10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (2024)

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10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (1)Lindsay D. MattisonUpdated: Jun. 08, 2023

    These mini cast iron skillet recipes not only make food that's totally cute, but they happen to be delicious, too!

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (2)

    AlexJuncu/Shutterstock

    Have you seen these adorable 3.5″ cast iron skillets floating around? Part of me wants to impulse buy them, but the practical side of my brain wonders how I’d use them. These mini cast iron skillet recipes are all the proof I need that cute food can also be delicious.

    Find our entire cast iron cooking guide here.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (3)

    Courtesy of Love and Olive Oil

    Skillet Huevos Rancheros

    Love and Olive Oil knows that food cooked in a skillet tastes better. Turn that skillet meal into a single serving experience, and it’ll taste even better! These Huevos Rancheros are perfect for brunch, but I have a feeling I’ll be serving them up as breakfast for dinner, too.

    Get the recipe here from Love and Olive Oil.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (4)

    Courtesy of I Am a Food Blog

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Burrata

    There’s almost nothing better than crispy potatoes smothered in an ooey-gooey, soft cheese…except maybe an entire bowl of them all to myself! These mini skillet potatoes are so good, you’ll definitely want to make a few extras.

    Get the recipe here from I Am a Food Blog.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (5)

    Courtesy of Bowl of Delicious

    Baked Egg and Sweet Potato Nests

    Who needs pasta when you have spiralized sweet potatoes? Using a mini skillet creates the perfect shape for your potato “nests.” Pop an egg in the middle and bake up one of the quickest (and easiest) meals you’ll have all week.

    Get the recipe here from Bowl of Delicious.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (6)

    Courtesy of Love and Lemons

    Mini Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Frittatas

    Frittata is one of my go-to recipes for feeding a crowd at brunch. By using mini skillets, each guest gets their own individual frittata, which means you can also customize them for picky eaters.

    Get the recipe here from Love and Lemons.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (7)

    Courtesy of Taste With the Eyes

    Shrimp and Grits in Mini Cast Iron Skillets

    Shrimp and grits are delicious no matter how you serve it, but something about this adorable presentation actually makes it taste better! This 15-minute recipe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack.

    Get the recipe here from Taste With the Eyes.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (8)

    Courtesy of A Cozy Kitchen

    Mini Shakshukas

    These mini shakshukas have a bit of everything: savory tomatoes, spicy harissa paste and salty cheese. Add in a runny yolk and you have an Instagram-worthy dish! It doesn’t hurt that they taste incredible, too.

    Get the recipe here from A Cozy Kitchen.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (9)

    Courtesy of Nerds with Knives

    Mini Dutch Babies with Lemon Curd and Blueberries

    These mini Dutch babies are everything! They taste somewhere between a pancake and a crepe, but they’re light and fluffy like a popover. I can’t decide if I want to eat these puffy pancakes for breakfast or dessert (or, maybe both!)

    Get the recipe here from Nerds with Knives.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (10)

    Courtesy of Toaster Oven Love

    Mini Berry Skillet Cake

    Making dessert in your favorite cast iron is always a good idea, but using the mini skillet to create individual portions is brilliant! It’s an easy romantic dessert or a great way to end a fancy dinner party.

    Get the recipe here from Toaster Oven Love.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (11)

    Courtesy of Crazy for Crust

    Small Batch Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

    I love to bake, but I hate having all those leftover cookies. I know I’ll just end up eating them! This mini chocolate chip cookie recipe is definitely a lifesaver. It makes the perfect amount of cookies for two.

    Get the recipe here from Crazy for Crust.

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    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (12)

    Courtesy of Uproot Kitchen

    Skillet Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Icing

    All the flavor of carrot cake, rolled up into a tiny and adorable package? Sign me up! This mini cast iron skillet recipe is so delicious, and it also happens to be 100% vegan.

    Get the recipe here from Uproot Kitchen.

    Originally Published: January 30, 2019

    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (13)

    Lindsay D. Mattison

    Lindsay has been writing for digital publications for seven years and has 10 years of experience working as a professional chef. She became a full-time food writer at Taste of Home in 2023, although she’s been a regular contributor since 2017. Throughout her career, Lindsay has been a freelance writer and recipe developer for multiple publications, including Wide Open Media, Tasting Table, Mashed and SkinnyMs. Lindsay is an accomplished product tester and spent six years as a freelance product tester at Reviewed (part of the USA Today network). She has tested everything from cooking gadgets to knives, cookware sets, meat thermometers, pizza ovens and more than 60 grills (including charcoal, gas, kamado, smoker and pellet grills).Lindsay still cooks professionally for pop-up events, especially when she can highlight local, seasonal ingredients. As a writer, Lindsay loves sharing her skills and experience with home cooks. She aspires to motivate others to gain confidence in the kitchen. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking with fresh produce from the farmers market or planning a trip to discover the best new restaurants.

    10 Adorable Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What to cook in a mini cast iron skillet? ›

    Make the most of your small cast iron skillet with these expertly crafted recipes!
    1. Peach Dutch Baby For One.
    2. Frittata For One.
    3. Mini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie.
    4. Apple Dutch Baby For One.
    5. Beef Tenderloin Steak For One.
    6. Pan Seared Scallops For One.
    7. Ham and Cheese Dutch Baby For One.
    8. Detroit Style Pizza For One.

    Do you have to season a mini cast iron skillet? ›

    Most cast iron skillets these days come pre-seasoned, meaning they're ready for cooking on as soon as you take them out of the box. However, over time, the seasoning erodes, and you'll need to re-apply it by brushing the skillet with a thin layer of neutral oil and heating it until the oil bonds to the metal.

    What is a tiny skillet used for? ›

    Mini fry pans are perfect for making small dishes that need to be contained. The perfect thing to make in a mini fry pan? A perfectly round, fried egg. Keep the egg whites nice and thick while cooking your fried egg to perfection in a tiny fry pan.

    What should be the first meal in a cast iron skillet? ›

    Start with Vegetables

    Any seared, sautéed, or pan-roasted vegetable recipe is a great place to start breaking in your skillet.

    Should I use butter or oil in a cast iron skillet? ›

    Once your pan is pre-heated, add a little oil or fat. Then simply add your food! (Note: if you want to use butter, start with oil, and then add butter right before you add your food.)

    What is a small cast iron pan good for? ›

    Melting/browning butter, making garlic oil (aglio i olio), single portion stuff (eggs, veggies, meatballs) and so on...

    What are mini pans for? ›

    Aluminum body non-stick coated, brass handles. A range of small pots ideal for side dishes and individual servings, soufflés, baked pasta, rice creams, raclette, savory as well as sweet pastries, desserts, etc., etc..

    Should I wash my cast iron skillet before first use? ›

    Before Cooking

    Remove your new skillet from the package and wash in the sink with warm water and soap. This will be the only time it is necessary to use soap on your cast iron skillet. After rinsing, towel dry to remove any moisture, and your new Lancaster skillet is ready for use.

    Can I use olive oil on cast iron? ›

    Can I use olive oil to season my cast iron pan? The answer is a resounding YES. If you're thinking of using something else, like vegetable oil, make sure you do your research. Olive oil has a high smoke point and when done properly you can keep your pan in good shape for years and years.

    What is the best oil to season cast iron with? ›

    All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.

    What are the best foods to cook in a cast iron skillet? ›

    More Cast-Iron Skillet Meals
    • Cast-Iron Skillet Macaroni and Cheese. ...
    • Cast Iron Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts with Root Vegetables. ...
    • Cast Iron Pork Chops and Dirty Rice. ...
    • Cast Iron Chicken Chilaquiles. ...
    • Cast-Iron Skillet Strata with Bacon and Scallions. ...
    • Cast Iron Sausage Lasagna. ...
    • Cast Iron Simple Cheese Quiche.

    What can I cook in an 8 inch cast iron skillet? ›

    More obviously, an 8-inch skillet is the perfect size when cooking for one: use it to sear a fillet of fish, pork chop, steak, or chicken breast and it'll make less of a mess than in a 10-inch skillet. Or use it for making two eggs at breakfast—that's one of the ways I use mine most.

    What should you cook first in a new cast iron skillet? ›

    We recommend starting with vegetables as they are more forgiving than most proteins - they taste delicious and won't stick to your pan! Keep in mind that using a little bit of oil is necessary to help to keep food from sticking.

    What are mini Dutch ovens used for? ›

    Use it as a stock pot, a casserole dish, or a steamer pot that can effortlessly go from stove, to oven, to table.

    References

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