What to Buy Cookware We Tested the Best Egg Pans for Perfect Omelets, Scrambled Eggs, and More Our easy-to-clean top picks feature durable nonstick surfaces, sturdy cool-touch, slip-free handles, and excellent maneuverability. By Laura Denby Laura Denby Laura Denby is a food writer and chef with six years of professional culinary experience. Find her work in Real Simple, Food Network, Better Homes & Gardens and more. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 8, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite Factors to Consider The Tests Other Egg Pans We Tested FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Crate & Barrel Every egg lover knows that in order to cook the perfect eggs, you have to use a nonstick pan. Nonstick pans are essential kitchen tools that make scrambling and frying eggs easy, clean, and efficient. Eggs are notoriously sticky, and when cooked in the wrong type of pan, they leave a crusty residue that's impossible to clean off. Having the right pan on hand is a simple way to ensure diner-quality omelets at home, without the stress or hassle of cleaning up caked-on bits of egg. Egg pans should be slick, with gently sloped sides that make flipping an omelet or fried egg easy. They should be comfortable to maneuver and to clean by hand, with a slip-free handle that remains cool on high heat. In search of the best egg pan, we put some of the leading models to the test by cooking perfect French omelets in each. We found a lot of great options. Read on for more of our favorite egg pans. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Zwilling Non-Stick Frying Pan at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: GreenPan Nonstick Frying Pan at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Thomas Keller Insignia Sauté Pans at Hestanculinary.com Jump to Review Best Set: All-Clad Hard Anodized Fry Pans at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Omelets: Nordic Ware Cookware at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Frittatas: Caraway Frying Pan at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Zwilling Madura Plus 8 inches Non-Stick Frying Pan Amazon View On Amazon View On Zwilling.com Pros This PFOA-free pan is the most functional we tested—it's affordable and completely nonstick. Cons This pan is only oven-safe up to 300 degrees, so it's not made for high-heat cooking. This pan thoroughly impressed us with its ability to yield perfectly cooked omelets, scrambled eggs, and fried eggs easily and efficiently. The slightly textured handle provides a nonslip grip and stays cool even when using higher temperatures. The pan is made from forged aluminum coated in three layers of nonstick granite coating that's PFOA-free. The precise construction allows for even, thorough heat distribution and complete heat retention. Every omelet we made was evenly cooked, with zero browning or burning. Nothing stuck to the pan throughout our testing, which meant this pan was also the easiest to clean. The exceptionally slick surface makes it our top choice for cooking all types of eggs, and we love that it comes in multiple sizes. However, remember that this pan is only oven-safe up to 300 degrees. Price at time of publish: $104 Material: Aluminum, nonstick granite coatingOven-safe: Up to 300 degreesSizes available: 8-inch, 9.5-inch, 10-inch, 11-inch, 12-inchDishwasher-safe: Yes Food & Wine / Laura Denby Best Value GreenPan SmartShape Healthy Ceramic Nonstick, 8" Frying Pan Amazon View On Amazon Pros This is one of the slickest pans we tested, and it's also surprisingly affordable. Cons Although it's technically dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is recommended for best results. However, we found it easy to clean by hand. From a brand known for making top-rated nonstick cookware sets, this is a fantastically slick pan that easily cooked up omelets, fried eggs, and scrambled eggs. It's easy to maneuver with a sturdy handle that's lightweight and doesn't slip. It's made from hard-anodized aluminum with a strong base compatible with all stovetops, including induction. The nonstick ceramic surface is made without PFOAs and is completely scratch-proof, so feel free to use metal utensils. It's lightweight and easy to clean, so it will quickly become your go-to option for daily breakfasts. Overall, this is a great value for the price and comes in three sizes. Price at time of publish: $30 Material: Aluminum, ceramic nonstick coatingOven-safe: Up to 320 degreesSizes available: 8-inch, 9.5-inch, 11-inchDishwasher-safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended Food & Wine / Laura Denby Best Splurge Thomas Keller Insignia TITUM Nonstick Sauté Pans Hestan Culinary View On Hestanculinary.com Pros An ergonomic handle makes this heavy-duty, high-quality pan easy to maneuver. Cons This is one of the most expensive pans on our list. This stylish pan was designed by Chef Thomas Keller. It's made from durable, triple-clad stainless steel with thorough heat conductivity. The ergonomic handle is designed to rest in your hand, and we love how easy it is to pick up and maneuver. It's easy to grip, with a ridge to rest your finger on, and it's designed with a strategic vent that reduces heat transfer, meaning the handle stays cool even when cooking with high heat. We loved how slick the surface felt and had no trouble making omelets, scrambled eggs, and fried eggs. It's oven-safe up to 500 degrees, so you can transfer it directly from the stovetop to the oven. It's completely dishwasher-safe, and we didn't notice any difference in quality after running it through the dishwasher multiple times. Price at time of publish: $120 Material: Aluminum, TITUM nonstick surfaceOven-safe: Up to 500 degreesSizes available: 8.5-inch, 11-inch, 12.5-inchDishwasher-safe: Yes Food & Wine / Laura Denby We Cooked 68 Omelets to Find the Best Nonstick Pans—These Are Our Favorites Best Set All-Clad Hard Anodized E785S264/E785S263 Set of 2 Fry Pans Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros This two-piece set of durable, high-quality cookware is an incredible value for the price. Cons Be careful when transferring these pans in and out of the oven, as the handles can get a bit hot. Try this affordable option from All-Clad for a two-piece set of completely nonstick cookware. The hard-anodized pans feature an aluminum exterior for rapid heat conductivity, a stainless steel base to prevent warping or scratching, and a three-layer PFOA-free nonstick coating to make cooking sticky foods easier. These pans performed exceptionally well throughout our tests. Omelets turned easily, and no bits of egg were left behind in the pan. Our editors who've used these pans over many months say the nonstick coating is just as slick upon first use as after months of wear and tear. Like most All-Clad cookware, these pans feature the brand's signature contoured, stainless steel handle. We found these handles easy to grab, and the specific shape provides a sturdy, nonslip grip, even when wet. Despite how reliably heavy-duty the pan feels, it's surprisingly lightweight and didn't strain our wrists. Price at time of publish: $70 Material: Aluminum, PTFE nonstick coatingOven-safe: Up to 500 degreesSizes available: 8-inch and 10-inch set or 10-inch and 12-inch setDishwasher-safe: Yes Food & Wine / Laura Denby Best for Omelets Nordic Ware Restaurant Cookware 8.25 Inch Skillet Amazon View On Amazon Pros This affordable pan is entirely nonstick, lightweight, and easy to maneuver. Cons This pan is not induction-compatible and should not be put in the dishwasher. Using this lightweight fry pan makes me feel like I'm a line cook again, whipping up omelets at a fancy brunch hotspot. The silicone handle is easy to grip, and the handle and base of the pan are perfectly balanced, so you can work quickly without feeling any weight or strain on your wrist. The aluminum construction heats up quickly and evenly and retains heat consistently—the egg in the corners of the pan cooked just as thoroughly as the egg in the center of the pan. This pan is surprisingly slick and had no trouble frying or scrambling eggs. We love how easy it is to use. The lightweight construction makes it easy to hold it in mid-air and turn or flip omelets. The nonstick surface makes it easy to clean, too. It's oven-safe up to 400 degrees but you'll need to remove the silicone grip. This pan is not dishwasher-safe and should be cleaned by hand for best results. Price at time of publish: $43 Material: Aluminum, Teflon coating, silicone gripOven-safe: Up to 400 degrees, but silicone grip must be removed firstSizes available: 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, 14-inchDishwasher-safe: No Food & Wine / Laura Denby Best for Frittatas Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Bloomingdales Pros This non-toxic pan is free of PTFE and PFOA. It's oven-safe up to 550 degrees and the perfect option for baked egg dishes like frittata or quiche. Cons It's not dishwasher-safe, and this pan should be washed by hand for best results. For a heavy-duty pan that's stylish and consistently nonstick, look to Caraway's line of non-toxic induction-compatible cookware. Like all of Caraway's pieces, the Fry Pan is made without PTFE and PFOAs and is free of heavy metals. The mineral-based, nonstick ceramic coating is super slick, and we were able to easily scramble and fry eggs without using any oil or butter. After using this pan for many months, we can report that it's still as slick as it was upon first use, and it hasn't lost any of its nonstick properties over time. This pan is compatible with all stovetops. It's oven-safe up to 550 degrees, which makes it the perfect choice for baked egg dishes like frittatas or quiche. It comes in six stylish colors, so it can elegantly transition from oven to tabletop and double as a serving dish. If you're serving a crowd, check out Caraway's Sauté Pan. It's made from the same material at a much larger size. Price at time of publish: $95 Material: Aluminum, ceramic nonstick coating, stainless steel handleOven-safe: Up to 550 degreesSizes available: 10.5-inchDishwasher-safe: No Food & Wine / Laura Denby Our Favorite A great egg pan is a kitchen mainstay for breakfast lovers. In searching for the best one, we wanted to ensure it would be a pan that we wouldn't mind using every weekend. We looked for an option that was reliably nonstick, simple to use, and easy to clean. The Zwilling Madura Plus 8-Inch Pan excelled in all of our tests. Thanks to the slick surface, balanced handle, and even heat distribution, it's the most convenient by far. Food & Wine / Laura Denby Factors to Consider Material First and foremost, an egg pan should be completely nonstick. If you've ever tried to cook eggs in a stainless steel pan, you know how frustrating it can be when half of the egg mixture sticks to the bottom. It creates an unappealing film of residue that's impossible to scrape off. Unlike other pans, dedicated egg pans should be lightweight and slick, which makes cooking scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas, and more easy, functional, and more efficient. Before selecting the pan for you, make sure it's made from a nonstick material that will conduct heat evenly and efficiently. It's best to find a pan that is made from PFOA-free coating because PFOA materials can be considered toxic. The 8 Best Non-toxic Cookware Buys for Home Cooks, According to Customers Care and Cleaning Whatever material you choose, make sure you know how to care for it properly. Some nonstick pans can be put in the dishwasher, while others must be washed by hand. Some pans scratch easily, so always use wooden or silicone tools. Caring for your pan properly is the best way to ensure its longevity, so be sure to understand the care instructions before getting started. The Best Kitchen Utensil Sets for All Your Cooking and Baking Needs Versatility Lastly, it's important to assess how versatile your egg pan is. Because of the nonstick surface, many egg pans can only withstand limited temperatures, and some are not safe to use in the oven. This is an especially crucial factor to consider if you're a fan of baked egg dishes like frittatas or quiche. Before purchasing an egg pan, consider what types of dishes you plan to make most often. The Tests To assess the best egg pans, we determined a comprehensive product set of the leading nonstick pans for cooking eggs and put them to the test. First, we assessed how each pan looks and feels in our hands. We wanted to make sure each pan was lightweight and easy to maneuver, and we took note of how balanced the handle felt in comparison to the rest of the pan. We also evaluated how slippery or sturdy each handle felt, and made note of any special features that make cooking easier, like a textured or ergonomic grip. We used each pan to make a traditional French omelet, fried eggs, and scrambled eggs. To properly assess nonstick functionality, we did not use any oil or butter in any of our tests. The omelet test let us evaluate how nonstick the surface of each pan was and how evenly it could conduct heat. We examined whether the omelet was evenly cooked throughout and whether there were brown spots of overcooked egg or loose spots of undercooked egg. Lastly, we evaluated each pan on how easy it is to clean. Some pans were very slick, which meant they easily wiped clean with a cloth. Others required a bit of warm soapy water, and a few required extra elbow grease and a solid scrub-down. If a pan was designated as "dishwasher-safe," we ran it through a cycle to assess whether or not dishwashing had any effect on functionality. Food & Wine / Laura Denby Other Egg Pans We Tested Strong Contenders Misen Nonstick We love how sleek and smooth the Misen Nonstick pan is, with a nonstick coating that even the stickiest eggs don't cake on to. The 8-inch pan is one of the lightest we tested, so it was exceptionally easy to use and maneuver. It also has a removable silicone handle that adds stability when working with wet or slippery ingredients. We love that this pan is completely nonstick, but be careful not to use it over high temperatures. Because it's made with PTFEs, this pan should not exceed 450 degrees. Food & Wine / Laura Denby Greenpan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick This is a fantastically nonstick pan that has a slick ceramic surface. Nothing stuck to the pan in any of our tests, and we found it to be easy to hold and maneuver. This is a great investment if you're looking for a high-quality pan that will cook up eggs with ease. It's made from hard-anodized aluminum that is durable and heavy-duty. The surface is scratch-resistant and nontoxic, so it's free of PFOAs and heavy metals. We found the edges of this pan to be slightly more difficult to clean than some others. Food & Wine / Laura Denby What Didn't Make the list Great Jones Small Fry This 8.5-inch nonstick pan has a PTFE and PFOA-free ceramic coating and a chic welded handle. We found this pan to be easy to hold and maneuver, and we love that the metal handle stayed cool, even under higher temperatures. However, the nonstick coating wasn't as slick as we had hoped. Bits of egg stuck to the pan in our omelet test, which made flipping the omelet impossible. The caked-on bits of egg were really challenging to clean off. Food & Wine / Laura Denby Made In Nonstick Offered in three sizes or a three-piece set, this pan from Made In is oven-safe up to 500 degrees and induction compatible. It features an ergonomic handle that's easy to hold, and the surface is PFOA-free, five-ply stainless clad construction. Though this pan was really slick the first time we used it, we noticed that it started to lose its nonstick properties after repeated use over the course of a few months. Food & Wine / Laura Denby Hexclad Hybrid Pan This PFOA-free pan by HexClad is induction compatible and oven-safe up to 500 degrees. Unlike many nonstick pans, it's scratch-resistant and safe to use with metal tools or utensils. However, it did not pass our omelet test. We noticed a considerable amount of egg sticking to the pan upon first use, which made it tricky to clean. The stuck-on bits of eggs began to brown and burned before the rest of the egg finished cooking, which made for a challenging experience. Food & Wine / Laura Denby Frequently Asked Questions How big is an egg pan? There is a wide variety, and size is determined by use, says Anthony Contrino, an Emmy-awarded culinary producer and the host of Saucy on NBCUniversal's streaming platform Peacock. "Egg pans can vary by size. Mini egg pans can be around four inches and are perfect for cooking a single egg. From there, you can go as large as a 10-inch pan, with most preferring something in the six- to eight-inch range." How do you flip an egg in an egg pan? Mastering the egg flip takes practice. "If you're a pro, you can shimmy the pan to slide the egg to a corner of the pan and flick your wrist to gently toss and flip the egg," says Contrino."For the novice, a plastic turner does the trick. Be sure to use plastic over metal so you don't scratch the nonstick coating of the pan," he says. Choose a thin, flexible turner with a bit of stiffness for ease of use. You can also add a bit of oil to the pan before turning over-easy eggs to help keep the yolk intact. Can you make pancakes in an egg pan? "As long as you're using a larger sized pan, you can definitely make pancakes in an egg pan. Just be sure to leave some space between the walls of the pan and the edge of the pancake for proper cooking," says Contrino. And a small egg pan is the ideal size for a single pancake when you want to make just one or two. Our Expertise Laura Denby is a food writer and former chef with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education. She uses her professional culinary experience to test hundreds of products for brands like Real Simple, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, and more. Laura focuses on writing thoughtful product reviews to help home cooks become more efficient and confident in the kitchen. For this piece, Laura personally tested each pan over the course of several months. This piece was also updated by Stacey Ballis, a freelance writer, recipe developer, and product reviewer. Stacey has been published on Food & Wine, Eating Well, Allrecipes, MyRecipes, Delish, and more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit