--- title: "Sheet pan: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "A sheet pan is a flat, rimmed metal baking tray for cookies, roasted vegetables and one-pan dinners. Here are the common sizes and how to use one well." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sheet-pan" --- # Sheet pan A sheet pan is a flat, rimmed metal baking tray for cookies, roasted vegetables and one-pan dinners. Here are the common sizes and how to use one well. Also called Baking sheet, Baking tray, Rimmed baking sheet, Half sheet pan, Oven tray. A sheet pan is a flat metal tray with a low rim, about 2.5 cm (1 in) high, all the way around. It is the most used pan in many kitchens: for cookies, [roasted](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roast) vegetables, chicken pieces, granola, toasting nuts, and whole dinners cooked on one tray. In the UK it is called a baking tray. A flat cookie sheet with no rim, or a rim on one side only, is a different pan. ## How to use it Common sizes: | Name | Size | | ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | | Full sheet | 46 x 66 cm (18 x 26 in), too big for most home ovens | | Half sheet | 33 x 46 cm (13 x 18 in), the standard home size | | Quarter sheet | 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in) | 1. Line it with [parchment paper](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/parchment-paper) or a [silicone baking mat](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/silicone-baking-mat) for anything sticky or sugary. For crisp roasted vegetables, oil the pan directly or use parchment, since a mat browns less. 2. Spread food in one layer with space between pieces. 3. For crisp meat or anything you want dry all over, set a [wire rack](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/wire-rack) inside the pan. 4. Turn the pan halfway through cooking, since most ovens have hot spots. ## Substitutes A shallow roasting pan for meat and vegetables. A flat cookie sheet for cookies only. In a Swedish oven, the deep [långpanna](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/langpanna) does the same jobs. ## Common mistakes * Overcrowding. Vegetables steam and go soft instead of browning. Use two pans if needed. * Using a thin pan at high heat. It warps with a loud bang and food slides. Heavy aluminum pans stay flat. * Running cold water over a hot pan. That also warps it. * Using a dark pan without checking early. Dark metal browns cookie bottoms faster. * Putting a full sheet in a home oven. It may not fit, or it blocks air flow. ## In recipes "Baking sheet" in a US recipe usually means a rimmed half sheet. "Lined baking tray" in a UK recipe means a tray covered with baking paper. ## Recipes made with it 830 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Chicken-Eggplant-Parmesan-9.jpg)Chicken Eggplant Parmesanwww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chicken-eggplant-parmesan/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Old-Bay-Sheen-Pan-Shrimp-with-Corn-and-Tomatoes-5.jpg)Old Bay Sheet Pan Shrimp with Corn and Tomatoeswww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/sheet-pan-shrimp-with-corn-and-tomatoes/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/Roasted-Chickpeas_09.jpg)Roasted Chickpeaswww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/roasted-chickpea-snack-2-pts/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Vegan-Egplant-Meatballs.jpg)Vegan Eggplant Meatballswww.skinnytaste.com · 80 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/vegan-eggplant-meatballs/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Roasted-Asparagus-1-4.jpg)Roasted Asparagus Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/roasted-asparagus-0-pts/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/EggplantMeatballs.jpg)Eggplant Meatballswww.skinnytaste.com · 50 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/eggplant-meatballs/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Strawberry-Kiwi-Pavlova_17.jpg)Pavlovawww.skinnytaste.com · 75 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/strawberry-kiwi-pavlovas/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cheesy-Stuffed-Chicken-Breast-with-Zucchini-8.jpg)Cheesy Stuffed Chicken Breast with Zucchiniwww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/cheesy-stuffed-chicken-breast-with-zucchini/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/Blueberry-Scones-3.jpg)Low Fat Blueberry Sconeswww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/low-fat-blueberry-scones/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Lemon-Blueberry-Buttermilk-Sheet-Pancakes-3.jpg)Lemon Blueberry Buttermilk Sheet Pan Pancakeswww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/lemon-blueberry-sheet-pan-pancakes/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Foil-Packet-Spice-Rubbed-Fish-with-Watermelon-Salsa-14.jpg)Foil Packet Spice Rubbed Fish with Watermelon Salsawww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/foil-packet-spice-rubbed-fish-with-watermelon-salsa/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Roasted-Red-Kuri-Coconut-Curry-Soup.jpg)Roasted Red Kuri Coconut Curry Soupwww.skinnytaste.com · 100 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/roasted-red-kuri-coconut-curry-soup/) ## Related terms * [RoastRoasting cooks meat or vegetables uncovered in a hot oven, so dry heat browns the outside and concentrates flavor while the inside cooks through.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roast) * [Parchment paperParchment paper is silicone-coated, heat-resistant paper that stops food sticking to pans. Here is how to line a pan and how it differs from wax paper.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/parchment-paper) * [Wire rackA wire rack lets air reach every side of food, so cakes and bread cool without going soggy and roasted food stays crisp. Here is how to use one.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/wire-rack) * [Silicone baking matA silicone baking mat is a reusable nonstick sheet that lines baking trays in place of parchment paper. Here is what it does well, and when not to use it.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/silicone-baking-mat) * [LångpannaA långpanna is the deep rectangular tray that comes with a Swedish oven, used for traybakes and sheet cakes. Here is its size and swaps.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/langpanna) * [Roasting panA roasting pan is a large, heavy pan with low sides and often a rack, for roasting meat and vegetables. Here is how to use it and make gravy in it.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/roasting-pan) [More in equipment](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/equipment)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)