6 Easy Ways to Clean Your Baking Sheets
Updated: May 24, 2023
Discover the best and easiest ways to rid sheet pans of baked-on gunk. Follow these steps to make them look brand new.
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When it comes to baking, sheet pans are often an essential part of the process. Whether you’re whipping up a sheet pan supper for the family or carefully crafting an apple-cranberry slab pie, a chef’s cookie sheet is likely to see plenty of wear and tear. Before you throw away a favorite pan because of baked-on cooking grime, try one of these easy ways to clean baking sheets, rimmed or unrimmed. (Or, you can try Taste of Home‘s nonstick baking sheets to keep the grime away in the first place!)
How to Clean a Baking Sheet with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
You’ll need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- A coarse sponge or rag
Step 1: Add the cleaners
Sprinkle some baking soda on the baking pan or sheet. Follow that up with hydrogen peroxide. Top it off with another sprinkling of baking soda. The cleaner needs time to work, so we suggest letting it sit for at least 2 hours. Because the chemicals could be too harsh for some pans’ material or coating, do a test run before cleaning the entire cookie sheet, especially if it is made of a specialized material or has a coating of any kind.
(This is just one of the clever ways to clean with baking soda.)
Step 2: Wipe off the baking sheet
Use a sponge or rag to wipe away the homemade cleaner. No hard scrubbing is usually required, but if stains remain, you could do a second application, use a non-scratch scrubber—or both. All you need is a little patience!
(How dirty is that sponge you used? Here’s how to clean a sponge.)
Step 3: Keep it clean
Now that your baking sheet and pans are back to looking brand new, you’ll want to keep them that way. Do as our Test Kitchen does and place a sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil on the pan before you add any food. That’s it! The baking sheets will stay gunk free.
How to Clean a Baking Sheet with Baking Soda and Foil
You’ll need:
Step 1: Rinse the dirty sheet pan
You want the surface of your baking sheet to be wet when you sprinkle on the baking soda next.
Step 2: Make a paste
Add enough water to add a paste (you don’t want it to be too runny!), depending on how much baking soda you sprinkle on the pan.
Step 3: Scrub with aluminum foil
Crumple your aluminum foil into the size of a golf ball. Use it to scrub at the burnt debris on the baking sheet. The baking soda paste combined with the scrubbing should take the debris right off! Once you’re satisfied with the results, rinse off the paste and loosened food scraps with soapy water and you’re set to go.
How to Clean a Baking Sheet with Baking Soda and Vinegar
You’ll need:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Steel wool or a nylon pad
Step 1: Prepare the soaking mixture
Fill your sink with hot water, and add baking soda and white vinegar. You’ll want to use equal parts baking soda and white vinegar (about a 1/2 cup of each) depending on how much you fill up your sink. Your water will bubble up!
Step 2: Let the pan soak
Submerge your pan in the mixture, and let it soak. Let the baking sheet soak in the mixture for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much grime you’ve got on the sheet pan.
Step 3: Scrub your pan
Pull the baking sheet out of your sink and scrub at the grime with steel wool or a nylon pad. When you’re done scrubbing, wash the sheet with soap and water to get rid of the vinegar smell.
How to Clean a Baking Sheet with Oven Cleaner
You’ll need:
Step 1: Spray the sheet pan
Spray your baking sheet evenly with Easy-Off. However, this method uses the harshest chemicals to clean your sheet pan, so you’ll likely want to test it on a corner of your pan before you spray the entire sheet.
Step 2: Let it sit
After you’ve sprayed your pan with the oven cleaner, stash it the garage, outside or even in your oven to keep the fumes from spreading in your home. Then let the Easy-Off work its magic for about 15 minutes.
Step 3: Scrub away the gunk
Use the steel wool to scrub at the toughest stains. Make sure to rinse with soapy water when you’re done!
Editor’s Tip: Some home cooks claim that this method works best for stainless steel sheet pans compared to aluminum. Why? Because stainless steel is more durable than aluminum, and the steel wool combined with the chemicals in Easy-Off can potentially cause pitting on your baking sheet, and potentially, scratches—so you’ll want to play it safe rather than be sorry with an aluminum pan.
How to Clean a Baking Sheet with Cream of Tartar and Vinegar
You’ll need:
- Cream of tartar
- White vinegar
- A coarse sponge or rag
Step 1: Make a paste
Combine cream of tartar with white vinegar to make a paste. Use enough of each of the cream of tartar and white vinegar to make a paste (about equal parts).
Step 2: Spread it on
With the sponge, spread the paste on the stained parts of your pan. You’ll want to let it sit for anywhere from 1 hour to overnight, or just until it’s dry.
Step 3: Scrub away the grime
With warm water, take the same sponge that you used to apply the paste to the pan and remove the dried cream of tartar paste. The burned-on food should come off easily!
How to Clean a Baking Sheet with a Dishwasher Tablet
You’ll need:
Step 1: Wet the baking sheet
This viral oven-cleaning hack works on sheet pans, too! In order for the dishwasher tabs to work, the pan needs to rinsed with hot water.
Step 2: Scrub the baking sheet
Grab a few dishwasher tabs. Scrub your baking sheet with the plastic coating still on the tabs, because the coating will keep the tablet from dissolving in your hands too quickly.
Step 3: Rinse with warm water
Since you’re essentially using soap on your baking sheet already, you only need warm water to rinse it off. That’s it!
When to Replace Your Baking Sheet
In terms of baked-on food scraps, the better you take care of your baking sheets, the longer they will last—but there are a few telltale signs that help determine when to replace your baking sheet. If your pan is warped and doesn’t lay flat on the counter, it’s time. Or, if you have a nonstick baking sheet and the coating is starting to peel, it’s definitely time to get a new one, as you don’t want the finish flaking off into your food.
Once you’ve decided it’s time to get a new baking sheet, read our baking sheet buying guide to learn about everything you should consider when choosing your next trusty pan. Aluminum? Stainless steel? Nonstick? We break down what to look for. If you need a place to start, check out our Test Kitchen’s guide to the best sheet pans!
Our Favorite Sheet Pans
Next, make sure you know the difference between baking sheets, cookie sheets and jelly roll pans. Or, learn this surprising use for a sheet pan!
Easy Stuffed Poblanos
My partner adores these saucy stuffed peppers—and I love how quickly they come together. Top with low-fat sour cream and your favorite salsa. —Jean Erhardt, Portland, Oregon Need an update? You can buy a Taste of Home nonstick sheet pan on Amazon!
Sheet-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken
Everyone needs an easy meal. Try this sheet-pan chicken with roasted potatoes for a simple and tasty meal guaranteed to please the whole family. If you use fresh lemon juice, garnish each serving with a little lemon zest for bright flavor. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
Sheet-Pan Pork Supper
I created this pork tenderloin sheet-pan dinner to suit our family's needs. It's so quick and easy to clean up since you use one pan for everything! Use any variety of small potatoes—fingerlings or other colored potatoes are a fun and delicious option. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
Mini Meat Loaf Sheet-Pan Meal
I grew up with this classic meat loaf recipe, but I adapted it to mini meatloaves so that they would bake more quickly. The sauce topping is always a hit. I added the potatoes and asparagus to make an easy complete meal. —Deanne Johnson, Reading, Pennsylvania
Santa Fe Chicken Pizza Pie
Give your pie a Southwest twist when you slather on the taco sauce and top with black beans, green chilies and kicked-up chicken strips. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Turkey Lattice Pie
With its pretty lattice crust, this cheesy baked dish looks as good as it tastes. It's easy to make, too, since it uses ready-to-go crescent roll dough. —Lorraine Naig, Emmetsburg, Iowa
Sheet-Pan Chicken Curry Dinner
This sheet-pan chicken curry is a quick way to get a meal on the table without fuss. Everyone loves it, and it's healthy to boot! Serve it with a side of jasmine rice. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Rosemary Salmon and Veggies
My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Portobello and Chickpea Sheet-Pan Supper
This is a fantastic meatless dinner or an amazing side dish. It works well with a variety of sheet-pan-roasted vegetables. We enjoy using zucchini or squash in the summer, and you can also change up the herbs in the dressing. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Potato and Pepper Sausage Bake
When my family smells this dish baking in the oven, they know they are in for a treat! If you like spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or switch the mild Italian sausage to hot Italian sausage. —Ashli Claytor, Chesapeake, Virginia
Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Pizza
I combine two all-time favorites in this recipe: pizza and BLT sandwiches. I brought this fun mashup to a ladies lunch and was met with lots of oohs and aahs. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Pork and Asparagus Sheet-Pan Dinner
When time is of the essence, it's nice to have a quick and easy meal idea in your back pocket. Not only is it delicious, but you can clean it up in a flash. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Shrimp-Stuffed Poblano Peppers
I created this dish for my mother when she moved back to our hometown. Since she really enjoys shrimp and slightly spicy food, I decided to create a shrimp-stuffed poblanos to surprise her. She was delighted.—Tina Garcia-Ortiz, Tampa, Florida
Baked Chicken Chimichangas
I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, too, but I eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they're much healthier than deep-fried. —Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina
Sheet-Pan Honey Mustard Chicken
This sheet-pan chicken is an easy gluten-free, low-carb meal ideal for busy weekdays. The chicken is tender, juicy and so delicious! It's now on the list of our favorite meals. You can substitute any low-carb vegetable for green beans. —Denise Browning, San Antonio, Texas
Avocado Crab Boats
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon. Try one of these sheet pan dinner recipes this spring.
Hoisin Sriracha Sheet-Pan Chicken
The convenience and simplicity of this chicken dinner make it extra awesome. Feel free to change the veggies throughout the year—the sticky-spicy-sweet sauce is tasty on everything!! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Sheet-Pan Tilapia and Vegetable Medley
Unlike some one-pan dinners that require precooking in a skillet or pot, this one uses just the sheet pan, period. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Prosciutto Pesto Pizza
I developed this prosciutto pesto pizza for my young grandson who hasn't acquired a taste for veggies yet. He scarfs it up and doesn't even notice the edamame. It's also a hit with my other grandkids and nieces—not to mention all of their parents! —Don Manzagol, Campbell, California
Sheet-Pan Jambalaya with Cauliflower Rice
Sheet-pan dinners are a busy cook's dream with quick prep and easy cleanup. This sheet-pan jambalaya is a healthy twist on a classic that uses cauliflower rice for a lower-carb supper. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Smoked Sausage and Veggie Sheet-Pan Supper
This recipe is tasty and quick, and it can easily be doubled for last-minute dinner guests. Cook it in the oven or on the grill, and add the veggies of your choice. —Judy Batson, Tampa Florida
Chicken Veggie Fajitas
Our family loves the spicy flavor of these fajitas. I also appreciate the fact that they’re fast to fix. —Eleanor Martens, Rosenort, Manitoba
Sheet-Pan Chicken and Vegetables
This sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Sheet-Pan Tandoori Chicken
This tandoori chicken recipe is easy for weeknights since it bakes in one pan, but it is also special enough for guests. The best part? There isn’t much to clean up when dinner is over! —Anwar Khan, Iriving, Texas
Cod and Asparagus Bake
The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you'd like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Caesar Sheet-Pan Chicken
In our area we have an abundance of fresh lemons year-round. When I had a few extra on hand, I put together a quick marinade and ended up with a really tasty sheet-pan chicken meal that had a wonderful burst of flavor. I baked it so I could add potatoes, but you can grill the chicken if you prefer. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
One-Pan Sweet Chili Shrimp and Veggies
This one-pan shrimp and veggies recipe has everything I'm looking for in a weeknight family dinner: quick, flavorful, nutritious and all three of my kids will eat it! My oldest son loves shrimp and I thought it would work well as a sheet-pan supper. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Sheet-Pan Pineapple Chicken Fajitas
For our fajitas, I combine chicken and pineapple for a different flavor. These fajitas are more on the sweet side, but my family loves them! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Lemon-Dijon Pork Sheet-Pan Supper
Most nights I need something that I can get on the table with minimal effort and delicious results. This sheet-pan supper has become an all-time favorite, not only because of its bright flavors but also because of its speedy cleanup time. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Crispy Dill Tilapia
Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish. With its fresh dill and delicious panko bread crumb herb crust, this dish with mild tilapia is a winner. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama
Chicken Veggie Packets
People think I went to a lot of trouble when I serve these packets. Individual aluminum foil pouches hold in the juices during baking to keep the herbed chicken moist and tender. The foil saves time and makes cleanup a breeze. —Edna Shaffer, Beulah, Michigan
Sausage and Pepper Sheet-Pan Sandwiches
Sausage with peppers was always on the table when I was growing up. Here's how to do it the easy way: Just grab a sheet pan and the ingredients, then let the oven do the work. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans
I'm always up for new ways to cook salmon. In this dish, a sweet sauce gives the fish and green beans some down-home barbecue tang. Even our kids love it. —Aliesha Caldwell, Robersonville, North Carolina
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Since I do not like green bell peppers, I decided to create a filling that would go well with my favorite pepper, a poblano. After a few taste tests with my family, this stuffed poblano peppers recipe is now one of our favorites. I have also added black beans, used Cubanelle peppers and served with cilantro lime rice. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan
Saucy chicken, melty mozzarella and crisp-tender broccoli—all in one pan. What could be better? —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
Spicy Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers
I love to share my cooking, and this hearty sheet-pan dinner has built a reputation for being tasty. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi
Mediterranean Tilapia
I recently became a fan of tilapia. The mild taste makes it easy to top with our favorite ingredients. And it’s low in calories and fat. What’s not to love? —Robin Brenneman, Hilliard, Ohio
Garlicky Chicken Dinner
Flavorful bone-in chicken is enhanced by herbs, lemon and hearty vegetables in this savory meal-in-one entree. —Shannon Norris, Cudahy, Wisconsin
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Fans of spicy chicken wings will love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original. —Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania
Orange-Glazed Pork with Sweet Potatoes
When it's chilly outside, I like to roast pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes, apples and an orange. The sweetness and spices make any evening cozy. —Danielle Boyles, Sparta, Wisconsin
Breadstick Pizza
Not only do refrigerated breadsticks lend a fun twist to pizza, but they make this dish a weeknight staple at my house. Feeding kids? Slice pieces into small strips and let the kids dip each strip into marinara sauce. They’ll love it! —Mary Hankins, Kansas City, Missouri
Pan-Roasted Pork Chops & Potatoes
An easy marinade gives these chops lots of flavor, the crumb coating packs on crunch and Brussels sprouts add nutrition! —Char Ouellette, Colton, Oregon
Chili Dog Pizza
My girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It’s a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri
Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts
I've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington
Chicken Caesar Pizza
Dressed greens on top of warm pizza may sound a little strange but trust me, it's fantastic. —Tracy Youngman, Post Falls, Idaho
Quick Pepperoni Calzones
This calzone recipe takes the Italian favorite to the next level with Parmesan and herbs sprinkled on top. —Shannon Roum, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables
I will always remember the way my grandmother's house smelled when she made these balsamic chicken thighs every Sunday. Ever since she gave me the recipe, the heartwarming flavors always take me back to my childhood. — Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
Roasted Kielbasa & Vegetables
I like this dish featuring kielbasa and veggies for two reasons: It's so hearty, and it’s a one-pan meal. That’s a win-win dinner! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Mozzarella Cornbread Pizza
My sons like pizza but not takeout pies. I pull out my trusty baking pan to make a cornbread pizza with veggies in the crust and everything on top, from pepperoni to leftover ham. —Mary Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
