The Absolute Best Deep-Dish Pizza Pans (2024)

Chicago-style deep dish pizza at home? Yes, please! Find the perfect pizza pan with our round-up.

Attention, Chicago-style pizza enthusiasts!

Are you tired of mediocre deep dish crusts that just don’t live up to the Windy City’s reputation?

Fear not, because we’ve scoured the Internet and rounded up the very best Chicago-style pizza pans out there. That’s right, we haven’t just brought you the best—we’ve brought you the very best.

Forget about soggy crusts or unevenly cooked pies. These pans are specifically designed to bake the thick crust and hold the hearty toppings of a Chicago-style deep dish pizza, and they’ll help you achieve the perfect balance of crispy crust and gooey goodness. Whether you’re a seasoned pizza pro or a novice, we’ve got a pan for you.

So, put on your stretchy pants and get ready to chow down on some seriously delicious deep dish. Without further ado, let’s dive into the very best Chicago-style pizza pans on the market.

Best Deep-Dish Pizza Pans

If you’re in the market for a Chicago-style pizza pan that can handle the heat in more than one way and deliver delicious deep dish pies every time, look no further than our top pick, the LloydPans 12×2.25-Inch Chicago-Style Pizza Pan.

This thick and sturdy pan is made of anodized aluminum in the USA, ensuring it can stand up to regular use and maintain its quality over time. And the best part? It comes pre-seasoned, so you can use it straight out of the box. Simply wash it with hot water and a gentle scrub brush or sponge, dry it thoroughly, and you’re ready to get cooking.

The LloydPans 12×2.25-Inch Chicago-Style Pizza Pan is resistant to sticking, which means your deep dish pies will release without resistance and with minimal mess. And don’t worry about damaging the pan with your metal spatulas or other utensils—this pan is safe to use with all kinds of tools.

The versatility doesn’t stop there, though. This Chicago-style pizza pan can go in the oven, on the grill, or even in a wood-burning pizza oven. So no matter how you prefer to cook your deep dish, this pan has got you covered.

In short, the LloydPans 12×2.25-Inch Chicago-Style Pizza Pan is a reliable and high-quality choice for any deep dish enthusiast. So why wait? Get yours today and start making mouthwatering Chicago-style pizza at home.

Our runner-up, the American Metalcraft 12-Inch Pizza Pan, is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality pan for their Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

This aluminum deep dish pizza pan has straight sides, providing plenty of room for all those delicious toppings and crust. It’s also bare, unseasoned aluminum, which means you’ll need to give it a good seasoning before the first use.

Don’t worry, it’s easier to do than it sounds—wash the pan with dish soap and water, then dab a paper towel in cooking oil and apply a thin layer inside and out. Place the pan upside-down in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 1 hour. This will create a non-stick surface so that the pan to release pies with ease. As an added benefit, it makes cleaning a cinch.

Made in the USA by American Metalcraft, a company that’s been around since the 1940s, the American Metalcraft 12-Inch Pizza Pan is a reliable and durable choice for any deep dish enthusiast. So why wait? Get yours today and start creating delicious Chicago-style pizza at home.

How We Picked

When it came to picking the best Chicago-style pizza pans for our readers, we didn’t mess around. We only selected pans that were manufactured in the USA, because we believe in supporting American manufacturing and jobs.

We also knew that the classic metal for deep-dish pizza is aluminum, so all of our picks had to be made of that material. We wanted the diameter to be wide enough for a hefty and hearty pizza, but also compact enough to fit in most home ovens. Rolled edges were a non-negotiable for us, because nobody likes a sharp, dangerous pizza pan.

But we didn’t just stop there. We also made sure to select pans with high customer ratings, because we know that people’s experiences and opinions are important. We didn’t want to recommend any pans that had a history of problems or complaints, so we made sure to only select the best of the best.

So, why trust our picks? Well, in a word, we did our due diligence and selected only the highest quality products so you won’t have to. Happy deep dish-ing!

What Makes a Deep-Dish Pizza Pan Different?

Ah, the age-old question: what makes Chicago-style pizza pans different from other pizza pans or a pizza stone? The answer is simple: depth, my friends, depth.

While a traditional pizza pan or pizza stone is great for thin crust pies or Neapolitan-style pizzas, they just don’t have the necessary real estate to hold all the deliciousness that is a Chicago-style deep dish pizza. The thick crust, generous toppings, and gooey cheese of a deep dish pie require a pan with some serious depth to hold it all.

That’s where Chicago-style pizza pans come in.

These pans are specifically designed with deep sides to hold all that crust and topping goodness, and they often have a sloped edge to help support the tall sides of the pie. Some are made from durable materials like cast iron or high-fired clay, which help to evenly distribute heat and achieve a perfectly crispy crust.

So, if you’re a fan of Chicago-style deep dish and you want to make it at home, you’ll definitely want to invest in a pan specifically designed for the task. Trust us, your taste buds (and stretchy pants) will thank you.

Using and Caring For a Chicago-Style Pizza Pan

Congratulations on your new Chicago-style pizza pan! You’re on your way to creating delicious deep dish pies that will have your friends and family begging for seconds… and maybe even thirds.

But before you get cooking, it’s important to know how to use and care for your new pan the right way. Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science—read on below, and we’ll walk you through it step by step.

First things first: before using your pan for the first time, be sure to wash it with hot water and a gentle scrub brush or sponge. This will remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated during manufacturing, storage, transportation, and retailing.

Some pans may also need to be seasoned before use, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if this is the case. Once your pan is clean and ready to go, it’s time to get cooking! Preheat your oven to the desired temperature for about 15 minutes. Carefully place your dough in the pan, add your toppings, then place your pan on the middle rack.

Bake according to your recipe’s instructions, and then enjoy!

When it’s time to clean up, the process of cleaning a Chicago-style pizza pan is just as easy. Simply wash your pan with hot water and a gentle scrub brush or sponge, and dry it thoroughly. Some pans may be dishwasher safe, but it’s always best to hand wash to ensure the longevity of your pan.

With a little bit of love and care, your Chicago-style pizza pan will be a reliable and delicious addition to your kitchen for years to come.

Making Chicago-Style Pizza

Of course, you’ll need a deep dish pizza pan. You’ve checked out our round-up of the best Chicago-style pizza pans, so you now have a good starting point to find the one that’s right for you.

Next, gather your ingredients. You’ll need pizza dough (homemade or store-bought), tomato sauce, cheese (mozzarella is traditional, but you can use any variety you like), and your favorite toppings. Some classic Chicago-style toppings include sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers, but feel free to get creative—it’s your pizza.

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While the oven is heating up, lightly grease your pizza pan and stretch your dough to fit the pan. Be sure to press the dough up the sides of the pan to create a bit of a lip—this will help hold all those delicious toppings in place.

Once your dough is in the pan, it’s time to add the toppings. Start with a layer of cheese, followed by your choice of toppings and a final layer of cheese. Then, pour your tomato sauce over the top and smooth it out with a spoon or spatula.

Bake your pie for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving, and, above all, enjoy!

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