurements. Care is by hand in warm, soapy water, with wooden or nylon tools and thorough drying. The listing does not state where the pan is made or give a warranty.
Why we like it
- Largest cup size listed on this page
- Open frame for airflow, per the brand
- Rated to 450°F
- Instructions included
Key specifications
| Model | 43901 |
|---|---|
| Material | 0.7 mm carbon steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, PFOA-free per the brand |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | 3.75 x 2.5 inches |
| Pan size | 15.75 x 9 x 2.25 inches |
| Oven limit | 450°F |
| Care | Hand wash; dry thoroughly |
Why we recommend it
This suits a baker who wants large popovers and a pan that comes with guidance. It is a good first pan for someone who has never made them.
Skip it if you want a stated warranty, or you need the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Generous cups
- Open frame design
- Clear heat rating
Cons
- Cup and pan measurements do not quite agree
- Hand wash only
- No warranty stated in the listing
5. USA Pan Global 6-Cup Popover Pan – Narrower Pan, PFAS-Free Claim
This is USA Pan’s other six-cup, and the differences are the pan’s width and the wording on its coating. The maker’s page gives the same 2.75 by 1.875-inch wells at about 2.4 inches deep, in a pan of 15.75 by 8.75 inches rather than 11.125 inches, so it takes less room on a rack or in a drawer. Note that the same page also shows the wider figure under the sister item.
The Amazon listing says the silicone coating is made without PFAS, PTFE, PFOA and BPA. USA Pan’s own page does not repeat that, so we report it as a listing claim. The wells are connected at the rims to let air around them, and the pan is rated to 450°F.
One question we could not settle is where it is made. The maker’s page says Made in China in one place and Made in USA from globally sourced materials in another. If American manufacture is why you want USA Pan, buy the 1290PO above. Care is by hand, and no cooking spray.
Why we like it
- Narrower 8.75-inch pan per the maker
- Listing says made without PFAS, PTFE, PFOA and BPA
- Same well size as the USA Pan 1290PO
- Rated to 450°F
Key specifications
| Model | 1291PO-6 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminized steel |
| Coating | Americoat silicone nonstick |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | 2.75 x 1.875 x 2.438 inches |
| Pan size | 15.75 x 8.75 x 2.438 inches |
| Oven limit | 450°F |
| Care | Hand wash only; no cooking spray |
Why we recommend it
This suits a small kitchen where rack and cabinet space are tight, or a baker for whom the listing’s PFAS wording matters.
Skip it if country of origin matters to you. The maker’s page gives two answers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Narrower footprint
- Clear coating wording in the listing
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Maker’s page conflicts on origin
- PFAS wording is only in the listing
- No dishwasher
6. Cuisinart 6-Cup Popover Pan – Easy Care, Lifetime Warranty
Cuisinart’s pan is the simple choice: heavy-gauge steel with nonstick inside and out, six tapered cups and a limited lifetime warranty, according to the listing. It is also listed as dishwasher safe with no caveat, which sets it apart from the pans above.
That makes it the one for a kitchen where the rack gets loaded no matter what. It sits at the entry end of the brands here, and what you give up for that is detail. The listing does not state the cup size, the pan size or an oven limit, so you have to take the depth on trust and check the rating before a 450°F start.
The tapered cups are the right shape for the job, and Cuisinart says they help air circulate. Grease the pan anyway, because a popover is a wet, eggy batter and King Arthur asks for thorough greasing even in a metal pan. If you buy it for occasional use, this simple approach is all it needs.
Why we like it
- Dishwasher safe per the listing
- Nonstick interior and exterior
- Tapered cups for air circulation
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | AMB-6POP |
|---|---|
| Material | Heavy-gauge steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | Not stated |
| Pan size | Not stated |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
This suits an occasional popover baker who wants easy cleanup and a familiar brand and will not mind checking the temperature rating first.
Skip it if you want known dimensions or a confirmed oven limit before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easiest cleanup here
- Lifetime warranty
- Familiar brand
Cons
- Few specifications in the listing
- No oven limit stated
- Coating type not stated
7. Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Mini Popover Pan – A Dozen Small Puffs
Twelve small popovers go further than six large ones, especially on a breakfast table or a party plate. Chicago Metallic’s mini pan has suspended cups of 2.25 by 2 inches, linked by crossbars that let air around each well, in a pan of 16 by 10.75 inches.
The cups are smaller, so this pan is also a sensible match for recipes written for a muffin tin, like King Arthur’s 12-cup version, which uses cups about 2.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep. These are a little narrower and deeper. Start checking early, because a smaller popover sets faster.
The listing calls it dishwasher safe, with hand washing recommended to extend the life of the coating, and gives a limited lifetime warranty. It does not state an oven limit, so confirm that before a hot start.
Why we like it
- Twelve mini popovers per batch
- Suspended cups linked by crossbars
- Dishwasher safe per the listing
- Limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 26121 |
|---|---|
| Material | Heavy steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Cups | 12 mini |
| Cup size | 2.25 x 2 inches |
| Pan size | 16 x 10.75 inches |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
This suits brunches, dinner parties and anyone who likes a smaller, crisper popover. It also bakes mini muffins and small Yorkshire puddings.
Skip it if you want the big classic popover. These are bite-size by comparison.
Pros and cons
Pros
- High yield
- Open frame
- Works with 12-cup recipes
Cons
- No oven limit stated
- Small cups set quickly
- Large pan for its cup size
8. Fox Run Stainless Steel Popover Pan, 6-Cup – No Coating to Wear Out
Fox Run’s pan is the only one here with no nonstick coating. It is stainless steel with six steep wells held in a wire rack, which the listing says lets heat and air move evenly around each cup. It is the one to look at if you want to avoid coated bakeware.
The trade-off is release. A popover batter is wet and eggy, and stainless steel gives it nothing to slide on, so grease each well thoroughly, including the rim. King Arthur’s advice to cover the area around the cups as well as the cups themselves applies with extra force here.
The listing states very little else. Retailers list model 4757 at about 15 by 9 inches and roughly 935 grams, and one says dishwasher safe, but Fox Run’s listing does not state an oven limit or cup size. The pan is also suggested for muffins and cupcakes.
Why we like it
- No nonstick coating
- Steep wells held in a wire rack
- Also suits muffins and cupcakes
- Easy to scrub
Key specifications
| Model | 4757 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Coating | None |
| Cups | 6 |
| Cup size | Not stated |
| Pan size | About 15 x 9 inches (retailers) |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated by Fox Run; a retailer lists dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
This suits a baker who prefers bare metal, does not mind a generous brush of fat and wants a pan that can be scrubbed hard.
Skip it if you want effortless release. Any of the coated pans will be easier.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nothing to chip or peel
- Open wire frame
- Doubles for muffins
Cons
- Release depends on careful greasing
- Oven limit not stated
- Few maker specifications
How to choose a popover pan
Cup depth and shape
Depth is the first thing to check. Milk Street notes that wide, shallow muffin cups give popovers less support, so the batter spreads out rather than up. The pans here run from about 2 to 2.5 inches deep. A tapered cup gives the classic narrow foot and wide top.
Oven limit
This is the number most people skip. King Arthur’s popover recipe starts at 450°F, the exact limit of the USA Pan, Chicago Metallic and Mrs. Anderson’s pans. Several other listings give no limit at all. If yours is unclear, check before you preheat, or choose a recipe that starts lower.
Open frame or solid body
Open-frame pans hold each cup separately, so hot air moves around every well. Cast pans like the Nordic Ware Grand use mass instead, and aim for steady heat. Both styles are sold for the same job, and we found no good test that separates them.
Coating and care
Coated steel is the norm. Most makers ask you to avoid metal tools, and USA Pan also rules out cooking spray and the dishwasher. If you want dishwasher cleanup, the Cuisinart is the plainest choice. If you want no coating, the Fox Run stainless is the only option here, and it will ask for more grease.
Six large or twelve small
Six-cup pans bake the classic tall popover. Twelve-cup mini pans feed more people and suit a brunch spread. Pick for the way you serve them.
Do you need one, or will a muffin tin do?
You can make good popovers in a muffin tin, but not the tallest ones. King Arthur’s own popover recipe uses a standard 12-cup metal muffin tin, with cups about 2.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep, and lists a popover pan as an option. Milk Street is less forgiving: its article says popovers in a muffin tin spread outward and come out as short, squat pucks.
The honest answer is that a muffin tin gives you smaller, shorter popovers that still taste good. If you make them once a year, use the tin you own. If you want them tall, or you make Yorkshire puddings with every roast, a real pan earns its cabinet space. For the tin itself, see our muffin tin reviews.
Getting a tall rise from any pan
Milk Street rests its batter for 25 minutes so the flour can fully hydrate. King Arthur says to make absolutely certain the oven has reached 450°F before the pan goes in, and to grease thoroughly, covering the area between the cups as well as the cups.
Then leave the door shut. King Arthur bakes for 20 minutes without opening the oven, then drops the heat to 350°F, again without opening the door. When the popovers come out, poke the tip of a knife into the top of each one to release steam and help prevent sogginess if you are serving them right away.
How we picked these eight pans
We did not bake in these pans. We could not find a head-to-head test from a reputable source, and most online “best popover pan” lists are thin. So we started from what each maker and Amazon listing states: cup size, material, coating, oven limit and warranty. We used King Arthur and Milk Street for how popovers behave, and one Food52 reader report as a caution, labeled as such. We kept only identifiable makers with stock when we checked, and we kept the list varied. Where a fact was missing or two sources disagreed, the page says so.
Popover pan questions, answered
What is the difference between a popover pan and a muffin tin?
Popover cups are deeper and narrower, and many pans hold each one apart for airflow. Muffin cups are wider and shallower. King Arthur bakes popovers in a muffin tin, but Milk Street says the results are short and squat.
Can a popover pan make Yorkshire pudding?
Yes. Chicago Metallic, USA Pan, Mrs. Anderson’s and Fox Run all name Yorkshire pudding on their listings. A popover pan’s deep cups give a taller result than a shallow British tin.
Should I buy a 6-cup or a mini popover pan?
Buy a 6-cup pan for classic tall popovers. Choose a 12-cup mini for brunch plates or for serving a crowd.
Do I need to grease a nonstick popover pan?
Yes. King Arthur says to grease thoroughly. USA Pan advises against cooking spray, so use soft butter or oil and a brush.
Do I need to preheat the pan?
Recipes differ, so follow yours. King Arthur’s stresses a fully hot oven. If you do heat the pan first, stay within its stated oven limit.
Why did my popovers collapse?
The usual causes are opening the oven door early or taking them out before the shells have set. Keep the door shut through the first stage, and pierce the tops afterward so the steam can escape.
Our pick for tall popovers at home
Buy the USA Pan 6-Well if you want one pan with clear specifications. Choose the Nordic Ware Grand for heavy cast aluminum, the Mrs. Anderson’s for the largest listed cups, the Cuisinart for the dishwasher and the Chicago Metallic Mini for a dozen small ones.
For more on the shelf, see our best silicone muffin pan guide, the best egg muffin pan picks and our best non stick baking pan guide. And on a night when you would rather not bake, see the Julia’s menu and call to order at (346) 546-8283.