If you are a lover of creme brulee and souffle, you have more than likely bought or owned a ramekin! Ramekins are smaller baking dishes used for a variety of reasons. So that’s the question of the day, what size ramekins should I buy?
Ramekins are not just used for baking creme brulee and souffle. Chefs and homemakers can use ramekins throughout the entirety of the cooking process. Their size, design, and versatility make ramekins both easy to use and ideal.
If you do not own a ramekin already, it can be intimidating to choose the perfect one for your kitchen. Ramekins come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. The most pertinent detail about a ramekin is the size. The size will determine how much volume it can contain. A ramekin’s size will also define what dishes you can prepare and serve.
How do you know what size ramekin you should buy? Keep reading to learn the different sizes, materials, and which ramekin size is for you!
What Size Ramekins Should I Buy? – Why Does Size Matter?
The perplexing thing about shopping for ramekins is that there is no standardized shape or volume. Each ramekin is designed in a way to be beneficial for a specific scenario. For example, a pink, six-ounce heart-shaped ramekin is marketed as a Valentine’s Day essential. Whereas, there may not be another reason to buy this specific ramekin.
Volume Capacity
Diameters and heights of a ramekin are instrumental in deciding what you can bake and serve. Taller ramekins are better for rising foods such as loaves of bread, desserts, and baked eggs. Many chefs rely on taller ramekins when baking food that needs to hold their shape as they rise. The tall, smooth interior allows the food to grow seamlessly.
Shorter ramekins are better for foods that require easier access and less maintenance. For example, foods such as dips, sauces, appetizers, and fruit crumbles; foods such as these do not need to maintain their shape as they bake.
Different Materials
There are many types of materials used in producing ramekins. Each material serves a different purpose. While each material is oven-safe and designed for baking, they do not all bake the same.
Glass ramekins are more typically used for serving and food preparation rather than baking. Baking with glass ramekins is possible, but they do not produce the same results as other materials.
Traditionally, ramekins are made of ceramic, porcelain, or other glazed stonewares. The reason for this is heat-retention and durability. Ceramic materials tend to retain heat better than their glass and metal counterparts. Thus, your food items remain warm or continue to bake after removing them from the oven.
Glazed stonewares are also much thicker and sturdier than other materials. The glazed thickness works as a protectant and enhancer. Because it is thicker than other materials, the moisture and steam become trapped and enhance the flavors and textures of the baked goods.
A Variety of Shapes
The most common shapes of ramekins are round or oval. There are other shapes available as well, such as specialty shapes. Specialty shapes include hearts, squares, pumpkins, leaves, trees, and many more. Ramekins that come in specialty shapes are typically found around the holiday season.
Even the most common round and oval ramekins differ slightly depending on the company. Some ramekins have fluted edges, textured exteriors, lipped rims, and ruffled interiors. The variety of shapes can benefit those that wish to use their ramekins for baking and serving. The unique designs and shapes can make food appear more appealing.
What Size Ramekins Should I Buy?
1 – 2 Ounce Ramekins
Ramekins that can hold up to one or two ounces are great for serving and food preparation. One to two-ounce ramekins is not ideal for baking individual desserts or meals. The small volume capacity hinders its ability to produce a significant amount of food.
As a baker, a one to two-ounce ramekin can aid you in preparing other dishes. The small baking container can hold premeasured items. By using the smallest ramekin to hold your premeasured food items, you can keep your kitchen organized as you prepare your meal.
This size ramekin is also great for serving complimentary condiments. You can use your one to a two-ounce ramekin to supply personal dips, salsas, dressings, and condiments; this is ideal for dinner parties and family meals.
3 – 5 Ounce Ramekins
The three to five-ounce ramekins can hold a little more than the previous ramekin. Three to five ounces is still not a large amount, but these ramekins can handle more baking duties.
This ramekin can work in a casual setting and a more formal setting. Three to five ounces is the perfect size for snacks and sides. In a casual setting, families can use this ramekin for snacking or for serving a side dish at dinner.
Formally, this ramekin can produce mini desserts, salads, and baked eggs. For chefs that are serving small salads or mini desserts along with a big meal, a three to five-ounce ramekin can help make room on the plate for other sides.
6 Ounce Ramekins
A six-ounce ramekin is quite possibly the most traditional ramekin size. The reason for its popularity is because it is the perfect size for rising desserts.
Ramekins that hold up to six ounces can evenly bake a variety of desserts. The most common desserts baked in a six-ounce ramekin are as follows: molten chocolate cakes, French soufflé, crème brulees, cookie cakes, cobblers, lava cakes, cheesecakes, and other rising or flat desserts. Many ramekin desserts grow in height, and others need a flat top for serving. A six-ounce ramekin allows these meals to do just that.
7 – 9 Ounce Ramekins
Being slightly larger than a six-ounce ramekin, a seven to nine-ounce ramekin is made for larger meals and sides. This ramekin is perfect for heartier entrees and desserts. Seven to nine ounces allows chefs to fill their ramekin up to the brim (if the dessert does not need to rise).
Entrees and desserts that can be served in a seven to nine-ounce ramekin are as follows: pasta dishes, puddings, pot pies, ice cream sundaes, custards, savory pies, sweet pies, mini casseroles, and more.
Seven to nine-ounce ramekins are large enough to hold more than a soufflé but small enough for mini entrees and meal sides.
10 – 12 Ounce Ramekins
The largest ramekin sizes are the ten to twelve-ounce ramekins. Being the largest ramekin size, any ten to twelve-ounce ramekin can hold entire entrees and meals. Serving a dessert in a ten to twelve-ounce ramekin is completely allowed, but it may be a bit too much for one person to finish on their own.
The most common meals and foods served in a ten to twelve-ounce ramekin are soups, pasta, hearty salads, casseroles, savory pies, pot pies, and other filling meals.
In Summary
The size of the ramekin you should buy completely depends on what you serve most often. The safest ramekin size to purchase is the six-ounce ramekins. Most recipes you will read refer to using a six-ounce ramekin. However, if you are planning on purchasing a ramekin for other reasons, look into the additional sizes.
The smaller ramekins, one to two ounces, are better for mini desserts, food preparation, and serving complimentary condiments.
Any ramekin between three to six ounces is perfect for meal sides, salads, desserts, appetizers, snacks, and other small accompaniments.
The larger ramekins, seven to twelve ounces, are better for main meals, entrees, hearty casseroles, soups, and pies.
Did this ramekin overview help you? Did it help you answer what size ramekin should I buy? Let us know!
