The Best Pyrex Bowls for All Your Baking and Meal Prep Needs
The classic brand's glassware is still durable and ideal for an array of kitchen tasks.
Pyrex glassware has been around since our mothers and grandmothers were baking up classic recipes in the kitchen, and there's a reason for it. Introduced all the way back in 1915, it was marketed as both laboratory glass and kitchenware. Why? Thanks to its low thermal expansion, it was able to withstand more extreme temperature changes without shattering.
Additionally, Pyrex bowls could handle more bangs and drops, too, making it a workhorse in most American kitchens thanks to its resistance to chips. In the 1930s, it expanded its offerings from borosilicate glass to the tempered soda-lime glass that defines the brand today.
You may remember the fun vintage patterns and colors that thrift-store lovers hunt down full sets of. And while the brand has moved away from those retro colorways, Pyrex glassware and mixing bowls are still kitchen essentials today.
Why Are Pyrex Bowls Popular?
Pyrex bowls are versatile kitchen products that are great for prep, bakeware and food storage. Most times, you can whip up a salad for a potluck or barbecue, transport it, and serve it all in the same bowl. That's thanks to their sleek glass construction and the BPA-free, sturdy plastic lids they're also known for (which can be purchased separately). They're also still extremely resilient; the tempered glass it's made from is three to five times stronger than traditional non-tempered glass. And in the event it does shatter, it breaks into larger, rounded-edge pieces, which provides an extra layer of safety. Plus, Pyrex products are often microwave-, freezer- and oven-safe; all while being notably resistant to both stains and odors.
Tips From Our Experts
This glass bowl set is a must-have for a beginner to Pyrex, which is why it's our top pick. It comes in 1-quart, 1.5-quart and 2.5-quart sizes, which is great for all sorts of food prep, baking and cooking. They're safe for a preheated oven and can be nested for easy storage.
You can't beat this set of three lids and three bowls for storing leftovers. One of the bowls is a whopping seven cups, so it'll hold all of that leftover chili, and then you can microwave it right in the same container. It's freezer-safe, too.
Most recipes for baked goods require two separate bowls for wet and dry ingredients (or one for batter and one for frosting), so this set of two glass bowls and lids is a must. It comes with a tempered glass bowl that's 2.5 quarts and one that's 4 quarts. It's preheated oven-safe and can be used in the microwave, so it's even great for melting butter or chocolate chips.
These high-quality tempered glass bowls are from the brand's Colors line and are available in this sunny set of yellow, green and blue. They come in 1.3-quart, 2.3-quart and 4.5-quart sizes, great for baking and food prep. The included BPA-free plastic lids are microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
Each of these four-cup glass bowls comes with airtight, leak-proof lids that have locking tabs, making them perfect for lunch at work or school. And since they're made from tempered glass, they won't stain from marinara sauce or dressing and don't absorb food odors. The lids are top-rack dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe in addition to the bowls.
If you're still enamored with the borosilicate glass of the old Pyrex, you can grab a bowl from Europe — the Iconics line from France is available on Amazon right now, for instance. The biggest difference between tempered glass and borosilicate glass is that it can withstand extreme temperature shocks, so it's great if you make a lot of recipes where you need to quickly chill hot ingredients.
I personally use six-ounce custard bowls all of the time, and never once have I used them for custard. They're perfect for ice cream, berries, scrambling one or two eggs, making an egg wash for baked goods, holding garnishes like chives or putting a small amount of ingredients aside. This set of four will be so surprisingly handy in your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pyrex bowls oven-safe?
Most likely, but check your bowl individually to ensure how oven-safe they are. Some of the glass bowls can withstand the heat in an already preheated oven (just so it won't experience the gradual temperature rise, which can cause it to shatter), while some of the ones made for prep or storage are only listed as microwave- and freezer-safe. The difference is whether they're defined as bakeware or not. It's not recommended to put any Pyrex dishes on direct heat like a stovetop.
Can you put Pyrex bowls in the dishwasher?
Yes, you can put Pyrex bowls in the dishwasher. Just make sure they are securely placed in the dishwasher to prevent them from bumping or rubbing against other glassware.
What sizes do Pyrex bowls come in?
There are lots of sizes available, especially when you buy them in sets. The largest bowl is 4.5 quarts, while the smallest we found is one cup. Generally, they're available in a variety of sizes in between.
