The 5 Best Ceramic Frying Pans

Cooks who want to prevent foods from sticking to their frying pans without using copious amounts of butter or cooking oil know that nonstick ceramic pans are a great option. The best ceramic frying pans have a PFOA-free nonstick coating to prevent food from getting stuck, and a solid metal base that heats up quickly and evenly.

Contrary to their name, ceramic nonstick pans aren’t really made from ceramic. Instead, their coating is derived from sand and silicon, which produces a glossy finish and helps food slide around. Using high-heat and metal utensils on your ceramic pan may degrade this coating, so it’s best to stick to lower temperatures, and use wood or silicone utensils.

Most ceramic pans have an aluminum or steel base that conducts heat well without weighing it down too much. Some pans will also have a magnetic layer in the base that makes them compatible with induction cooktops, but not all do — so be sure to double check this if you have an induction stove. Some pans are safe to use on both gas and electric cooktops as well as in the oven, depending on what material the handle is made of, and how temperature sensitive the ceramic coating is. Many of the selections on this list are also dishwasher-safe, although hand-washing will best preserve any nonstick coating over time.

With all of this in mind, here are some of the best ceramic frying pans you can buy right now, and they're all available on Amazon.

1. The Best Overall

• Material: Aluminum
• Oven safe: Up to 450 degrees
• Size: 8 inches, 11 inches, and 12 inches

This 8-inch copper frying pan from Michelangelo has an ergonomic steel handle that stays cool while cooking and comes with a convenient glass lid. The base is made from an aluminum alloy that heats up evenly and is compatible with induction cooktops. The scratch-resistant cooking surface is coated with a PFOA- and PTFE-free ceramic coating and has an elegant copper color.

This pan is dishwasher-safe, but the manufacturer recommends hand-washing whenever possible. Michelangelo also sells an 11-inch and 12-inch pan if you want to build your own nonstick set or if you prefer a larger size. Reviewers love how easy it is to clean this pan, but recommended cooking over lower temperatures to get the best nonstick performance.

One reviewer wrote: “These pans are the best, they heat evenly, and you do not have to worry about the pan rocking on the stovetop because it sits flat. (I have a glass-top stove) These pans are very easy to clean, they aren't heavy and I love the look of the pans.”

2. The Best Large Ceramic Nonstick Pan

• Material: Aluminum
• Oven safe: Up to 600 degrees
• Size: 12 inches

This sleek ceramic pan from GreenPan is large enough for a family-size stir-fry and comes with a convenient glass lid. The midnight color will look stunning in any kitchen, and this pan has exceptional performance as well.

The diamond-infused ceramic coating is PFAS-, PFOA-, lead-, and cadmium-free, so it’s extra durable and safe to use without worrying about toxic fumes. The pan has an aluminum base and is oven safe up to 600 degrees, with an ergonomic steel handle for ease of use. This pan is not induction compatible, but the anodized base is scratch-resistant and designed to stand up to heavy daily use. This pan is also dishwasher-safe and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

One reviewer wrote: “I love anything GreenPan! I feel safe cooking and baking with their products. This fry pan is the perfect size for my husband and myself and yet works for when we entertain, as well. So easy to clean, I will only use GreenPan products now.”

3. The Best Budget Ceramic Frying Pan

— Also available on Kohls, $30

• Material: Aluminum
• Oven safe: Up to 850 degrees
• Size: 8 inches

This diamond-infused nonstick pan from Blue Diamond is 8 inches wide, which is perfect for sautéing vegetables or whipping up a batch of sunny-side-up eggs. Its ceramic coating is PFOA-, lead- and cadmium-free, so it won’t release any toxic fumes if it’s accidentally overheated.

The base is made from sturdy forged aluminum, so it’s not magnetic and not compatible with induction stovetops, but the diamond-infused coating increases the pan’s durability as well as helps the cooking surface heat up evenly. This pan is super versatile to use as well, since it’s oven- and broiler-safe up to 850 degrees and is dishwasher-safe, too. The manufacturer recommends using a few drops of a high-smoke point oil (like avocado oil or sunflower oil) to help keep the pan slick throughout many uses.

Reviewers noted that in order to get the best performance, you should hand-wash this pan and avoid using metal utensils on its surface.

One reviewer wrote: “This skillet is perfect! I have an induction cooktop and it works great with this skillet. Very even heat distribution. I’ve fried potatoes in this twice and there has been no sticking at all! I’m so happy with it that I’m ordering the sauté pan so I can have a larger size to hold more food as I prep for a larger gathering. Very happy with this skillet.”

4. The Best Value Ceramic Nonstick Set

• Material: Aluminum
• Oven safe: Up to 350 degrees
• Sizes: 9.5 inches (fry pan), 11 inches (griddle), 1 quart (saucepan)

This four-piece ceramic nonstick set from GreenLife is great for those buying their first cookware set or for equipping a new kitchen. The set comes with a versatile 9.5-inch fry pan, an 11-inch griddle, and a 1-quart saucepan with a glass lid.

The rivet-less aluminum construction heats up quickly, is easy to clean, and has a PFAS-, PFOA-, lead-, and cadmium-free ceramic coating that won’t release fumes even if accidentally overheated. The recycled aluminum base is not induction stovetop compatible, but it's thick enough to resist warping and wobbling. The stay-cool handle on these pans lends a pop of bright color but makes them less oven-friendly, as they can only withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this set is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

For best results, GreenLife recommends only using soft silicone or wood utensils and cooking over low heat with these pans.

One reviewer wrote: “At my age, I only try to buy the best products for the best prices. Wish I had this set years ago. I care about what is best for me plus the clean up is superb.”

5. The Best Ceramic Nonstick Two-Pan Set

• Material: Aluminum
• Oven safe: Up to 600 degrees

This nonstick frying pan set from GreenPan checks all the right makes and is well worth its price tag. It includes one 10-inch fry pan and a “room-for-everything” 12-inch pan — both of which are suitable for all cooking surfaces including, induction, gas, and electric. You can even throw these pans in the oven up to an impressive 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

As part of GreenPan’s Armored Bodies collection, this set is designed to be scratch-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. The ceramic nonstick surface allows you to use less oil while still achieving excellent heating results, while the Magneto Induction Base delivers uniform heat distribution. You can even throw these pans in the oven up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

One reviewer wrote: “Literally nothing sticks to this pan! I am beyond impressed with the quality of these pans. I've used other ceramic pans before, but they were nothing like the green pan. They clean so easily and food just slides across the surface. Oh, and they heat up so quickly! I will forever buy this brand.”