Next to your cast-iron skillet, there’s one other pan in your kitchen that sees a lot of use: your frying pan. It’s the go-to pan for everything from scrambled eggs to skillet sides to one-pan dinners.
Because frying pans are so frequently used and do a lot of hard work in the kitchen, it’s important to find an option that you really enjoy using. For many of us, that means that these pans are sturdy, easy to clean and even oven-safe. We know you don’t have time to test out pan after pan to find your favorite—but our Test Kitchen does! Our team of pro cooks tested the most popular nonstick frying pans on the market to find amazing options for home cooks.
How We Found the Best Frying Pan
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Finding the best nonstick frying pan is a tall order! You definitely want to know if the nonstick surface is really nonstick (not the sort of surface that requires extra scrubbing), if the surface heats evenly, if the handle gets too hot and much more. For this test, our kitchen pros put each pan through its paces cooking recipe after recipe, all the while keeping these criteria in mind.
- Cooking capabilities:Â How was the pan’s nonstick performance? How well does the pan perform cooking common dishes like eggs and chicken? Is the pan oven-safe? What kind of utensils can you use (or not use) with the pan?
- Cleanup:Â How easy is the pan to clean? Can it go in the dishwasher?
- Additional features:Â Does the pan come with a lid? Is it oven-safe? Any unique features or noteworthy qualities?
- Price:Â Was the pan worth the price for the performance?
Our Test Kitchen-Preferred Nonstick Frying Pan Options
After cracking a few dozen eggs, our Test Kitchen found the best nonstick frying pan brands for home cooks.
Best Overall Nonstick Frying Pan: OXO Good Grips Nonstick Pro Hard-Anodized Skillet
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In our Test Kitchen, you’ll find a lot of OXO products. This brand makes lots of great gadgets like spiralizers, spatulas and kitchen scales. It also produces one of our favorite frying pans: the OXO Good Grips Nonstick Skillet.
OXO’s frying pan was a dream to work with. For $60, you get a pan that produced terrific skillet meals, eggs that didn’t stick and a host of perfectly browned proteins. And you can pop it in the oven—perfect for recipes like skillet cornbread. If you skip the metal utensils, this sturdy pan should last for years and years (you might even want to buy it in multiple sizes—it comes in 8-, 10- and 12-inch sizes).
This pan was also exceptionally easy to clean. The nonstick surface didn’t leave any stuck-on bits in the pan, and unlike other skillet options we tested, it’s dishwasher-safe. Is there anything better than a top-performing pan that’s incredibly simple to clean? (Not in our Test Kitchen there’s not!)
- Material:Â Anodized aluminum
- Oven-safe temperature: Up to 500ºF
- Price:Â $40
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Best Ceramic Option: GreenPan Valencia 10″ Skillet with Lid
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Looking for an alternative to traditional nonstick coatings and hard-anodized cookware? Give ceramic cookware, like the GreenPan Valencia Skillet, a try. Coated with a ceramic finish, this midweight aluminum pan was a joy to use.
Fried eggs didn’t stick a bit in this pan—they slid right out onto breakfast plates. And while it took a few minutes to get some good color, chicken breasts cooked up with a pretty brown sear in about 10 minutes. After all the cooking was done, there was no need to scrub this pan. Any residual bits in the pan wiped right out. And while GreenPan encourages handwashing, you can pop this pan in the dishwasher if you’re in a pinch.
Besides the easy cleanup and cooking performance, our Test Kitchen appreciated how this coated pan works with metal utensils (that’s unusual for ceramic). Also, this pan can go from stovetop to oven so you can start searing pork chops on the stove and finish it off in the oven while you work on the rest of your meal.
- Material:Â Aluminum with nonstick ceramic coating
- Oven-safe temperature: Up to 600ºF
- Price:Â $70
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Best Splurge: Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Fry Pan
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You already know that one of the best ways to treat yourself in the kitchen is with Le Creuset. This kitchenware brand is known for its gorgeous Dutch ovens and enamelware, but it also produces a dynamite frying pan. The Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Fry Pan, like all Le Creuset cookware, was sturdy, beautiful and a top performer in our Test Kitchen.
This nonstick pan earned high marks from our pros for balancing the easy-to-clean nonstick finish we all desire when it comes time to do the dishes along with a durable surface that creates fond (that’s the fancy name for the tasty brown bits left in the pan) that gives food flavor.
Our pros found that chicken, eggs and more all cooked up beautifully in the pan. If you wanted you could even pop this skillet into the oven to finish making a frittata. Overall, oven-safe skillets were the big winners in our test for their versatility—particularly this Le Creuset model that’s broiler-safe.
- Material:Â Hard-anodized forged aluminum
- Oven-safe temperature: Up to 500ºF
- Price:Â $110
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Best Budget Option: T-fal Nonstick Fry Pan with Lid
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Need a good nonstick pan for Sunday morning pancakes but don’t want to break the bank? You want the T-fal Nonstick Fry Pan.
This lightweight aluminum pan heats up quickly and has a feature that lets you know when the pan is nice and hot. The T-fal logo turns red when the pan is hot and ready for pancake batter (or eggs or bacon or whatever else you want to cook). This is a feature our Test Kitchen crew hadn’t seen before but really enjoyed.
Our testing team liked this pan because it gave the chicken breast a nice sear and left a bit of fond behind. That being said, it wasn’t the most nonstick of the nonstick options, though it did clean up easily.
Be aware that hand washing is preferred, though you can toss it in the dishwasher on occasion. Also, use metal utensils with caution according to the directions. You may want to stick with silicone or nylon tools to be safe.
- Material: Anodized aluminum
- Oven-safe temperature: Up to 400ºF
- Price:Â $40
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What to Make in Your Nonstick Frying Pan
Taste of Home
A reliable nonstick frying pan will see a lot of use in any home kitchen. Use it to make omelets in the morning, grilled cheese for lunch and one-pan meals for dinner. And don’t forget about using your nonstick pan for prep. It’s the perfect vehicle for toasting nuts, browning butter and much, much more.
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
This is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very
quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. It's one of my favoriteÂ
one-skillet meals! —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
Go to Recipe
Southwestern Beef and Rice SkilletI like to serve this kicked-up skillet dish with warm flour tortillas and a side of guacamole. If you like things a little spicier, add more jalapeno and enjoy the heat! —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida
Chicken Biscuit SkilletMy mother always made this one-dish meal while we were growing up. Now I make it for my own husband and kids. I use the small-size biscuits because they brown up so nicely on top. I also add mushrooms to this recipe sometimes because my family loves 'em. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
Still hungry? Try one of our other savory
chicken skillet recipes.Â
Sausage Pierogi SkilletI made this simple pierogies and sausage recipe one night when I hadn’t planned anything for dinner. It’s convenient because it uses items I usually have on hand. Plus, there’s hardly any cleanup! —Susan Held, Cooksville, Maryland
Weeknight Skillet Spinach PieI love sneaking extra veggies into my kids’ dinners, especially with this skillet spinach pie recipe. With a flaky crust and extra cheese, the kids never know they’re eating a vitamin-rich dish and I’m not hovering over an oven for hours. Put the spinach and phyllo sheets in the refrigerator the night before or early in the morning for thawing. —Kristyne McDougle, Lorain, Ohio
Vegetarian Farro SkilletFarro is a type of wheat that was popular in ancient Rome. A good source of fiber, it includes more protein than most grains, making it a smart choice for meatless meals like this vegetarian farro skillet dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Autumn Lamb SkilletI have found that even those who do not prefer lamb will enjoy this recipe. It is especially delicious on a chilly night! —Arlene Aughey, Saddle Brook, New Jersey
Barley Beef SkilletEven my 3-year-old loves this family-favorite beef barley skillet. It's very filling, inexpensive and packed with veggies. It's also really good spiced up with chili powder, cayenne or a dash of Tabasco. —Kit Tunstall, Boise, Idaho
Quick Moroccan Shrimp SkilletWhen my niece was attending West Point, she was sent to Morocco for five months. I threw her a going-away party complete with Moroccan decorations, costumes and cuisine, including this saucy shrimp dish. Whenever I make it now, I think of her and smile. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
Hash Brown Pork SkilletFor this pork hash recipe, we added potatoes and veggies to leftover tenderloin. It's an easy, creamy weeknight supper in minutes! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Serve this meal with one of our favorite
skillet sides.
One-Skillet PastaThis recipe was given to me 25 years ago and remains a family favorite. It's a tasty twist on traditional spaghetti, and making a one-skillet pasta saves time on prep and cleanup, too. —Susan Spence, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Sausage Potato SkilletGrowing up, I would eat this sausage and potato skillet recipe almost every day. I could never get enough of my favorite meal! —Amelia Bordas, Springfield, Virginia
Easy Sausage and Vegetable SkilletThis is an old recipe that has been passed down in our family through my sister-in-law. When I was a child, she did most of the cooking in our house, and this was my favorite meal. The variety of vegetables makes this an attractive dish, and the cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
These
easy skillet meals can be prepped in just 15 minutes!
Skillet Chicken StewIt's been 20 years now since I adapted this from a recipe for beef stew. We like it so much that, in all that time, I have never changed any ingredients or amounts - unless it was to double them! Our home's on a river, and my husband, our three boys and I enjoy camping and boating. — Valerie Jordan, Kingmont, West Virginia
Santa Fe SkilletAs a mother who works full-time, I’m always looking for quick, easy, one-skillet meals to prepare. This is a timeless recipe. —Lorie VanHorn, Waddell, Arizona
Low on groceries? Try our favorite
4-ingredient skillet recipes.
Skillet Pork Chops with Apples & OnionSimple recipes that land on the table fast are lifesavers. I serve skillet pork chops with veggies and, when my husband lobbies, cornbread stuffing. —Tracey Karst, Ponderay, Idaho
Beefy Tortellini SkilletThis tortellini dish is a one-skillet-wonder the family craves. From browning beef to cooking the pasta and melting the cheese, everything happens in one pan. You can add basil or chives for a touch of freshness. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
Chili SkilletLike most farmers, my husband loves a good hearty chili. With all the vegetables, cheese and meat in it, this dish makes a super supper—and it comes together in one skillet on top of the stove. I serve it frequently in fall and winter. —Katherine Brown, Fredericktown, Ohio
Chicken Burrito SkilletWe love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! —Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Peasant SkilletI prepare this supper frequently throughout the year, substituting whatever vegetables are in season. No matter how often I make it, I'm always asked for the recipe. —Lisbeth Whitehead, Watertown, South Dakota
Skillet TacosThis fast and healthy alternative to traditional tacos has a delicious southwestern flair. The fact that is comes together in just 30 minutes makes it even more irresistible. —Maria Gobel, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Easy Beef Taco SkilletBusy day? Save time and money with this one-dish meal the whole family will love. It calls for handy convenience products, so it can be on the table in minutes. —Kelly Roder, Fairfax, Virginia
Chicken Rice SkilletPleasant seasonings and plenty of vegetables highlight this traditional chicken and rice pairing. Leftovers are great reheated in the microwave. —Jan Balata, Kilkenny, Minnesota
Sausage & Vegetable Skillet DinnerI threw this sausage recipe together one night to use up produce before going out of town. Who knew it was going to be such a hit! Now it’s a recipe I turn to whenever time is tight. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
One-Skillet Chicken Fajita PastaYou can have this quick, easy fajita pasta on the table in no time. We love the kicked-up Southwestern flavor, and I like being able to make the whole meal in my cast-iron skillet. I sometimes garnish it with crushed corn chips. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Creamy Skillet Noodles with PeasI’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
Maple Sausage SkilletMaple syrup adds sweetness to this yummy stir-fry. I sometimes add a little broccoli, too, for a change of pace. Add a green salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a complete meal in minutes. —Dottie Tarlton, Malvern, Arkansas
Beef & Pepper SkilletI love Mexican-inspired food. I also enjoy experimenting with recipes like this one and making them healthier—and downright good! —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
One-Skillet Pork Chop SupperMy husband, Clark, and I reserve this recipe for Sundays after the grandkids have gone home and we're too tired to prepare a big meal. It's comforting and quick. —Kathy Thompson, Port Orange, Florida
Pierogi Beef SkilletHearty and thick with beef, veggies and potatoes, this is a complete meal in one. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mexi-Mac SkilletThis is the yummiest, quickest recipe I have. There’s no need to precook the macaroni. Everything comes together in one smart skillet. —Maurane Ramsey, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Cajun Shrimp SkilletThere’s plenty of sauce with these shrimp—I always have some bread on the side to soak it up. Make the dish your own by using your favorite amber beer or flavorful broth. —Mark Oppe, North Pole, Alaska
Confetti Kielbasa SkilletHere's one of my husband's favorite dishes. When it's in season, substitute fresh corn for frozen. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. —Sheila Gomez, Shawnee, Kansas
Sausage and Vegetable SkilletThis hearty stovetop entree has been a family favorite for years. The variety of vegetables makes this dish attractive. Cooking time is minimal. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Hearty Skillet SupperWhen the weather starts turning cooler, I start to hear requests for this dish. The light soy, onion and garlic flavors blend nicely with fresh carrots and potatoes in this budget-minded recipe. —Pat Jensen, Cottonwood, Minnesota
Grecian Pasta & Chicken SkilletWe love a homemade meal at the end of the day. But the prep involved? Not so much. My Greek-inspired pasta is lemony, herby and, thankfully, easy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Tasty Turkey SkilletI like using boxed rice and pasta mixes to jump-start quick meals. This colorful dish is simple to cook on the stovetop using fried rice mix, tender turkey and convenient frozen vegetables. —Betty Kleberger, Florissant, Missouri
Skillet Zucchini and SausageI lived on the Oregon coast for 20 years and had plenty of guests dropping by. I often turned to this quick and easy dish, serving it up with skillet cornbread or garlic bread. Judging by the requests for the recipe, everyone loved it! —LaBelle Doster, Vancouver, Washington
Breakfast Pizza SkilletI found the recipe for this hearty stovetop dish several years ago and changed it to fit our tastes. When I served it at a Christmas brunch, it was an instant hit. —Marilyn Hash, Enumclaw, Washington
Feta Shrimp SkilletMy husband and I tried a dish similar to this on our honeymoon in Greece. I re-created the flavors in this recipe when we got home. When I make it now, it brings back wonderful memories. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York
Skillet Ham & RiceHam, rice and mushrooms make a tasty combination in this homey stovetop dish. It goes from start to finish in just 25 minutes. —Susan Zivec, Regina, Saskatchewan
Baked Cheddar Eggs & PotatoesI love making breakfast recipes with eggs for dinner, especially this combo with potatoes and cheese that's started in a skillet on the stovetop and then popped into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It'salso a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Spanish Noodles and Ground BeefBacon adds flavor to this comforting stovetop supper my mom frequently made when we were growing up. Now I prepare it for my family. —Kelli Jones, Peris, California.
Quick Italian Veggie SkilletWhen you don’t know what to serve, Italian flavors are a good starting point. We combine cannellini and garbanzo beans for this snappy rice dish. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Honey Chicken Stir-FryI'm a new mom, and my schedule is very dependent upon our young son, so I like meals that can be ready in as little time as possible. This all-in-one chicken stir fry recipe with a hint of sweetness from honey is a big time-saver. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan
Cajun Beef & RiceCajun rice from a restaurant or box can have a lot of sodium and fat. Here’s a hearty, healthy way to trim it down. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma
Weeknight Pasta SquigglesThis zesty pasta dish is ideal for busy weeknights. It contains just a few ingredients, is easy to prep, and tastes so comforting when the weather turns cool. A salad on the side makes this
healthy pasta recipe a meal. —Stacey Brown, Spring, Texas
Hamburger CasseroleThis hamburger casserole recipe is such a hit it's traveled all over the country! My mother originated the recipe in Pennsylvania, I brought it to Texas when I married, I'm still making it in California, and my daughter treats her friends to this oldie in Colorado. It's hearty, yet simple to prepare. —Helen Carmichall, Santee, California
Cashew Chicken with GingerThere are lots of recipes for cashew chicken, but my family thinks this one stands alone. We love the flavor from the fresh ginger and the crunch of the cashews. Another plus is it's easy to prepare. —Oma Rollison, El Cajon, California
