Toaster Oven Pans and Trays That Actually Fit

On this page (12 sections)

1. Measure the inside before you buy
2. Common toaster oven pan sizes
3. A set that covers more jobs
4. Which material to choose
5. Check pan depth and handles
6. A simple fit check before you buy
7. Care for toaster oven pans
8. Why sheet size matters for even baking
9. How pan color changes browning
10. Which pan for which job
11. Buy a pan for the job you do most
12. Pick the pan by your oven's inside size

Toaster oven pans only work if they fit inside with room to spare. A pan that touches the walls or sits against the heating element can scorch and block the airflow, so the fit matters more than the brand.

Measure the inside before you buy

Use a tape measure and check three numbers: the width, the depth and the height from the rack to the top element. Measure the rack as well, since many pans sit on it.

Write the numbers on a card and bring it when you shop, since outside sizes on the box don't always match the usable space inside the oven.

Black+Decker says to keep bakeware at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements on its TO1313SBD. Check your own manual for the gap your model needs.

Common toaster oven pan sizes

Common sizes run from small trays of about 9 by 7 inches up to 11 by 9 inches. Each pan below lists its outside size, so you can compare it with the inside of your oven.

A toaster oven tray for small jobs

A small tray is the easiest size to fit and suits toast, bacon or a few cookies. It also leaves the most room around the sides for air to move.

The 11 by 9 inch pan

This is the largest of the common sizes, so it takes the most room in the oven. It holds more cookies or a small tray of vegetables, but measure first so it doesn't touch the element.

A set that covers more jobs

A set gives you a sheet pan, a rack, a cake pan and a muffin pan in one box. It's the easiest way to bake a few different things without buying each piece separately.

Four pieces for baking and roasting

The set includes a sheet pan, a rack, a cake pan and a six-cup muffin pan, all steel with a nonstick coating. The sheet pan is 8.4 by 6.5 inches, so it fits a smaller oven than the 11 by 9 pan does.

Which material to choose

Nonstick pans release food and clean up fast. Stainless steel and carbon steel need more attention to keep food from sticking, but they are simple to wash.

Carbon steel browns well, but it can rust if it stays wet, so dry it completely after washing.

Metal tools can scratch nonstick coatings, so use silicone or wood. Check the care label for the highest heat the coating allows, and never preheat an empty pan on a high setting.

Check pan depth and handles

Pan depth matters as much as width. A tall pan sits closer to the top element and blocks airflow, so a shallow pan, about one inch deep, usually leaves more room.

Handles are a common trap. Long handles may not slide in and out with the rack in place, so measure them too, or choose a pan with short handles.

A simple fit check before you buy

Cut a piece of cardboard to the outside size of the pan you want. Slide it onto the rack, and check that it fits with room on all sides.

The same check works for the crumb tray. A pan should never rest on the crumb tray during baking unless the manual says it is safe.

Care for toaster oven pans

Wash pans by hand in warm, soapy water, and avoid abrasive pads on nonstick coatings. Let a hot pan cool before you put it in water, since sudden cooling can warp thin metal.

Store pans flat, or stacked with a cloth between them, so the coating doesn't scratch. Replace a pan once the coating peels or the metal warps, since a warped pan cooks unevenly.

Why sheet size matters for even baking

A pan that nearly fills the oven leaves little room for the air to move, so the edges and the middle can brown at different rates. A smaller pan with a gap on every side usually browns more evenly.

How pan color changes browning

Dark nonstick pans absorb more heat than light metal pans, so they can brown the bottoms faster. If your baked goods come out dark underneath, try a lighter pan or lower the rack a notch.

Which pan for which job

A flat sheet works for cookies, toast and roasted vegetables. A small cake pan or loaf pan suits baked goods, and a shallow dish works for a small casserole that doesn't need deep sides.

Buy a pan for the job you do most

Pick the pan by the job you do most often, such as cookies, toast or roasting, and then check the fit. A pan that fits well and suits your main task beats a set with pieces you rarely use.

Pick the pan by your oven's inside size

Start with the inside measurements, then choose a size that leaves room on every side. A small tray fits almost any oven, while a larger pan gives you more room and needs a bigger model.

If you're still choosing an oven, the toaster oven size guide helps.

For the liners that protect the oven floor, read toaster oven liners. For small models, the best small toaster oven roundup lists options.

The air fryer toaster oven buying guide covers the full range of sizes and types.

Frequently asked questions

What size pan fits a toaster oven?

Common toaster oven pan sizes are about 9 by 7 inches, 10 by 8 inches and 11 by 9 inches. Measure the inside of your oven first, then choose a pan that leaves room for air around the sides and clears the top heating element.

Can I put a regular baking sheet in a toaster oven?

Only if it fits with room to spare on every side, since a full sheet is usually too big. Pick a pan that clears the heating element and the door, because a pan that touches the element can scorch and block the airflow.

Should a toaster oven pan be nonstick?

Nonstick pans release food easily and clean up fast, while stainless steel and carbon steel need more care to keep food from sticking. Metal tools can scratch nonstick coatings, so use silicone or wood, and check the care label for the highest heat the coating allows.