What Can I Cook in an Electric Skillet? 25+ Ideas, Temps and Recipes

An electric skillet is a large, deep frying pan with its own heating element and thermostat. It holds a steady temperature, so it can fry, sauté, simmer, braise and even bake.

It is one of the most versatile small appliances you can own. Here is what to cook in one, at what temperature, and how to get the best results.

The short version: An electric skillet can cook breakfast, stir-fries, burgers, chicken, one-pan pasta, chili, braises and simple desserts. Use about 300°F to 350°F for most cooking, 375°F to 400°F for searing, and 200°F to 250°F to simmer or keep food warm. A 16-inch model such as the Presto 06852 is big enough for a family meal.

Why Use an Electric Skillet?

• Steady temperature. The thermostat holds the heat you set, which helps with pancakes and frying.
• Big cooking surface. Many skillets are 12 to 16 inches across, larger than most stovetop pans.
• Frees up the stove. Useful for holidays or when cooking several dishes.
• Portable. Cook anywhere with an outlet: a dorm, an RV, a buffet table.
• Keep-warm setting. Low heat keeps food ready to serve.

The Presto 06852 has a 200°F to 400°F range, 1500 watts, a glass cover and a cooking surface that is dishwasher safe with the heat control removed.

Electric Skillet Temperature Chart

Food	Temperature	Notes
Keeping food warm	200°F to 225°F	Lid on
Simmering sauces, chili, soups	225°F to 275°F	Small bubbles only
Eggs	250°F to 300°F	Low and gentle
Pancakes and French toast	350°F to 375°F	Test with a drop of water
Bacon	325°F to 350°F	Start in a cool skillet
Sautéing vegetables	325°F to 350°F	Stir often
Chicken pieces	325°F to 350°F	Cook to 165°F inside
Burgers and pork chops	350°F to 375°F	Flip once
Searing steak	375°F to 400°F	Preheat fully
Shallow frying	350°F to 375°F	Follow your manual’s oil limit

Dials vary between brands, so treat this as a starting point. A meat thermometer is the best way to check doneness.

Breakfast Ideas

An electric skillet’s wide surface is ideal for cooking breakfast for a crowd.

• Pancakes: Cook six or more at once. Preheat to about 350°F to 375°F.
• French toast: Even heat gives golden slices without burnt spots.
• Bacon: Start in a cool skillet and set it to about 325°F to 350°F so the fat renders slowly.
• Scrambled eggs: Low heat and a little butter.
• Fried eggs: Cook a dozen at once. For poached eggs, see how to use egg poachers.
• Breakfast hash: Fry diced potatoes, onions and peppers, then add sausage and crack eggs on top. Cover until set.
• Breakfast tacos: Warm tortillas and cook fillings in one pan.

For pancake lovers, see also the best griddle pan for pancakes.

Main Dish Ideas

Stir-Fries

Heat the skillet to 375°F to 400°F. Cook the meat first, set it aside, then stir-fry vegetables and add a sauce. The large surface stops food from steaming.

For a classic wok option, see the best wok for an electric stove.

Chicken

Chicken thighs, breasts and tenders cook well at about 325°F to 350°F. Brown them, then add a splash of stock, cover and let them finish cooking. Cook to 165°F inside.

Not sure how much to buy? See how much a chicken breast weighs.

Burgers and Steaks

Burgers cook evenly at about 350°F to 375°F. For steak, preheat to 400°F and pat the meat dry. Electric skillets do not get as hot as cast iron, so for a deep crust, a cast iron skillet on the stove is still better.

Pork Chops

Sear the chops, then lower the heat and cover to finish. Add sliced apples and onions for a one-pan dinner.

Fish

Cook fillets at about 325°F to 350°F in a little butter or oil. Flip once. For delicate whole fish, a fish poacher is gentler.

Sausages

Brown sausages, then add a little water and cover to cook through. Add peppers and onions for sausage and peppers. For an oven method, see how to cook sausages in the oven.

One-Pan Meals

The deep sides and lid make an electric skillet ideal for one-pan cooking.

• One-pan pasta: Add dry pasta, broth, tomatoes and seasoning. Simmer with the lid on until the pasta is tender.
• Skillet lasagna: Layer broken noodles, sauce, meat and cheese, then cover and simmer.
• Chili: Brown the meat, add beans, tomatoes and spices, and simmer for an hour.
• Fried rice: Use cold, cooked rice for the best texture. Here is how to cook rice in a rice cooker.
• Jambalaya or paella-style rice: Toast the rice, add stock and simmer covered.
• Fajitas: Sizzle sliced chicken or beef with peppers and onions.
• Curry: Simmer meat or vegetables in sauce on low heat.

Braising and Slow Cooking

An electric skillet can braise like a Dutch oven on low heat.

• Pot roast: Brown a small roast, add stock and vegetables, then cover and simmer at about 225°F to 250°F for 2 to 3 hours.
• Short ribs: Brown, add liquid and braise until tender.
• Swiss steak: Brown round steak, add tomatoes and onions, and simmer.
• Pulled chicken: Simmer chicken thighs in barbecue sauce, then shred.

Check the liquid level often, and top up if needed.

Sides and Snacks

• Grilled cheese and quesadillas: Cook several at once.
• Roasted vegetables: Sauté with the lid off for browning.
• Fried potatoes: Slice thin and fry until golden. See how long potatoes last for storage.
• Corn on the cob: Simmer in a little water with the lid on.
• Popcorn: Use the lid and shake the skillet carefully.
• Reheated pizza: Covered, on low, for a crisp base. See how to reheat pizza.

Desserts and Baking

With the lid on, an electric skillet works as a small oven.

• Skillet cake: Pour batter into the greased skillet, cover and cook on low until set.
• Cobbler: Simmer fruit, add biscuit dough on top, then cover until cooked.
• Cornbread: Bake covered on low heat.
• Upside-down cake: Melt butter and sugar, add fruit and pour batter on top.
• Cinnamon rolls: Bake canned rolls covered on low.
• Bananas Foster: Cook bananas in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Keep the lid closed and the heat low for even baking. If you bake often, see the best small ovens and toaster ovens.

Easy Recipe: Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Serves 4

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 4 cups mixed vegetables (peppers, broccoli, snap peas, carrots)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1. Toss the chicken with the cornstarch.
2. Heat the skillet to 375°F. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove it.
3. Add the rest of the oil and the vegetables. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Mix the soy sauce, honey and vinegar, and add it with the chicken.
6. Toss until glossy. Serve over rice.

No cornstarch? See what to use instead of cornstarch.

Easy Recipe: One-Pan Tomato Pasta

This is one of the easiest meals to make in an electric skillet. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so there is no pot of water to drain.

Start by softening a chopped onion and two cloves of garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil at about 300°F. Then add 12 oz of short dry pasta, such as penne or rotini, a 28-oz can of crushed tomatoes and about 3 cups of broth. Season with salt, pepper and a teaspoon of dried basil or oregano.

Bring it to a simmer, then turn the dial down to about 250°F and put the lid on. Stir every few minutes so the pasta does not stick. After 12 to 15 minutes, the pasta should be tender and the sauce thick.

Stir in a handful of spinach and a little grated Parmesan before serving. If the sauce gets too thick before the pasta is cooked, add a splash more broth.

How to Choose an Electric Skillet

If you are shopping for one, these features matter most.

Size. A 12-inch skillet suits one or two people. A 16-inch skillet feeds a family and fits a whole batch of pancakes. Rectangular skillets offer more usable space than round ones.

Depth. Deeper sides, around 2 to 3 inches, handle one-pan pasta, chili and braises without spilling.

Coating. Most electric skillets are nonstick. Ceramic coatings avoid PTFE, while traditional nonstick tends to last longer. Stainless steel skillets brown better but need more oil.

Temperature range. Look for a range from about 200°F up to 400°F or more, so the skillet can both keep food warm and sear.

Lid. A glass lid lets you watch food without lifting it. A steam vent helps food stay crisp.

Cleaning. A removable heat control makes the pan easy to wash, and many are dishwasher safe once it is removed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is not preheating long enough. Food added to a cool skillet sticks and cooks unevenly, so wait for the indicator light.

Another is using metal utensils, which scratch nonstick coatings over time. Pouring cold water into a hot skillet is also risky, as the sudden change can warp the pan.

Finally, many people forget that the dial is not perfectly accurate. If food browns too fast, turn it down 25 degrees, and keep notes on what works for your skillet.

Safety Tips

Place the skillet on a flat, heat-safe surface with space around it. Keep the cord away from the counter edge so no one can pull it down.

Never immerse the heat control in water. Unplug the skillet before cleaning, and let it cool fully first. When shallow frying, keep the oil well below the rim and never leave the skillet unattended.

Tips for Cooking in an Electric Skillet

• Preheat fully. Wait for the indicator light to go off before adding food.
• Do not overcrowd. Food steams instead of browning.
• Use the lid wisely. On for simmering, baking and melting cheese. Off for browning and crisping.
• Use soft utensils. Wood, silicone or nylon protect the nonstick coating. Learn more in what is nonstick cookware.
• Skip cooking spray. It can build a sticky film on nonstick coatings.
• Use the vent. Many lids have a steam vent; open it for crispier food.

How to Clean an Electric Skillet

1. Unplug the skillet and let it cool completely.
2. Remove the heat control. Never put it in water.
3. Wash the skillet in warm, soapy water, or in the dishwasher if the manual allows.
4. For stuck food, soak with warm water and a little dish soap.
5. Dry the probe socket fully before using the skillet again.

Our guide on how to clean an electric griddle covers similar steps.

Electric Skillet vs Stovetop Pan

An electric skillet is better for steady heat, big batches and cooking away from the stove. A stovetop pan is better for fast heat changes and hard searing.

For stovetop choices, see the best saute pan, the best nonstick pans and the difference between a skillet and a frying pan.

Electric Skillets in Small Kitchens

An electric skillet can replace a stovetop in a dorm, studio or RV. It also adds a second “burner” when cooking for a group.

See the best small kitchen appliances for cooking for one and easy meal prep ideas for one person. To store it, try ideas from how to store pots and pans in a small kitchen.

Related Guides

• What Can You Cook in a Roaster Oven
• Best Pepper Mill
• How to Use a NuWave Oven
• Best Camping Cookware
• How to Stock a Small Kitchen for Solo Cooking
• Most Energy-Efficient Small Kitchen Appliances

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you cook in an electric skillet?

Almost anything you would cook in a frying pan or shallow pot: eggs, pancakes, bacon, burgers, chicken, stir-fries, one-pan pasta, chili, braises, rice dishes and even simple cakes.

Can you bake in an electric skillet?

Yes, within limits. With the lid on and low heat, it can bake skillet cakes, cornbread, cobblers and biscuits. Place a rack or a few balls of foil under a pan for gentler heat.

Can you deep fry in an electric skillet?

You can shallow fry safely. For deeper frying, use only as much oil as the manual allows, keep it well below the rim and never leave it unattended.

Is an electric skillet better than a frying pan?

It holds a set temperature more steadily and has a bigger cooking surface, and it frees up a burner. A stovetop pan heats and cools faster and is better for hard searing.

Can you put an electric skillet in the dishwasher?

Many can go in the dishwasher once the heat control is removed. Check your manual, and never put the heat control in water.