11 Petite Cookware Pieces That Bring Us *Big* Joy

This story was updated in August 2023 with our newest mini cookware and contains products independently chosen (and loved) by our editors. Food52 may earn a commission on qualifying purchases of the products we link to.

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Did you know our brains are actually hardwired to find small things cute? Scientists call it a “cuteness trigger” (a term that is pretty cute in and of itself), and we’re happy to know there’s a reason we regularly find ourselves fawning over teeny-tiny kitchen tools.

If you’re a sucker for all things small, there are a lot—and we mean a lot—of undersized cookware pieces you can add to your kitchen. The best part? They are just as functional as they are precious, so you can justify the purchase by putting your new mini cocottes to use as serving vessels at your next dinner party or impress your friends with their own personal butter warmer to go with their shellfish.

If you, too, find these concepts absolutely irresistible, here are our favorite pieces of petite cookware.

1. Five Two by GreenPan Essential Saucepan

This smaller-scale saucepan is just the right size for a couple portions of pasta, a half-dozen hard-boiled eggs, or reheating last night’s leftovers. Despite its size, it’s also super sturdy, boasting a stable, tri-ply stainless steel construction.

2. Smithey Mini Cast-Iron Skillet

This adorable cast-iron skillet is just the right size for a single fried egg and makes cooking them a joy. But it’s good for much more than just that: Use it to melt butter, toast nuts, or make the ultimate, single-serving skillet cookie.

3. Nordic Ware Harvest Mini Loaf Pan

This piece itself is not miniature, but what it yields—six fall-themed mini loaf cakes—certainly is. Festive and durable enough to last for many seasons to come (it’s backed by a lifetime warranty, after all), this pan will instantly upgrade your banana breads, pumpkin loaves, and snacking cakes.

4. Staub Mini Cast Iron Fry Pan

Naturally, you’re going to need a mini fry pan to go with your mini sauce pan, and we can’t think of a better option than this one from Staub. It’s just six inches in diameter, and while that might be too small for a stir fry, it is the ideal size for a personal-size pizza, deep-dish cookie, or cobbler for two.

5. Lodge Cast Iron Wonder Skillet

Grilled cheese lovers, prepare to have your minds blown! This “Wonder”-ful skillet is a compact, five-inch square, making it the perfect size for toasting up a single ooey-gooey sandwich. It’s made from pre-seasoned cast iron for unbeatable heat retention, and it single-handedly proves that good things do indeed come in small packages.

6. Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer

These cool, colorful Dansk pans will get ample use in your kitchen, especially if you regularly indulge in lobster! The 0.59-quart pan is just big enough to melt a few tablespoons of butter, and its adorable wooden handle makes it easy to manage.

7. Blue Diamond Mini Ceramic Egg Pan

One fried egg, coming right up! It may look too small to be practical, but the Blue Diamond Mini Egg Pan’s teeny 4-inch diameter is designed especially for cooking a single egg—without making a mess in your larger pans. Plus, its durable nonstick finish will make flipping your breakfast a whole lot easier.

8. Lodge Square Cast Iron Mini Server

Roasted veggies? Indoor s’mores? No matter what you’re serving, it will look better in these Lodge Mini Servers. The sweet square dishes have a 6.5-inch width and two convenient handles, and they’re sure to add a rustic flair to any dinner presentation.

9. Staub Cast-Iron Pumpkin Cocotte

If you’re a sucker for all things fall (guilty!), these pumpkin-shaped cocottes are sure to set your heart a-flutter. The festive pot comes in a vibrant burnt orange, and your guests will swoon when you present soup or snacks in this precious gourd.

10. Staub Mini Stoneware Cocottes

Whether you’re making soufflé or individual-sized shepherd’s pie, the Staub Mini Stoneware Cocottes will help you cook and serve your dish in style. These colorful containers and their lids are made from stoneware with a vibrant and durable enamel exterior, and they can be used in the oven, broiler, freezer, and microwave—it doesn’t get more versatile than that!

11. Oven-Safe Glass Ramekins

These small, 3.5-ounce ramekins—which come either with or without lids—are oven-safe and durable enough to withstand temperatures from -40 to 660 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes them versatile enough to use for anything from crème brûlée and lava cake to individually portioned casseroles. (They’re great for storing small things, too—olives, nuts, and ingredients for your mise en place.)

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• Our 52 Most Popular Products of All Time
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• Our Favorite Fall Baking Recipes
• The Best Five Two Products on Sale Right Now

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Do you have any miniature items you absolutely adore? Tell us about them in the comments!