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A popover is a distinctive pastry that’s sort of like a roll, sort of like a croissant, and sort of like a muffin — but also entirely its own kind of light, airy, fluffy, and delicious snack! With a crispy exterior, hollow and flaky interior, and trademark tall, peaked look, it’s one of Meggan’s favorite baked goods! And once you snag one of the best popover pans, it’s a total breeze to make these yummy goodies.
The key to making your popovers really, ahem, pop, is using a dedicated popover pan. Its cups are larger than that of a classic muffin tin, tapering at the bottom and opening up at the top to give the popovers their signature shape.
If you’re not sure which of the best popover pans to get, Meggan and I worked together to research the most popular models, including the one she uses in her own kitchen! Check them out below.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan – $29.99 at Amazon
- Budget Pick: Cuisinart 6-cup Popover Pan – $16.90 at Amazon
- Best Nonstick Popover Pan: Bellemain Popover Pan – $22.99 at Amazon
- Best Design: Nordic Ware Grand Popover Pan – $30.82 at Home Depot
Reviews of The Best Popover Pans
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan
This popover pan has been in Meggan’s kitchen for 15 years! “I love that it’s just a classic popover pan that works well, is easy to use and clean, and gets the job done,” she says.
The pan has six compartments laid out on a roomy wireframe that allows popovers to expand to their fullest extent. Its nonstick surface is made of aluminized steel and silicone and provides even heat conduction, which means popovers come out easily (and fully baked!) every time. Plus, because these tasty treats come out so smoothly, cleaning up is always a breeze. You can even use the pan to make other delicious meals, like Quiche Muffins.
(Note that this pan is often sold out — if that’s the case, and you’d like to use the same brand that Meggan uses, Chicago also makes a 12-cup mini popover pan.)
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminized steel and silicone
- Cups: 6
- Dimensions: 2.5 by 5.8 by 9.2 inches
- Dishwasher-Safe?: Yes (but brand recommends washing by hand)
The Pros:
- Sturdy
- Even heat conduction
- Easy to use and clean
- Durable
The Cons:
- Limited reviews
Buy the Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan:
2. Budget Pick: Cuisinart 6-Cup Popover Pan
This no-fuss popover pan from Cuisinart is the way to go if you want to try your hand at popovers without breaking the bank. Its cups have a tapered design that helps popovers expand in the oven, and they’re made of nonstick aluminized steel that ensures your creations slide out with ease.
The material also makes for simple clean-up when you’re done — the pan is dishwasher-safe (or easy to sponge off if you don’t have a dishwasher). Some reviewers say that the pan’s design makes it slightly difficult to hold as you’re moving it in and out of the oven, but as long as you have a good set of oven mitts, you should be fine.
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminized steel
- Cups: 6
- Dimensions: 17.4 by 10.24 by 3.39 inches
- Dishwasher-Safe?: Yes
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Tapered design makes popovers puff well
- Nonstick coating
The Cons:
- Design makes it tough for some people to hold
Buy the Cuisinart 6-Cup Popover Pan:
3. Best Nonstick Popover Pan: Bellemain Popover Pan
If you want to ensure that your popovers never get stuck in the pan (we’ve all been there!), this Bellemain pick has a handy nonstick coating. It’s made of carbon steel while the nonstick exterior ensures effortlessly popovers slide out of the pan.
Beyond that, the pan itself is sturdy and durable, with strong welding on the edges and a solid frame that allows for an easy grip. It’s also dishwasher safe and has a standard cup design that helps popovers bake to fluffy perfection.
The Specs:
- Material: Carbon steel
- Cups: 6
- Dimensions: 1 by 6 by 14 inches
- Dishwasher-Safe?: Yes
The Pros:
- Superior nonstick coating
- Durable
- Easy to hold
- Great reviews
The Cons:
- None that we could find
What Others are Saying:
The Bellemain Popover Pan has a 4.7-star rating from more than 4,400 Amazon shoppers.
Buy the Bellemain Popover Pan:
4. Best Design: Bellemain Popover Pan
All of the other popover pans on our list are built on a wire-like frame, with cups laid out on a cross-section of thin metal bars. This is definitely an effective design, but Nordic Ware’s take seems more like a classic muffin tin, but with two cutouts the two cups in the center.
Functionally, this isn’t much of a difference — in both cases, there’s ample airflow that allows popovers to bake well — but the Nordic Ware tin is more intentional in its construction, plus it’s easier to clean since there aren’t any gaps to scrub. Because it has more substance, it may also be easier for some people to hold. Other than that, it does what you’d expect: Reviewers say each cup has even heat distribution that produces delicious bakes each time.
The Specs:
- Material: Aluminum
- Cups: 6
- Dimensions: 9 by 14 by 2.2 inches
- Dishwasher-Safe?: No
The Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Easy to hold
- Easy to hand wash
- Nonstick coating
- Made in the USA
The Cons:
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Expensive
What Others are Saying:
The Nordic Ware Grand popover tin has a 4.7-star rating out of more than 500 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Nordic Ware Grand Popover Pan:
Other Popover Pans to Consider
USA Pans 6-Well Popover Pan
This is another popular popover pan thanks to its heavy duty design and nonstick surface. However, it doesn’t offer much to differentiate itself from other options and it’s on the pricier side, too. The USA Pans Popover Pan is available at Amazon for $34.18.
Lodge Cast Iron 2-Piece Muffin Tin
It’s totally possible to bake your popovers in a muffin tin — and if you want to bake them in a cast iron option, this trusty option from Lodge is a great way to go. However, if you’re looking to purchase something specifically for making popovers, we’d recommend shopping options that are specifically designed for their signature look, especially considering the lofty price tag on this pick. The Lodge Cast Iron 2-Piece Muffin Tin is available at Amazon for $56.77.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi, I’m Sara! I’ve been a professional lifestyle product tester and reviewer for more than five years, covering everything from fondue pots to margarita machines. I’m passionate about finding great products at great prices — especially kitchen goods like popover pans.
To find the best popover pans, I first consulted with Meggan about her favorite one. We talked about the qualities it has that’s made it a standby in her kitchen for 15 years. Then, I cross-referenced her checklist with other popular popover pans online, reading user reviews and guidelines to find the best ones out there. I considered other factors like material, price, and size, too.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Popover Pans
What to Consider Before Buying a Popover Pans
Not sure what to look for in a popover pan? Have a think about these factors before you make the investment.
- Popover pan vs. muffin tin: The first thing to ask yourself is whether you need a popover pan at all — or if a muffin tin will suffice. You’ll get better results with a popover pan, but you can make popovers in a regular muffin tin. So, if it’s your first time making popovers, you might want to try a more versatile muffin tin. If you plan to make popovers on the reg and you want them to be perfect, you’ll want a proper popover pan.
- Size and capacity: Most popover pans contain 6 or 12 cups. In most cases, Meggan recommends going for the 6-cup option — the wells are bigger, which allows for more impressive popovers. 12-cup options usually make “mini” popovers, which aren’t that different from results you’d get with a muffin tin.
- Material: In this list, we recommend popover tins made of aluminum, steel, carbon steel, and cast iron. The material you pick depends on your personal preferences. Consider whether you prioritize a nonstick surface, ease of cleaning, and heat retention.
- Heat conduction: Even heat distribution is essential to a great popover — many recipes discourage you from even opening the oven as they’re baking. Look for a popover tin that provides even heat conduction to ensure a clean, uniform bake.
What is a Popover Pan?
A popover pan is, as the name implies, a pan dedicated to making popovers. (You can also use it for Yorkshire pudding, mini quiche, mini Dutch babies, or muffins.) It looks a lot like a regular muffin tin, but with deeper cups that are narrow at the bottom and wider at the top. They also have gaps between the cups to create air flow. With this cup shape and air flow, popovers can grow their signature tall, fluffy heights.
Can You Make Popovers in a Muffin Pan?
Yes, you can make popovers in a muffin pan — and that might be a good place to start if you’re making them for the first time. Just note that the popovers you make in a muffin tin won’t be quite as large as ones you make in a proper popover pan, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
A muffin tin will typically have 12 small-ish cups (compared to a popover pan’s six large wells) so you’ll end up with 12 mini popovers instead. Either way, they’re still delicious. Meggan’s favorite way to serve popovers made in a muffin pan is topped with Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad, just like this:
How Do You Make Popovers Without a Popover Pan?
If you don’t have a popover pan, your best bet is a muffin tin. First, follow your recipe to make your popovers. Then, butter the muffin tin wells and divide the batter evenly between each cup. (Each muffin tin should be filled about three quarters of the way.) Other than that, the baking time and temperature for your recipe will remain the same.
What Can You Serve with Popovers?
Popovers are perfect on their own, but they’re also wonderful when paired with other food, either as a base or side dish. Popovers finish with a small divot at the top, which is a great spot for something soft, Meggan’s deli salad idea.
Popovers can also be used as a replacement for a classic roll. So anything you’d typically serve with a side of rolls, you’d instead serve with a side of popovers — think salad, soup, roast chicken or beef, scrambled eggs, fish, and more.
Finally, you can serve popovers on their own but zhuzh them up with some seasoning. If you’re in the mood for something savory, try butter, everything but the bagel seasoning, or melted cheese. If you want something on the sweet side, you can add jam, butter, or powdered sugar.
The Best Popover Recipes
Looking for a way to break in your new popover pan? You have a lot of options — and you’re not just limited to popovers (though that’s a great place to start!).
Bread Recipes
Popovers
Appetizer Recipes
Mini Quiche Recipe
Breakfast Recipes
Quiche Muffins
Breakfast Recipes
Egg Muffins
Breakfast Recipes
Blueberry Muffins
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Sara Hendricks is an experienced editor, writer, and product reviewer. She's passionate about all kinds of products, from fitness to fashion to food supplies. You can find her work in Reviewed/USA Today, Refinery29, Insider, and more.