A tart pan does one thing a pie dish cannot: it lets go of the crust. The fluted ring drops away, the base stays under the pastry, and what reaches the table stands on its own with clean, ridged sides.
The choice comes down to material, size and how you feel about a coating. This guide compares eight pans with removable bottoms, says which suit a first tart, and points out where a listing leaves out details you might want.
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Quick verdict: which tart pan to buy
For most kitchens, the best tart pan is the Gobel 9.4-inch Non-Stick Fluted Tart Pan: a French pastry maker’s coated steel pan with a lift-out base, a stated 482°F oven limit and dishwasher-safe care. Prefer no coating? Choose the Fox Run 9-inch Stainless Steel Tart Pan. For the traditional material, and if you will dry it after each wash, choose the Gobel 11-inch Tinplate Pan.
Five tart pans at a glance
Five of the eight pans, one for each kind of baker, with the details each listing states. All eight are reviewed below.
| Tart pan | Best for | Size | Surface | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gobel 9.4-inch Non-Stick Fluted Tart PanBest overall
|
Most tarts and quiche | 9.4 inches | Ceramic-reinforced nonstick | View on Amazon |
Fox Run 9-inch Stainless Steel Tart PanBest uncoated
|
Bakers who avoid coatings | 9 to 9.5 inches | Bare stainless steel | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 9-inch Nonstick Tart PanBest simple value
|
An occasional tart | 9 inches | Nonstick inside and out | View on Amazon |
Gobel 11-inch Tinplate Fluted Tart PanBest traditional
|
Classic French pastry | 11 inches | Tinplate, grease first | View on Amazon |
Wilton 14 x 4.5-inch Long Tart and Quiche PanBest rectangular
|
Parties and long slices | 14 by 4.5 inches | Nonstick | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes and surfaces are as each listing states; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best tart pan
These eight pans cover the materials and shapes a home baker is likely to want: coated and bare, round and long, 9 inches and 11. Each pick says who it suits, what the listing states, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Gobel 9.4-inch Non-Stick Fluted Tart Pan – A French Maker, a Clean Release
The pick for one tart pan that handles sweet tarts and quiche alike. Gobel is a French bakeware maker, and the listing says it has made pans in France since 1887.
This one is steel with a two-layer, ceramic-reinforced coating that the listing describes as PFAS-free. The fluted wall gives the crust its scalloped edge, and the base lifts out so the tart can leave the ring without breaking. A pan near 9.5 inches also suits the many tart recipes written for a 9-inch or 9.5-inch pan, though check your recipe, since a wider pan spreads the same filling thinner.
The listing rates it to 482°F, well above normal pastry temperatures, and calls it dishwasher safe. Skip metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers, as the listing advises, so the coating lasts.
Why we like it
- Steel with a ceramic-reinforced coating, described as PFAS-free
- Lift-out base and a fluted edge
- Oven safe to 482°F, per the listing
- Made in France
Key specifications
| Model | Part 14226430 |
|---|---|
| Size | 9.4 inches in the title, 9.5 in the size field |
| Material | Steel |
| Coating | Dual-layer ceramic-reinforced nonstick, described as PFAS-free |
| Bottom | Removable |
| Oven limit | 482°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe or by hand; no abrasive scrubbers or metal tools |
| Made in | France |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a coated pan that needs no greasing, per the listing, from a maker that specializes in pastry molds. We found no independent test that covers this exact pan, so this choice rests on the maker details rather than a published result.
Skip it if you want a test-kitchen winner. America’s Test Kitchen did not include this pan in the review we read.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No greasing needed, per the listing
- High oven rating
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No independent test found
- Coating needs gentle tools
- One-year warranty only
2. Fox Run 9-inch Stainless Steel Tart Pan – No Coating to Scratch
A bare stainless pan for bakers who would rather butter a pan than worry about a coating. There is nothing on the surface to scratch, and the listing rates it to 572°F, the highest figure on this page.
Fox Run gives clear dimensions: 9.6 by 9.6 by 1 inch overall, making tarts 9 inches across the bottom and 9.5 inches at the top. The bottom drops out for serving, and the pan is listed as safe for the dishwasher or hand washing.
One point to keep straight: America’s Test Kitchen named a different Fox Run pan, its nonstick 9-inch loose-bottom model, as a co-winner. That pan had no ready stock when we checked, and this stainless version is a separate product that the review did not cover. Expect to grease it, since no nonstick surface is claimed.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel with no coating listed
- Dimensions stated clearly
- Heat safe to 572°F, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 44534 |
|---|---|
| Size | 9 inches at the bottom, 9.5 at the top, 1 inch deep |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Coating | None listed |
| Bottom | Removable, drop-out |
| Oven limit | 572°F |
| Care | Dishwasher or hand wash |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for buttery doughs that release on their own, and if you often use metal tools near the pan. It is also the easiest pan here to scrub hard without worrying about the finish.
Skip it if you want the release of a nonstick coating. A sticky filling that leaks under the crust will need more work to clean up.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nothing to scratch or peel
- Highest oven rating here
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No nonstick surface claimed
- Not the Fox Run model that was reviewed
- Made-in country not stated
3. Wilton Excelle Elite 9-inch Tart and Quiche Pan – A Simple Coated Classic
A plain 9-inch coated steel pan from one of the best-known American baking brands. The listing gives 9 inches across and 1 inch deep, which is the standard shape many tart recipes assume.
The nonstick coating is there for release and quick cleanup, and the bottom lifts out. Wilton’s listing says the pan is dishwasher safe but points to a quick hand wash for best results, which is good practice for any coating.
The listing also shows a 10-year warranty, longer than the one on the Gobel pan. It does not state an oven limit, so follow your recipe and stay within normal baking temperatures. Check who is selling it before you buy, as the offer we saw came from a third-party seller rather than Amazon itself.
Why we like it
- Standard 9 by 1-inch size
- Removable bottom
- Nonstick coated steel
- 10-year warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 2105-442 |
|---|---|
| Size | 9 inches across, 1 inch deep |
| Material | Steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Bottom | Removable |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand washing suggested |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it when a recipe calls for a 9-inch pan and you want a familiar brand with a long warranty. It suits everyday fruit tarts and weeknight quiche.
Skip it if you need a stated oven limit or details on the coating. The listing gives neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Standard recipe size
- Long warranty
- Easy release, per the listing
Cons
- Coating type not stated
- No stated oven limit
- Third-party seller when checked
4. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 9-inch Nonstick Tart Pan – Coated Inside and Out
A straightforward coated pan from a large kitchen brand, and the entry point for bakers who only make a tart now and then. The listing keeps its details short: heavy-gauge steel, nonstick on both the inside and outside, and a removable base.
Coating both faces means the outer ring is as easy to wipe as the inside, and the pan is listed as dishwasher safe. Cuisinart also lists a limited lifetime warranty on it, which is the kind of backing to look for at the entry level.
What you give up is detail. The listing gives neither depth nor oven limit, so ask Cuisinart before you rely on it at a very high temperature.
Why we like it
- Heavy-gauge steel
- Nonstick inside and out
- Removable base
- Limited lifetime warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | AMB-9TRT |
|---|---|
| Size | 9 inches; depth not stated |
| Material | Heavy-gauge steel |
| Coating | Nonstick inside and out |
| Bottom | Removable |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for an occasional tart, a first tart pan, or a gift for a new baker. The brand is easy to contact and the warranty is clear.
Skip it if you want full specifications before you buy. The listing is short, and we found no independent review of this pan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Coated on both sides
- Dishwasher safe
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Few details in the listing
- No stated depth or oven limit
- No independent review found
5. Gobel 11-inch Tinplate Fluted Tart Pan – The Traditional Pastry Pan
Tinplate is the old French choice, and this is the pan to buy if you are working from classic pastry books. Gobel’s listing describes tinplate steel as a strong heat conductor for fast baking and golden crusts, and it comes with the same fluted edge and lift-out base as its coated sibling.
At 11 inches it is a bigger tart than the rest of this list, so plan on more filling and a larger round of dough. It suits a tart for a dinner party or a wide, shallow quiche, and a recipe written for a 9-inch pan will need scaling up.
The trade-off is care. The listing says to grease it before use, hand wash with mild soap and dry it thoroughly to prevent rust. Treat it more like carbon steel than like a dishwasher pan.
Why we like it
- Tinplate steel, chosen for browning, per the listing
- Large 11-inch size
- Fluted edge and lift-out base
- Oven safe to 482°F
Key specifications
| Model | 2492 |
|---|---|
| Size | 11 inches; depth not stated |
| Material | Tinplate steel |
| Coating | None; grease before use |
| Bottom | Removable |
| Oven limit | 482°F |
| Care | Hand wash and dry thoroughly |
| Made in | France |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you bake tarts often and want the traditional material, and you will dry a pan right after washing it.
Skip it if you put everything in the dishwasher. A tinplate pan left wet can rust, and the listing says so.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Traditional material
- Large size for a crowd
- Made in France
Cons
- Must be greased
- Hand wash only
- Rusts if left wet
6. Chicago Metallic 11-inch Round Quiche Pan – Large and Lift-Out
If 11 inches appeals but tinplate care does not, this is the coated alternative. Chicago Metallic sells it as an 11-inch quiche and tart pan, 1 inch high, with what the listing calls a lift-and-serve feature for taking the tart out without damaging the crust.
The nonstick coating handles eggy quiche fillings, which can leak under a crust and glue themselves to bare metal. The listing marks it dishwasher safe and shows a lifetime limited warranty.
The listing never uses the words “removable bottom”, so read the lift-and-serve description and the photos before you order if a fully separate base matters to you. It gives no oven limit and no material beyond “heavy duty construction”, and the offer we saw came from a third-party seller.
Why we like it
- 11 by 1-inch size for big tarts and quiche
- Lift-and-serve design
- Nonstick coating
- Lifetime limited warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | Part 150696 |
|---|---|
| Size | 11 inches across, 1 inch high |
| Material | Not stated (heavy-duty construction) |
| Coating | Nonstick |
| Bottom | Lift-and-serve |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for quiche for a crowd, or any time you want a wide pan you can put in the dishwasher afterward.
Skip it if you want clear material and oven details. They are not in the listing, and a smaller 9-inch pan fits more recipes as written.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large coated surface
- Dishwasher safe
- Long warranty
Cons
- Material not stated
- Removable bottom not stated in those words
- Third-party seller when checked
7. Wilton 14 x 4.5-inch Long Tart and Quiche Pan – Long Slices for a Party
A long, narrow tart is easy to cut and looks good on a buffet. This Wilton pan is 14 by 4.5 inches, fluted along its edges, with a removable bottom that supports the baked crust while you slip off the outer rim.
The shape suits savory tarts as much as sweet. Wilton suggests onion and goat cheese or a breakfast tart alongside lemon and fruit versions, and the listing suggests cutting diagonally for individual slices. A narrow pan also needs less filling, which helps when you are making more than one flavor.
The listing shows no oven limit or care details, so we would hand wash the coating and keep to normal baking temperatures. It came from a third-party seller when we looked.
Why we like it
- 14 by 4.5-inch long shape
- Removable bottom supports the crust
- Fluted edges
- Nonstick, per the title
Key specifications
| Model | 2105-5585 |
|---|---|
| Size | 14 by 4.5 inches; depth not stated |
| Material | Not stated |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Bottom | Removable |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you bring tarts to parties, or want a shape that makes neat bars and long slices for a table.
Skip it if you only have room for one pan. A round pan fits far more recipes without any changes to the amount of dough or filling.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Neat slices for a crowd
- Removable bottom
- Less filling than a wide round
Cons
- Needs a recipe adjusted for the shape
- No oven or care details
- Third-party seller when checked
8. Fox Run 14-inch Rectangular Stainless Tart Pan – Long and Uncoated
The stainless answer to the long Wilton pan. It measures 14.1 by 4.7 by 1 inch, a little wider than the Wilton, and is made of stainless steel with a removable bottom.
Like the round Fox Run above, it has no coating to protect, so butter the pan first and clean it as firmly as you like. The fluted edge gives a long tart the same ridged sides as a round one, and the 1-inch depth has room for a thin quiche as well as a fruit tart.
The listing is short on care and temperature details, so we cannot say whether Fox Run rates this one as high as its round stainless pan.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel with no coating listed
- 14.1 by 4.7 by 1 inch
- Removable bottom
- Pairs with a round pan of the same material
Key specifications
| Model | 44531 |
|---|---|
| Size | 14.1 by 4.7 by 1 inch |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Coating | None listed |
| Bottom | Removable |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you already prefer bare metal and want a long pan for parties, or if you plan to serve long tarts with a metal knife right on the base.
Skip it if you want easy release without greasing. In that case the coated Wilton is the simpler long pan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No coating to wear out
- Slightly wider than the Wilton
- 1 inch deep
Cons
- Must be greased
- Care not stated
- Oven limit not stated
How to choose a tart pan for your kitchen
A tart pan is a simple object, so a few details make most of the difference.
1. A removable bottom
This is the feature that makes it a tart pan. A loose base lets the ring drop away, so the crust stands on its own and slices cleanly. America’s Test Kitchen limited its tart pan review to metal pans with removable bottoms for that reason. Set the baked tart on an upturned can or a wide jar, let the ring fall, then slide the tart to a plate.
2. Steel over aluminum
America’s Test Kitchen preferred steel to aluminum because it heats more slowly. It gave its Not Recommended rating to an anodized aluminum pan from Fat Daddio’s, whose crusts stuck, and to a Nordic Ware pan whose lemon filling baked unevenly. That is why neither brand is on this list, even though both sell in-stock tart pans.
3. Coated or bare
Coated pans release easily and clean fast, but they need gentle tools. Bare stainless and tinplate need butter, though they have no coating to wear out. Tinplate also needs immediate drying to stop rust.
4. Size and depth
Most home recipes assume a 9-inch or 9.5-inch pan about 1 inch deep. An 11-inch pan takes noticeably more dough and filling, so scale the recipe rather than stretching it. If you own one tart pan, make it a 9-inch round.
5. Shape
Round suits nearly every recipe. A long rectangle gives neat party slices, but you will need to work out how much dough and filling it takes.
How we picked these eight tart pans
We looked for pans from named makers, sold new and in stock on Amazon in the United States, and we read each listing for size, material, base and care. We used the America’s Test Kitchen review as the independent reference and did not test any pans ourselves. Its co-winners, the Fox Run nonstick 9-inch and the USA Pan 10-inch, were not available in plain stock when we checked, so they are not reviewed here. We left out anonymous import brands and pans from any maker we could not identify. Where we found no independent review of a pan, the write-up says that it rests on the listing.
Tart pan questions, answered
What size tart pan should I buy first?
A 9-inch or 9.5-inch round. It fits most recipes as written, and it is the size of four pans on this list.
Do I need to grease a tart pan with a removable bottom?
It depends on the surface. Gobel says its coated pan needs no greasing and its tinplate pan does. Bare stainless is best buttered, and buttery doughs usually help release on their own.
How do I keep a loose-bottom pan from leaking?
Set it on a sheet pan before you fill it. That catches any leak and gives you a safe way to carry a pan whose base can lift when you grip it from below.
Is a tart pan the same as a pie dish?
No. A pie dish has sloped sides and stays under the pie when you serve it, while a tart pan has short, fluted walls and comes away from the crust. Our guide to pie dishes covers the deeper kind.
Can I use a tart pan for quiche?
Yes. Most of these pans are sold for both. Watch the depth, because a 1-inch pan holds a shallower quiche than a deep pie dish would.
Our last word on tart pans
Buy the Gobel 9.4-inch nonstick pan if you want one coated pan with a stated oven limit and maker background, or the Fox Run 9-inch stainless if you would rather butter a pan and never think about a coating. Reach for the Gobel tinplate only if you will look after it.
A tart pan is one part of a pastry kit. See the best pie dish for deep-dish pies and the best springform pan for cheesecake for another pan that releases its ring.
Related guide: Tart pan alternative.
And if you would rather someone else made dessert tonight, see the menu or call to order.