A bread proofing basket is an indispensable tool for artisan bakers. This accessory will hold your dough as it undergoes the proofing process.
Also, the best bread proofing basket will help your dough maintain its rustic shape.
While a banneton sounds like an ideal accessory for bakers, owning one isn’t a straightforward task. Why? The market has lots of bannetons.
While they all promise to be durable, safe, and generously sized, only a few will hold that promise.
In view of that, this post has shed light on the factors that would help you pick the best banneton from the rest. As a bonus, we’ve chosen and scrutinized ten of proofing baskets that cannot disappoint.
Tips To Select and Use Your Best Bread Proofing Basket
Doubtlessly, every baker loves to get the best value out of the accessories they buy. If that is your dream, here are a few basics you need to know before you go looking for a best-rated bread proofing basket.
These pieces of information will help you avoid cheap bannetons that can complicate your bread-baking prowess.
What Features Define The Best Bread Proofing Basket?
There are four major features to consider—durability, value for money, size, and shape. A top-rated bread proofing basket should stand the test of time. It should resist molding, warping, cracking, and other forms of wear and tear for a reasonable period.
Two, any top-rated bread proofing basket that you buy should be of the right shape and size. That way, your basket won’t push you to make bread that is smaller or larger than what you intended. Many proofing baskets are round or oval.
Since we all wish to get the best value out of every single dime spent, it would matter to go for units that come with free essentials. For instance, some manufacturers offer their bannetons alongside linen liners, blades, scoring lames, and dough scrapers.
What Are Bread Proofing Baskets Made From?
A majority of bread proofing baskets are made from rattan. A few are made of plastic and wood pulp. Since each of these materials has unique benefits and downsides, the following brief review will help you decide the material that would suit your needs best.
- Rattan
Run a quick search online, and you’ll realize that rattan is the most preferred construction material for bread proofing baskets. Manufacturers prefer this material since it is entirely food-safe, durable, and good-looking.
Rattan bread proofing baskets will let out excess moisture from your dough. As a result, your baked bread will end up with that signature crunchy outer layer associated with artisan bread. In addition, rattan will imprint an attractive spiral pattern on your bread.
- Wood Pulp
Wood pulp is another excellent construction material for bread proofing baskets. Like the famous rattan, wood pulp bread proofing baskets will absorb excess moisture from your dough to give your bread the appealing, crusty outer layer that we all love.
Nonetheless, wood pulp bread proofing baskets have one major issue that could piss you off. They can warp or get moldy when they absorb excess moisture. You’ll need to dry them out completely after each use.
- Plastic
Although plastic bannetons aren’t so popular, you can still find a few plastic units worth buying. The plastic bread proofing baskets are easy to clean and dry. They are not vulnerable to mold damage and warping.
However, plastic isn’t as safe as rattan and wood pulp. Cheap plastic contains BPA and other harmful plasticizers that could leach into your rising dough. Probably, these are the reasons why manufacturers don’t prefer plastic as a construction material for bannetons.
How to Maintain Your Bread Proofing Basket?
The best-rated bread proofing basket used wrongly can disappoint. Your dough will stick on the banneton, and it will begin getting moldy after a few uses.
You’ll end up reducing the basket’s lifespan by over-scrubbing your banneton as a way to get rid of stuck dough and moldy patches. Therefore, before you get one, it would matter to know the basics of using it.
- Line Or Condition Your Proofing Basket Before Use
Usually, the dough will stick on your banneton. You can prevent this mess using a thin linen cloth, or by simply dusting the basket with a bit of flour.
Use liners when you want your bread to have a smooth crust, and dust the banneton’s interior whenever you want bread with the beautiful rustic pattern of rattan.
- Dry Your Bread Proofing Basket after Each Use
Bannetons, more so those crafted from rattan and wood pulp, can grow moldy.
Therefore, if you don’t wish to see your unit with those unsightly, moldy patches, dry it properly after each use. You can sun dry it or dry it in an oven.
What Size Should You Buy?
It depends on the size of bread you want. Get a bread proofing basket that can hold 500 grams if you are looking to make the regular size of the bread. If you make bread for large families, one with a 750 or 1000 gram capacity will be ideal.
You can know the size of a bread proofing basket by simply checking its diameter. Round-shaped and oval-shaped bread proofing baskets with an 8-inch diameter will hold 500 grams of bread, while their counterparts with a 10-inch diameter will hold 1kg of dough. Many manufacturers use these measurements as a standard.
If you love baking, size shouldn’t be an issue. You can just buy bread proofing baskets of every size.
How Do You Clean Your Bread Proofing Basket After Use?
Unlike many baking accessories, bread proofing baskets, especially those designed from rattan and wood pulp, aren’t easy to clean. Why? The bread proofing baskets could get wet, damp, and moldy.
Nonetheless, that shouldn’t stop you from cleaning the bread proofing basket whenever it gets dirty. Here is the proper cleaning procedure to help you keep your newly purchased proofing basket without spoiling it.
- Remove Excess Buildup Manually
In many cases, some bits of dough will stick in between the grooves of your bread proofing basket. This is the primary concern you’ll get when using a bread proofing basket.
You can remove the dry dough manually with your knife, cleaning brush, or a dough scraper. Avoid the use of water and detergent.
- Don’t Soak The Bread Proofing Basket
Assuming you cannot remove the dry dough manually, use a damp cloth to soak and remove the mess. Avoid soaking the proofing basket in water for several minutes. Why? Soaking will make it wet.
As a result, your proofing basket will get moldy, and in a matter of days, the banneton will start falling apart.
- Dry the Bread Proofing Basket
If the banneton gets wet after cleaning, sun dry it until it shows no signs of dampness. As an alternative, you can dry the bread proofing basket in an oven dryer. Drying will get rid of the excessive moisture that could lead to molding and warping.
However, make sure you don’t leave the banneton drying in the oven for long since that could accelerate warping.
Does Shape Matter When Looking For A Bread Proofing Basket?
A banneton’s shape will always affect your bread’s final shape. Oval-shaped bannetons are great for bakers who love oblong loaves of bread. Round-shaped bread proofing baskets will help you make round loaves of bread like sourdough boules or squatter loaves.
Though oval and round-shaped bread proofing baskets are commonplace, you can find bannetons with heart, triangle, square, and Couronne shapes.
It won’t harm to buy bread proofing baskets of different shapes if you wish to play with shapes every time you bake.
What’s The Price for Bread Proofing Basket?
With some units costing as little as $10, bread proofing baskets aren’t expensive. The price can go up depending on the size, material of construction, and the number of bread proofing accessories provided.
Best Bread Proofing Baskets Reviews
1. TNELTUEB Bread Proofing Basket Set: Best Overall
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 9.6 x 6 x 3 inches |
| Weight | 11.2 ounces |
| Manufacturer | ELTUEB |
Highlighted Features
- Made from rattan
- Splinter free
- Handcrafted
- Free baking accessories
- Set of two
TNELTUB bread proofing basket comes in a set of two units— a 10 inch round banneton for making round-shaped bread and a 9.6-inch bread proofing oval basket for oblong loaves. Both baskets have a 2- pound capacity.
In addition, the TNELTUB set comes with two linen liners, a scoring lame, razors, and a dough scraper. A single purchase will have every essentials accessory you would need to proof your dough.
With an ultra-smooth interior, dough won’t stick on the bread proofing basket. That means you won’t spend much time scrapping the baskets after use, and your bread won’t lose its shape when it is time to transfer it into an oven.
TNELTUB’s craftsmen made this best banneton from 100% rattan. It will resist mold, warping, and other forms of wear and tear for ages. The rattan is free of splinters that could hurt your hands and chemicals that could leach into your dough.
2. Bread Bosses Banneton
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 9 x 9 x 3.35 inches |
| Weight | 6.4 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Bread Bosses |
Highlighted Features
- Natural rattan cane construction
- Free proofing accessories
- Splinter free
- Smooth interior
- Odour-free
If you are looking for a unique gift for someone who loves baking, this cute banneton from Bread Bosses will not disappoint you. Like many top-rated proofing baskets, Bread Bosses made this unit from natural rattan, a durable and safe material.
The rattan will resist molding and any other form of deterioration for a pretty long period, and it will whisk away excess moisture from the proofing dough. Bread Bosses offers this best banneton alongside other essential baking accessories like bread scraper, linen liner, and sourdough lame.
Featuring a smooth interior, your dough will rarely stick on this banneton. This top-rated banneton is free of odor and chemicals that could leach into your dough. It comes in 8, 9, 10, and 12-inch variations.
3. WERTIOO Professional Proofing Basket: Budget Pick
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 9.21 x 9.21 x 4.02 inches |
| Weight | 7 ounces |
| Manufacturer | WERTIOO |
Highlighted Features
- Bonus baking accessories
- Natural rattan construction
- Dye and chemical-free
- Splinter free
- Available in multiple sizes
Safe, easy to clean, and professionally crafted, WERTIOO banneton doesn’t disappoint. No wonder it is a favorite proofing basket for professional artisan bakers and home base baking enthusiasts.
WERTIOO’s technicians crafted this unit from 100% rattan cane, a material that will serve your kitchen for years without molding, warping, or collapsing. It is free of chemicals that could adulterate your dough.
This professional bread proofing basket comes in a pack with all the tools you need during the proofing and baking stages. It comes with a linen liner, bread lame, and dough scraper.
Bakers who’ve tried this unit claim that WERTIOO’s craftsmen made this unit with your safety in mind. That’s why it is free of splinters that could hurt your hands. It is available in the 9, 10, and 13-inch size variations.
4. NZQXJXZ Bread Proofing Basket Set
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 3.75 inches |
| Weight | 1.23 pounds |
| Manufacturer | ZQXJXZ |
Highlighted Features
- Natural rattan construction
- Splinter free
- Smooth interior
- Free of dye and chemicals
- Free linen liner, scraper, and bread lame
The NZQXJXZ banneton comes in a pack of two units. It comes with a round banneton for round loaves of bread and an oval one for long, oval loaves of bread. Both bannetons are made from durable natural rattan. The proofing baskets will survive molding and warping for several years.
The rattan used on these bannetons isn’t just durable. But, it is free of chemicals, die, and paint. It complies with Germany’s food safety standards. Rest assured that it will not contaminate your homemade artisan bread.
The NZQXJXZ bread proofing basket comes with a free linen liner to prevent your dough from sticking on the banneton, a bread lame to slash your dough, and a dough scraper to clean your banneton.
A single purchase will give you every tool you would need in the process of proofing.
5. TNELTUEB Bread Proofing Basket
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 13.19 x 12.52 x 6.1 inches |
| Weight | 1.41 pounds |
| Manufacturer | NELTUEB |
Highlighted Features
- Rattan construction
- Bonus liner, linen, and bread lame
- Splinter free
- Set of 2
- Easy to clean
Like its sibling on this list, the TNELTUB bread proofing basket comes in a pack with two units—one 10 inch round basket and a 9.6-inch bread proofing oval basket. In addition, the set has two linen liners, a scoring lame, razors, and a dough scraper.
With an ultra-smooth rattan interior, your runny dough won’t stick on the bread proofing basket. That means you will be spending little time scrubbing dry dough off your bread proofing basket’s grooves.
TNELTUB made the bannetons from 100% rattan, the most favorite material for bread proofing baskets. It will resist mold, warping, and other forms of wear and tear for ages.
The rattan construction is free of splinters that could hurt your hands and elements that could contaminate your dough.
6. St. Germain Premium Bread Banneton
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 4 inches |
| Weight | 8 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Saint Germain Bakery |
Highlighted Features
- Natural rattan construction
- Free of chemicals and dye
- Splinter free
- Smooth, non-stick interior
- Comes with liner
Crafted by St. Germain Bakery, a respected bakery serving British Columbia and Ontario, this premium bread banneton will not disappoint. It is designed by craftsmen who understand the plight of other bakers out there.
The St. Germain Bakery crafted this bread proofing basket from natural rattan that is entirely free of chemicals. It will serve you for years without warping, falling apart, or getting moldy.
Featuring a smooth, non-stick, and splinter-free interior, this top-rated banneton will give you the comfort you need to carry on with the baking. It will never hurt your hands, and your dough will never stick on the banneton. It comes with a free banneton liner.
7. Xipeel Bread Proofing Basket
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 10.67 x 10.24 x 6.57 inches |
| Weight | 1.54 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Xipeel |
Highlighted Features
- Set of 2
- Free baking accessories
- Natural rattan construction
- Smooth, non-stick interior
- Chip free
Many bakers love the Xipeel bread proofing basket for one primary reason—it comes in a pack with free accessories needed in the bread proofing process.
Xipeel offers the banneton alongside two linen liners, 16 bread stencils, four blades, scoring lame, steel whisk, scraper, and two bannetons.
Xipeel made their bannetons from handpicked natural rattan. The baskets are free of those splinters that could hurt your hands and the toxic chemicals used to extend the lifespan of rattan cane.
These rattans will not start getting moldy or falling apart after a few days of use. In fact, the manufacturer promises to offer a hassle-free refund, just in case your unit starts showing signs of wear and tear with the first few months of use.
8. WERTIOO Bread Proofing Basket Set
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 17.6 x 10.59 x 9.06 inches |
| Weight | 1.21 pounds |
| Manufacturer | WERTIOO |
Highlighted Features
- Set of two
- Bonus proofing accessories
- Rattan construction
- Dye and chemical-free
- Splinter free
A glance at this best-rated banneton will leave you assured of quality. It boasts a durable rattan construction, handcrafted by seasoned experts. It will survive for several years even when used in a busy bakery.
WERTIOO bread proofing basket comes as a set of two units, both measuring 9 inches. Into the bargain, WERTIOO offers the proofing baskets alongside essential accessories like fabric liners, dough scraper, and bread lame.
Buying these bread proofing baskets will help you save the dollars you would have spent on the extra proofing accessories.
Each bread proofing basket from WERTIOO is safety guaranteed. It is free of the splinters that could hurt your hands and the harmful chemicals that could leach into your rising dough.
9. PRYNEX Bread Proofing Basket
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 10.12 x 9.76 x 6.46 inches |
| Weight | 1.98 pounds |
| Manufacturer | PRYNEX |
Highlighted Features
- Rattan construction
- Comes with linen, scraper, brush, wood lame
- Free e-recipe book
- Splinter free
- Chemical and dye-free
This 2-in-1 set has a 9 inch round banneton which is excellent for round dough, and a 10-inch oval banneton for long, oval-shaped bread. With this pack, you’ll never have to keep baking one shape of bread day in, day out.
Both bannetons boast of a sturdy, handcrafted rattan construction. They will resist mold, warping, and other common forms of wear and tear for a relatively long period. As a bonus, the rattan construction is free of splinters and chemicals.
PRYNEX bread proofing baskets come with every tool you need to execute the proofing process. They come with a plastic scraper, a wooden lame, a cleaning brush, five blades, and a stainless steel scraper. A single purchase will get you all ready to start baking.
10. TAOUNOA Bread Basket
Product Information
| Package Dimensions | 11.34 x 11.14 x 5.63 inches |
| Weight | 1.39 pounds |
| Manufacturer | TAOUNOA |
Highlighted Features
- Natural rattan construction
- Smooth interior
- Splinter free
- Comes with linen, scraper, lame, and blades
- Set of two
Though appearing in our roundup’s last slot, the TAOUNOA breadbasket has everything you need to simplify your roofing project. Its natural rattan construction will whisk excess moisture from your dough’s outer surface to give your baked bread a crunchy coat.
The rattan cane used on this bread proofing basket is durable, splinter-free, and chemical-free. Using it won’t hurt your hands or leach harmful chemicals into your dough. As well, your proofing dough won’t stick on the bread proofing basket’s smooth interior.
Like the rivals on this list, TAOUNOA comes along with a few essentials you would need when baking. It comes with a free linen liner, a bread lame, a scraper, and blades. Also, TAOUNOA comes as a set of two 9 inch and 10-inch proofing baskets.
Our Verdict—What’s The Best Bread Proofing Basket?
There are three basic things to consider when looking for a good bread proofing basket—durability, value for money, and safety. The banneton you pick should resist warping, molding for pretty long.
Into the bargain, a good bread proofing basket should be free of splinters and chemicals. Since we all love value out of the money we spend, it would matter to look around for a unit that comes with many free baking and proofing accessories.
If you cannot choose the right basket from our list, go for the TNELTUEB bread proofing set. Its natural rattan construction will hold up well even when used in a busy kitchen.
But, if your budget is too squeezed, get WERTIOO professional proofing basket. It has a durable construction that is free of chemicals and splinters.
