In my guide to the best stir fry pans, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the types of materials, pan shapes, and nonstick treatments. I even included one of all-time favorites, the GreenPan Ceramic Non-Stick Wok!
The next time you’re craving Chinese food, don’t call for delivery! With one of the best stir fry pans, you can make a delicious noodle-based dish, complete with some essential ingredients you likely already have in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. Whether you opt for my easy veggie stir fry or my garlic chicken one, it’s a great way to use up leftover veggies and protein.
Ahead, check out all the details on the best stir fry pans and the qualities to look for when choosing one for your kitchen.
My Top Picks:
- In My Kitchen: GreenPan Ceramic Coated Nonstick Wok Pan – $46.07 at Amazon
- Best Enameled Cast Iron Stir Fry Pan: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Skillet – $60 at Amazon
- Best Non-Stick Stir Fry Pan: GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Coated Fry Pan – $59.99 at Wayfair
- Best Wok: Calphalon Signature Non-Stick Flat-Bottom Wok – $109.95 at Amazon
- Best Budget Stir Fry Pan: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Skillet – $37.53 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Stir Fry Pans
1. In My Kitchen: GreenPan Ceramic Non-Stick Wok Pan
The best pan to cook stir fry is one that has plenty of room for ingredients without overcrowding or sticking. I love the GreenPan brand because everything I’ve tried has been great quality, durable, and affordable, and this ceramic-coated, nonstick wok pan is no exception.
It’s safe to use with metal utensils, so you don’t have to worry about scratching the non-stick (and Teflon-free) surface — this is especially nice if you’re making your stir fry sauce in the pan and want to stir ingredients around!
My Tips:
This pan is metal-utensil safe, but to make sure the ceramic coating stays in great shape, I like to use silicone utensils. My favorites are the Chef Craft Spatula and Chef Craft Spoonula.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 11 inches
- Weight: 2.22 pounds
- Material: Anodized aluminum with ceramic non-stick coating, stainless steel handle
- Heat sources: Gas, electric
- Cleaning: Hand wash recommended, dishwasher safe
The Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Even heat
- Non-toxic, nonstick coating
- Oven-safe
The Cons:
- Not induction-cooktop friendly
Buy the GreenPan Chatham Hard-Anodized Ceramic Non-Stick Wok Pan:
2. Best Enameled Cast Iron Stir Fry Pan: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron is so versatile — you can whip up my amazing pepper steak stir fry to get the perfect seared edges or use it for an oven-baked skillet cookie, and the cast iron retains heat to keep ingredients warm. This super popular cast iron skillet from Lodge is a great pick thanks to its decent-sized diameter (11 inches) and versatility (it can go in the oven at up to 500˚F!).
It also has an enamel coating, so you don’t have to season it like a regular cast iron pan, which is a HUGE bonus if you’re someone who loves a low-maintenance pan. It’s also protected from rusting, but just make sure you hand wash it instead of popping it in the dishwasher.
The Specs:
- Diameter: 11 inches
- Weight: 7.67 pounds
- Material: Enameled cast iron
- Heat sources: Gas, electric, oven, induction
- Cleaning: Recommended hand washing only
The Pros:
- Great heat distribution and retention
- Versatile
- Easy to use
- Oven-safe
- Comes in two fun colors (blue or red)
The Cons:
- Heavy
- No non-stick coating
- Hand wash only
What Others Are Saying:
This skillet has a 4.2-star rating from more than 900 Amazon shoppers.
Buy the Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Skillet:
3. Best Non-Stick Stir Fry Pan: GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Non-Stick Fry Pan
I love my GreenPan wok, but a frying pan is just as great for preparing something like easy fried rice. With this popular ceramic-coated pick (the base is hard-anodized aluminum), you can easily spread all your ingredients out (think leftover rice, veggies, and your protein of choice) so they all get a little crispy without sticking to the pan. Yum! This pan can also be used with metal utensils and is oven-safe up to 600˚F.
The Specs:
- Diameter: 11 inches
- Weight: 1.34 pounds
- Material: Hard-anodized aluminum with ceramic non-stick coating, stainless steel handle
- Heat sources: Gas, electric, glass, induction
- Cleaning: Dishwasher safe
The Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Heats quickly
- Lightweight
- Teflon-free coating
- Multiple size options
The Cons:
- High cooking temperatures can affect the ceramic coating
- Not induction-cooktop friendly
What Others Are Saying:
This GreenPan pick was named the best non-stick ceramic fry pan by America’s Test Kitchen. It also received an award from Good Housekeeping for sustainable innovation.
Buy the GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Non-Stick Fry Pan:
4. Best Wok: Calphalon Signature Non-Stick Flat-Bottom Wok with Cover
This wok from Calphalon is a nice investment piece for your kitchen. I love that the traditional, flat bottom design works well on electric stoves, which is especially great for quickly cooking up meals like my Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry.
The hard-anodized interior is super durable, too, while the non-stick coating will ensure every last ingredient ends up on your plate. It’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, plus it comes with a glass lid so you can check your progress without letting essential heat out.
The Specs:
- Diameter: 12 inches
- Weight: 3.3 pounds (5.7 pounds with lid)
- Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, stainless steel handle
- Heat sources: Gas, electric, glass, halogen
- Cleaning: Hand wash recommended, dishwasher safe
The Pros:
- Cool-touch handles
- Easy to clean
- Deep bottom
- Comes with a lid
- Durable design
The Cons:
- Not broiler safe
- It is more expensive than other options on my list
What Others Are Saying:
This Calphalon wok has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon from more than 1,300 shoppers.
Buy the Calphalon Signature Non-Stick Flat-Bottom Wok with Cover:
5. Best Budget Stir Fry Pan: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Skillet
One of the best frying pans for stir fry is this skillet from Cuisinart. Beyond its affordable price point, it has features that compete with some of the more expensive picks on my list — for instance, the cool-grip handle, drip-free pouring design, and oven-safe design up to 500 ̊F. Like some of the other options I picked, the non-stick coating is titanium reinforced without PFOA or PTFE, so it’s free from chemicals.
The Specs:
- Diameter: 12 inches diameter
- Weight: 4.3 pounds
- Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, stainless steel handle
- Heat sources: Gas, electric
- Cleaning: Hand wash only
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Oven-safe
The Cons:
- Customers report that it can scratch easily
- Harder to clean
Buy the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Hard-Anodized Skillet:
Other Stir Fry Pans I’ve Researched
Yosukata Flat Bottom Wok Pan
Made of carbon steel, a common material for traditional woks, this flat-bottom pan is designed for both indoor and outdoor cooking, so you can whip up something tasty on the grill or even a campfire! It comes pre-seasoned, but like cast iron, it requires regular seasoning to keep it in good shape. This wok pan is also hand-wash only, so it generally requires a bit more upkeep than other pans. The Yosukata Flat Bottom Wok Pan is available on Amazon for $59.99.
All-Clad Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Fry Pan
This non-stick fry pan is compatible with gas, electric, glass, and induction stovetops. It’s also broiler-safe up to 500°F, so you can do a quick, crispy finish in the oven. Made by iconic cooking brand All-Clad, this pick is easy to use thanks to the helper handle for added stability, but customers reported the long handle is uncomfortable to hold onto. Also, this model uses a PTFE non-stick treatment that can release chemicals when scratched, so you should stick with silicone, nylon, or wood utensils. The All-Clad Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Fry Pan is available at Amazon for $99.95.
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Stir Fry Pan
Cuisinart is pretty well known for its line of small kitchen appliances, but the brand has cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and other tools to round out your kitchen at affordable prices. This 12.5-inch pan is a great entry-level option, but it doesn’t rise above the rest as the best wok, especially because of its loftier price point. The Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Hard-Anodized Stir Fry Pan is available at Amazon for $69.99.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Shallow Fry Pan
This enameled fry pan from Le Creuset is great for cooking everything from stir fry to scrambled eggs. It’s a lovely addition to the kitchen, but this pan is pretty expensive, and considering its mid-range reviews from other customers, it’s not clear that the value is there for the price. The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Shallow Fry Pan is available at Williams Sonoma for $175.
Lodge Bold Cast Iron Pan
This cast iron pan comes pre-seasoned and ready to work. It offers even heat distribution and is super versatile (cook stir fry AND skillet cookies), but it’s heavy and requires extra effort to maintain the seasoning for the best cooking results. The Lodge Bold Cast Iron Pan is available at Amazon for $49.90.
HexClad Hybrid Stainless Steel Non-Stick Wok
This 12-inch wok is compatible with electric, gas, and induction stovetops, is oven-safe up to 500°F, and has a laser-etched non-stick surface that is endorsed by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Stainless steel has a tendency to stain, though, so even though it’s dishwasher safe, it may take some extra effort to keep it looking good. The HexClad Hybrid Stainless Steel Non-stick Wok is available at Walmart for $144.
Why You Can Trust Me
My family and I love a good stir fry, and I always have the best time making them because I can use up any ingredients I have on hand to craft a tasty, healthy meal. Stir fry is a great way to get more vegetables in our diet, and the different flavor combinations are so fun to explore. We love adding proteins to our stir fry, too, so having the right pan to cook veggies and meats evenly is essential.
That’s what inspired me to research the best pans for stir fry — whether you want a traditional wok, a versatile skillet, or a handy frying pan, there are a ton of great options out there. When I began to narrow down my list of the best options, I took a look at some of the most popular brands and models, read through tons of customer reviews, and took some other factors into account, like size, material, and non-stick coating.
What to Know About Stir Fry Pans
What to Consider Before Buying a Stir Fry Pan
There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing a stir fry pan, like the size, material, weight, ease of cleaning, and type of heat source that it’s recommended for.
- Size: If you’re cooking for one or two people, a smaller pan (8-10 inches) is a good diameter. But 12-14 inches will give you plenty of space to work without the pan feeling unwieldy if you’re cooking stir fry for a family or making big batches for leftovers.
- Weight: Once loaded with ingredients, stir fry pans can feel heavy. Cast iron pans tend to be heavier than aluminum, and both often feature a helper handle to make it easier to manage the weight. Make sure you choose a stir fry pan that won’t be too heavy to maneuver while cooking.
- Material: You’ll see pans made of hard-anodized aluminum, cast iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel. Stainless steel generally isn’t non-stick, so it’s not ideal for cooking stir fry unless you use a lot of oil. Meanwhile, carbon steel and cast iron often need to be seasoned between uses to maintain cooking performance, with the exception of enameled cast iron. Aluminum pans are generally the lightest option but have a bunch of different non-stick coatings. I prefer ceramic because it’s chemical-free, but it ultimately depends on what you like using in the kitchen!
- Heat sources: Most pans will work with the average gas or electric stove. However, if you have an induction cooktop, you definitely need to look for a stir fry pan that’s designed for that.
- Cleaning: Do you want to hand-wash your pan every time you use it, or do you like to be able to put it through the dishwasher? Some pans are dishwasher safe, but the manufacturers recommend hand washing to preserve the non-stick finish.
What is the Difference Between a Wok and a Stir Fry Pan?
Wok: A wok is a round, deep, and wide bowl-shaped pan with a flat bottom designed to concentrate heat for searing ingredients, allowing you to cook a bit quicker. It’s also worth noting that a wok heats up and cools down rapidly, and it’s easy to overcrowd the ingredients, so it’s a bit harder to cook food evenly for home chefs who are new to using a wok.
Stir Fry Pan: A stir fry pan is flat and shallow with a wider bottom so that sauces can sit in an even layer. Woks and stir fry pans can both be used to make a great stir fry but may require some trial and error to ensure even cooking for the best results.
In general, if you’re new to cooking stir fry, I would recommend a stir fry pan instead of a wok.
What is the Best Material for Stir Fry?
The best material for a stir fry pan is something you’ll use regularly and gives you the results you’re looking for. If it requires special treatment that you’re not interested in doing, then you’re unlikely to reach for that pan.
- Carbon Steel: Many chefs and cooks swear by carbon steel as the best material for stir fry because it’s lightweight and resilient, but it may also require extra effort — like seasoning and special washing instructions — to maintain the pan. Cast iron is also popular for stir fry because of its ability to retain heat, but like carbon steel, standard cast iron requires seasoning and careful washing. Enamel-coated cast iron is a bit easier to work with.
- Hard-anodized aluminum: Hard-anodized aluminum has become popular with home chefs because it’s lightweight and durable. Anodized aluminum has undergone a process to make the material safe (it does not have health concerns as standard aluminum does), but also thicker and more durable to create a hard, non-stick, and scratch-resistant surface ideal for cooking stir fry.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is perfect for searing protein, cooking veggies, and making sauces, but starchy foods like noodles and rice can stick to it. This means you should be careful when tossing them in at the end of a recipe to coat them with the yummy sauce in your stir fry.
What Kind of Pan is Best for Stir Fry?
By and large, chefs tend to prefer using a wok-style pan for stir fry because the tall sides make it easy to pull ingredients up and away from the concentrated heat at the bottom. There’s also plenty of room for stirring everything together without anything sloshing over the edge of the pan.
However, when your kitchen is short on storage, a standard skillet-style pan is sufficient for making stir fry. Just keep in mind how many people you’re cooking for and select the appropriate-sized pan so you have room to work.
How to Cook Chicken Stir Fry in a Pan
- Heat pan with oil
- Add aromatics like garlic, ginger, and chilis
- Add longer-cooking ingredients like chicken (or other proteins)
- Add shorter-cooking ingredients like broccoli, snow peas, or bell peppers
- Add the sauce
- Have noodles ready to toss in to coat or rice to serve on the side
- Prep garnishes to top your stir fry, like sesame seeds or chopped green onion.
My family loves garlic chicken stir fry and hoisin chicken.
Some of My Favorite Stir Fry Recipes
I love that stir fry can be a complete meal by itself, but I also love adding egg rolls, fruit salad, and cream cheese wontons on the side for a restaurant-style experience!
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
from The Recipe Critic https://ift.tt/eqZV51T
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