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 mini egg pan reviews!
Keep reading for full reviews and what you can cook in each!
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What's In Here
- 1 How Small is the Smallest Frying Pan?
- 2 What Can You Cook in a Mini Frying Pan?
- 3 The 6 Best Small Frying Pans (3.5″- 7″)
- 3.1 1. Smallest Cast Iron Skillet – Lodge Mini Skillet
- 3.2 2. Smallest Frying Pan with Lid – Bene Casa Frypan
- 3.3 3. Smallest Nonstick Fry Pan – GreenPan Mini Egg Pan
- 3.4 4. Smallest Fry Pan for Induction – de Buyer Egg Pan
- 3.5 5. Best Granite Coating – Granitestone Mini Skillet
- 3.6 6. Smallest High-End Egg Pan – Le Creuset Mini Skillet
- 4 Mini Egg Pans FAQ
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 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
Tiny but tough, this cast iron pan is perfect for crispy eggs – but needs seasoning and hand washing
VIEW ON AMAZON $12
- Diameter – 3.5 inches
- Cooking surface size – 3.3 inches
- Material – 100% cast iron
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 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.
✅ Available on Amazon ($12)
👉 See the 4 best American-made frying pans
First, you’ll need a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Second, the key to eggs not sticking is temperature control.
You’ll need to preheat the skillet on medium heat for a few minutes and keep it at this heat level for the entire cooking time.
Third, you’ll need a generous amount of butter or vegetable oil all around the skillet before you fry. That’s it!
2. Smallest Frying Pan with Lid – Bene Casa Frypan
Lightweight with a handy lid for fast breakfasts, but the nonstick coating can wear out
VIEW ON AMAZON $16
- Diameter – 6 inches
- Cooking surface size – 5 inches
- Material – Aluminum base, nonstick coating
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
PFAS-free, scratch-resistant, and induction-ready- but pricier and slightly larger than most true minis
VIEW ON AMAZON $39
- Diameter – 7 inches
- Cooking surface size – 5.3 inches
- Material – Aluminum base, PFAS-free nonstick coating
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!
✅ Available on Amazon ($39)
👉 See the top 5 PFOA & PTFE free cookware brands you can trust – in 2025
3. Smallest Nonstick Fry Pan – GreenPan Mini Egg Pan
A cute, ceramic nonstick pan that’s toxin-free – but not compatible with induction
- Diameter – 5 inches
- Cooking surface size – 4.7 inches
- Material – Aluminum base, ceramic nonstick coating (Thermolon)
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.
✅ Available on Amazon ($13) and at GreenPan ($13)
You don’t even have to cover the entire pan, just make sure there’s a thin barrier of oil between the eggs and the pan.
4. Smallest Fry Pan for Induction – de Buyer Egg Pan
Built to last and induction-ready, but it takes some seasoning and know-how to use right
VIEW ON AMAZON $35
- Diameter – 4.75 inches
- Cooking surface – 3.75 inches
- Material – Carbon steel
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)
✅ Available on Amazon ($35)
5. Best Granite Coating – Granitestone Mini Skillet
Scratch-resistant and budget-friendly, but don’t crank the heat, or food may stick
VIEW ON AMAZON $23
- Diameter – 5.8 inches
- Cooking surface – 5.5 inches
- Material – Aluminum base, Teflon-free granite coating
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 Granitstone 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.
✅ Available on Amazon ($23)
6. Smallest High-End Egg Pan – Le Creuset Mini Skillet
Gorgeous and oven-safe cast iron that’ll last forever – but it comes with a luxury price tag
- Diameter – 6.33 inches
- Cooking surface – 6 inches
- Material – enameled cast iron
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 Creuset 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 sautéed vegetables, pan-fried potatoes, hamburgers, scrambled eggs, and more.
It is dishwasher safe, too.
✅ Available at Le Creuset ($136 with free shipping) and Amazon
Mini Egg Pans FAQ
What Size is a One-Egg Frying Pan?
A 4 to 5-inch frying pan is ideal for cooking one egg. For a perfect fit, choose a pan with a cooking surface between 3.5 and 4.7 inches.
The tiniest option? The Lodge 3.5-inch cast iron skillet, which has a 3.3-inch cooking surface, is 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.
Why Do Eggs Stick to a Frying Pan?
Nothing’s more frustrating than an egg that won’t budge from the pan. Eggs stick because of high heat, low oil, or poor pan quality.
To prevent sticking:
- Use enough oil or butter, even with nonstick pans
- Preheat the pan, then lower the heat before adding eggs
- Use a well-seasoned or high-quality nonstick surface
- Avoid metal utensils and overheating to preserve the nonstick coating
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?
Yes – mini fry pans are a great investment for quick meals and small kitchens.
They’re ideal if you:
- Cook for 1–2 people
- Make eggs, pancakes, or single servings often
- Want easy cleanup and fast heating
- Need a compact, space-saving pan
Plus, many are oven-safe and cost under $20.
- 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