Look beyond the stovetop! Here's why the electric skillet is staking a claim as one of the most valuable kitchen appliances.
The Surprising Reason You Need an Electric Skillet in Your Kitchen
Updated on Mar. 09, 2023
If you’re convinced an electric skillet is only good for dorm room cooking, it’s time to reconsider! Sure, they’re great for small spaces that don’t have fully functioning kitchens, including RVs and tiny houses. But this handy countertop appliance deserves a spot in your kitchen, too. The reason? Consistent cooking temperature.
P.S. Don’t forget to read up on all you need to know before buying an electric skillet, too.
Consistency Is Key
With a wide range of heat settings, typically 175º to at least 400º, electric skillets allow you to cook almost anything. But the best part about electric skillets is that they hold a consistent heat.
Unlike traditional stovetops, which may have hot spots and uneven heat, electric skillets consistently keep the temperature you set. Not only are they great for pan frying and sauteing, that consistent heat is ideal for deep frying doughnuts, chicken, potatoes and fish in the skillet. If you’re new to deep frying, check out our best tips for deep frying at home.
Electric skillets are also perfect for all your breakfast favorites. Omelets, french toast and pancakes benefit from even heat, so you’ll get perfectly cooked breakfast foods every time.
Plus, the precise temperature gauge allows for low-heat poaching, including fish or eggs. Try it out on this tomato-poached halibut recipe.
It’s Party Ready
If the consistent heat isn’t enough to sway you, consider how handy the electric skillet is during parties and holidays. If your stovetop is full, the electric skillet offers extra cooking space. Thanks to its handles and wide base, it’s also a convenient way to transport food to parties and can be used as a chafing dish during potlucks.
Speaking of potlucks, here are 13 potluck etiquette rules to follow!
And Summer Friendly, Too
Another bonus? Electric skillets won’t heat up your whole kitchen on a hot day the way the oven would. By using less energy than the stovetop, an electric skillet is a cooler—and cheaper—way to cook in the summer.
Ready to check out electric skillets? Here’s the one we recommend.
Here's What to Make in Your Electric Skillet
Springtime Beignets & BerriesI've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
Pretzel-Crusted CatfishI'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Sweet Potato-Cranberry DoughnutsI grew up near Idaho, which is famous for spudnuts, a doughnut made from mashed potatoes. I reworked a recipe using sweet potatoes and cranberries to come up with this variation. I like to serve them for dessert. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Crispy Sriracha Spring RollsWhile in the Bahamas, friends suggested a restaurant that served amazing chicken spring rolls. When I got home, I created my own version. Such a great appetizer to have waiting in the freezer! —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Fried Sweet Potato PiesWith my dad being a farmer who grew them, sweet potatoes have graced our table for as long as I can recall. This recipe, however, resulted from an experiment for a church bake sale when we had excess pastry. People couldn't get enough of these pies! —Marilyn Moseley, Toccoa, Georgia
Pumpkin Doughnut DropsI always have a few special treats handy when the grandchildren visit. These cake doughnuts are one of their favorite snacks. —Beva Staum, Muscoda, Wisconsin
Eggplant RollatiniThis Italian-inspired recipe could be described as eggplant Parmesan meets lasagna—with an elegant twist. Here’s how to make eggplant rollatini for a fancy dinner that’s sure to impress.
Ginger-Pork WontonsA flavorful, juicy pork filling is jazzed up with a delicious touch of ginger and enveloped in crispy wrappers. These surprisingly simple appetizers are the ultimate finger food and are perfect for parties. —Sandra Parton, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Crowd-Pleasing Ravioli NachosLightly breaded and deep-fried, ravioli goes to a new level in this nacho-like appetizer. Kids and grown-ups can’t get enough of the crispy, cheesy, flavorful crowd pleasers.—Robert Doornbos, Jenison, Michigan
Batter-Up WalleyeNothing is more rewarding than celebrating the day's catch with friends when you share this fresh dish. Substitute your favorite pan fish! —Alesha Oster, Williston, North Dakota
Jelly DoughnutsThere's no need to run to the bakery for delicious jelly doughnuts! These sweet treats are lighter than air. I've been fixing them for 25 years for my husband, our two daughters and their families. They disappear almost as fast as I make them. —Kathy Westendorf, Westgate, Iowa
Fry BreadWarm, soft and puffy with a golden and crisp exterior, the Navajo fry bread recipe is a beloved treat with a complex history.
Glazed DoughnutsThe light coffee flavor in these tasty sugar-glazed doughnuts makes them a perfect start to the morning...on Christmas Day or any day. You'll find that the recipe is a delectable way to use up leftover potatoes. —Pat Siebenaler, Random Lake, Wisconsin
Fried JalapenosHere's an appetizer that will heat up any gathering. Family and friends often request that I make these jalapenos. —DeLea Lonadier, Montgomery, Louisiana
Fruit SalsaIf you need inspiration for a fun kid's birthday party snack, or a fresh appetizer at a baby shower, here's a fun take on salsa. Instead of tomatoes and savory flavors, this fruit salsa is sweet and bright, with cinnamon-and-sugar-dusted chips for dipping.
Southwestern Egg RollsAt my church potluck, these crispy, spicy snacks went fast thanks to the triple kick from the Italian sausage, Mexicorn and chiles. Want to balance the hot with a little cool? Sour cream and guacamole are tasty toppings for these Tex-Mex egg rolls. —Jacqueline Bower, Washington, Iowa
Fried OkraCrispy, crunchy and absolutely delightful. It's hard to stop eating fried okra once you pop a few of these tasty bites!
Funnel CakeWhip up a contest-winning funnel cake at home with our simple recipe. Just add cotton candy and corn dogs!
Chicken StripsHere's how to deep-fry or bake crispy, golden chicken strips, plus tons of ideas for how to serve them.
Banana BeignetsWhen life hands you ripe bananas, make banana beignets! These mini beignets are so easy and so good, you may find yourself buying extra bananas on purpose.
Pretzel-Crusted Catfish BitesI'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my book. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with honey! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Drop DoughnutsRemember this recipe after your next holiday dinner. I use any leftover mashed potatoes to make these light and fluffy doughnuts. The dish was originally created by my neighbor's mother-in-law as a breakfast treat or a snack. —Marilyn Kleinfall, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Lasagna DipDo you love dips but are itching to try something new? This cheesy, spicy lasagna dip is a surprising twist, mixing classic Italian ingredients for major flavor.
Cider DoughnutsHere on our 1,250-acre farm, we usually have a quick breakfast on the go. So I often keep a batch of these light and moist doughnuts on hand. They disappear quickly because no one can eat just one! —Suzanne Christensen, Defiance, Iowa
Fried ChickenThis crispy fried chicken recipe uses a batter instead of a flour coating. That helps the flour adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off after cooking!
Chili-Lime Chicken WingsWho would have guessed that mixing maple syrup, chili sauce and lime juice would make chicken wings taste so good? Family and guests alike will scramble to ensure they get more than one of these utterly delicious wings - so be sure to make extras! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Hush PuppiesOur recipe for hush puppies is easy enough for anyone to make. The result? Golden brown, airy, savory hush puppies perfect for anytime snacks and sides.
Berry-Filled DoughnutsFour ingredients are all you'll need for this sure-bet breakfast treat. Friends and family will never guess that refrigerated buttermilk biscuits are the base for these golden, jelly-filled doughnuts. —Ginny Watson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Marina’s Golden Corn FrittersJust one bite of these fritters takes me back to when my kids were young. Nowadays for our get-togethers, I sometimes triple the recipe. Serve fritters with maple syrup or agave nectar. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Deep-Fried Mac & Cheese ShellsI created this deep fried mac and cheese recipe for my husband. He describes this recipe as unbelievably delicious because of the crispy deep-fried coating on the outside and the creamy richness on the inside. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida
Homemade Corn DogsLove fair food like funnel cake and corn dogs? Here is how to make perfectly golden, hand-dipped corn dogs at home.
Pigs in a PonchoFor pigs in a blanket Mexican style, we add refried beans and green chiles. Spice it up even more with pepper jack, jalapenos and guacamole. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, Iowa
Peppered Corn FrittersThe addition of cumin complements the corn and peppers in these fritters that will be eaten up as quick as you can make them! —Precious Owens, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Crispy Norwegian BowsI've been fixing these cookies for so long, I don't recall where the recipe came from. They're a "must" at our house.—Janie Norwood, Albany, Georgia
Chickpea Fritters with Sweet-Spicy SauceChickpeas are a common ingredient in many dishes in Pakistan, where I grew up. I have combined the light spice of Pakistani foods with the love of deep-fried finger foods that many Americans, including my daughters, enjoy. To eat, dip this chickpea recipe in chilled yogurt. —Shahrin Hasan, York, Pennsylvania
Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken NuggetsI was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
Savory Mustard Chicken and Stuffing WafflesAdding mustard to the chicken coating adds a tang that's amazing with the savory waffles and sweet maple syrup. —John Ginn, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Blue Ribbon Beefy BurritosI have a son who lives in Mexico, so we don’t see him very often. When I make these burritos, it feels as if he is right there at the table with us, inhaling them. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
LatkesOur potato latkes recipe creates crispy, oniony latkes with a lacy exterior and creamy center. They’re the perfect vehicle for all kinds of toppings—traditional or original!
Deep-Fried Cheese BitesThese beer-battered cheese curds are the ultimate in delicious comfort food. Some folks like to serve them with ranch dressing, ketchup or barbecue sauce for dipping. —Katie Rose, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Parsnip Latkes with Lox and Horseradish CremeA horseradish-flavored creme fraiche brings zip to these crispy homemade latkes, which get a touch of sweetness from the parsnips. Add fresh dill sprigs for a garnish. —Todd Schmeling, Gurnee, Illinois
Loaded Stuffed Potato PancakesWhen I make mashed potatoes, I always cook extra so I can prepare these over-the-top potato pancakes. Fill them with sour cream, ranch dressing or melted cheese—or all three. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Nena’s Papas RellenasA Cuban classic, these satisfying, crispy-coated potato balls are filled with a savory ground beef mixture known as picadillo. —Nena Linares, Los Angeles, California
