Are you a pancake and French Toast kind of person? Then a griddle pan might be an excellent addition to your kitchen inventory. Sure you can char your steak on a regular pan but the sear marks just give it an extra layer of je ne sais quoi, right?
But of course, it is not just about the looks, a good quality nonstick griddle pan spreads heat evenly so that you get the perfect crisp on the outside and a soft and spongy inside on your pancakes. In this article, we have showcased the best nonstick griddle pans in the market so that you can pick one that fits your life like a glove and start griddle-ing!
What To Look For In A Griddle Pan?
Griddle pans and cooktops are made of different textures. They also come in different sizes and thickness. Your griddle should complement your lifestyle and, believe me, griddles can be extremely versatile if you get the right one. If you want to cook on your stovetop, you can find stovetop griddles – there are specific induction and non-induction stovetop griddles. Additionally, if you want to take your griddle out on gatherings, you can choose an electrical griddle – one that takes more countertop space but is easy to carry around.
Always pay attention to the griddle size because the last thing you would want is a griddle that’s too large for your kitchen. You will notice and most manufacturers will give you 2 dimensions – the overall size of the griddle and the cooking surface area. Since most griddles have a slightly raised surface to catch the juices of what you cook, you might get a cooking surface that’s 1 or 2 inches smaller than the overall size. I had friends who mistook the cook surface dimension with the actual size of the griddle and ended up with something much larger than their stovetop.
Lastly, you should pay close attention to the griddle finishing. You will find them in 3 types of materials and coatings – carbon steel, cast iron, and nonstick. Each of these materials have a set of pros and cons. The carbon steel griddle is light and distributes heat evenly, great for daily use, but it is not dishwasher safe and needs frequent seasoning. Perhaps the sturdiest of them all is the cast iron griddle pan. These griddles are usually passed down through generations and the older they get, the more flavor they have (as long as you season them from time to time and cook in them often).
Steel, cast iron, and aluminum griddles are more traditional whereas the nonstick variety is the newest in the market, with the technology constantly evolving. Personally, and I say this with experience, if you use the right amount of fats and get the pan hot enough, every griddle can become nonstick.
However, more people are investing in nonstick cookware these days because it requires little upkeep and is great for large batches. Since the non stick coating is not ideal for our health, you should look into the following safety precautions:
- Make sure the brand gives you a safety assurance for the product. Products that do not have a safety assurance are usually made with PFOA – a highly reactive chemical substance that can get into your food.
- Look for terms like ‘5 ply metal construction’ on the griddle. Cheaper nonstick griddles are rendered unusable in a matter of months usually because of the fewer layers of metal coating. This will create a poor adhesive for the Teflon coating, causing unequal heat distribution and all kinds of malfunctions.
- This brings us to heat distribution – a very important component of a good griddle. The last thing we want is for our steak to have burnt edges and an uncooked center. Equal heat distribution is always the qualifier for me when it comes to picking the best nonstick cookware in general.
- Lastly, nonstick griddles come in 2 materials – stainless steel and aluminum. Aluminum heats faster whereas stainless steel griddles are better at equal heat distribution. Additionally, you cannot use aluminum ones for an induction cooktop. So, this last point is more about your cooking space and preferences. I have personally used both and they have always worked well for me.
7 Best Nonstick Griddle Pans of 2024
1. BELLA XL Electric Ceramic Titanium Griddle
Do you love to have people over and cook your iconic breakfasts and brunches? This might be the griddle for you! This nonstick griddle pan uses titanium instead of Teflon as its final coating. Although the titanium coating does not last as long as Teflon, it is believed to be better for your health, with fewer long-term effects.
This is an electric griddle, so, as mentioned above, you should make sure you have enough counter space to accommodate this beauty.
If looks are your thing then this griddle pan is a gem to have in your kitchen. Not only that, we really like some features of this pan. Firstly the Titanium coating spreads the heat much faster and more evenly, which reduces the cook time by 30%! But the thing that we like the most about this product is the no-mess drip tray that fits snuggly on the side. The griddle is designed to divert all the oils towards the tray, making a mess-free cooking zone.
2. Ninja C30628 Foodi NeverStick Premium 11
If versatility was a griddle pan, this would be it. This stovetop griddle pan works with gas, electric, and induction stovetops; and not just that, you can even put it in the oven and is dishwasher safe. I mean if this isn’t a griddle lover’s dream, then I don’t know what is!
Another thing that we love about this griddle is that it has a 10-year warranty. You know a product is good if a brand feels confident enough to give you a 10-year warranty. Do read the warranty documents carefully if this is an incentive for you. But with a product this sturdy, you are less likely to redeem the warranty even after having it on your side for 10 years.
Remember this square griddle pan is 11 inches on all sides so it isn’t the biggest product in the market; not for those who want to cook in larger batches. But, if you want something for everyday use, this can be your go-to pan.
3. Farberware High-Performance Nonstick Griddle Pan
Here’s a Farberware griddle pan with the ultimate flat surface we all look for. It has a nice ergonomic handle that you can hold even when it’s on high heat. However, since the griddle surface is lighter than the handle, you should be cautious when you have it on heat. Make sure there’s something cooking on the pan to protect it from falling.
As an aluminum griddle pan, it heats up very quickly; perfect for fast and easy morning pancakes or fried eggs. But you can also use this griddle for longer cooking sessions because it can be used in an oven under 350°F.
Additionally, a dishwasher-safe griddle pan is always a bonus to have in the kitchen!
4. Nordic Ware Two Burner Griddle
Here’s something for those who enjoy taking their griddle on barbeque and campfires. This Nordic ware griddle pan is light, thin, and easy to carry anywhere you go. It’s long enough to sit on 2 burners and since it has an uncoated back, it is compatible with camp stoves and griddles.
This is the perfect griddle for those who have a smaller kitchen with little storage. It is so slim that you can prop it on the side of a shelf and forget about it until you need to use it again. The only caution with the Nordic Griddle Pan is that it does not have heat-insulating handles. Always use oven mitts when you hold the hot griddle. With a few simple precautions, the Nordic Ware Griddle Pan can last you for years.
5. Cuisinart 630-20 Chef’s Classic 11-Inch Square Griddle
Now here’s something for the elitist cooking group. This Cuisinart Griddle Pan can withstand up to 500°F in the oven! The pan is perfectly flat (except for the rims) so that you get the perfectly fried eggs. Since it can withstand high temperatures for long hours, you can use it to prepare 3 longer cooked meals.
The raised rims protect the meat juices and oils from spilling out from the sides and make it easy to collect them at the end. The handle on this has been made keeping the end user in mind. The last thing you’d want is to hurt yourself, which is why the manufacturers have taken extra care to build ergonomic, heat-resistant, handles. You can hold it when you use the griddle on the stovetop, but be sure to use mittens anytime you take it out of the oven.
Lastly, the thing that truly sets this griddle pan apart from others is the lifetime warranty. The Cuisinart Griddle Pan is made by griddle enthusiasts who want nothing more than for you to enjoy your breakfast and brunches.
6. SENSARTE Nonstick Griddle Grill Pan
Here’s a griddle pan that gives you more out of a single purchase. The griddle is reversible which means you can cook on a smooth surface or flip it up and get scrumptious sears on your meat. It also has a grease trap on the side which comes especially handy for a flat griddle like this.
It’s compact and easy to store but at the same time long enough to cover 2 stovetops. And since it is 1 flat slate of a utensil, cleaning becomes a breeze. The only issue, if we have to pick one, is the lack of handles. Of course, this shouldn’t be a problem for a seasoned home cook; one who instinctively grabs their mittens anytime they have to handle a hot pan. However, if you are just starting with a griddle, make sure you keep oven mitts handy.
7. HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Griddle Pan
The HexClad nonstick griddle pan is made of stainless steel with a 3-ply aluminum coating. So, this griddle pan has the best of both worlds. It can heat quickly because of the 3-ply aluminum and has even heat distribution because of the stainless steel.
Both metals are safe for cooking at high temperatures up to 500°F and the lid can sustain up to 400°F. The product is quite sturdy and has gained a loyal set of buyers. It is currently rated 4.5 stars on Amazon.
Conclusion
So, here’s our list of the best nonstick griddle pans of 2024. We have provided a range of products, without limiting ourselves to traditional nonstick materials like Teflon. As mentioned above, with the right amount of heat and oil, any griddle can become nonstick. The products we chose prioritize your health, well-being and makes a mean barbeque, all at the same time!
