8 French Ceramic Kitchen Pieces That Combine Utility & Beautiful Design

If you're unfamiliar with Emile Henry, let's get you up to speed. Much like Le Creuset and Dansk cookware, Emile Henry wares are collectors' pieces known for combining function and beauty.

The secret behind the high-quality and gorgeous French ceramic ovenware and kitchen accessories is all in the clay. Emile Henry pieces are made from clay sourced in the Burgundy region of France, which slowly diffuses cooking heat to the center of the cooking dish and then retains it. Since the original workshop opened in Burgundy in 1850, Emile Henry has been helping cooks bake their best golden-crusted loaves and stew up their most decadent dinners.

In the spirit of celebrating the ceramic Emile Henry kitchen pieces our community loves, we've pulled together eight of our favorites that will look lovely whether they're on your table, in the oven, or on your stovetop.

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1. Emile Henry Crown Bread Baker, $145

If you love perfectly baked bread that's easy to pull apart, you want this crown-shaped bread baker in your kitchen. It has eight wells for your bread of choice (try this sweet dough recipe if you can't decide where to start) and is made of a special, durable clay only found in the Burgundy region of France. The cherry on top? Its heavy, ceramic lid covers the doughy cavities and keeps in just the right amount of moisture for bread that has a tender, soft interior with a gently crispy, crunchy crust.

2. Emile Henry Sublime High Performance Ceramic Dutch Oven, $225+

A Dutch oven can quickly become the workhorse of any kitchen and this ceramic pot is no different. Made in France from high-fired Burgundy clay sourced right in the countryside, it can withstand up to 930° Fahrenheit, meaning it’ll work with stovetops, ovens, and even grills. Additionally, it's dishwasher safe and features a scratch-resistant glaze. Take good care of it, and it'll look new years after that first use.

3. Emile Henry French Ceramic Fruit Storage Bowl, $130+

This fruit bowl has been a Food52 community favorite for years, and we understand why. It comes in a shallow or deep size (in seven different colors!) and is beloved for its layered design. The lower bowl keeps produce in the dark—perfect for those goods that need a dark, temperature-stable space, like onions, potatoes, or not-yet-ripe fruits—and the shallow, upper bowl is ideal for the more fickle fruits like bananas and avocados. Plus, the clever cork rim absorbs extra moisture to keep fruit flies away.

4. Emile Henry Baguette Baker, $170

Take a break from your favorite bakery and try making baguettes at home with this ceramic baguette baker. Typically, baguette recipes require you to place a dish of water in the oven for extra steam. Thanks to the baker's lid that traps the loaves' steam, you can eliminate that step without sacrificing the baguette's crisp crust.

5. Emile Henry French Ceramic Garlic Pot, $65

Stop your garlic from sprouting with this French-made clay garlic pot. Thanks to a cork lid that'll help absorb excess moisture, you can easily keep your garlic bulbs fresh for weeks. Not to mention, the shallow dip in the top of the lid can hold any loose cloves you're ready to use.

6. Emile Henry Ceramic Deep-Dish Pizza Pan, $75

If you prefer pizzas with thicker crusts, you probably don't want to use a standard pizza stone. Opt for this deep-dish pizza pan instead. Thanks to that same French ceramic, it heads up quickly and holds heat longer than a traditional pizza pan. It's multipurpose, too. Thanks to its versatile shape, it can be used to bake gratin, pasta, and even fruit cobbler.

7. Emile Henry Classic French Ceramic Pie Dish, $50

This beautiful dish is the perfect vessel to showcase your favorite pie this summer. It's a deep, scratch-resistant piece that can withstand years of filling, slicing, and scooping. It’s good up to 520° Fahrenheit, too, meaning it can go from freezer to oven with ease.

8. Emile Henry Olive Oil Cruet, $55

Everyone has olive oil in their kitchen, so why not swap out the standard glass or plastic bottle for this pretty ceramic cruet? It has an easy-flow, anti-drip spout that'll keep the oil coming continuously without the mess. Also, thanks to that sturdy Burgundy clay, your extra-virgin olive oil will be kept safe from damaging light and heat.

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What's on your Emile Henry wish list? Let us know below!