My Sister-In-Law’s Favorite $30 Pan Is What I’m Gifting the Home Cooks in My Life This Year

It’s now my favorite, too.

Dotdash Meredith

Dotdash Meredith

Pots and pans are staple pieces in the kitchen we tend to hang on to for a long time. They are the backbone of our day-to-day lives, helping us whip together quick scrambles for breakfast, easy quesadillas for lunch, and family favorites for dinner. But because they can be pricier ticket items that take up cabinet space, we don’t update our cookware too often (at least not in my house). That is, until we find a new version we just have to have. Whether it’s a new release from a favorite brand or celeb collab, shiny pots and gleaming pans can be hard to resist.

In my case, the buzz at a recent family dinner about a certain cookware line had me clicking "Buy Now" within minutes.

Let me preface this by saying that I am a big proponent of cast iron (I love my Lodge pan) and stainless steel (my All-Clad pans are a thing of beauty). However, I also need a few reliable nonstick pans in my life to make cooking eggs painless and things like frozen dumplings and fish less messy. They’re a handy addition to my cookware collection, and they’re definitely not all created equal. This is why my sister-in-law’s ringing endorsement of the Ninja NeverStick line came at a great time—right after I had to throw away my last generic nonstick.

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Why We Love Ninja’s NeverStick Cookware

Allrecipes / Jennifer Aleman

Allrecipes / Jennifer Aleman

Ninja has lots of gadgets we love, like the trendy Ninja Creami and new Crispi air fryer, with their convenient features and adorable names. But the cookware deserves praise as well. It changed the way I looked at nonstick (or in this case “never stick”). It is both sturdy and reliable, easy to use yet elevated. It’s no wonder it scored the title of “Best Nonstick” in our top pots and pans roundup.

My sister-in-law got the set for everyday cooking and has been using it for about two years. She says, “I love these pans! Nothing seems to stick, and cleanup is easy since everything slides off so quickly. They are versatile for different temperatures and can go in the oven if the recipe calls for it.”

I opted for the new Ninja NeverStick Ceramic Pro in the 8-inch size because I really needed a new egg pan for over-easy and scrambled concoctions. The ceramic design can go in the oven and the dishwasher and is beyond easy to clean. It also boasts a solid handle that makes flipping a breeze.

But don’t just take it from me and my sister-in-law. As our Allrecipes Allstar Jenny Aleman said in our cookware roundup, these pans are "absolute showstoppers." In her testing, she appreciated the heavy-gauge aluminum construction and smooth cooking surface (which is free of chemicals like PTFE and PFOA, by the way). “It's ideal for those looking to expand their culinary skills and broaden their cooking experience,” Aleman added.

Another big selling point is the price. While the Ninja NeverSticks feel high-quality, they don’t break the bank. My 8-inch pan was right around $30, and the sets start as low as $100. They’re a fraction of the price of other name brands. Plus, Ninja always has great sales this time of year. So if you or the home cooks in your life need a little upgrade this holiday season, a birthday treat you’ll actually use, or a housewarming present anyone would appreciate, give the gift of nonstick—your eggs will thank you.