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The Best Jelly Roll Pans to Add to Your Kitchen Gear

By
Siobhan Wallace
Siobhan Wallace
Siobhan Wallace
Siobhan is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. She has a Master's degree in Food Studies, passed the WSET Level 2, Wines, with Distinction, and has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/30/24
Collage of jelly roll pans we recommend on a purple background

The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley

It’s easy to confuse a jelly roll pan with your regular half-sheet baking pan. They’re about the same size with straight-sided rim, and yet a jelly roll pan is an important tool in your bakeware arsenal. “Jelly roll pans are usually about 15 x 10 inches, with 1-inch high sides," says Daniel P. Craig, a chef with more than 20 years of experience working in professional kitchens. "They're great for baking rolled cakes, pumpkin rolls, jelly rolls, roasting vegetables, and baking cookies.”

Of course, it's necessary for its namesake, the jelly roll or Swiss roll. Those rolled cake recipes, as well as ones for Bûche de Noël (yule log) and pumpkin rolls, are formatted specifically to fill a standard-sized, 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
SALE
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baker's Jelly Roll Pan at Amazon $21 $15
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Best for New Bakers:
SALE
Wilton Performance Pans Aluminum Jelly Roll and Cookie Pan at Amazon $19 $16
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Best Nonstick:
OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Jelly Roll at Amazon $22
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Best Pan With Handles:
All-Clad Jelly Roll Pan at Amazon $38
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Best Ceramic:
Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Baking Sheet at Amazon $45
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Best Textured Surface:
SALE
Doughmakers Jelly Roll Commercial Grade Aluminum Bake Pan at Amazon $31 $26
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Best Set:
Ultra Cuisine Baking Pan with Cooling Rack Set at Amazon $30
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Best With Lid:
USA Pan Nonstick Jelly Roll Pan with Lid at Amazon $38
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Best Overall

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baker's Jelly Roll Pan

Nordic-ware-natural-aluminum-bakers-jelly-roll-pan
PHOTO: Amazon
Orig. $21 $15 at Amazon $15 at Walmart $20 at Target
What We Like

  • Conducts heat well

  • Affordable

  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

  • Metal utensils can scratch surface

Nordic Ware has been an industry favorite for more than 70 years, so it’s no surprise this jelly roll pan is one of the best. This baking sheet is made from uncoated, natural 20-gauge aluminum and sports a fully encapsulated steel rim to help prevent warping at high temperatures.

The standard-sized jelly roll pan is made from a nonporous aluminum alloy that provides a naturally nonstick surface, though it’s recommended you line the pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat prior to cooking. Aluminum is great at conducting heat, which means anything from roasted vegetables to the delicate sponge cake of a traditional jelly roll will bake evenly.

Since aluminum can be scratched, metal utensils and scouring pads are discouraged, though a scratch or two doesn’t affect the pan’s baking properties. Due to the cleaning agents found in dishwashing detergents, washing by hand is recommended.

Dimensions: 15.13 x 10.63 x 1.13 inches | Material: Aluminum | Nonstick Coating: No | Oven Safe Temperature: 450 degrees

Best for New Bakers

Wilton Performance Pans Aluminum Jelly Roll and Cookie Pan

Wilton-performance-aluminum-jelly-roll-and-cookie-pan
PHOTO: Amazon
Orig. $19 $16 at Amazon Orig. $27 $24 at Walmart $22 at Kohls.com
What We Like

  • Great for baking cakes

  • Lightweight

  • Easy removal of jelly roll sponge cake

What We Don't Like

  • High-temp veggie roasting not advised

  • Scratches when using metal utensils

Wilton is often the first set of good-quality pans burgeoning bakers acquire in their kitchen journey. Its small jelly roll and cookie pan should definitely be a part of anyone’s set.

This 15.5 x 10.5 x 1-inch pan is made from durable anodized aluminum, which means it has already been exposed to oxygen and won’t react with your food. The hard surface of this baking sheet has a nonstick coating for easy cleanup. Wilton crafts the aluminum extra-thick for even heat distribution while baking. It is recommended that this versatile pan is hand-washed with warm water to avoid damaging the surface.

Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 1 inches | Material: Aluminum | Nonstick Coating: No | Oven Safe Temperature: 400 degrees

Best Nonstick

OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Jelly Roll

best jelly roll pans
PHOTO: Amazon
$22 at Amazon $22 at Target $22 at Kohls.com
What We Like

  • Resistant to scratches, stains, corrosion, and abrasion

  • Rolled edges for easy grip

  • Textured pattern promotes airflow

What We Don’t Like

  • Warps at high temperatures, according to some user reviews

  • Contains PTFE

  • Smaller than other jelly roll pans

Most jelly roll pans are made of aluminum. So, what makes this one by OXO different? It’s made with an aluminized steel core coated in two layers of reinforced nonstick ceramic. The construction makes it resistant to scratches, stains, corrosion, and abrasion, and its textured surface promotes airflow to ensure even baking.

The square rolled edges allow for an easy grip and make transfer a breeze, so you won’t struggle to remove it from a hot oven. Though the pan is oven-safe, some users have experienced warping at high temperatures. Some bakers also found the pan smaller than expected with internal dimensions of 13.37 x 8.49 inches.

Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 1 inches | Material: Aluminized steel and ceramic | Nonstick Coating: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 450 degrees

  • OXO Good Grips Jelly Roll Pan
    PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Samantha Schwab
  • OXO Good Grips Jelly Roll Pan
    PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Samantha Schwab
  • OXO Good Grips Jelly Roll Pan
  • OXO Good Grips Jelly Roll Pan

Best Pan With Handles

All-Clad Jelly Roll Pan

All-Clad Pro-Release Jelly Roll Pan
PHOTO: Amazon
Orig. $38 $35 at Amazon $38 at Williams-Sonoma $40 at Bloomingdales
What We Like

  • Oversized handles for easy grip

  • Heavy construction

  • Nonstick coating

What We Don't Like

  • Extended size due to handles may not fit in smaller ovens

  • Pricey

An issue with many jelly roll pans is the lack of handles, making it tricky to grab the pan out of a hot oven. All-Clad produced the solution to this with an easy-to-grip pan with oversized handles in its Pro-Release line.

We found this jelly roll pan, which is crafted from heavy-gauge aluminized steel, performed extremely well in testing. The two layers of ceramic-reinforced nonstick coating meant everything slide right off the pan, and it especially came in handy for a quick clean. Grabbing it from a hot oven was much easier with the handles, though you will still need oven mitts. All-Clad’s pan is safe in the oven up to 450 degrees, and washing by hand is recommended to preserve the integrity of the pan’s surface.

Dimensions: 18.5 x 10.94 x 1.34 inches | Material: Alloy steel | Nonstick Coating: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 450 degrees

Best Ceramic

Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Baking Sheet

Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Baking Sheet
PHOTO: Target
$45 at Amazon $45 at Target $45 at Home Depot
What We Like

  • Ceramic coating is non-toxic

  • Comes in a variety of colors

  • Oven-safe up to 550 degrees

What We Don’t Like

  • Pricey

  • Hand wash only

You may have seen Caraway bakeware on social media, and it’s easy to understand its popularity. The pieces are not only aesthetically pleasing, but the quality is top of the line. What really sets the brand’s jelly roll pan apart, however, is the ceramic coating.

Ceramic cookware is considered a more durable option than traditional nonstick pots and pans. Made with an aluminum interior that encourages even heating and is oven-safe up to 550 degrees, it's lined with ceramic to give it a great nonstick quality. The kicker? You’ll have to wash it by hand as it’s not dishwasher-safe.

When we tested the larger half-sheet pan, cookies slide right off without any paper or pre-greasing. We did wish for a rolled steel edge, though, as that would protect against warping.

Hand removing a cookie from the Caraway Ceramic Nonstick 15-Inch x 10-Inch Baking Sheet with a spatula

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Dimensions: 15.43 x 10.43 x 0.93 inches | Material: Stainless steel with ceramic coating | Nonstick Coating: Yes | Oven Safe Temperature: 550 degrees

Best Textured Surface

Doughmakers Jelly Roll Commercial Grade Aluminum Bake Pan

Doughmakers-jelly-roll-commercial-grade-aluminum-bake-pan
PHOTO: Amazon
Orig. $31 $26 at Amazon $34 at Walmart $26 at Wayfair
What We Like

  • Unique pebbled surface decreases baking time

  • Helps heat distribution

  • Reduces amount of greasing needed for cake removal

What We Don't Like

  • Better for baked goods than for high-heat roasting

  • Lighter weight than others

What sets pans from Doughmakers apart from the rest is the unique pattern embossed into all its bakeware. Created to resemble smooth pebbles, the texture allows air to flow under what’s baking while also making the surface nonstick.

Doughmakers' jelly roll pan is made from 18-gauge, rust-resistant aluminum. It has small, strengthened handles for gripping and rolled edges to help prevent warping. The pebbled surface isn’t affected by scratches, so you can use knives and metal spatulas in the pan. It is recommended to wash the pan in soapy hot water promptly after baking.

Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 0.75 inches | Material: Aluminum | Nonstick Coating: No | Oven Safe Temperature: 428 degrees

Best Set

Ultra Cuisine Baking Pan with Cooling Rack Set

Ultra-cuisine-baking-pan-with-cooling-rack-set
PHOTO: Amazon
$30 at Amazon
What We Like

  • Heavier weight prevents warping

  • Flexible use for baking, veggie roasts, and sheet pan dinners

  • Matching cooling rack is made from stainless steel

What We Don't Like

  • Need parchment paper or silicone mat while baking

  • Can be more difficult to lift

Jelly roll pans are the unsung hero of making bacon, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables in the oven—you just need to use a rack. This set from Ultra Cuisine features both a sheet and a rack to help you take your food to a new level. 

The set comes with an aluminum baking sheet that measures 16.1 x 11.2 x 1.3 inches and has a reinforced steel rim to protect against warping. The 14.75 x 10 x 1-inch stainless steel rack, which can also be used for cooling, is made to nestle perfectly inside. It’s rust-resistant and the wire grid features 3/8-inch holes. Both the rack and baking sheet are safe in the oven up to 575 degrees.

It's important to note that this set weight almost 2.5 pounds when nestled together, so it has some heft to it. While Ultra Cuisine recommends hand-washing the jelly roll pan, the rack is dishwasher-safe.

Dimensions: 16.1 x 11.2 x 1.3 inches | Material: Aluminum, stainless steel | Nonstick Coating: No | Oven Safe Temperature: 575 degrees

Best With Lid

USA Pan Nonstick Jelly Roll Pan with Lid

USA-pan-nonstick-jelly-roll-pan-with-lid
PHOTO: Amazon
$38 at Amazon
What We Like

  • Very sturdy construction of aluminized steel

  • Flexible use with lid for storage

  • Great for roasting veggies or sheet pan dinners

What We Don’t Like

  • Corrugated surface is best when lined with parchment paper

  • Nonstick coating can flake off with heavy use

Pittsburgh-based USA Pan has produced high-quality bakeware for more than 50 years, and its signature design is the corrugated surface. This allows air to circulate underneath your cookies or cake for even baking and a quick release from the pan. 

USA Pan’s 14.25 x 9.38 x 1-inch jelly roll pan, slightly smaller than the standard size, is made from heavy-gauge aluminized steel. This means these durable pans are made from steel and then coated in an aluminum-silicone alloy to prevent rust. The plastic lid protects baked goods in transit, and since it has a handle for carrying, it’s easy to transport.

To help prevent warping, the pans have a reinforced steel wire in the rim. USA Pan offers a lifetime warranty and will replace any pans that develop defects from normal wear and tear.

Dimensions: 14.25 x 9.38 x 1 inches | Material: Aluminum, plastic | Nonstick Coating: No | Oven Safe Temperature: 450 degrees

Final Verdict

If you want a high-quality jelly roll pan that's nonstick, can withstand high temperatures, and cooks food evenly, we recommend Nordic Ware's Natural Aluminum Jelly Roll Pan. It's also designed to minimize warping. Want a pan with handles? Try All-Clad's Pro-Release Jelly Roll Pan. It also has a ceramic-reinforced finish that ensures its surface is nonstick.

What to Look for in a Jelly Roll Pan

Type of Use

Traditional jelly roll pans were designed to be used for making a sponge cake that will be rolled up into a jelly roll to finish. There are pans designed just for this one use - and while they’re great for that purpose, they may not have the capability to be used for other purposes like high heat veggie roasts or sheet pan dinners. 

“Make sure to consider the type of use—from ones made for baking cookies to ones made for roasting vegetables," says Daniel P. Craig. "Also consider their edges—are they rounded or sharp? Are they non-stick coated? And finally, consider how easy it will be to clean them. This is especially important if you plan on using them often."

Material and Nonstick Coatings

Most jelly roll pans are made of aluminum or steel and vary in weight and sturdiness. As a general rule, the heavier the pan the sturdier. Heavier pans can also handle high heat better, so they’re more flexible in terms of use. Jelly roll pans can have textured surfaces which some cooks prefer for even baking—and others may have nonstick coatings which make cake removal easier, but which can also be scratched by use of metal utensils.

If your pan doesn't have a nonstick coating, we recommend also picking up a Silpat silicone baking mat. “Unlike parchment paper, silicone baking mats are reusable, bake faster, and result in less burning,” says Daniel P. Craig, a chef with more than 20 years of experience working in professional kitchens. “Professional bakers have been using silicone mats for years for roasting, baking, and broiling.”

"I've loved silicone baking sheet liners since I first learned about them," says Carol Borchardt, a personal chef and recipe developer. "They're a great choice for people who want a foolproof non-stick lining for their sheet or jelly roll pan and don't like the waste that comes from parchment paper or aluminum foil."

FAQs

What is a jelly roll pan?

Traditionally, a jelly roll pan was designed to be used to make freshly baked sponge cakes that when finished will be rolled up with a filling inside, like this Raspberry Jelly Roll. The cake batter used for jelly rolls allows the cake to be rolled up without breaking, and can be a variety of flavors, and the fillings can be a very wide range also! 

Today the term “jelly roll” pan is sometimes used to mean a generic half or quarter sheet pan that’s used for any number of things in the kitchen: to bake a sheet cake, to roast veggies, to make sheet pan dinners, to brown croutons in the oven or roast nuts, to roast or broil fish or chicken.

What size is a jelly roll pan? 

15 x 10 inches is the approximate size of a traditional jelly roll pan. Recipes that call for a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan do so because the batter is just enough to fill that size pan. If you attempt such a recipe in a pan that is a different size, you could end up with too much batter or a cake that isn't strong enough for rolling.

What is a jelly roll pan substitute?

If you’re making a jelly roll and don’t have a jelly roll pan, you can use a 13 x 10-inch metal baking pan, but the cake will be more difficult to roll up and you’ll need to watch the baking time closely to assure doneness.

How do you clean a jelly roll pan?

Most jelly roll pans don’t do well in the dishwasher, but some may make the claim that they’re dishwasher safe. We generally recommend washing by hand. If you do place on in your dishwasher, make sure to thoroughly analyze it after for any damage from the more abrasive detergents. Check the manufacturer’s directions as each pan is different, but a general rule is to wash in hot soapy water by hand then dry completely on a rack.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best jelly roll pans in this category, evaluating their key features—like material or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Siobhan Wallace has written about food and wine for over a decade, in addition to a stint as an assistant baker. She’s very familiar with the popping sound that means your favorite pan just warped.

Karen Resta is a writer specializing in food culture and history, cooking, pastries, and restaurants. She's also a former pastry chef. Her favorite jelly roll is a rich chocolate sponge cake filled with chantilly cream and candied ginger. She spends a lot of her free time baking at home and recommends quality within your given budget.

Updated by
Karen Resta
Karen Resta
Karen Resta

Karen is a freelance writer who covers food and drinks for The Spruce Eats. Her work has appeared in Lucky Peach, Edible Manhattan/Brooklyn/Queens, Chowhound.com, Frenchly, PasteMagazine.com, and more.

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
and
Lacey Muinos
Lacey Muinos
Lacey Muinos
Lacey Muinos has written about health, wellness, food, and skincare for five years. Her work has appeared on LIVESTRONG, Insider, and Eat This Not That. 
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