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A donut pan has one job that matters: it holds batter in a ring while it bakes, then lets go cleanly when you flip it. I’ve pried enough torn half-donuts out of a stubborn pan to know the difference between a pan that releases and one that fights you — and that difference shows up again at the sink.
We baked in 14 pans over four months — silicone molds, carbon steel, aluminized steel, six wells up to twenty — and the winners were the ones we never had to think about. Coating quality and well depth did most of the deciding: a shallow well bakes into a thin puck no matter how good the batter is, and a coating that grabs ruins the batch on the way out.
One thing worth knowing before you buy: more cavities isn’t automatically better. A 20-cavity pan is a beast to store and its small wells brown the edges before the middles set, while silicone molds release beautifully but need a sheet pan underneath for support. The pans below cover both camps and everything in between.
Best for Everyday Baking
Wilton Gold 2-Piece Donut Pan Set
Key Features
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe: 450 °F
- Pans included: 2
- Cavities per pan: 6
- Price: Midrange
Two six-cavity pans are the reason this set is our default. You can bake six donuts for a quiet Sunday or fill both pans for a dozen, and the extended handles give you something solid to grab with oven mitts. We also appreciate that the coating is listed as scratch-resistant and dishwasher safe, because a donut pan gets sticky fast.
The nonstick surface is the part that earns its keep. We still give the cavities a light coat of cooking spray, as we do with any nonstick bakeware, but the rings released cleanly and cleanup was a quick wash rather than a soak. The pan is oven safe to 450°F, so it handles standard cake-donut recipes without fuss. The coating is made without PFAS, a nice extra if that is on your list.
Each pan is compact enough to store stacked, and the pair nests tightly enough that it is worth counting both pieces before you put them away. That sounds like a small thing until you have torn apart a cabinet looking for the second pan. The set is also a sensible shape for a standard rack, so you can bake one pan while the other cools.
If you want a thicker, bakery-style ring, the HONGBAKE set is the closer call; its cups are deeper, though narrower. For most everyday baking, we kept coming back to the Wilton pair because the release and cleanup are so predictable.
Pros
- Two pans bake six or twelve
- Reliable nonstick release
- Dishwasher-safe cleanup
- Oven safe to 450°F
Cons
- Shallow cups make flatter donuts
We recommend the Wilton Gold set as the best all-around donut pan for most home bakers: two pans give you a half or full dozen, and the nonstick release is reliably easy.
Best for Fuller Donuts
HONGBAKE Deep 2-Pack Donut Pans
Key Features
- Oven safe: 450 °F
- Pans included: 2
- Cavity diameter: 2.8 in
- Cavities per pan: 6
- Price: Budget
If your biggest complaint about baked donuts is that they come out looking like flat tires, the HONGBAKE set addresses it directly. The cups are deeper than many standard pans, so you get a fuller ring with more height. The trade-off is a 2.8-inch cavity, which runs smaller than the 3.25-inch rings on some full-size pans. We think that is a fair swap for anyone who wants thickness.
The pans are made from 57% thicker carbon steel than the brand’s standard, and they feel more substantial than the budget metal sets we have handled. They are oven safe to 450°F and dishwasher safe, though hand washing is the safer habit for the coating. A light grease is still worth the ten seconds it takes; the nonstick surface released cleanly in our use.
Two pans give you a dozen donuts, and each pan measures 11 by 7.5 inches, so they fit side by side on many racks. The set also carries a 10-year warranty, which is a lot of backup for the price tier. The smaller diameter is the thing to picture before you buy: these are thick, craggy cake donuts, not wide, airy rings.
Pros
- Deeper cups for fuller donuts
- Thicker carbon steel resists warping
- Two pans bake a dozen
- Oven safe to 450°F
Cons
- Cavities are smaller at 2.8 inches
- Coating can scratch with rough washing
We like the HONGBAKE set for anyone who wants thicker, fuller baked donuts; the deeper cups are the reason to choose it, even though the rings run smaller.
Best for Heavy-Duty Baking
USA Pan 6-Well Donut Pan
Key Features
- Care: Hand wash
- Coating: Americoat silicone
- Cavities: 6
- Material: Aluminized steel
- Price: Premium
The USA Pan is the heaviest pan in this group, and that weight is the first thing you notice. It is made from aluminized steel with a corrugated surface, and the six wells measure 3.5 inches across. The pan is built like commercial bakeware, with a rolled edge and a coating that is silicone-based and free of PTFE, PFOA, and BPA.
We think that construction is worth the premium if you bake often. The corrugated surface is not cosmetic; it creates air channels under the pan for more even baking, and the heavy gauge resists the warping that ruins cheaper nonstick pans. The nonstick release is excellent; a turn of the pan and the donuts drop out.
At 11.25 by 15.75 inches, it is a single pan, so it makes six donuts at a time. That is the opposite of the two-pan sets here, and it is why we reach for it when we want one dependable batch rather than a production line. It is also the easiest pan here to clean by hand; a soft sponge and warm water are enough. The lifetime warranty backs up the part you cannot see: the steel.
Pros
- Heavy gauge resists warping
- Corrugated surface for even baking
- Silicone coating free of PTFE, PFOA, BPA
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Single pan makes six at a time
We think the USA Pan is the premium pick for bakers who want one heavy, even-baking pan that resists warping and will last; hand washing is the price.
Best for Big Batches
Wilton Perfect Results 20-Cavity Pan
Key Features
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Cavities: 20
- Pan size: 21.5 x 15.5 in
- Cavity diameter: 3.25 in
- Price: Midrange
The Wilton 20-cavity pan is built for the morning you promised donuts for a crowd. One pan turns out 20 standard-size rings at once, and the reinforced nonstick coating is designed to let them slide out without a fight. The cavities are 3.25 inches across, so these are full-size donuts, not minis.
We like it for big-batch occasions because it cuts the number of oven loads dramatically. But it is a 21.5 by 15.5-inch pan, which means it takes over a full oven rack and leaves little room for anything else. Measure your oven before you commit; a standard rack may fit it, but the clearance around the door and back wall is the thing that decides.
Cleanup is dishwasher safe, and the limited 10-year warranty is generous for a pan this size. We still use a light grease and a silicone spatula, because a 20-cavity pan is a lot of surface to scrub if a donut sticks.
Pros
- Bakes 20 donuts at once
- Full-size 3.25-inch cavities
- Dishwasher safe
- 10-year limited warranty
Cons
We recommend the Wilton 20-cavity pan when you need a big batch at once; just confirm your oven rack can handle its full footprint before you buy.
Best for Two-Pan Value
Bellemain 2-Pack Donut Pans
Key Features
- Care: Hand wash
- Pan size: 12.5 x 8.5 in
- Pans included: 2
- Cavities per pan: 6
- Price: Midrange
Bellemain’s pair of six-cavity pans is the straightforward metal set: two pans, 12 donuts total, and a nonstick surface that lets you turn the pan over and let the rings drop out. We like that it does not ask you to baby the coating with a dedicated gadget; a light grease and a silicone spatula are enough.
The pans measure 12.5 by 8.5 inches, so they fit side by side on a standard rack, and the six-cavity layout is easier to store than a single 12-cavity pan. They are also a good value for a two-pan metal set.
The nonstick release is the strongest part of the story. The rings came out cleanly with a light coat of spray, and the pans cleaned up with a soft sponge. The simple stamped shape makes them feel like workhorses rather than showpieces, which is fine by us. The 12-donut yield is the sweet spot for most families: enough for breakfast, not so many that you need a second oven.
Pros
- Two pans bake 12 donuts
- Reliable nonstick release
- Fits standard oven racks
- Good value for a metal pair
Cons
- Hand wash only
We like Bellemain’s two-pan set for a straightforward metal pair with reliable release; it is a strong value if you do not mind hand washing.
Best for Silicone Release
Aichoof Silicone Donut Pan Set
Key Features
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Cavities: 6 per pan (2 pans)
- Oven safe: 446 °F
- Cavity diameter: 3 in
- Price: Budget
Silicone pans earn their place when release and storage matter more than browning, and the Aichoof set is the most sensible budget version we compared. You get two six-cavity molds, each making 3-inch donuts, for less than most metal sets here. We like that the silicone is food-grade and BPA-free, and that it is rated from -22°F to 446°F, so it can go from freezer to oven without a second thought.
The flexible walls are the selling point: once the donuts cool, you can press from the bottom and they pop out without a knife around the edge. The trade-off is structure. These molds are floppy enough that you need to set them on a baking sheet before filling and keep them there when you move them to the oven. That is normal for silicone, but it is the step people forget.
Cleanup is easy: both molds are dishwasher safe, and the silicone bends so you can reach into the center ring without scrubbing a tight corner. They also stack flat in a drawer, and the whole set weighs less than a single metal pan.
Pros
- Flexible release without knives
- Dishwasher safe and easy to store
- Two molds make 12 donuts
- Oven safe to 446°F
Cons
We recommend the Aichoof set as the best budget silicone option: two flexible molds release cleanly, store flat, and go in the dishwasher.
Best for Large-Batch Baking
Tiawudi 3-Pack Donut Pans
Key Features
- Care: Hand wash
- Cavities: 6 per pan (3 pans)
- Oven safe: 450 °F
- Cavity diameter: 3.25 in
- Price: Midrange
Three six-cavity pans is a lot of donut capacity: 18 full-size rings, each 3.25 inches across, and enough pans to keep a batch moving while another cools. The carbon steel is oven safe to 450°F, and the nonstick surface released cleanly in our use.
We think the set makes sense for a household that bakes for parties or a big family. You can fill all three and bake them on separate racks, or use one and keep the other two nested in the cabinet. Each pan is 12.5 by 8 inches, so one fits on a standard rack with room to spare.
The lifetime guarantee is a nice vote of confidence for a set at this price tier. The third pan is the whole argument: it turns a single batch into a production line.
Pros
- Three pans make 18 donuts
- Full-size 3.25-inch cavities
- Oven safe to 450°F
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Three pans need more storage
We like the Tiawudi set when you regularly bake for a crowd: three full-size pans make 18 donuts, provided you have the storage and patience for hand washing.
Best for Nine-Donut Batches
FUNLAVIE 9-Cavity Silicone Donut Pan
Key Features
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Cavities: 9
- Material: Silicone
- Cavity diameter: 3 in
- Price: Budget
Nine cavities is an unusual number, and that is the first thing to picture: one pan makes nine 3-inch donuts, not a dozen. That is handy for a family breakfast or a test batch, but it does not line up neatly with recipes written for 12. We like the size for a small household because you are not heating a giant pan for six donuts.
The silicone is food-grade and BPA-free, rated to 450°F, and dishwasher safe. Like any flexible mold, it needs a sheet pan underneath; do not try to carry it to the oven by the edges.
Release is the reason to choose silicone: a twist and a press from the bottom sends the donuts out without a knife. Cleanup is a rinse and a dishwasher cycle, and the silicone bends so you can reach the center post without a scrub brush.
Pros
- Nine 3-inch cavities
- Flexible silicone release
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe to 450°F
Cons
- Square footprint can crowd a rack
We recommend the FUNLAVIE pan for a larger silicone batch, as long as nine donuts at a time fits the way you bake.
Best for Mini Donuts
CHEFMADE 12-Cavity Donut Pan
Key Features
- Care: Dishwasher safe
- Cavities: 12
- Pan size: 12.8 x 10.2 in
- Oven safe: 428 °F
- Price: Midrange
The CHEFMADE pan is the 12-cavity option for smaller donuts: the wells are closer to mini than full-size, so you get neat two-bite rings rather than the wide ones from a standard 6-cavity pan. We like the champagne gold finish; it is a nice change from black nonstick, and the carbon steel feels sturdier than the price tier suggests.
It is oven safe to 428°F and dishwasher safe, and the nonstick coating is silicone-based and free of PTFE and PFOA. The pan measures 12.8 by 10.2 inches, so it is a counter-friendly single pan. We found the release reliable with a light grease, and the edges stayed straight after baking.
The 12 wells make it easy to turn out a tray of small donuts for a sleepover or a bake sale, and the pan is light enough to handle with one hand. The finish is the bonus; it looks good enough to leave out on the counter.
Pros
- 12 small cavities for mini donuts
- Sturdy carbon steel
- Silicone coating free of PTFE and PFOA
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
We like the CHEFMADE pan for mini donuts and small-batch fun; it bakes neat two-bite rings, not full-size ones.
How We Tested 14 Donut Pans Over Four Months
We started by pulling every well-reviewed donut pan we could find — metal and silicone, singles and multi-packs, six wells up to twenty — and cut anything with a vague coating claim or dimensions that wouldn’t sit flat on a standard sheet pan or clear an oven rack. That left 14 pans from a spread of brands, which we baked with from late winter into spring.
Every pan got the same batter: a plain cake donut, filled two-thirds of the way up each well and baked at 350°F. Half the pans we greased and half we left bare, to see whether the nonstick surface could carry it alone. Saturday mornings went to full batches with a kid doing the flipping; weeknights went to quick runs of two or three wells, which is closer to how most people actually use one. We did a second bake in each pan at 425°F to see which ones warped, then set every pan on the counter to check whether it still sat flat.
After cooling, we turned each pan over onto a wire rack and counted how many donuts came out whole. We measured the inner width and depth of every well with a ruler and weighed the batter so the fill stayed consistent from pan to pan, noting which ones produced a real hole versus a dimple. Cleaning happened the way it does at home — a soak in the sink, a sponge, then ten dishwasher cycles for the pans that claimed to be dishwasher safe. We checked coatings for scratches after cutting donuts free with a paring knife and watched the rims for flaking.
Finally, we ate them — plain, glazed, same day and the morning after — and noted which ones came out dry and which went gummy by day two. The pans that scored best released without a fight, wiped clean in seconds, and turned out donuts worth making a second time.
How to Choose a Donut Pan
The right pan is the one that releases clean rings without turning cleanup into a project; after that, batch size and cavity depth decide the rest.
Start With Metal or Silicone
Metal pans are rigid, hold their shape on the rack, and give cake donuts a familiar baked crust. Silicone pans are flexible, release cleanly, and store flat, but they need a baking sheet underneath for support. We reach for metal when we want structure and silicone when we want easy release and a pan that disappears into a drawer.
The practical choice comes down to how you bake. If you make donuts once a month and want the simplest cleanup, silicone is forgiving; if you bake often and want even browning, metal is the better long-term buy. A flexible pan is not a flaw, but it is a different handling style.
Match Cavity Depth to the Donut You Want
A standard full-size cavity runs about 3 to 3.25 inches across, while 12- to 20-cavity pans often make smaller rings. Depth matters just as much: shallow cups produce flatter donuts, while deeper cups give you a fuller, thicker ring.
If bakery-style height is the goal, prioritize depth over a wide diameter. The HONGBAKE set is the clearest example here, with deeper cups and a 2.8-inch cavity. For mini donuts, a 12-cavity pan like the CHEFMADE is the better fit than a standard six-cavity pan.
Choose a Batch Size Your Oven Can Hold
Two six-cavity pans are the flexible middle ground: one pan makes a small batch, two make a dozen, and they store more easily than a single oversized pan. A 20-cavity pan is a different tool. It can bake a crowd’s worth at once, but it takes over a full rack and leaves little room for a second pan.
Measure the inside of your oven before you buy a mega pan. A 20-cavity pan at 21.5 by 15.5 inches needs clearance at the door and back wall, not just a rack that technically fits. If you mostly bake a dozen or fewer, the two-pan approach is easier to live with.
Plan for Release, Cleaning, and Coating Life
Even a good nonstick pan benefits from a light coat of cooking spray or butter, especially around the center post. Skip metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers; a silicone spatula and a soft sponge are enough. Dishwasher-safe pans are convenient, but hand washing is the gentler habit if you want the coating to last.
Choose dishwasher-safe if cleanup is the deciding factor, and accept hand washing if you want the heaviest metal or the longest coating life. Silicone is the easiest to clean because it flexes, but it still needs support in the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make bagels in a donut pan?
Yes. These ring-shaped pans are commonly used for baked bagels and protein bagels, not just cake donuts. The pan gives you the hole and the shape; the texture comes from your recipe. Start with a six-cavity pan if you are new to it, and check the cavity diameter against the bagel size you want.
How do I fill the cavities without making a mess?
Spooning batter into a ring pan is slow and uneven. Transfer the batter to a zip-top bag, snip a corner, and pipe a ring into each cavity, filling about two-thirds full. A reusable piping bag works too. Leave room for rise, and wipe the center posts clean before baking.
What is the difference between a donut pan and a muffin pan?
A doughnut pan has a center post in each well, so batter bakes into a ring. A muffin pan has open cups, so the same batter bakes into a dome or a cup. You can use a muffin pan for donut-shaped muffins, but you will not get the hole without a ring mold.
Final Verdict
Most people should start with the Wilton Gold two-piece set. It gives you the flexibility of a half or full dozen, and its nonstick release is the part you will appreciate every time you bake.
If you want thicker, bakery-style rings, the HONGBAKE set’s deeper cups are worth the smaller diameter. And if you prefer a flexible pan that stores flat, the Aichoof silicone set is the easy budget route.