Bakeware & Baking Tools

Small Pan, Big Use: How to Pick the Best Quarter Sheet Pan

How to pick the best quarter sheet pan: nine bare, nonstick and stainless pans compared, including sets with a rack, and which sizes fit a toaster oven.

Roasted patty pan squash, tomatoes and garlic spread across a dark tray
Roasted squash, tomatoes and garlic on a dark tray.

A quarter sheet pan is the small tray that ends up doing the most work. It is half the size of the half sheet most home cooks own, about 13 by 9 inches, and it handles the jobs that don’t deserve a big pan: a handful of pepitas, a few tomatillos under the broiler, leftovers in the toaster oven, or six cookies when you don’t want twenty-four.

This guide compares nine quarter sheet pans, in bare aluminum, coated aluminized steel, hardcoat and tri-ply stainless, including the best options if you want a quarter sheet pan with rack. Where a review only covered a larger size from the same line, we say so.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working kitchen looks for in a sheet pan, the makers’ specifications and published reviews, which we name. We did not cook on these pans ourselves.

Quick verdict: which quarter sheet pan to buy

For most kitchens, the best quarter sheet pan is the USA Pan Nonstick Quarter Sheet: TechGearLab says it neither flexes nor warps, and it releases food easily. Want a rack too? Buy the USA Pan set with a bakeable rack. For high heat and bare metal, choose the Fat Daddio’s natural aluminum pan, rated to 550°F.

All nine pans are reviewed below, each with one honest reason to skip it.

Chopped Brussels sprouts, carrots and purple-skinned root vegetables spread out in a single layer
Chopped vegetables spread out in a single layer.

Five quarter sheets at a glance

Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of cook, with the specifications each maker or listing states. All nine pans are reviewed in full below.

Pan Best for Size Surface Oven limit Buy on Amazon
Most home cooks 13 x 9.5 x 1 in Silicone nonstick Not stated on this listing View on Amazon
Roasting on a rack 13 x 9.5 x 1 in, plus rack Silicone nonstick Not stated on this listing View on Amazon
High heat, toasting 13 x 9 x 1 in Bare aluminum 550°F View on Amazon
Broiling, no warping 15.5 x 9.5 in with handles, plus rack Uncoated stainless 600°F, per Sur La Table View on Amazon
Ceramic nonstick fans 9.5 x 14 in outside Ceramic nonstick Not stated View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Sizes and heat limits are as stated by each maker or listing; check before you buy.

Our picks for the best quarter sheet pan

These nine pans run from plain restaurant-supply aluminum to clad stainless. Our broader best baking sheets guide covers half and oversize pans too; here we look only at the quarter size, and at pans not picked on that page.

1. USA Pan Nonstick Quarter Sheet Pan – Stiff, Easy-Release Everyday Pan

Best overallUSA Pan Bakeware Nonstick Quarter Sheet Pan

This is the quarter sheet with the best independent support we could find. TechGearLab, which covers quarter sheet size in its baking sheet review, names the USA Pan Quarter Sheet its best nonstick pan and says it does not flex in hand or warp in the oven. The pan measures 13 by 9.5 by 1 inches outside, with a 12.5 by 9-inch baking surface.

It is heavy-gauge aluminized steel with USA Pan’s corrugated surface, which the maker says helps air circulate for quick release and even baking. The coating is a clear silicone nonstick; USA Pan’s listing for the matching rack set describes it as PTFE, PFOA and BPA free. Wash it with hot water, mild soap and a gentle sponge.

There is one mixed signal. Prudent Reviews tested the larger half sheet from USA Pan and saw a corner buckle at high heat, and it did not fully flatten. That was a different size and TechGearLab saw no warping on this quarter sheet, but it is a reason not to run the pan empty under a hot broiler. USA Pan says it is made in the USA from globally sourced materials.

Why we like it

  • TechGearLab’s best nonstick pick
  • Corrugated surface for release, per USA Pan
  • Silicone nonstick; maker says PTFE and PFOA free
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model 1045QS
Outside size 13 x 9.5 x 1 in
Cooking surface 12.5 x 9 in
Material Heavy-gauge aluminized steel
Surface Clear silicone nonstick, corrugated
Oven limit Not stated on this listing
Care Hot water, mild soap, gentle sponge
Warranty Limited lifetime

Why we recommend it

It suits most home cooks: cookies, roasted vegetables, reheated leftovers and a small tray of nachos, all with very little scrubbing.

Skip it if you cut food on the pan; TechGearLab warns that knives can score the surface, and it may need small changes to baking times.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong outside support at this exact size
  • Easy release
  • Stated baking surface size

Cons

  • Knives can score the coating
  • Half-size sibling warped in one review
  • Oven limit is not on this listing

Check price on Amazon

2. USA Pan Quarter Sheet Pan and Cooling Rack Set – Pan and Bakeable Rack Together

Best with rackUSA Pan Bakeware Quarter Sheet Baking Pan and Bakeable Nonstick Cooling Rack Set

If you came here for a quarter sheet pan with rack, start with this one. It pairs the same size USA Pan quarter sheet with a nonstick crosswire rack, and the listing calls the rack bakeable, so it can go in the oven with the pan as well as sit on the counter for cooling.

The rack measures 12 by 8.25 by 0.5 inches and has six raised feet for stability. The pan has the same 13 by 9.5 by 1-inch outside size and 12.5 by 9-inch baking area as our top pick, with the same aluminized steel and Americoat silicone coating, which USA Pan describes as PTFE, PFOA and BPA free.

A rack is worth having even at this small size. It lifts bacon, a chicken thigh or two, or breaded chiles out of their own drippings and lets air reach the underside. USA Pan suggests a silicone mat to keep the pan looking its best over time. For a larger setup, see our guide to the best baking pan and rack.

Why we like it

  • Rack sized to sit inside the pan
  • Bakeable rack, per the listing
  • Six raised feet on the rack
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model 1604CR
Outside size 13 x 9.5 x 1 in
Cooking surface 12.5 x 9 in; rack 12 x 8.25 x 0.5 in
Material Aluminized steel
Surface Americoat silicone nonstick, corrugated
Oven limit Not stated on this listing
Care Hot water, mild soap, gentle sponge
Warranty Limited lifetime

Why we recommend it

It suits small households that roast and cool on the same pan, and cooks who want a matched set instead of hunting for a rack that fits.

Skip it if you already own a small rack; the plain USA Pan above is the same size of pan.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Matched pan and rack
  • Rack goes in the oven
  • Nonstick on both pieces

Cons

  • Rack heat limit is not stated
  • Coated rack needs gentle cleaning

Check price on Amazon

3. Nordic Ware Naturals Nonstick Quarter Sheet – Aluminum With a Steel-Lined Rim

Best aluminum nonstickNordic Ware Naturals Aluminum NonStick Baker's Quarter Sheet Small

Nordic Ware’s Naturals line is one of the most familiar names in sheet pans, and this version adds a nonstick interior to the aluminum body. It measures 12.88 by 9.63 by 1.13 inches outside and 12.25 by 8.75 by 0.9 inches inside, so it is slightly smaller than a true 13 by 9.5 pan.

The listing credits aluminum’s heat conductivity for even baking and says an encapsulated steel rim prevents warping. It is hand wash only, with a 10-year warranty, and it is made in the USA by Nordic Ware.

Prudent Reviews put the bare half sheet from the same Naturals family through a high-heat warp test and it stayed flat. That is a different size and has no nonstick coating, so it is a good sign for the construction rather than a result for this pan. The listing gives no oven limit and does not name the coating, so check the packaging.

Why we like it

  • Aluminum base, per the listing
  • Encapsulated steel rim to resist warping
  • Made in the USA by Nordic Ware
  • 10-year warranty

Key specifications

Model 45350AMZ
Outside size 12.88 x 9.63 x 1.13 in
Cooking surface 12.25 x 8.75 x 0.9 in inside
Material Aluminum, steel rim
Surface Nonstick, type not stated
Oven limit Not stated
Care Hand wash only
Warranty 10-year

Why we recommend it

It suits bakers who like aluminum’s quick, even heat and want easy release for cookies and bars.

Skip it if you want a dishwasher-safe pan or need to know exactly what the coating is.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Reinforced rim
  • Made in the USA
  • Bare half-size sibling stayed flat in a review

Cons

  • Hand wash only
  • Oven limit and coating type are not stated

Check price on Amazon

4. Fat Daddio’s Natural Aluminum Quarter Sheet Pan – Bare Metal Rated to 550°F

Best bare aluminumFat Daddio's SP-QTR Natural Aluminum Quarter Sheet Pan

For toasting and roasting, plain metal is hard to beat, and this Fat Daddio’s pan has the highest heat rating among the aluminum pans here. It is 18-gauge natural aluminum with a wire-reinforced rolled rim, rated to 550°F, and the title names baking, roasting and broiling among its uses.

Outside it measures 13 by 9 by 1 inches, but the sloped sides mean the flat interior bottom is 11.25 by 8 inches, a useful thing to know when you are spreading out pepitas or laying out chiles. Capacity is 7.5 cups. Fat Daddio’s calls it the ideal size for a toaster oven, and it is freezer safe.

Bare aluminum will stick more than a coated pan, so line it with parchment or a silicone mat for anything delicate. Fat Daddio’s says it will not warp or rust and lists a lifetime warranty. This pick rests on the listing and maker details.

Why we like it

  • Rated to 550°F, per the listing
  • 18-gauge natural aluminum
  • Wire-reinforced rolled rim
  • Lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model SP-QTR
Outside size 13 x 9 x 1 in
Cooking surface 11.25 x 8 in interior bottom
Material 18-gauge natural aluminum
Surface Bare, no coating
Oven limit 550°F
Care Not stated
Warranty Lifetime

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who want one simple pan for high heat: charring tomatillos, toasting chiles and broiling a small tray of something cheesy.

Skip it if you want food to slide off without parchment, or if you need the larger flat area of a straighter-sided pan.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • High heat rating
  • No coating to protect
  • Toaster-oven friendly size, per the listing

Cons

  • Food sticks more than on nonstick
  • Smaller flat bottom than the outside size suggests

Check price on Amazon

Tomato halves and pieces of eggplant laid out on a tray
Tomato and eggplant laid out in a single layer.

5. Made In Quarter Sheet Pan – Commercial 3004 Aluminum

Best American-made bare panMade In Cookware - Quarter Sheet Pan - Commercial Grade Aluminum - Professional Bakeware

Made In’s quarter sheet is 3004 aluminum, 18 gauge according to the maker, at 13 by 9.5 by 1 inches. Made In rates it to 500°F, says hand wash only and gives it a lifetime warranty. It is made in the USA with imported components, and the listing says the pans were designed with chef Matt Horn for Horn Barbecue.

Prudent Reviews tested the half sheet from the same line, and its findings are worth reading before you buy. After 20 minutes at 450°F one corner lifted very slightly. The surface stuck to potatoes and cookies more than Nordic Ware did, and it picked up small scratches, which the reviewer says do not affect performance.

So expect a good, plain, bare aluminum pan, not a nonstick one. The reviewer’s main doubt was value, finding little performance advantage over Nordic Ware’s pan. A coated version exists, but it was low in stock when we checked, so it is not listed here.

Why we like it

  • 18-gauge 3004 aluminum, per Made In
  • Oven safe to 500°F
  • Made in the USA with imported components
  • Lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model BAKE-SHEET-QTR
Outside size 13 x 9.5 x 1 in
Cooking surface Not stated
Material 18-gauge 3004 aluminum
Surface Bare, no coating
Oven limit 500°F
Care Hand wash only
Warranty Lifetime

Why we recommend it

It suits buyers who want an American-made pan from a direct cookware brand and who will use parchment or oil.

Skip it if value is the priority; the reviewer found little performance advantage over Nordic Ware at half-sheet size.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Clear maker specifications
  • High-grade aluminum
  • Long warranty

Cons

  • Sticks without parchment or oil
  • Half-size sibling lifted slightly at one corner in a review
  • Scratches show

Check price on Amazon

6. Winco Aluminum Quarter Size Sheet Pan – Plain Restaurant-Supply Pan

Best restaurant styleWinware by Winco ALXP-1013 Sheet Pan

This is the kind of pan you find stacked in restaurant kitchens: no brand story, no coating, just a 9.5 by 13-inch sheet of 3003 aluminum. Winco’s closed bead rim is reinforced with a rust-proof rod, which the listing says helps prevent bending and warping.

A quarter sheet like this is the size a line cook reaches for to hold prepped vegetables, cool a small batch of beans, or roast a tray of chiles before peeling. It stacks well, which matters if you end up buying two or three.

The listing is short. It gives no gauge, oven limit, care instructions or warranty, so we show those as not stated. This pick rests on the listing and the maker’s restaurant-supply focus.

Why we like it

  • 3003 aluminum, per the listing
  • Closed bead rim with a rust-proof rod
  • Easy to stack and wash, per the listing

Key specifications

Model ALXP-1013
Outside size 9.5 x 13 in
Cooking surface Not stated
Material 3003 aluminum
Surface Bare, no coating
Oven limit Not stated
Care Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits home cooks who want a working pan for prep, roasting and holding food, and who would happily own more than one.

Skip it if you want a stated gauge, heat limit or warranty; the Fat Daddio’s and Made In pans give all of those.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Simple and stackable
  • Reinforced rim
  • No coating to protect

Cons

  • Thin listing with few specifications
  • Food sticks without parchment or oil

Check price on Amazon

7. Chicago Metallic BAKALON Quarter Sheet Pan – Hardcoat Anodized Aluminum

Best hardcoatChicago Metallic BĀKALON Quarter Sheet Pan

BAKALON is Chicago Metallic’s commercial hardcoat line, and this quarter sheet is a useful middle ground between bare aluminum and a nonstick coating. It is 16-gauge aluminum, heavier in gauge than the 18-gauge pans here, with a hardcoat anodized finish and a curled rim. It measures 9.5 by 13 by 1 1/16 inches.

Even so, the listing puts it at only 0.8 pounds, so it is light to move in and out of the oven. Chicago Metallic pitches it at cookies, pastries, vegetables and small-batch work.

The title says hand wash only. The listing gives no oven limit, warranty or country of origin, so check before you run it under a broiler. This pick rests on the listing and maker details.

Why we like it

  • 16-gauge aluminum, per the listing
  • Hardcoat anodized finish
  • Light at 0.8 pounds, per the listing

Key specifications

Model 40452
Outside size 9.5 x 13 x 1 1/16 in
Cooking surface Not stated
Material 16-gauge aluminum
Surface Hardcoat anodized
Oven limit Not stated
Care Hand wash only
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits bakers who want a sturdier gauge and a harder finish than plain aluminum, without a conventional nonstick coating.

Skip it if you want a stated heat limit, or a dishwasher-safe pan.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 16 gauge, thicker than the 18-gauge pans here
  • Light to handle
  • Commercial line

Cons

  • Hand wash only
  • Oven limit and warranty are not stated

Check price on Amazon

8. Hestan Provisions OvenBond Quarter Sheet Pan with Rack – Tri-Ply Stainless, Rack Included

Best stainlessHestan Provisions OvenBond Quarter Sheet Pan with Rack

Hestan’s OvenBond pan is a different kind of tool: tri-ply stainless steel around an aluminum core, the construction you would expect in a good skillet. This set adds an 11.75 by 8.25 by 0.65-inch stainless rack. The cooking surface is 12.5 by 9 inches, but wide handles take the overall length to 15.5 inches, so measure your oven if it is a small one. Pan and rack together weigh about 2.45 pounds.

Sur La Table lists OvenBond as oven and broiler safe to 600°F, dishwasher safe, with a lifetime warranty, made in China. That heat rating is the highest here, and it makes this the one pan we would put under a hot broiler without a second thought about the surface.

Prudent Reviews tested a full-size OvenBond pan and found no warping at all, but also real drawbacks: food stuck, cookies stayed pale, stains from high heat came back, and it was the hardest pan to clean. Use parchment or plenty of oil.

Why we like it

  • Stayed flat in Prudent Reviews’ warp test, at a larger size
  • 600°F and broiler safe, per Sur La Table
  • Stainless rack included
  • Lifetime warranty

Key specifications

Model 48822
Outside size 15.5 x 9.5 x 1.1 in with handles
Cooking surface 12.5 x 9 in; rack 11.75 x 8.25 x 0.65 in
Material Tri-ply stainless steel, aluminum core
Surface Uncoated stainless
Oven limit 600°F, per Sur La Table
Care Dishwasher safe, per Sur La Table
Warranty Lifetime

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who broil and roast at high heat and want a pan and rack that will not warp, and who accept the extra cleanup.

Skip it if you bake cookies more than you roast; the reviewer found they stayed soft and pale, and it is hard to clean.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Best warp result we found, at a larger size
  • Highest stated heat limit
  • Rack and pan are both stainless

Cons

  • Food sticks; hard to clean
  • Rainbow heat stains can return
  • Handles add length for small ovens

Check price on Amazon

9. OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Ceramic Quarter Sheet – Ceramic Coating, Size Marked on the Pan

Best ceramic nonstickOXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Ceramic Coated Metal Bakeware Quarter Sheet

If you want a coated pan but prefer ceramic nonstick to a silicone or PTFE-type finish, OXO’s version is a sensible choice from a maker with a long kitchen-tool record. It is heavy-gauge aluminized steel with a ceramic nonstick coating that OXO says protects against scratching, staining, corrosion and abrasion.

The details are thought through. Interior corners are rounded for cleaning, the rim has expanded handles, and each pan carries its dimensions on the top surface, which helps when a recipe calls for a specific size. The light interior is meant to help even browning.

Size is the catch. It is 9.5 by 14 inches outside but only 8 by 11.7 inches inside, the smallest working area here. The listing gives no oven limit, care instructions or warranty, and this pick rests on listing and maker details.

Why we like it

  • Ceramic nonstick coating, per OXO
  • Rounded interior corners for cleaning
  • Pan size marked on the surface
  • Light interior for even browning, per OXO

Key specifications

Model 11413900
Outside size 9.5 x 14 in
Cooking surface 8 x 11.7 in
Material Heavy-gauge aluminized steel
Surface Ceramic nonstick
Oven limit Not stated
Care Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits small-batch bakers who like a light, coated surface and tidy details.

Skip it if you need maximum working area or a stated oven limit; the USA Pan gives you more usable surface.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Easy-clean corners
  • Handles built into the rim
  • Light surface for browning

Cons

  • Smallest inside area here
  • Oven limit and warranty are not stated

Check price on Amazon

How to choose a quarter sheet

Quarter sheets are simple pans, which means small differences matter. These are the five to weigh.

1. Size, inside and out

A quarter sheet is nominally 13 by 9 inches, but this page runs from 13 by 9 to 14 by 9.5 outside, and working areas differ more than that. Sloped sides can reduce the flat bottom: Fat Daddio’s is 11.25 by 8 inches, OXO 11.7 by 8. If you plan to use a toaster oven, measure its tray and shelf, and allow for handles, which push the Hestan to 15.5 inches.

2. Bare or coated

Bare aluminum takes high heat and metal tools, but food sticks without parchment or oil. Nonstick releases food easily and asks for gentler care. If you are roasting chiles and tomatillos for salsa roja or salsa verde under the broiler, a bare pan makes more sense. If you bake cookies and bars, a coated pan saves scrubbing.

A tray of golden cupcakes in paper liners on a kitchen counter
Cupcakes on a rimmed tray.

3. Metal and rim

Warping is what ruins a sheet pan. Heavier gauges help, and a rim reinforced with wire or steel helps more. Note that gauge numbers run backward: 16 gauge is thicker than 18 gauge. Clad stainless is the most warp-resistant we saw reported, but at a real cost in weight and cleanup.

4. A rack, or not

A rack that fits inside the pan lifts food out of its drippings and doubles as a cooling rack. If you buy separately, check the rack’s size against the pan’s inside size, and check its heat limit. Our guide to sheet pan racks covers the tall storage kind, a different product that holds full stacks of pans.

5. Care

Only the Hestan is described as dishwasher safe, and that is by a retailer rather than the Amazon listing. Most others are hand wash only or say nothing, so plan on the sink. Dishwasher detergent can also discolor bare aluminum.

What a small sheet pan does well

The obvious use is a small batch of cookies. The better use is everything around the main dish. Spread a handful of nuts or pepitas and toast them while the oven preheats. Char a few tomatillos and a chile under the broiler for fresh salsa. Roast one sweet potato’s worth of cubes for tacos without heating a large pan or crowding it.

It is also the right size for reheating. A quarter sheet of leftover flautas or a small tray of nachos crisps up far better in the oven than in a microwave. In a toaster oven, it can spare you from heating the full oven at all, if it fits.

Golden cookies set out on a sheet of baking parchment
Cookies baked on parchment.

Keep two if you can. One bare pan for broiling and toasting, one coated pan for baking, and you will reach for your big half sheet much less often. For a full kit, see our baking sheet set guide.

How we picked these nine pans

We searched Amazon US for quarter sheet pans from identifiable makers, read each listing and kept only those shown in stock as new when we checked. We dropped several good pans that were low in stock or unavailable, and a Sur La Table listing whose product details described an unrelated item. We left out pans already recommended on our main sheet pan guides.

For independent evidence we used TechGearLab’s baking sheet review, which covers the USA Pan Quarter Sheet, and Prudent Reviews, whose warp and cooking tests used half or full-size pans from Nordic Ware, Made In, Hestan and USA Pan. We say which size each result applies to. The Fat Daddio’s, Winco, Chicago Metallic and OXO picks rest on listing and maker details. We did not test any pan, and no product here is said to be used at Julia’s.

We also checked the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database by brand for each maker on the page and found no bakeware recalls for them.

Quarter sheet pan questions, answered

What size is a quarter sheet pan?

About 13 by 9 inches outside, with a rim near 1 inch. Exact sizes vary by maker, from 13 by 9 to 13 by 9.5 for most pans here, and the flat cooking area is smaller than the outside size.

What is the best quarter sheet pan with rack?

The USA Pan pan and rack set suits most cooks. The rack is bakeable and has six raised feet, per the listing. If you want stainless and high heat, the Hestan set is rated to 600°F by Sur La Table, but it is harder to clean.

Will a quarter sheet pan fit a toaster oven?

Often, but measure first. Fat Daddio’s and USA Pan both describe their quarter sheets as toaster oven size on some listings, but toaster ovens vary, and handles add length.

Is a quarter sheet the same as a 9 by 13 cake pan?

No. Both have similar footprints, but a quarter sheet has a rim of about 1 inch, while a cake pan is usually 2 inches deep. A quarter sheet won’t hold a full cake batter.

Can you broil on a quarter sheet pan?

Check the pan. Fat Daddio’s lists broiling, and Sur La Table lists OvenBond as broiler safe. Coated pans usually have lower limits, and many listings here do not give one, so keep nonstick pans away from the broiler unless the maker approves it.

Our final pick for small-batch cooks

Buy the USA Pan Nonstick Quarter Sheet for most everyday jobs, or the USA Pan rack set if you want the rack as well. Add the Fat Daddio’s pan if you roast and toast at high heat. Choose Hestan only if you value warp resistance and don’t mind the scrubbing.

For larger pans, read our guide to the best baking sheets. And if you would rather someone else did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.

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