10 Best Loaf Pan Substitutes

Do you want to try out a new loaf or jelly roll recipe but you don’t have a loaf pan? Don’t worry! We are here to give you ideas on what you can use instead of a loaf pan.

What to Use Instead of a Loaf Pan?

Nothing is better than a fresh loaf of homemade bread. With the rise of the manufacturing industry, common foods such as bread are made faster and less healthy. This cost-effective process of producing food can lead to a lower quality.

Fortunately, baking in your own house has now been accessible as ever. You don’t even need to go out of the house to buy an oven or a cake pan. You can already have these products at the tip of your fingers.

With that said, a lot of us don’t want to have or can’t afford to have another addition to our kitchen for a lot of reasons. Loaf bread and meatloaf are great, but what if you don’t have a regular loaf pan to cook it on?

You don’t have to worry. We have ten options for you to choose from as a substitute for your loaf pan.

Substitute	Capacities	Remarks
Rectangular Cake Pan	8, 7, 10, 12, 15 cups	Bread, Cakes, Meatloaf, Jelly Roll
Sheet Pan	14, 35, 25, 18, 21 cups	Jelly Rolls, Boule, Braided Bread
Round Cake Pan	1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 cups	Rolls and Bread, Cheese Bread
Jelly Roll Pan	10, 12, 8, 16 cups	Jelly Roll, Meatloaf, Boule
Tube Pan	2, 4, 6, 10, 12 cups	Monkey Bread
Bundt Pan	1, 6, 8, 10, 12 cups	Heavier Cakes, Bread
Cast Iron Skillet	4, 6, 10, 14, 20 cups	Bread, Pies
Casserole Dish	6, 10, 14, 20 cups	Meatloaf, Bread
Muffin Pan	1/8, 1/2, 1 cup	Banana Bread, Muffins

Rectangular Cake Pan

A rectangular cake pan is the closest alternative to a loaf pan. They have the same shape and function. The only thing that is different from a rectangular cake pan is that they have a much shorter depth than a loaf pan.

Rectangular pans are great for baking bread, cakes, and meatloaf. You can even utilize it for a gelatin or jelly roll instead of a loaf pan. It’s also the most accessible type of pan, so if you have an oven, a rectangular cake pan might be already present in your kitchen.

Common Rectangular Cake Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
9″ x 9″ x 2″	8 cups
6″ x 10″ x 2″	7 cups
7″ x 11″ x 2″	10 cups
8″ x 12″ x 2″	12 cups
9″ x 13″ x 2″	15 cups

Sheet Pan

Using flat kitchenware may sound counterproductive but surprisingly, sheet pans are a good substitute for a regular loaf pan. The flat surface is perfect not just for cookies but for baking your bread equally as well.

You can see in this sheet pan jelly roll recipe, they laid the dough flat before putting the jelly and rolling it out.  This method is a great way to compromise for the sheet pan’s lack of depth.

Sheet pans are very accessible as well. There is a big chance that if you have an oven, it might come with a sheet pan.

Other than jelly rolls, you can also use sheet pans to make boule or braided bread.

Common Sheet Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
9″ x 13″	14 cups
18″ x 26″	35 cups
15″ x 21″	25 cups
10″ x 15″	18 cups
12″ x 17″	21 cups

Round Cake Pan

Like the sheet pan, round cake pans are also great for doing rolls and bread. As one of the most accessible pans, you might even have a round cake pan sitting in your kitchen right now.

You can utilize cake pans for a lot of recipes like this round cheese bread.

Common Round Cake Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
4 inches	1 cup
6 inches	2 cups
8 inches	4 cups
9 inches	6 cups
10 inches	8 cups
12 inches	12 cups

Jelly Roll Pan

Jelly roll pans are great for a lot of baked treats other than a jelly roll, you can even make a meatloaf in it!

You can also utilize it like how you use a sheet pan. You can make a lot of bread like a boule or braided loaf in a jelly roll pan.

Common Jelly Roll Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
10.5″ x 15.5″	10 cups
12″ x 17″	12 cups
9″ x 13″	8 cups
14″ x 20″	16 cups

 

Tube Pan

Baking monkey bread without a loaf pan is hard. But, with the help of a tube pan, you can bake your own monkey bread in no time. Even though loaf pans are great for this type of bread, a fluted tube pan will do the job.

The pan’s donut shape will give your bread an even cook. By using the tube pan, you can also have a softer texture due to better heat conduction.

Common Tube Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
5-inch	2 cups
7-inch	4 cups
9-inch	6 cups
10-inch	10 cups
12-inch	12 cups

Bundt Pan

As bundt pan also has the same structure as the tube pan, it’s also a great alternative to a loaf pan. A bundt pan is also used for decorative cakes as it’s constructed to have intricate designs and patterns.

One of the differences is that bundt pan is good for heavier cakes. Keeping the oven to a lower temperature is a great way to ensure your bread will not come out burnt.

Common Bundt Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
Mini	1 cup
Small	6 cups
Medium	8 cups
Large	10 cups
Extra Large	12 cups

Cast Iron Skillet

If you want to bake homemade bread without a loaf pan, cast iron skillets might be the substitute for you. If you are a seasonal camper or a southern baker, you will know that this iron skillet can cook bread and pies well enough. It’s even on par with a baking pan and pie pans.

One of the biggest pros of baking in cast iron is that you can use it without an oven. Iron is a great conductor of heat so letting your bread rise is an easy task.

It can be utilized well in a camping situation where you can just place the skillet on top of the campfire and let your bread bake.

Common Cast Iron Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
6-inch	4 cups
8-inch	6 cups
10-inch	10 cups
12-inch	14 cups
15-inch	20 cups

 

Casserole Dish

Want to make meatloaf without a loaf pan? The casserole dish is here to help. A casserole dish is an incredible substitute for baking bread and meatloaf, two things that are commonly cooked in a loaf pan.

Casserole dish also has a deep surface, great for mimicking the shape of the loaf pan. Note that when using a casserole dish, the depth is much shorter compared to a loaf pan. You will need to bake your bread in a much quicker time.

Common Casserole Dish Size:

Size	Capacity
8×6 inches	6 cups
9×9 inches	10 cups
13×9 inches	14 cups
15×10 inches	20 cups

Muffin Pan

If you want a substitute for loaf dishes such as banana bread, muffin pans are an alternative.

Having a small bite-sized portion is excellent for serving at parties and gatherings. Dividing the banana bread into muffins also ensures that everyone will get the same size.

Common Muffin Pan Size:

Size	Capacity
Mini (1-3/4″)	1/8 cup
Standard (2-3/4″)	1/2 cup
Jumbo (3-1/2″)	1 cup

 

DIY Tin or Foil Pan

Makeshift pans are great for one-time use. If you want to try out a new recipe without buying a new pan, you can make your own. In this substitute, you just need two things: a box and an aluminum foil.

This substitute is perfect for one-time use or if you need an accessible pan.

Do-it-yourself options are easy and cost-effective. With less than a dollar, you can make a makeshift pan. Buying a disposable is also an option as they are very cheap and easy to use.

You can watch this video to see how to make an aluminum pan.

5 Things to Know When Using an Alternative Loaf Pan

Keep Track of Measurements

If you are following a recipe, the measurements of ingredients may differ from the original loaf own to the alternative. Be sure to keep in mind that you need to make adjustments most of the time.

If you want to see different measurement conversions for the basic cake pan, you can read it here.

Shape is Not Important

One of the traits that the loaf pan has is its distinct rectangular shape. The rectangular shape of a loaf pan is very tied to certain baked goods such as banana bread or meatloaf.

Baking is a space for experimenting. You don’t have to stick to having a very rectangular bread. It’s alright to utilize other options like a muffin pan for your recipes.

Most of the time, taste is the primary factor for satisfaction anyways. So, on your next recipe be sure to be creative and get out of your comfort zone.

Although if you want to have rectangular shaped bread without a loaf pan, below are some treats you can bake:

• Braided Bread

You don’t need a loaf pan for this easy yet gorgeous-looking bread. Braided bread can be baked in a rectangular cake or a sheet pan.

• Banana Bread

As one of the most recognizable quick bread, you can use a bundt pan, regular cake pan, or a muffin pan for your banana bread.

• Meatloaf

Although the loaf is in its name, you don’t need a loaf pan to make a meatloaf. A casserole dish or cast-iron skillet can do the job seamlessly.

Oil is Your Bestfriend

When looking for an alternative, you might find one that doesn’t have a non-stick pan surface like a cast-iron skillet. Don’t worry! With a little bit of oil, your baked goods will effortlessly come off. Always keep an oil spray or dab a small amount into tissue paper and spread it into your pan.

Don’t Get Discouraged

Using an option such as a cast-iron skillet or sheet pan will have a slew of differences from using a regular loaf pan. If you want to try using this substitute, be sure to know that there is a learning curve when using new tools and kitchenware. Don’t get discouraged if your baked goods didn’t turn out as planned. You can always try again.

Be Patient

Baking is a process, meaning that some things can go along the way. Be sure to be patient and work through your mistakes. As said above, using an alternative has a learning curve.

If you work hard and stay determined, you will surely know how to bake and share your baked goods with your loved ones.

Common Bread Recipes

Recipe	Dough Using cups	Recommended Cookware
Classic White Bread	6 cups	Rectangular Cake Pan
Whole Wheat Bread	5 cups	Sheet Pan
Sourdough Bread	4 cups	Round Cake Pan
French Baguettes	4 cups	Jelly Roll Pan
Angel Food Cake	3 cups	Tube Pan
Lemon Bundt Bread	4 cups	Bundt Pan
Cornbread	2 cups	Cast Iron Skillet
Banana Nut Bread	3 cups	Casserole Dish
Blueberry Muffins	2 cups	Muffin Pan
Rye Bread	4 cups	Rectangular Cake Pan
Focaccia Bread	3 cups	Sheet Pan
Irish Soda Bread	3 cups	Round Cake Pan
Pumpkin Bread	3 cups	Jelly Roll Pan
Sponge Cake	2.5 cups	Tube Pan
Chocolate Chip Bundt Bread	4 cups	Bundt Pan
Skillet Biscuits	2 cups	Cast Iron Skillet
Zucchini Bread	3 cups	Casserole Dish
Apple Cinnamon Muffins	2 cups	Muffin Pan
Garlic Herb Bread	4 cups	Rectangular Cake Pan
Olive Rosemary Bread	4 cups	Sheet Pan

In Conclusion

There is a lot of options when it comes to loaf pan substitute. With a little bit of determination and ingenuity, you can surely bake your desired treats in no time.

We hope this article helped you with your baking process. If you have questions about baking, be sure to comment.