As many of you know, I am a TOTAL cookie monster! Aside from having the best cookie sheets and cookie scoops, there's one extra crucial step I make sure to follow with all of my baked goods, whether it be cookies, cakes, or breads. I ALWAYS make sure to transfer them to one of the best cooling racks straight from the oven.
For one thing, the ventilated rack allows my treats to reach room temperature faster, which means we can devour (or decorate!) them sooner. The best cooling racks allow any steam or heat to escape so baked goods don't get soggy or overcook in the pan. I guarantee that once you have one of these handy tools, you'll find yourself using it all the time!
To help you find a good option for your kitchen, I included my personal favorite from Williams Sonoma, and then read through reviews on popular retail sites like to find top-notch picks.
Ahead, check out four of the best cooling racks to buy!
My Top Picks:
- What's in My Kitchen: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Three Quarter Sheet Cooling Rack – $24.95 at Williams Sonoma
- Best Stackable Cooling Rack: Wilton 3-Tier Folding Cooling Grid – $21.49 at Amazon
- Best Cake Cooling Rack: Nordic Ware Round Cooling Grid – $18.85 at Amazon
- Best Budget Pick: Hiware 2-Pack Cooling Racks – $15.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Cooling Racks
1. What's in My Kitchen: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Three Quarter Sheet
I LOVE the Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro line (I even included the brand's loaf pan in my roundup of the best!), so of course, this wire cooling rack is one of my favorites. It has a nonstick coating, so your treats won't stick to them even if they're scorching hot when you set them down. But the best part might be that it's pretty enough to leave on my counter in between baking sessions and even serve goodies on, thanks to its brushed gold exterior.
Just note that while it's dishwasher-safe, the company recommends hand-washing so the gold and nonstick coating doesn't fade.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 19.75 x 13.5 x 0.5 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Nonstick coating: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended
- Oven safe: Yes
The Pros:
- Stylish design
- Easy to clean
- Food won't stick
- Easy to store
The Cons:
- None that we could find
Buy the Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Three Quarter Sheet:
2. Best Stackable Cooling Rack: Wilton 3-Tier Folding Cooling Grid
You NEED this Wilton cooling rack if you have baking marathons like I do (we're talking snickerdoodle and sugar cookies galore!). Imagine all of the holiday cookies you can fit on this thing! It has three tiers to hold a few dozen cookies or other treats, but it folds down to be just a few inches wide so you can still store it without much fuss. Reviewers also say that you don't need to worry about it accidentally collapsing because the shelves lock into place.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 1.85 x 10 x 16 inches
- Weight: 3.08 pounds
- Nonstick coating: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: No
- Oven safe: Yes
The Pros:
- Collapses for easier storage
- Fits more baked goods
- Food won't stick
- Can be used to serve
The Cons:
- Need to hand wash
What Others are Saying:
This Wilton cooling rack has a 4.8-star rating from more than 10,000 reviewers on Amazon, and Taste of Home recommends it as an option for cooling more cookies at a time.
Buy the Wilton 3-Tier Folding Cooling Grid:
3. Best Cake Cooling Rack: Nordic Ware Round Cooling Grid
I like using a round cooling rack for turning and cooling cakes (especially my decadent Chocolate Cake!), and this Nordic Ware one gets plenty of rave reviews for that purpose! Buyers say it's super sturdy and won't bend thanks to the heavy-duty steel construction, and I think it even looks pretty with the copper coating.
A downside is that you can't use it in an oven, so if you were hoping to have it double as an extra oven rack, you might want to go with the picks above.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 1 inches
- Weight: 0.06 pounds
- Nonstick coating: No
- Dishwasher safe: No
- Oven safe: No
The Pros:
- Great for cakes
- Easy to store
- Sleek design
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- Must hand wash
- Not safe for the oven
What Others are Saying:
This has 4.8-stars from more than 2,600 reviewers on Amazon. Additionally, Mom Junction named it the best fast-cooling rack.
Buy the Nordic Ware Round Cooling Grid:
4. Best Budget Pick: Hiware 2-Pack Cooling Racks
I like that these Hiware cooling racks come in a bunch of different sized options (8.5 by 12-, 10 by 15-, and 12 by 16-inches)! They're also affordably priced without sacrificing functionality: Each rack is made with thick, temperature-resistant wires, so you don't have to worry about them losing shape even if you use them in your oven or on the grill.
If you're using both racks at once for larger quantities of treats, you'll lose a lot of your counter space (which is where the stackable rack comes in handy!). However, you have more versatility with two separate racks since one can be in the oven while another is cooling.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 16.3 x 10.55 x 1.69 inches
- Weight: 1.68 pounds
- Nonstick coating: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Oven safe: Yes
The Pros:
- Food doesn't stick
- Easy to store
- Affordable
- Different size options
The Cons:
- Some reviewers say it's difficult to hand wash
What Others are Saying:
These cooling racks have a 4.7-star rating from more than 13,000 reviewers on Amazon.
Buy the Hiware 2-Pack Cooling Racks:
Other Cooling Racks to Consider
Ultra Cuisine Stainless Steel 8.5 x 12-inch Cooling and Baking Rack
This rack caught my eye because it's oven- and dishwasher-safe, made with sturdy stainless steel, and even comes in multiple sizes. It's not a top choice for me, though, because you can get a similar version in the exact same size from HiWare for less money — AND the latter comes in a pack of two, so it's even more cost effective. The Ultra Cuisine Stainless Steel 8.5 x 12-inch Cooling and Baking Rack is available at Amazon for $16.99.
OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Cooling Rack
I really like that this OXO rack has handles on the sides so it's easy to carry on the sides, which is especially nice when you're moving cookies from oven to rack to plate, or you're using it as a serving tray. It also nestles well into a cookie sheet. I think this is a nice option worth considering, but I'd still choose my favorite from Williams Sonoma over this, thanks to the top-quality and pretty design. The OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Cooling Rack is available at Amazon for $16.95.
Caraway Cooling Rack
I LOVE Caraway's bakeware, so I had to take a look at the brand's super sleek style cooking rack. It has curved edges so it nestles well into a cookie sheet and gives it some height for good air circulation when tipped upside down. However, it didn't get one of my top slots only because of the higher price tag. The Caraway Cooling Rack is available at Caraway for $40.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi! I'm Maria, the founder of Two Peas and Their Pod, and I'm ALWAYS baking, cooking, and thinking up new recipes for my blog! As you can imagine, spending all this time in the kitchen means I know a thing or two about all top-tier cookware, gadgets, and appliances, and the best cooling racks are no exception. I've found them to be such a big help for shuffling cookies around and cooling cakes or breads.
To help you find the best cooling rack for your kitchen, I leaned on my experience, naming a couple of the ones I own and love as my top picks. My other choices are based on reviews from popular retailers like Amazon as well as editorial sites and blog posts. I also looked for a variety to make your decision even easier!
Everything to Know Before Buying a Cooling Rack
What to Consider Before Buying a Cooling Rack
Functionality: If you're planning to use your rack for roasting, frying, or grilling, you need to buy one that can safely be used in an oven or on a grill. Some options aren't oven-safe at all, and others are, but only up to a certain temperature. If you only plan to use it as a cooling rack, you're in the clear! Just make sure to double-check the product description before clicking ‘add to cart.'
Size: The first thing you should take into account size-wise is whether you want the rack to nest inside a cookie sheet you already own. If that's the case, make sure you get one that's compatible. Otherwise, it's up to your preference! You can go with a large one that'll take up more counter space but give you plenty of room for treats, or get a smaller one if you're very limited on counter space or baking in small batches.
Cleaning: Because of the grid pattern most of these have, they can be a pain to hand-wash, but some of them are dishwasher-safe, which is a nice perk! If you know you prefer the option to toss kitchenware into the dishwasher, make sure you look out for that label while deciding which one to buy.
Can Cooling Racks Go in the Oven?
Not all cooling racks can go in the oven! Some can, but only up to a certain temperature, and others just shouldn't go in at all. Make sure you check the label or manufacturer's site before you use it that way.
Can You Make Mashed Potatoes Using a Cooling Rack?
Yes! First, boil the potatoes (skin on or off is fine!), and once they're softened, cut them in half. Then put your cooling rack over a large bowl and use your hand to push one half of the potato down through the grids and into the bowl. (The potato should be soft enough to go right through the wires.)
From there, you can mix in butter, sour cream, spices, or herbs and get it to a consistency you like for your mashed potatoes!
What Can You Use Instead of a Cooling Rack?
Any flat surface that can withstand heat can work in place of a cooling rack, but your baked goods might take longer to cool. (The genius of a cooling rack is that it typically has legs to prop it up above the counter and a grid pattern to let air through.) In a pinch though, you can use a cutting board, tray, plate, or cookie sheet, just ideally one not hot from the oven so your treats don't continue baking.
Are Cooling Racks Necessary?
In my kitchen? Totally! I bake a LOT, so I'm constantly reaching for my cooling racks. But in a pinch, you can get by without one. I think you'll find that you use it more than you think!
The Best Baking Recipes
I reach for my cooling rack all the time, and I'm sure you will too! It always comes in handy when baking cakes, cookies, or breads like the ones below.
- Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- One Bowl Brownies
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Monster Cookies
Prices were accurate at time of publication.