What Is a Sheet Pan Used For?

At Caraway , we know a good sheet pan is more than just a catch-all for messy bakes and midweek dinners. It’s an incredibly versatile tool that is sturdy enough for high-heat roasting, slick enough for easy release, and built to handle everything from crisped veggies to baked goods.

If you’re wondering what exactly a sheet pan is used for—or how to actually make the most of it—you’re in the right place. We’re breaking down the basics, sharing some smart tips, and helping you turn this everyday essential into a go-to favorite.

What Is a Sheet Pan?

A sheet pan is a flat, rectangular metal pan with raised edges on all four sides —designed to go straight in the oven. It’s commonly used for baking and roasting, but what makes it stand out from other pans is its shape and versatility.

Unlike a baking dish, which usually has taller sides and is better for casseroles or anything with liquid, a sheet pan has shallow edges (typically about an inch high) that allow air to circulate more freely. This helps food cook more evenly and get that crisp, golden finish.

It also gives you more surface area to spread things out, so your veggies roast instead of steam and your cookies don’t melt into each other. Sheet pans also differ from things like roasting pans or skillets.

A roasting pan is deep and bulky, usually with a rack for big cuts of meat. A skillet is for stovetop cooking. A sheet pan? It's your go-to for oven cooking that needs space, airflow, and structure, but not a deep pool of sauce or oil.

What Are Sheet Pans Used For?

You know what a sheet pan is, but what exactly is it used for? Turns out, these humble kitchen essentials can handle way more than just cookies and roasted veggies.

Here are some clever ways to put your sheet pan to work:

Batch Cooking and Meal Prep

If you like to plan ahead, a sheet pan is your best friend. Use it to roast big batches of chicken thighs, roasted vegetables, or even seasoned tofu for easy, mix-and-match meal prep. Just spread everything out in a single layer, season well, and let the oven do the work. Once everything’s cooled, portion it into containers for quick, balanced meals all week.

Reheating Leftovers Without the Microwave

If you’re not a fan of soggy, microwaved leftovers, a sheet pan is the way to go. It’s perfect for reheating pizza, fries, roasted veggies, and just about anything else that needs a little crisping up. Simply pop it in a hot oven for a few minutes, and you’ll have leftovers that taste almost as good as the day they were made.

Making Big Batches of Breakfast

Hosting brunch or just feeding a hungry crowd? Use your sheet pan to make a big batch of scrambled eggs, frittatas, or even oven-baked pancakes. You can also lay out bacon or sausage in a single layer for crispy results without the stovetop splatter. Bonus: it frees up your burners for other breakfast essentials like hash browns or homemade pancakes.

Cooling and Drying

Sheet pans aren’t just for baking. Use them as oversized cooling racks for cookies, cakes, or freshly fried foods. They also come in handy for drying herbs, air-drying washed fruits and veggies, or even draining tofu before cooking.

Conclusion

So, what exactly are sheet pans used for? As it turns out, a lot. From roasting and reheating to batch cooking and baking, these versatile kitchen tools can handle just about anything you throw at them. They’re perfect for high-heat cooking, prepping big batches, and even air-drying fresh produce.

Of course, not all sheet pans are built the same. At Caraway , we make ours with a naturally non-stick, ceramic-coated steel that’s free of toxic chemicals like PFOA, PTFE, and other forever chemicals.

They’re designed for real-life cooking, with sturdy construction that won’t warp or twist, and a naturally slick surface for easy food release and quick cleanup. Plus, our pans come in a range of chic shades, so they look as good as they cook.

If you’re ready to upgrade your bakeware, check out our Baking Sheet Trio —three perfectly sized, non-toxic sheet pans designed to handle everything from small batch cookies to full sheet pan dinners. Because when it comes to cooking clean, every detail counts.

Sources:

Sheet Pans Aren't Cookie Sheets: A Baking Sheet Explainer | Serious Eats

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven | Food & Wine

What To Use If You Don't Have a Roasting Pan | The Spruce Eats