There’s something truly impressive about a perfectly baked popover. That dramatic, golden-brown rise with a hollow, airy interior is a hallmark of baking success. Achieving those impressive heights, however, requires more than just a good recipe; it demands the right tool for the job. A dedicated popover pan, with its uniquely deep and vertical cups, is engineered to conduct heat in a way that encourages the signature “pop” and structure that standard muffin tins simply cannot replicate.
This roundup is designed to guide you to the ideal pan for your kitchen. We have researched and compiled a list of the top contenders, from professional-grade workhorses to versatile non-stick options, all chosen for their ability to deliver consistent, high-rise results. Whether you are a seasoned baker or just beginning your popover journey, the right pan is the first step toward baking perfection.
The Best Popover Pans for Impressive Results
- Bellemain Popover Pan for Baking
- Webake Silicone Oval Small Banneton Basket
- Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Non-Stick Mini-Popover Pan
- 12-Cup Muffin Pan
- Nordic Ware Cast Aluminum Petite Popover Pan
- Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan
- Cuisinart AMB-6POP 6 Cup Popover Pan
- Norpro Nonstick Mini Popover Pan
- USA Pan Bakeware Popover Pan
Bellemain Popover Pan for Baking
Engineered for professional results at home, the Bellemain Popover Pan is built with high-rise baking as its primary focus. The vertical cups are extra deep, measuring 2.25 inches deep by 3 inches in diameter, which is specifically designed to guide the batter upward for maximum oven spring. This design promotes a consistent and impressive rise, creating popovers with a light and airy texture that are as visually striking as they are delicious.
The pan is constructed from professional-grade materials and features a superior non-stick coating. This ensures that your popovers release from the pan effortlessly without sticking, preserving their delicate structure. Cleanup is remarkably simple, as any residue wipes away with ease. Its sturdy build provides stability in the oven and promises long-term reliability for your baking projects.
Webake Silicone Oval Small Banneton Basket
While not a traditional metal popover pan, the Webake Silicone Banneton offers a unique and flexible approach to proofing and baking. Made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone, this basket is designed for proofing bread dough to create a beautiful crust and shape. Its material is resistant to cracking and mold, ensuring a durable and hygienic baking tool. The 6.5-inch size is perfect for creating individual portions.
This product’s versatility is a key benefit, as it can withstand a wide temperature range from -40°F to 446°F. This allows it to go from the freezer for cold fermentation directly into a hot oven. It is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. For bakers looking to experiment with shaped, crusty breads in addition to standard popovers, this silicone basket provides a modern and practical solution.
Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Non-Stick Mini-Popover Pan
For those who prefer bite-sized treats, the Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Mini-Popover Pan is an excellent choice. This pan allows you to create a larger quantity of smaller popovers, perfect for parties, brunch buffets, or as a fun appetizer. Despite their smaller size, these cups are designed to still achieve a good rise, resulting in charming and delicious mini popovers.
Constructed from heavyweight aluminized steel, this pan provides superior heat conduction for even baking and browning. The silicone-based non-stick coating is reliable for easy food release and straightforward cleanup. It is also versatile enough to be used for making mini Yorkshire puddings or even small muffins, making it a multi-purpose addition to your bakeware collection.
12-Cup Muffin Pan
This standard 12-Cup Muffin Pan is a common kitchen staple that can be used for a variety of baking tasks. Its durable construction from heavy-gauge steel resists warping, ensuring it remains flat and reliable through many uses. The enhanced non-stick surface is designed for excellent food release, which is helpful for muffins, cupcakes, and other baked goods.
While a muffin pan is not specifically designed for the high rise of a traditional popover, it can serve as a functional substitute if you do not have a dedicated popover pan. The results will be different, typically with less vertical height, but it can still produce a tasty, cup-shaped roll. The grippy handles offer a confident and safe grip when transferring the pan in and out of the oven.
Nordic Ware Cast Aluminum Petite Popover Pan
Nordic Ware is a trusted name in bakeware, and this Petite Popover Pan lives up to that reputation. This pan creates 12 smaller, bite-size popovers that are perfect for snacking or serving as a side dish. The cast aluminum construction is known for its excellent heat retention and distribution, which contributes to a consistent bake and a beautiful golden exterior on your popovers.
The pan features a reliable nonstick coating that makes releasing the delicate petite popovers simple and ensures a quick cleanup process. Its smaller cavity size is ideal for achieving a higher ratio of crispy exterior to soft, airy interior in each bite. This pan is a fantastic option for those who appreciate the classic popover flavor but in a more convenient, smaller portion.
Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan
For bakers who prefer larger, more substantial popovers, the Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan is an ideal solution. The cups are generously sized, measuring 2.75 by 2.25 inches each, providing ample space for the batter to climb and create a dramatic, towering rise. The deep, tapered cups are engineered to promote even baking and proper air circulation, which are critical for achieving the classic hollow center.
Built from heavyweight aluminized steel, this pan ensures superior heat distribution for consistent results from the first popover to the last. The premium silicone-based non-stick coating guarantees easy food release and effortless cleanup. This pan is also perfectly suited for making Yorkshire puddings and standard muffins, making it a versatile and high-performing piece of bakeware.
Cuisinart AMB-6POP 6 Cup Popover Pan
The Cuisinart 6 Cup Popover Pan brings the brand’s reputation for quality and performance to the world of popover baking. Its construction from heavy-gauge steel is designed for even heating, which helps prevent hot spots and ensures each popover bakes uniformly. This consistent heat is fundamental for achieving that sought-after high rise and golden-brown color.
This pan features a non-stick coating on both the interior and exterior. The interior coating allows for flawless release of your popovers, while the exterior coating simplifies cleaning. The cups are tapered to encourage ideal air circulation around each popover as it bakes, contributing to its light and airy final texture. It’s a straightforward, effective tool for reliable results.
Norpro Nonstick Mini Popover Pan
The Norpro Nonstick Mini Popover Pan is designed to create a dozen charming, smaller popovers. With cups that measure 2 inches in depth, it provides the necessary structure for a good rise in a compact form. This pan is a great option for those who want to serve individual portions without the commitment of a full-sized popover.
A dependable nonstick coating facilitates easy release and makes cleanup a simple task. As a helpful bonus for bakers of all experience levels, Norpro includes recipes and instructions with the pan. This guidance can be particularly useful for anyone new to popover baking, helping to ensure success from the very first batch.
USA Pan Bakeware Popover Pan
USA Pan is renowned for its quality bakeware, and their Popover Pan is crafted to meet high standards. While a specific image is not provided, pans from this brand are typically built with a focus on durability and performance. You can expect sturdy construction that stands up to repeated use and provides consistent heating for reliable baking outcomes.
This pan is engineered to facilitate the high rise that defines a great popover. The design likely includes deep, vertical cups and a material that promotes excellent heat distribution. For bakers who trust the USA Pan brand and are looking for a dedicated, long-lasting popover pan, this product is a strong contender worth considering for your kitchen.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Popover Pan for High Rise
When I started my search for the perfect popover pan, I quickly realized that not all pans are created equal, especially when your main goal is achieving that dramatic, high rise. The right pan can be the difference between a puffy, airy masterpiece and a sad, dense muffin. After testing more pans than I care to admit, I’ve identified a few key things you absolutely need to look for.
First and foremost, let’s talk about material. This is arguably the most critical factor for getting that high rise. You want a pan that gets hot and stays hot. Cast iron is my personal favorite because it has incredible heat retention. It preheats to a blazing temperature and holds it, creating an instant steam explosion that shoots your popovers upward. Heavy-gauge steel is another excellent option, often lighter than cast iron but still providing that steady, even heat. I tend to avoid thin, non-stick pans; they can’t hold heat as well, which often results in less impressive oven spring.
Next, consider the shape and depth of the cups. For a truly high rise, you need deep, steep-sided cups. Shallow or sloped cups don’t give the batter enough structure to climb. The batter will just spread out instead of climbing up the sides. Look for cups that are at least 2.5 inches deep. The material of the surface is also important. A seasoned cast iron or a quality non-stick coating is essential. Popovers are notorious for sticking, and a failed release will deflate all your hard work. A good coating means they’ll slide right out, preserving their tall, delicate structure.
Finally, think about the pan’s construction and your own preferences. Some pans have the cups welded very close together, which can be great for structural support but might cause the popovers to fuse if they rise a lot. Others have more space. I also consider weight and cleaning. A cast iron pan is a beast to handle and requires specific cleaning methods, while a carbon steel or aluminized steel pan might be easier to maintain. It’s about finding the balance between performance and practicality for your kitchen. By focusing on these elements—material, cup design, and non-stick properties—you’ll be well on your way to finding one of the best popover pans for high rise results.
FAQ
Why is my popover pan so important for getting a high rise?
The pan is crucial because it acts as the primary heat source for the initial bake. A heavy, preheated pan transfers a massive burst of heat to the wet batter. This instant heat flash-cooks the outside and creates a huge amount of steam, which is the main leavening agent that forces the popover to expand rapidly and climb high. A thin or lightweight pan simply can’t store and transfer enough heat to create this effect consistently.
Should I use a non-stick or a seasoned cast iron popover pan?
This comes down to personal preference and maintenance willingness. A quality non-stick pan is incredibly easy for release and cleaning, which is a big plus for a sticky food like popovers. A well-seasoned cast iron pan also provides excellent non-stick properties, but it requires more care to maintain its seasoning. The trade-off is that cast iron’s superior heat retention often gives a slightly more robust and crispy exterior, which can contribute to the overall structure and high rise.
How do I properly preheat my popover pan?
Preheating is non-negotiable for a high rise. Place your empty pan in the oven while it heats to your target temperature, usually between 425°F and 450°F. Let the pan sit in the hot oven for at least 15-20 minutes after the oven signals it’s preheated. This ensures the metal is thoroughly and evenly hot. When you’re ready, carefully pull the rack out, quickly pour your batter into the hot cups, and immediately return it to the oven. Don’t delay, as you don’t want the pan to cool down.
Can I use a muffin tin instead of a dedicated popover pan?
You can, but you will almost certainly sacrifice height. Muffin tins have shallower, wider cups that don’t support the batter’s upward climb the way the deep, steep-walled cups of a dedicated pan do. The result will be more “pop-under” than popover—wider and flatter, without that iconic tall, hollow center. If you’re serious about achieving the best high rise, a proper popover pan is a worthwhile investment.
What is the secret to tall popovers that don’t collapse?
Besides using the right pan, two things are key. First, make sure your oven is hot enough and don’t open the door during the first 20-25 minutes of baking. A rush of cold air will make them collapse. Second, you need to finish the process correctly. Once they are tall and golden brown, turn off the oven, poke each popover with a knife to let steam escape, and leave them in the turned-off oven with the door slightly ajar for about 10 minutes. This gradual cooling helps set the structure and prevents deflation, securing that high rise you worked for.