The Best Souffle Dish

Even if there’s never been an actual souffle served on the dinner table, most households have at least one souffle dish in the cupboard, and probably several. The name “souffle dish” doesn’t do the container justice, in fact. They’re also known as ramekins (especially the smaller versions), and these versatile cups do a lot more than make souffle.

To know that you’re getting a proper souffle dish, look at the sides. They’re vertical and never slanted, typically (though not always) with that classic ribbed pattern running up the sides. This sets them apart from custard cups, soup bowls or other more specialized containers. The deep dish allows their namesake recipe to rise during the baking process, giving it that nice fluffy texture.

Of course, they’re equally good at serving up that masterpiece, and you can even refrigerate the dish afterward in the same container. And not just with souffle: A good souffle dish is great for baking small pies, desserts and casseroles, just to name a few. You can use them to serve side dishes, pudding, cereal, salsa — you name it.

Of course, to get that versatility it’s best to look for a souffle dish made from porcelain or another high-quality ceramic material. This tempered clay is a good conductor of heat, hence its common usage in bakeware. But it is also able to handle other temperatures, which makes it great for storing leftovers. (Needless to say, it’s also microwave safe.)

Most souffle dishes are also fine in the dishwasher, though some may handle abrasive materials better than others. It’s best not to use steel wool or other intense scouring pads.

The size of souffle dishes can vary greatly, so buy with an eye towards what kind of dinners you commonly serve. There are 2-quart dishes that are made for full entrees and frequent baking. And then there are 8-ounce ramekins that are commonly used for the presentation of sauces, snacks or condiments. These smaller ones typically won’t see the inside of an oven as often, but they can be great for making creme brulee and other adorable desserts.

Souffle dishes that are nice and thick might convey a little more confidence in their durability, but that thickness isn’t necessarily the best thing for baking. If the walls are too hefty, it can slow down your cooking time dramatically. If you plan on putting your souffle dishes to work in the oven, look for ones that are around 1/3 inch thick around the sides.