The Essential Half-Sheet Baking Pan Size Guide

Baking sheets are a versatile cookware tool that can be used for everything from roasting vegetables to baking bread. There are five industry-standard sizes, with the half-sheet pan measuring 13 x 18 and featuring a 1 rim. This size typically fits comfortably into a home oven and is a popular choice for home bakers.

Half-sheet pans are 18 x 13 inches and are great for sheet-pan dinners and roasting veggies

Half-sheet pans are a versatile kitchen essential, perfect for baking, roasting veggies, and cooking up a storm. With dimensions of 18 x 13 inches, they are the most commonly used size and fit like a dream in standard ovens. Here's why you need one in your kitchen:

Roasting Veggies

Half-sheet pans are ideal for roasting vegetables. Their size allows ample space for veggies to spread out, ensuring even cooking and that desirable crispy texture. No more soggy sides! The large surface area also prevents overcrowding, so you can roast enough veggies for the whole family in one go.

Sheet-Pan Dinners

Sheet-pan dinners are a fuss-free way to cook a complete meal. Pop your protein and veggies on a half-sheet pan, and let the oven do the work. The standard size of half-sheet pans means they fit comfortably in most ovens, and you can easily whip up a one-pan feast.

Baking

Bakers, rejoice! Half-sheet pans are fantastic for baking cookies, sheet cakes, and more. Their dimensions provide a spacious surface for your treats, and the rimmed sides ensure your dough stays put. No more cookie dough sliding off the pan!

Easy Storage

Half-sheet pans are designed to nestle into standard cabinets, so you won't have to worry about where to store them. They're also stackable, making them a space-saving solution.

Durability

Half-sheet pans are built to last. Made from durable materials like aluminum and aluminized steel, they can withstand the heat of your oven and the test of time. Many options, like the Nordic Ware Half-Sheet Pan, have rolled edges to prevent warping, ensuring your pan stays in tip-top shape.

So, if you're looking for a versatile, durable, and spacious pan, a half-sheet pan is a fantastic choice. Get ready to roast, bake, and cook like a pro!

Full-sheet pans are 26 x 18 inches and are too large for most home ovens

Half-sheet pans, as the name suggests, are half the size of a full sheet pan. They usually measure 18 x 13 inches and are a good option for home ovens. These pans are versatile and can be used for baking cookies and sheet cakes, making sheet pan dinners, and roasting vegetables.

Quarter-sheet pans are half the size of half-sheet pans, measuring 13 x 9 inches. They are great for smaller batch cooking and can be used for toaster oven cooking, organizing, and freezing batches of cookies.

There are also two-thirds sheet pans, which measure 16 x 22 inches, and eighth-sheet pans, which are approximately 6.5 x 9 inches. These smaller pans are useful for tasks like toasting nuts, baking a few cookies, or organizing your ingredients while you bake.

When choosing a sheet pan, consider the size of your oven and the types of dishes you want to make. For most home cooks, a half-sheet pan or smaller will be the best option.

Quarter-sheet pans are 13 x 9 inches and are perfect for toaster ovens and small-batch cooking

The size of a quarter-sheet pan also lends itself well to small cooking tasks, such as toasting nuts or roasting small amounts of vegetables. They can even be used for tasks beyond cooking, such as gathering ingredients or serving as a tray for holding silicone molds in the fridge.

When purchasing a quarter-sheet pan, it is important to consider the material and thickness. Aluminum and aluminized steel are popular choices due to their heat conduction and resistance to warping. Thicker pans are generally more durable and less prone to warping, but it is important to find a balance as extremely heavy pans can be unwieldy and difficult to handle.

Some quarter-sheet pans may also come with features such as tapered edges for easy stacking or reinforced rims to prevent warping. It is also worth noting that while some pans are dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is generally recommended to prolong the life of the pan and maintain its appearance.

Overall, quarter-sheet pans are a versatile and useful addition to any kitchen, especially those with space constraints or a need for small-batch cooking.

Jelly roll pans are 15.5 x 10.5 inches and are ideal for Swiss rolls and roasting veggies

A half-sheet baking pan is typically 13" x 18", but if you're making a Swiss roll (also known as a jelly roll), you'll need a jelly roll pan, which is smaller. Jelly roll pans are usually about 15" x 10" and are ideal for making Swiss rolls because they're large enough to contain the batter as it rises, but small enough to ensure that the cake is thin enough to roll easily.

Jelly roll pans are also great for roasting veggies. Their size makes them perfect for smaller projects, like roasting a couple of sweet potatoes or cooking a few chicken nuggets. They're also handy for pressing items on a half sheet—their size means you can easily press a whole tray of baby potatoes for smashed potatoes.

Jelly roll pans are available in slightly different sizes, so if you're following a recipe specifically for a jelly roll pan, be sure to check the dimensions. The standard size is about 15" x 10", with 1"-high sides, but they can also be found in sizes such as 14.25" x 9.375" x 1" and 12" x 17".

If you're looking for versatility, a half-sheet pan might be a better option, as it can be used for baking cookies and sheet cakes, as well as roasting vegetables and making sheet pan meals. However, if you're short on oven space, the jelly roll pan is a better fit, and it's also great for smaller batch cooking.

Cookie sheets have one raised side and three flat edges, allowing air to circulate around cookies

A half-sheet pan measures 18 by 13 inches and is a versatile tool for baking. It is used for everything from roasting vegetables to baking bread and cookies.

Now, cookie sheets are different from baking sheets. Cookie sheets have one raised side and three flat edges. The raised side has a lip for easy gripping. The flat edges allow cookies to be easily slid off the sheet without disturbing their shape. The lack of sides also means that air can circulate around the cookies more easily, cooking them more evenly and quickly.

The size of a cookie sheet is not regulated and can vary from 10 by 14 inches to 14 by 17 inches. They are often more square than a baking sheet. Cookie sheets are designed specifically for baking cookies and offer the advantage of a large surface area, which can hold a large number of cookies. However, their lack of edges limits their uses. For example, roasting is not possible on a cookie sheet as juices will run off the pan.

Frequently asked questions