The 6 Best Small Frying Pans (for Perfect Eggs & More)

If you’ve ever thought, Do I really need a mini frying pan? – the answer is YES. Trust me, once you try one, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it.

Mini frying pans (3.5-7 inches) are more than just adorable kitchen accessories.

They’re perfect for small kitchens, single servings, and anyone who doesn’t want to deal with a massive skillet for a simple egg or pancake.

Plus, they heat up fast, take up almost no space, and are ridiculously easy to clean.

After testing a bunch of these tiny skillets, I’ve rounded up the best ones – whether you want cast iron, nonstick, ceramic, or granite.

👉 In a Hurry?

See the best mini frying pans in the table below, followed by full reviews!

Keep reading for full reviews and what you can cook in each!

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How Small is the Smallest Frying Pan?

The tiniest frying pans are 3.5 to 4 inches across – just big enough for a single egg or mini dessert.

But anything under 8 inches is considered “mini,” and these sizes are surprisingly useful for more than just eggs.

You’ll find mini pans in cast iron, stainless steel, and nonstick varieties, usually labeled as “egg pans.”

Frying pan sizes are determined by the pan’s overall diameter (wall top to wall top, and not by the cooking surface diameter, which is smaller.

What Can You Cook in a Mini Frying Pan?

Small frying pans have surprisingly versatile uses. With a mini skillet, you can cook individual servings of anything, including a perfectly crisp, normal-sized egg, a nice crepe or pancake, a chicken breast, a mini pizza, a small frittata, baby steaks, a side of veggies, and individual super cute desserts.

You can also use a tiny skillet to melt butter and toast a small amount of spices.

If you get an oven-safe mini skillet (like cast iron), you can go straight from stovetop to oven for even more possibilities.

The 6 Best Small Frying Pans (3.5″- 7″)

We’ve researched and found the best mini frying pans for solo meals, eggs, and much more. See our reviews below:

1. Smallest Cast Iron Skillet – Lodge Mini Skillet

VIEW ON AMAZON $8

The Lodge Mini Skillet is perfect for single-egg breakfasts, gooey skillet desserts, and even camping. It heats evenly and holds heat like a champ.

This pan, the smallest of the iconic USA-made Lodge, is tiny: some people love it (“perfectly fits an English muffin egg”), while others just use it as an ashtray or spoon rest.

If you want something slightly bigger but still compact, go for the 6.5-inch version instead.

If you want more than one, you can choose Lodge’s 4-also find Lodge’s tiny skillets in a set of 4 or a set of 6.

You’ll need to hand wash and season it after each use, but if you take care of it, this thing will last a lifetime.

👉 See the 4 best American-made frying pans

2. Smallest Frying Pan with Lid – Bene Casa Frypan

VIEW ON AMAZON $16

The Bene Casa little pan is a lifesaver for quick breakfasts and solo meals like a single frittata/omelet.

The tempered glass lid lets you steam or keep food warm without drying it out.

Plus, it’s super lightweight – great if you hate heavy pans. The handle is heat resistant, and the price is affordable.

However, It has a nonstick coating, so no metal utensils! If you’re worried about Teflon, check out the MSMK 7-inch below instead – it’s PFAS-free.

MSMK 7-inch Nonstick Frying Pan

VIEW ON AMAZON $32

While it does cost more and is one inch larger, the MSMK nonstick frying pan also comes with a glass lid, but the nonstick material does not contain PFOA, PFOA, or any other PFAS, and is highly resistant to scratching and peeling, while also being oven safe (up to 700 F!).

(👉 See also the best Teflon-Free air fryers and non-Teflon waffle makers!)

The MSMK (4-inch sides!) is also compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and is made from a 4 mm stainless steel base, and a smooth bottom that won’t scratch a glass stovetop.

It is dishwasher-safe and comes with a lifetime warranty!

👉 See the top 5 PFOA & PTFE free cookware brands you can trust – in 2022

3. Smallest Nonstick Fry Pan – GreenPan Mini Egg Pan 

$13 AT GREENPAN

$13 ON AMAZON

If you love Teflon-free cookware, this one’s for you. The GreenPan Mini Egg Pan uses a ceramic nonstick coating instead of chemicals, so you don’t have to worry about toxic fumes if you accidentally overheat it.

Thermolon ceramic non-stick is made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium.

The 5-inch model can perfectly cook one 1 egg, one hamburger, one toast, or any quick single-serving breakfast (egg muffin sandwich) or dinner (baby steaks/Quesadilla). You can also reheat leftover baby food.

It is oven-safe up to 400 F, the silicone sleeve keeps the handle cool, and it is dishwasher-safe.

And, you can choose from 5 beautiful colors, including Lavender, Mint green, and pink. So cute!

However, this pan is not induction-compatible, and you may need a smaller spatula to work with this egg pan size.

4. Smallest Fry Pan for Induction – de Buyer Egg Pan 

VIEW ON AMAZON $35

This is not your average egg pan. Made in France, this carbon steel beauty (99% iron/1% carbon) has no synthetic coating, lasts forever and gets more nonstick the more you use it.

It is ideal for induction cooktops, and it’s the most eco-friendly and chemical-free frying pan on this list.

You’ll need to season it, just like cast iron – but once you do, it’s amazing for crispy eggs and pancakes.

This is not just a cheap throw-away pan that you use for a few months, the de Buyer Mini Fry Pan is a carefully produced product that meets French quality manufacturing, but it may not be perfect for new home cooks.

(Serious cooks swear by de Buyer)

5. Best Granite Coating – Granitestone Mini Skillet

VIEW ON AMAZON $25

This one’s a budget-friendly alternative to ceramic nonstick.

It’s Teflon-free, scratch-resistant (metal utensils won’t ruin it), and super easy to clean.

The small Granitrstone egg pan has a steady and even-heating Aluminum base, with a Teflon-free nonstick granite coating, is dishwasher safe, and oven safe up to 500 F.

It’s best for Eggs, sautéing veggies, and anything that needs low-to-medium heat (If it gets too hot – the food will stick).

And, it is not induction-compatible.

6. Smallest High-End Egg Pan – Le Creuset Mini Skillet

$136 AT LE CREUSET

$129 ON AMAZON 

If you want the Rolls-Royce of mini pans, this is it.

The Le Creuset Mini Skillet is enameled cast iron, so you don’t need to season it. It also protects the pan from staining, dulling, and scratching.

Plus, it’s stunning – available in multiple colors and oven-safe up to 500°F.4

The Le Cruset is perfect for eggs, pan-fried potatoes, and fancy table presentations.

It’s $$$, but it’ll last a lifetime.

The Le Creuset gorgeous little pan is compatible with all cooktops and oven-safe up to 500°F and makes perfect sauteed vegetables, pan-fro potatoes, hamburgers, scrambled, and more.

It is dishwasher safe too.

✅ Available at Le Creuset ($136 with free shipping) and Amazon

What Size is a One-Egg Frying Pan?

A true one-egg frying pan is usually 4 to 5 inches in diameter, with an even smaller cooking surface.

The tiniest option? The Lodge 3.5-inch cast iron skillet, which has a 3.3-inch cooking surface – literally just enough for a single egg.

Want to cook two eggs or an omelet? Go for a 7-8 inch mini skillet. It also works great for pancakes, single desserts, and solo meals like tortillas.

How Do You Cook an Egg in a Mini Fry Pan?

Cooking an egg in a mini fry pan is super easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

Since these pans heat up quickly and retain heat well, you don’t need to blast the stove.

Here’s my go-to method:

• Add a teaspoon of olive oil or butter to the pan – even if it’s nonstick. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
• Set the heat to medium-low (too high, and you’ll end up with a burnt bottom and a raw top).
• Crack the egg in and let it cook for about three minutes.
• If your mini pan has a lid, cover it, and the egg will cook even faster.

That’s it! A perfectly cooked egg in no time.

Why Do Eggs Stick to a Frying Pan?

Nothing’s more frustrating than an egg that won’t budge from the pan. If that’s happening, one of these is probably the culprit:

• Not enough oil – Eggs love to stick, especially in stainless steel or nonstick pans that aren’t seasoned properly.
• Heat too high – High heat can cause eggs to grab onto the pan like glue.
• Low-quality pan – Some pans just don’t distribute heat well or wear out quickly.

If you’re using a stainless steel or cast iron pan, let it heat up first, then add oil before the egg.

And with nonstick, avoid super high heat – it’ll break down the coating faster and make sticking worse over time.

Also, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions (especially for seasoning cast iron or cleaning nonstick), and your mini pan will stay in great shape for years.

Is a Mini Fry Pan Worth It?

Absolutely. If you cook for one or two people, hate washing big pans, or just want something small and cute that actually works, these mini frying pans are a game-changer.

• Best for Cast Iron Lovers – The Lodge Mini Skillet (3.5 inches) is perfect for a single egg, melting butter, toasting spices, or even baking tiny desserts.
• Best Mini Pan with a Lid – The Bene Casa Frypan (6 inches) is great for small breakfasts and solo meals.
• Best Nonstick Option – The GreenPan Mini Egg Pan (5 inches) has a ceramic coating for healthier cooking without Teflon.
• Best Granite-Coated Pan – The Granitestone Mini Skillet (5.8 inches) is scratch-resistant and safe for metal utensils.
• Best for Induction Stovetops – The de Buyer Egg Pan (4.75 inches) is a high-quality carbon steel pan that gets better with use.
• Best High-End Mini Pan – The Le Creuset Mini Skillet (6.3 inches) is a gorgeous enameled cast iron pan that’s as functional as it is stylish.

No matter what you need, a mini frying pan is a must-have kitchen tool – versatile, compact, and surprisingly indispensable!

The KM Team