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Look beyond the stovetop! Here's why the electric skillet is staking a claim as one of the most valuable kitchen appliances.
If you’re convinced an electric skillet is only good for dorm room cooking, it’s time to reconsider! Sure, they’re great for small spaces that don’t have fully functioning kitchens, including RVs and tiny houses. But this handy countertop appliance deserves a spot in your kitchen, too. The reason? Consistent cooking temperature.
Consistency Is Key
With a wide range of heat settings, typically 175º to at least 400º, electric skillets allow you to cook almost anything. But the best part about electric skillets is that they hold a consistent heat.
Unlike traditional stovetops, which may have hot spots and uneven heat, electric skillets consistently keep the temperature you set. Not only are they great for pan frying and sauteing, that consistent heat is ideal for deep frying doughnuts, chicken, potatoes and fish in the skillet. If you’re new to deep frying, check out our best tips for deep frying at home.
Electric skillets are also perfect for all your breakfast favorites. Omelets, french toast and pancakes benefit from even heat, so you’ll get perfectly cooked breakfast foods every time.
Plus, the precise temperature gauge allows for low-heat poaching, including fish or eggs. Try it out on this tomato-poached halibut recipe.
It’s Party Ready
If the consistent heat isn’t enough to sway you, consider how handy the electric skillet is during parties and holidays. If your stovetop is full, the electric skillet offers extra cooking space. Thanks to its handles and wide base, it’s also a convenient way to transport food to parties and can be used as a chafing dish during potlucks.
Another bonus? Electric skillets won’t heat up your whole kitchen on a hot day the way the oven would. By using less energy than the stovetop, an electric skillet is a cooler—and cheaper—way to cook in the summer.
If you want dinner made quick, an electric skillet is the ultimate tool to add to your kitchen inventory. You can cook or fry anything on the go, making it the perfect accessory for parties and potlucks. Need some savory electric skillet recipes? Here are the best deep-fried dishes to make tonight! And don't miss these other quick dinners to make in your electric skillet.
I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a "keeper" in my books. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with butter and honey! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
I grew up near Idaho, which is famous for spudnuts, a doughnut made from mashed potatoes. I reworked a recipe using sweet potatoes and cranberries to come up with this variation. I like to serve them for dessert. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
While in the Bahamas, friends suggested a restaurant that served amazing chicken spring rolls. When I got home, I created my own version. Such a great appetizer to have waiting in the freezer! —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba
When I was in high school, I made these funnel cakes every Sunday after church for my family. They are crisp and tender, just like the kind we always ate at the state fair. —Susan Tingley, Portland, Oregon
With my dad being a farmer who grew them, sweet potatoes have graced our table for as long as I can recall. This recipe, however, resulted from an experiment for a church bake sale when we had excess pastry. People couldn't get enough of these pies! —Marilyn Moseley, Toccoa, Georgia
I always have a few special treats handy when the grandchildren visit. These cake doughnuts are one of their favorite snacks. —Beva Staum, Muscoda, Wisconsin
Want to learn how to cook eggplant? Here's where to start. These authentic eggplant roll-ups may take some time to prepare, but the end result is restaurant-quality. Your family will request this recipe time and again. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
I came across the recipe for these wonderful raised doughnuts many years ago. I remember Mom making some similar to these. You can frost them with maple or chocolate glaze, then top with chopped nuts, jimmies, toasted coconut or sprinkles. —Ann Sorgent, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
A flavorful, juicy pork filling is jazzed up with a delicious touch of ginger and enveloped in crispy wrappers. These surprisingly simple appetizers are the ultimate finger food and are perfect for parties. —Sandra Parton, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lightly breaded and deep-fried, ravioli goes to a new level in this nacho-like appetizer. Kids and grown-ups can’t get enough of the crispy, cheesy, flavorful crowd pleasers.—Robert Doornbos, Jenison, Michigan
Crispy, juicy and perfectly seasoned, this really is the best fried chicken recipe, ever. Summer reunions and neighborly gatherings will never be the same. When I was growing up, my parents had a farm, and every year, Dad would hire teenage boys to help by haying time. They looked forward to coming because they knew they would be treated to some of Mom's deep fryer recipes, including this delicious fried chicken. —Lola Clifton, Vinton, Virginia
When I moved to Kansas City from Texas, I brought many of my mom's best-loved recipes with me, including these saucy sweet-and-sour wings. The recipe is so good it turned a friend who's not a fan of chicken into a real wing lover.
—Susan Wuckowitsch, Lenexa, Kansas
Nothing is more rewarding than celebrating the day's catch with friends when you share this fresh dish. Substitute your favorite pan fish! —Alesha Oster, Williston, North Dakota
There's no need to run to the bakery for delicious jelly doughnuts! These sweet treats are lighter than air. I've been fixing them for 25 years for my husband, our two daughters and their families. They disappear almost as fast as I make them. —Kathy Westendorf, Westgate, Iowa
While taking a trip to the Grand Canyon, my family drove through the Navajo reservation and stopped at a little cafe for dinner. I complimented the young waiter on the delicious Indian fry bread and he gave me the recipe. It is very easy to make. —Mildred Stephenson, Hartselle, Alabama
The light coffee flavor in these tasty sugar-glazed doughnuts makes them a perfect start to the morning...on Christmas Day or any day. You'll find that the recipe is a delectable way to use up leftover potatoes. —Pat Siebenaler, Random Lake, Wisconsin
Here's an appetizer that will heat up any gathering. Family and friends often request that I make these jalapenos. —DeLea Lonadier, Montgomery, Louisiana
If you are serious about getting your fruit servings in, this is a fun way to do it. The bright red fruit salsa is addictive. It is best eaten the day it is made. —Nancy Leavitt, Logandale, Nevada
At my church potluck, these crispy, spicy snacks went fast thanks to the triple kick from the Italian sausage, Mexicorn and chiles. Want to balance the hot with a little cool? Sour cream and guacamole are tasty toppings for these Tex-Mex egg rolls. —Jacqueline Bower, Washington, Iowa
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, this fried okra recipe is crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
This funnel cake recipe is simpler to make than doughnuts, and it's just as good. Funnel cakes have been a favorite of ours since we came across them living in the Ozarks. —Mary Faith Yoder, Unity, Wisconsin
I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
When I was a little girl, my grandmother took me aside one day and taught me how to make her famous banana beignets. Although we made them during the holidays, they're pretty fantastic any time of the year. —Amy Downing, South Riding, Virginia
Deep-fried breaded mushrooms served on a bed of spaghetti sauce are a sure crowd pleaser for any party. Get ready to hand out the recipe! —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania
I'm not a big fish lover, so any concoction that has me loving fish is a keeper in my book. This combination of flavors just works for me. It's wonderful served with a nice buttery herb rice pilaf and corn muffins with honey! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
For 30 years, I've been using leftover mashed potatoes to make these light and fluffy doughnuts. The recipe was originally created by my neighbor's mother-in-law. The doughnuts are great for breakfast or as a snack anytime. —Marilyn Kleinfall, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
My lasagna noodle chips turned out great and are out-of-this-world crispy. And the dip truly tastes like rich, cheesy Italian-American lasagna. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Here on our 1,250-acre farm, we usually have a quick breakfast on the go. So I often keep a batch of these light and moist doughnuts on hand. They disappear quickly because no one can eat just one! —Suzanne Christensen, Defiance, Iowa
This is a sensational, easy recipe that is perfect for an appetizer, snack or dessert. Everyone loves how the flavors meld beautifully. I made it up after wanting to put my own twist on some squash ravioli I had at a restaurant. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
This Sunday dinner staple is first fried and then baked to a crispy golden brown. Well seasoned with oregano and sage, this classic is sure to satisfy diners at church potlucks or late-summer picnics. I love fixing it for family and friends. —Donna Kuhaupt, Slinger, Wisconsin
Who would have guessed that mixing maple syrup, chili sauce and lime juice would make chicken wings taste so good? Family and guests alike will scramble to ensure they get more than one of these utterly delicious wings—so be sure to make extras! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Four ingredients are all you'll need for this sure-bet breakfast treat. Friends and family will never guess that refrigerated buttermilk biscuits are the base for these golden, jelly-filled doughnuts. —Ginny Watson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Just one bite of these fritters takes me back to when my kids were young. Nowadays for our get-togethers, I sometimes triple the recipe. Serve fritters with maple syrup or agave nectar. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
I created this deep fried mac and cheese recipe for my husband. He describes this recipe as unbelievably delicious because of the crispy deep-fried coating on the outside and the creamy richness on the inside. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida
One of the best parts of the many fairs and festivals in Indiana is the corn dogs! My family loves corn dogs, so I fix them fairly often at home. —Sally Denney, Warsaw, Indiana
For pigs in a blanket Mexican style, we add refried beans and green chiles. Spice it up even more with pepper jack, jalapenos and guacamole. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, Iowa
The addition of cumin complements the corn and peppers in these fritters that will be eaten up as quick as you can make them! —Precious Owens, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Chickpeas are a common ingredient in many dishes in Pakistan, where I grew up. I have combined the light spice of Pakistani foods with the love of deep-fried finger foods that many Americans, including my daughters, enjoy. To eat, dip this chickpea recipe in chilled yogurt. —Shahrin Hasan, York, Pennsylvania
I came up with this dish in 1993 while putting together a booklet called “Totally Turkey” for leftover turkey recipes. My children gobble them up in no time. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
I have a son who lives in Mexico, so we don’t see him very often. When I make these burritos, it feels as if he is right there at the table with us, inhaling them. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
My family eats these all the time, and the pancakes don't even taste like they're full of fresh veggies. We especially like the cheese mixed in. —Peggy Roos, Minneapolis, Minnesota
This potato latke recipe is tasty at any meal. For the ultimate crispiness, squeeze out all the liquid from the grated veggies before you fry them up. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
These beer-battered cheese curds are the ultimate in delicious comfort food. Some folks like to serve them with ranch dressing, ketchup or barbecue sauce for dipping. —Katie Rose, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
A horseradish-flavored creme fraiche brings zip to these crispy homemade latkes, which get a touch of sweetness from the parsnips. Add fresh dill sprigs for a garnish. —Todd Schmeling, Gurnee, Illinois
Give your Thanksgiving leftovers a south-of-the-border vibe with these zesty rellenos. They’re easy to make any time of year with roasted deli turkey and a box of corn stuffing. Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer peppers, or more or less adobo sauce. —Christine Friesenhahn, Boerne, Texas
My daughter made a citrusy version of apple fritters for 4-H demonstrations at our county and state fair. This crowd-size recipe yields 11 dozen but can easily be cut in half.—Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
When I make mashed potatoes, I always cook extra so I can prepare these over-the-top potato pancakes. Fill them with sour cream, ranch dressing or melted cheese—or all three. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
A Cuban classic, these satisfying, crispy-coated potato balls are filled with a savory ground beef mixture known as picadillo. —Nena Linares, Los Angeles, California
Alexa is a writer who believes there’s always room for ice cream. Based in Milwaukee, she enjoys exploring the city, tackling new recipes and planning her next trip.