To Find the Best Ceramic Nonstick Skillets, I Scrambled and Fried 4 Dozen Eggs

Today’s nonstick coatings are considered safer than their ancestors and are made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). However, while PTFE is initially inert, it can off-gas if heated at high temperatures, potentially causing polymer fume fever—a rare condition that manifests in flu-like symptoms. 

With proper care (and retiring nonstick pans when they’re damaged), traditional nonstick is thought to be safe for general use. But for those who’d like to avoid it, there’s ceramic cookware. We go in-depth about ceramic nonstick versus traditional nonstick here, but in short: ceramic coatings are derived from silica, which is found in organic materials like beach sand and granite. This surface will still degrade over time, but there’s much less risk of off-gassing.

To find the best ceramic cookware, I went through more than four dozen eggs and cooked a dozen crepes to evaluate 13 notable skillets. My favorites were slick, easy to maneuver, and impressively scratch-resistant, even against metal tools.

The Tests

• Fried Egg Test: I fried one sunny-side-up egg in each skillet to test the pan’s nonstick properties. I heated each skillet and cracked the egg directly into the pan without using any oil or butter. Once the whites were set, I used a nonstick spatula to lift the egg out of the pan, checking for sticking. 
• Omelette Test: I used each pan to prepare a three-egg omelette, evaluating the pan’s nonstick abilities and how easy it was to remove the omelette. 
• Durability Test: To test for durability, I used a metal fish spatula and even pressure to scrape the surface of each pan 10 times. Afterward, I checked for any scrapes or marks. 
• Crepe Test: I made three crepes in each of the top pans to test for performance and ease of use. I looked for even cooking and evaluated comfort and handling. 
• Cleanup Test: I washed the pans according to their manufacturers’ instructions after each test, checking for any wear. 

What We Learned

The Color of the Pans’ Coatings Didn’t Matter

Ceramic coatings come in a range of colors. I tested white, cream, copper, light gray, and black skillets. In the beginning, I suspected lighter pans would show wear quicker, but my durability test didn’t reveal any connection between color and scratch resistance. I also didn’t observe any difference in cooking time while making fried eggs, omelettes, or crepes. I investigated the matter and learned that coating color is linked to consumer perception. Ceramic cookware manufacturers may choose lighter coatings to differentiate their pans from traditional nonstick skillets, which are almost always black. 

Scratches and Dings Were Dealbreakers 

Things were looking pretty good after the first two tests—fried eggs and omelettes slid right off of each pan’s new nonstick surface. The skillets started to show their true colors when I brought out a fish spatula. It’s worth noting that most manufacturers don’t recommend using metal utensils on nonstick surfaces. I chose a harsh tool as a stress test to see how they might hold up after repeated use. Even though ceramic nonstick pans are made without traditional nonstick materials, they should still be retired once they start to chip or degrade. Nonstick pans already have a short shelf life, and ceramic coatings tend to be more fragile than their chemical counterparts.

Only three pans—the winners—emerged without any wear. The Caraway, Le Creuset, and Kyocera surfaces didn’t scratch or chip, even after repeated scrapes. The worst offender was the GreenLife Diamond Ceramic Nonstick Skillet, which scratched right away and ended up with long streaks showing the path of the spatula. Overall, the results of the durability test suggested a link between price and quality. The Caraway, Le Creuset, and Kyocera represented three of the most expensive pans I tested. (Editor’s note: That said, we still recommend cheap, traditional nonstick pans—expensive versions of these are just as durable as budget ones.) 

I Preferred Rounded Handles 

A handle can make or break cookware. Some of the skillets I tested, like the BulbHead Red Copper and Gotham Steel, had flat handles. These were less comfortable to hold—the thin edges dug into my palm while lifting and maneuvering the pan. Larger, rounded handles distributed weight more evenly. Pans like the Tramontina Deluxe and Caraway felt comfortable in the hand and were easy to work with. The Tramontina’s handle included a silicone pad for added comfort and the Caraway’s hollow, rounded design stayed reasonably cool on the stovetop.

Wall Shape Impacted Versatility 

Skillet size is often described by diameter—eight-, 10-, and 12-inch pans are all standard. A 10-inch skillet should have enough room to comfortably fry two to three eggs without overcrowding. During testing, I found that wall design impacted capacity. 

I preferred skillets with tall, rounded walls, which increased capacity, but were still easy to work with. A previous iteration of the winning Kyocera skillet had tall, steep walls that required finesse to flip and remove food, but the latest generation is a tad shallower and more sloped. These new-and-improved sides meant it was easier for me to slip a spatula under the delicate edges of my omelettes and crepes.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Ceramic Cookware

My favorite ceramic skillets had slippery, smooth surfaces that nothing stuck to. They also featured comfortable, rounded handles and excellent durability. Because ceramic cookware is already more fragile than nonstick, I prioritized scratch-resistant skillets.

Our Ceramic Cookware Top Picks

The Best Ceramic Nonstick Skillet

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan

$125

$105 at Amazon View on Target

$125

$107 at Sur La Table

What we liked: I loved the Caraway pan’s deep, rounded shape. The walls were tall, but it was still easy to sneak a spatula under the edge of a crepe. The smooth nonstick surface released everything I cooked in it and didn’t scratch during my durability test. This pan comes in eight colors and compatible lids are available separately.  

What we didn’t like: At five pounds, this was by far the heaviest model I tested. I thought the pan was well-balanced and manageable, but this still may be too heavy for some cooks. Some Caraway colors sell out more often than others; make sure to check the whole palette for in-stock options.

Key Specs

• Weight: 5 pounds
• Materials: Aluminum, ceramic
• Care: Hand-wash only; avoid metal utensils 
• Maximum oven temperature: 550ºF
• Induction compatible: Yes

Another Great Ceramic Nonstick Pan

Le Creuset Essential Non-Stick Ceramic Shallow Frying Pan

$120 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma $120 at Sur La Table

What we liked: The Le Creuset skillet’s surface was smooth but tough. Eggs, crepes, and omelettes all lifted cleanly off of its surface, and the coating resisted scratching. This pan had a sturdy, thick bottom but was light enough to toss and shake with one hand.  

What we didn’t like: The Le Creuset pan is shallower than the Caraway and Kyocera skillets. It’s perfect for eggs and crepes, but might not be spacious enough for sauces or larger portions or sauteed veggies. It was the most expensive pan when I tested it, but it’s usually only a few dollars more than the Caraway ceramic pan.

Key Specs

• Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Materials: Ceramic, aluminum, and stainless steel 
• Care: Dishwasher-safe; hand-washing is recommended
• Maximum oven temperature: 550ºF
• Induction compatible: Yes

A Pricier Pick That Performed Well

Fissler Ceratal Classic Ceramic 11-Inch Frying Pan

View on Amazon View on Fissler.com View on Perigold.com

What we liked: Writer Ashlee Redger has been using this pan for several months and has found it a reliable companion for frying eggs, cooking pancakes, and reheating leftovers. The smooth, sloped sides make flipping omelettes and tossing stir-fries easy. It has an ergonomic handle as well as a clean, light gray interior that has withstood scrapes from a metal fish spatula and daily washes without losing any of its nonstick qualities.

What we didn't like: It's the priciest of our winners, though its performance was on par with the others. Ashlee made some blueberry pancakes in the skillet at one point, which caused some minor staining along its bottom surface. It didn't affect its usability whatsoever, and the spots have faded over a few washes.

Key Specs

• Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Materials: Ceramic, aluminum, plastic
• Care: Hand-washing recommended
• Maximum oven temperature: Not oven compatible due to the plastic handle
• Induction compatible: Yes

The Best Budget Ceramic Nonstick Skillet

Kyocera Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan

$68 at Amazon

What we liked: The newest generation of the Kyocera ceramic skillet is just as impressive as the original. (The latter was our budget-friendly winner before it was discontinued.) Sunny-side up eggs never stuck, and once set, crepes slid around its surface. It was the cheapest skillet to withstand passes from a metal fish spatula and emerged utterly unscathed from the durability test. It’s the lightest of my recommendations; the skillet was easy to lift and swirl with crepe batter, but it still had enough heft to feel sturdy.

What we didn’t like: The newer model’s walls aren’t as tall as the original’s, but they’re still steeper than the sloped sides of the Le Creuset pan. If you like to sauté and toss your food in the pan, the Kyocera pan would make it harder to send food flying than a pan with gently angled walls. Its availability can be spotty; if you don't see the size of the pan you want in stock on Amazon, check back in a few days.

Key Specs

• Weight: 2 pounds
• Materials: Ceramic, aluminum, and stainless steel 
• Care: Hand-wash only; avoid metal utensils and abrasive or harsh cleaners
• Maximum oven temperature: 400ºF
• Induction compatible: Yes

The Competition

• Kyocera Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan (Original Generation): This was the first version of the Kyocera pan that I tested, and it was my budget winner until it was discontinued. Luckily, the new generation is just as great.
• Made In CeramiClad™ Non Stick Frying Pan: At first, we were really impressed by this pan. We liked the slick nonstick surface, the comfortable stainless steel handle, and that it comes in three versatile sizes. However, two of our editors both had the ceramic coating chip in multiple places, exposing the metal beneath, after only a few uses. We'd expect better from a pricey pan.
• BulbHead Red Copper 10-Inch Pan: This small skillet had a thin metal handle that became uncomfortably hot during cooking. The nonstick surface chipped after being scratched with a metal spatula. 
• GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard Anodized Ceramic Nonstick Skillet: At $70, this was one of the more expensive pans on the list. It was the only high-priced skillet that failed the durability test. 
• Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan: This model was thin and flimsy. The nonstick surface displayed a few dings after the durability test. 
• Gotham Steel Nonstick Frying Pan: This was another inexpensive skillet with a thin metal handle that got too hot. The surface got scratched, too.  
• KitchenAid Hard Anodized Ceramic Frying Pan: The KitchenAid skillet might be the best of the rest. It emerged from the durability test with some gentle, overall wear but no major scratches or dings. 
• Bialetti Ceramic Pro Non-Stick Pan: This light pan scratched quickly after light scraping. It’s currently unavailable.
• GreenLife Diamond Ceramic Nonstick Skillet: A metal spatula left long scratches on this skillet’s nonstick surface. The black-and-turquoise model we tested is no longer available, but other colors still are.
• Tramontina Deluxe Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan: This pan’s nonstick coating displayed wear after testing. The low maximum oven temperature (350ºF) limits its potential uses. 
  

FAQs

Is ceramic cookware safe? 

Some studies suggest that cooking with scratched or abraded ceramic nonstick surfaces presents a risk of nanoparticle migration, but the exact health risks linked to ceramic nanoparticles are unknown.

Is ceramic cookware non-toxic?

Most ceramic cookware is made without PFAS or PTFEs, the potentially harmful chemicals often found in traditional nonstick cookware. Since ceramic coatings are made using proprietary formulas and there’s a lack of good cookware-related research in general, it’s impossible to say that every ceramic blend is 100% non-toxic.

How do you clean ceramic cookware? 

Gentle cleaning techniques will prolong the life of ceramic coatings—even small scratches reduce the effectiveness of nonstick surfaces. Most manufacturers recommend hand-washing nonstick cookware. For best results, avoid using abrasive tools, such as the rough side of a sponge. 

How long does ceramic cookware last?

Ceramic nonstick cookware lasts from one to five years depending on quality, care, and use. Proper care will extend the lifespan of your pan. For best results, avoid using metal utensils and refrain from stacking other dishes on top of the nonstick surface during storage. Use gentle handwashing techniques to protect the ceramic coating. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Madeline Muzzi has over 10 years of experience as a food writer and recipe tester. She’s tested and reviewed kitchen products for over five years and has banished traditional nonstick cookware from her kitchen. 
• For this review, she tested 12 ceramic nonstick pans, evaluating their performance and durability by frying eggs, cooking crepes, and scratching their surfaces with a metal spatula.
• Ashlee Redger is a writer for Serious Eats. She tested the Fissler pan as well as the new generation of the winning Kyocera skillet and added her testing insights to our list of recommendations.