Ever wonder what you could do with a miniature 3.5-inch cast iron skillet? Here are 17 Genius uses for that teeny tiny miniature cast iron pan! From recipes to home decor we have you covered.
We teased her endlessly about the pan. “Mom, seriously, what the heck are you supposed to cook in a teeny tiny cast iron skillet?” I asked.
She just laughed. But she never actually answered my question.
Was this a joke?
Well the cute little pan has grown on me and, after using it for a few months, I can now testify that this is a pretty genius little gadget. Besides it being small (perfect for any minimalist out there) and therefore taking up very little space in your kitchen, it has a number of incredible uses. Here are 17 that come to mind. You can check out our roundup of our favorite cast iron skillet recipes for more ideas.
What to do with a 3.5-inch Miniature Cast Iron Pan
The obvious, like…
1. The Perfect Fried Egg
2. Works for Over Easy Eggs too
3. Marvelous for some tiny Bacon Bits…
4. For a Bacon, Red Pepper, Tomato, and Cheddar Mini Frittata
But it also works great for non-egg items too, like…
6. Searing Baby Steaks….
7. For a Tiny Steak and Cheese Quesadilla
8. Or Roasting Garlic
9. Your friends will love this one at your next cocktail party, paired alongside some delicious charcuterie, smoked almonds, and super fancy artisan salts.
10. A Teeny Tiny Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
Go ahead and dig in… It’s a pizza party!!! Woohoo!
Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but it’s never too late for a romantic…
11. Cheese Fondue for One…
If you don’t want to make a big fondue portion, you can always make a personal version.
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12. Or Chocolate Fondue… also for One
Still feeling up for something sweet? How about a…
13. Deep Dish Cookie… Cooked in a Teeny Tiny Cast Iron Skillet?!
13.1 Don’t forget the Ice Cream!!!
Yum
But just because it’s labeled a pan doesn’t mean its powers are limited to just food. Think outside the box for more uses for this amazing teeny tiny pan, like…
14. Statement Jewelry
Nothing says, “I’m a Badass,” like wearing a miniature cast iron skillet around your neck while sporting your faux leather jacket around your shoulder.
15. Christmas Tree Ornament
I’m pretty sure my dear mom will be receiving her very own magical teeny tiny miniature cast iron skillet this year in her stocking.
16. Dog Bowl for your Teeny Tiny Dog
17. A Wine Coaster for your Favorite Bottle
Seriously. This is a life changing pan! You can get your very own for the price of a couple Starbucks lattes. And for this price, and all the incredible uses for this teeny tiny skillet, you should probably invest in the 4-pack, and give some away to your friends. #minicastironskillet4-eva
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And with the holidays coming up, this miniature 3.5-inch cast iron skillet is the perfect for that foodie on your list!
Where to Buy a Tiny Cast Iron Pan
Get the perfect stocking stuffer from Amazon. We love the Lodge Cast Iron version.
Make sure to tag us on Instagram with your tiny cast iron pictures!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for that super teeny tiny miniature Lodge 3.5 inch cast iron skillet. That means if you buy one of these cute little pans based off this recommendation I get something like ten cents because the thing is so darn cheap. That money will go directly into my Christmas fund to give everyone in my family their very own tiny skillet.
About Vindulge
Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.
I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!
I cherish all 4 of my small pans . I fry out sliced sausage, make 4 individual Dutch Baby oankecakes, I put a rim of chili around the edge and a egg in the he middle fry it on stove top add cheese and bake it in the oven and serve! I will use one as a top over the other to fry up chicken parts for pizza. I use my black iron pans every day!,
I have six, one of my favourite uses: pear tart with maple syrup, cover fruit with a circle of puff pastry and place in oven, when cooked run knife round edge and carefully invert so crunchy pastry is on bottom, lovely brown slices of pear on top and guests get a nice surprise when they cut into a crispy base ,serve with ice cream, custard or cream
Hola! No tenia idea de como usarla gracias a este post la uso a diario con porciones perfectas para mi familia, ademas que se ven preciosas cuando adorno la mesa gracias saludos desde tijuana baja california mexico
I have 6 inch and 8 inch cast iron skillets and a couple of one-cup containers and they are genius for portion control. They live in the oven and get filled with meats, veggies, desserts, whatever, then go back in the oven or on the range top for individualized meals.
No worries about spilling a heavy skillet of grease, or dropping it on my foot, or breaking my tile floor.
They make great utensil rests on the stove, and great ashtrays too
I cherish all 4 of my small pans . I fry out sliced sausage, make 4 individual Dutch Baby oankecakes, I put a rim of chili around the edge and a egg in the he middle fry it on stove top add cheese and bake it in the oven and serve! I will use one as a top over the other to fry up chicken parts for pizza. I use my black iron pans every day!,
Brilliant!
I have six, one of my favourite uses: pear tart with maple syrup, cover fruit with a circle of puff pastry and place in oven, when cooked run knife round edge and carefully invert so crunchy pastry is on bottom, lovely brown slices of pear on top and guests get a nice surprise when they cut into a crispy base ,serve with ice cream, custard or cream
This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
I live alone and when I seen this skillet I said this will be perfect for me when I want to bake cornbread , a peach, apple, or black berry cobbler.
Thanks for sharing! It is a great tool for that single portion!
I literally just spit my drink out laughing at #14!
I love the ornament idea.
I would also use it to bake and serve separate quiches, etc.
It would be a blast!
Oh my gosh that is an awesome idea.
Hola! No tenia idea de como usarla gracias a este post la uso a diario con porciones perfectas para mi familia, ademas que se ven preciosas cuando adorno la mesa gracias saludos desde tijuana baja california mexico
Muchas Gracias!!! My gusta la pequeña cacerola!! 😉
Don’t forget candleholder
😉
I have 6 inch and 8 inch cast iron skillets and a couple of one-cup containers and they are genius for portion control. They live in the oven and get filled with meats, veggies, desserts, whatever, then go back in the oven or on the range top for individualized meals.
No worries about spilling a heavy skillet of grease, or dropping it on my foot, or breaking my tile floor.
I have one of these skillet and I use it all the time to make an egg. Never thought of it for statement jewelry though!
Like I said, it’s a genius invention 😉