PanSpanMini Popover Pan
Which mini popover pan will give me airy, easy-to-release bites for brunch or a roast dinner?
I’d choose the Chicago Metallic 12-cup pan for most home cooks: its linked, separated cups are designed to let heat circulate, and it gives you a full batch in one go. For smaller portions or a different pan shape, Nordic Ware makes clearly petite bites, while Proshopping’s six individual molds suit a small batch or a serve-yourself presentation. The right pan helps, but popovers still need a hot oven and a light touch when you release them; here’s how I’d choose without turning a muffin tin into a frustrating substitute.
#1 · Chicago Metallic
Chicago Metallic 26121 Professional 12-Cup Non-Stick Mini-Popover Pan, 16-Inch-by-10.75-Inch
Take this for brunches, holiday meals, or regular batch baking. The connected wells are arranged to encourage airflow, and the nonstick surface helps delicate popovers release without tearing.
#2 · Fox Run
Fox Run Linking Mini Popover Pan, Carbon Steel, Nonstick, 12 Mini Cups | Bake Popovers & Yorkshire Pudding | Easy Release Nonstick | Consistent Results | 12 Mini Cup Pop Over Baking Pan
Choose Fox Run if you want a 12-cup linked pan with deep, separated cups and a carbon-steel body. It’s also a sensible pick for Yorkshire puddings and other individual bakes.
#3 · Nordic Ware
Nordic Ware Cast Aluminum Petite Popover Pan 1/4 Cup Each, 12 Cavity, Silver/Gray
Choose Nordic Ware when you want petite, bite-size popovers rather than larger mini portions. Its 12 cavities and nonstick coating make it a straightforward option for a small passed bite or a varied brunch spread.
#4 · Norpro
Norpro Nonstick Mini Popover Pan, 12 Count
Choose Norpro if you want 12 deep, tapered cups and like having recipes and instructions included. It’s a versatile choice for Yorkshire puddings as well as sweet bakes.
#5 · Proshopping
Proshopping Aluminum Small Popover Pans, Yorkshire Pudding Tin, Muffin Pan | Individual Mini Deep Cupcake Baking Mold, Brownie Tumbler, Pack of 6 (Size 2.9"x 2.2")
Choose Proshopping for six individual molds rather than a connected 12-cup tray. The aluminum molds are not nonstick-coated, so this is for cooks comfortable using a little extra care to release each bake.
Do I need a connected 12-cup pan or individual molds?
For a gathering, I’d take the Chicago Metallic or Fox Run: one tray gives you a dozen bakes at once, with linked cups designed to leave space for air circulation. Proshopping’s six molds make more sense for a smaller batch or when you want to set individual portions out separately. They take up less of a single baking footprint, but you’ll be handling each mold on its own.
Will a mini muffin tin make the same kind of popover?
Not reliably. Popovers depend on batter expanding quickly into a hollow, airy center, and a regular mini muffin cup is not shaped for the same rise. I’d use the deeper, purpose-made cups on the Chicago Metallic, Fox Run, or Norpro rather than substituting a muffin tin when that tall, crisp result is the point.
Which pan is easiest to release and clean?
For the easiest release, I’d start with Chicago Metallic or Fox Run, both of which have nonstick coatings. Deep wells still need careful greasing and a little patience: loosen around the edge with a non-scratch utensil, then lift gently. Hand washing is the kinder routine for coated bakeware, especially around the joins and narrow spaces between cups.
How should I handle recipes that call for a very hot oven?
Match the recipe to the pan’s own temperature guidance rather than assuming every coated pan can take the same heat. The Proshopping molds are rated up to 446°F, so I would not use them for a recipe calling for 450°F. For an empty-pan preheat, follow the pan’s instructions; if you don’t have guidance for that step, don’t guess.
How they compare
Which one is yours
Chicago Metallic: You want the best all-round choice for full batches, with a linked design intended to improve airflow and a nonstick surface for delicate release.
Fox Run: You want a 12-cup linked pan with deep separated cups and carbon-steel construction.
Nordic Ware: You want distinctly petite portions for a cocktail bite, starter, or small dessert.
Norpro: You want 12 deep, tapered wells and included recipe guidance.
Proshopping: You prefer six separate molds for a smaller batch or individual serving presentation, and are willing to handle release carefully.
You will also want
A few simple kitchen tools make hot-pan handling and cleanup easier. I’d prioritize protection from the oven and a gentle scrubber for the coated cups.
KITCHENAID Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt 2-Pack Set, 7.5"x13", Milkshake Tan
Oven mitts make it easier to handle a hot tray securely when moving a batch in or out of the oven.
Extra Thick Silicone Trivet Mat for Hot Dishes, Hot Pots and Pans, Pot Holder, Hot Pad to Protect Your Table and Countertop, Kitchen Decor and Accessories,Navy Blue, Set of 3
A silicone trivet gives the hot pan a protected place to rest while you loosen and serve the popovers.
Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch Scrub Sponge, 6 Pack | Kitchen Sponges for Cleaning Home, Bathroom, Effective + Gentle Dish Scrubber, Safe on Nonstick surfaces
A zero-scratch sponge is a good choice for washing coated wells without using an abrasive scrubber.
Premium Kitchen Towels 6 Pack 100% Cotton, 20"x28" Dish Towels - Grey | Large Flat & Terry Kitchen Linen Set with Hanging Loops, Highly Absorbent for Washing and Drying Dishes
Kitchen towels are handy for drying the pan after hand washing, especially around the connected edges and cup bases.
Questions buyers ask
Can I preheat a nonstick popover pan at 450°F?
There isn’t one safe temperature limit for every coated pan, so don’t assume a nonstick surface is suitable for a 450°F oven or an empty-pan preheat. Follow the pan’s own temperature guidance and the recipe; the Proshopping molds are rated to 446°F, so they are not the pick for a 450°F recipe.
How do I stop mini popovers sticking in deep cups?
Grease the wells thoroughly, including the sides, and let the popovers set before trying to remove them.
Is a Yorkshire pudding tin different from a mini popover pan?
They’re closely related: both bake individual portions of a batter that rises in a hot oven. Several of these pans can be used for Yorkshire puddings, but follow the recipe’s heat and pan-preheating directions alongside the pan’s own guidance.
Are any of these mini popover pans cast iron?
No cast-iron option is among these picks. If you want to stay with this selection, choose a 12-cup tray for a batch or the individual aluminum molds for separate servings.
Are these pans PTFE-free?
Don’t treat the words “nonstick” or “hard-anodized” as a PTFE-free claim. If avoiding PTFE is essential, choose a pan whose coating is explicitly identified as PTFE-free rather than guessing from its finish.
Can I put a mini popover pan in the dishwasher?
Chicago Metallic is marked dishwasher-safe, though hand washing is recommended to help preserve its coating. For the other pans here, use hand washing as the safe routine; it also makes it easier to clean around deep wells and between connected cups.