A ramekin is a small dish with a big job. It has to carry a delicate custard through a slow oven, stand up to a water bath and look good enough to go straight to the table. It is also the one piece of bakeware you eat from directly, so what the glaze is made of matters more than it does on a sheet pan.
In a working kitchen, individual dishes are judged by size, heat limit and how many you can fit in the oven at once. Those same questions pick the best ramekins for a home cook. Shape matters as well: a deep dish helps a souffle climb, and a shallow one gives creme brulee more sugar crust.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and what each maker states.
Quick verdict: which ramekin to buy
For most homes, the best ramekins are the HIC Fine Porcelain Ramekins, 8 oz: six dishes, a useful size and a listing that states lead- and cadmium-free porcelain. For the broiler and very hot ovens, choose the Emile Henry Ramekins. For a cup with no glaze at all, choose the Pyrex Glass Custard Cups.
Below are seven sets in porcelain, clay, stoneware and glass, each with one honest reason to skip it.
Five ramekins side by side
Five standout picks, one for each kind of buyer, with the details each maker or listing states. All seven sets are reviewed in full below.
| Ramekin | Best for | Material | Size | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HIC Fine Porcelain Ramekins, 8 oz, Set of 6Best overall
|
Most home bakers | Fine porcelain | 8 oz, set of 6 | View on Amazon |
Emile Henry Ramekins, 6.75 oz, Set of 2Best for high heat
|
Broiler and hot ovens | High-fired Burgundy clay | 6.75 oz, set of 2 | View on Amazon |
Emile Henry Crème Brûlée Dishes, 8.5 oz, Set of 2Best for crème brûlée
|
Crème brûlée | High-fired Burgundy clay | 8.5 oz, set of 2 | View on Amazon |
Pyrex Ceramic Ramekins, 6 oz, Set of 8Best big set
|
Feeding a crowd | Glazed stoneware | 6 oz, set of 8 | View on Amazon |
Pyrex Glass Custard Cups, 6 oz, Set of 4Best glass
|
Watching custard set | Clear glass | 6 oz, set of 4 | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best ramekins
We start with porcelain and clay, move to stoneware, and finish with glass custard cups, which are the glass form of the same dish.
1. HIC Fine Porcelain Ramekins, 8 oz, Set of 6 – A Stated Glaze and a Full Set
This is the plain white dish most people picture when a recipe says ramekin. It holds 8 ounces, measures 4 by 2 inches and comes in a set of six, so one box covers a dinner party or a week of baked eggs. That size has room for a souffle to rise and still works for custard if you fill it part way.
The listing is clear on the point that matters most for a glazed dish: it describes the porcelain as lead- and cadmium-free and the glaze as non-porous, so it should not hold on to odors or flavors. HIC rates it for the freezer, microwave, oven and broiler, with a limit of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. That number is low for a broiler, so treat this as an oven dish and finish a creme brulee with a torch.
HIC’s 6-ounce size already appears in our ceramic baking pan guide. We use the 8-ounce size here because it is the more useful single size for a household that owns only one set of ramekins.
Why we like it
- The listing states lead- and cadmium-free porcelain
- Six dishes in one set
- 8 ounces leaves headroom for a souffle
- Rated for freezer, microwave and dishwasher
Key specifications
| Model | 98006-6 |
|---|---|
| Material | Fine porcelain, non-porous glaze |
| Capacity and count | 8 oz, set of 6 |
| Size | 4 x 2 in |
| Heat limit | 350°F |
| Broiler | Yes, to 350°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants one plain, matching set for custards, souffles, baked eggs and small pot pies, and who wants the glaze question answered on the listing.
Skip it if you want to brown food under a hot broiler. The stated limit of 350 degrees Fahrenheit rules that out, and Emile Henry is the better choice.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear lead and cadmium statement
- Enough dishes for a table of six
- Useful size for sweet and savory food
Cons
- Low 350°F limit
- Country of origin not stated
- The listing’s warranty field reads no
2. Emile Henry Ramekins, 6.75 oz, Set of 2 – Built for High Heat
Emile Henry makes these in France from high-fired Burgundy clay, using what it calls HR ceramic. They are narrower and taller than the HIC dish at 3.25 by 2.75 inches, which gives a souffle straight walls to climb. The maker rates them to 520 degrees Fahrenheit and says they can go from freezer or refrigerator to a hot oven and on to the table.
That heat rating is the reason to pay attention. No other pick in this guide states a limit this high. If you top a dish with cheese or breadcrumbs and finish it under the broiler, this is the one to buy.
On lead, Emile Henry states on its US site, “There is no lead or cadmium in our products,” and adds that its glazes meet California Prop 65. The maker also gives a 10-year guarantee against manufacturing defects in household use. You get two dishes rather than six, so this is a set to buy for the job, not to fill a table.
Why we like it
- Rated to 520°F, the highest limit in this guide
- Maker states no lead or cadmium in its products
- Made in France
- 10-year guarantee against manufacturing defects
Key specifications
| Model | EH024008 |
|---|---|
| Material | High-fired Burgundy clay, HR ceramic |
| Capacity and count | 6.75 oz, set of 2 |
| Size | 3.25 x 2.75 in |
| Heat limit | 520°F |
| Broiler | Yes |
| Care | Dishwasher safe or hand wash |
| Made in | France |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who use ramekins for savory gratins and broiled tops as often as for dessert, and who want a maker that states its position on lead plainly.
Skip it if you need dishes for six people. You would have to buy three sets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handles a hot oven and the broiler
- Freezer to oven, according to the maker
- Tall shape for souffles
Cons
- Only two in a set
- Smaller than the HIC dish
3. Emile Henry Crème Brûlée Dishes, 8.5 oz, Set of 2 – Shallow and Wide for a Crisp Top
Creme brulee wants a different shape from a souffle. This is the shallow form of the ramekin: 5 inches across and 1.5 inches deep, with 8.5 ounces of capacity spread out wide. More surface means more burnt sugar on each spoonful and a thinner layer of custard that sets evenly.
It shares the clay, the glaze and the ratings of the Emile Henry ramekin above: 520 degrees Fahrenheit, broiler and microwave safe, freezer to oven according to the maker, and the same 10-year guarantee. The maker’s statement that there is no lead or cadmium in its products applies here too.
Because it can go under the broiler, you do not need a torch to finish the sugar, though a torch gives you more control. The wide shape takes up more room in a roasting pan, so count how many will fit before you plan a water bath.
Why we like it
- Wide, shallow shape for a large sugar crust
- Broiler safe, so a torch is optional
- Same no-lead statement and guarantee as the deep ramekin
Key specifications
| Model | EH024013 |
|---|---|
| Material | High-fired Burgundy clay, HR ceramic |
| Capacity and count | 8.5 oz, set of 2 |
| Size | 5 x 1.5 in |
| Heat limit | 520°F |
| Broiler | Yes |
| Care | Dishwasher safe or hand wash |
| Made in | France |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who makes creme brulee often enough to want the right shape, and who would rather use the broiler than buy a torch.
Skip it if you want one dish for everything. A shallow dish is a poor shape for souffles, which is why the deeper ramekins come first in this guide.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right shape for the dessert
- High heat limit
- Made in France
Cons
- Poor shape for a souffle
- Takes more room in a water bath
- Only two in a set
4. Le Creuset Stoneware Ramekins, 7 oz, Set of 2 – Straight Walls and a Tough Glaze
Le Creuset’s ramekin has straight walls and a 7-ounce capacity. The listing describes a nonporous, non-reactive glaze that resists chips, scratches and stains, and rates the dish for the freezer, oven, microwave, broiler and dishwasher. It also lists metal utensils as safe, which is useful if you scrape out every last bit of a baked dish with a spoon.
Stoneware holds heat well, and the listing says it keeps food warm or cold for serving. No oven limit is given on this listing, so check the care card in the box before you use the broiler at full heat.
Le Creuset says its products comply with FDA safety regulations; we found no explicit lead-free statement from the maker. If a stated lead-free glaze is your first requirement, choose HIC, Emile Henry or the Pyrex stoneware set instead. We link the white set here, and the same ramekin comes in other colors on separate listings.
Why we like it
- Listing rates it safe for metal utensils
- Freezer, oven, microwave, broiler and dishwasher
- Straight walls suit souffles
Key specifications
| Model | ST00684000010005 |
|---|---|
| Material | Glazed stoneware |
| Capacity and count | 7 oz, set of 2 |
| Size | Not stated |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Broiler | Yes |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits people who already cook with Le Creuset, or who want a heavy-duty dish that takes metal spoons and everyday washing.
Skip it if you want an explicit lead-free statement from the maker. Le Creuset gives an FDA compliance statement instead.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glaze rated against chips, scratches and stains
- Works with metal utensils
- Broiler safe
Cons
- No explicit lead-free statement
- No oven limit on the listing
- Only two in a set
5. Pyrex Ceramic Ramekins, 6 oz, Set of 8 – The Largest Set Here
This is Pyrex’s stoneware line, not its glass. The set holds eight 6-ounce ramekins, the most in this guide, and they nest and stack to save shelf room. The listing calls the interior smooth and glazed for easy release. Its title uses the word nonstick, but the details describe a glaze, so grease it as you would any ramekin.
Pyrex says the line is “intentionally made without lead or cadmium.” It is rated for a preheated oven up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and is dishwasher safe, with a limited two-year warranty. The listing describes a hand-brushed design, so these look more casual than plain white porcelain.
Note the word preheated. This line is meant to go into an oven that is already hot, not one that is warming up. The listing does not rate it for the broiler, so leave browning to a dish that is.
Why we like it
- Eight dishes, the most in this guide
- Maker states it is made without lead or cadmium
- Rated to 450°F in a preheated oven
- Nests and stacks for storage
Key specifications
| Model | PX10047 |
|---|---|
| Material | Glazed stoneware |
| Capacity and count | 6 oz, set of 8 |
| Size | Not stated |
| Heat limit | 450°F, preheated oven |
| Broiler | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits hosts who need a lot of matching dishes for one dessert course, and small kitchens that need them to stack.
Skip it if you want a broiler-safe dish or plain white porcelain.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest set here
- Stated lead and cadmium position
- Stacks to save space
Cons
- Broiler use not stated
- Preheated oven only
- Title says nonstick, but the details describe a glaze
6. Pyrex Glass Custard Cups, 6 oz, Set of 4 – Plain Glass You Can See Through
Glass ramekins are usually sold as custard cups, and this is the classic one. The body is nonporous glass with no glaze at all, which removes the question of what is in the glaze and lets you see the sides of a custard, flan or pudding as it sets. Pyrex says it will not warp, stain or absorb odors, and rates it for a preheated oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher.
Glass needs more care than porcelain. Pyrex tells you to avoid sudden temperature changes, to preheat the oven before the glass goes in, and not to add liquid to hot glassware or set it on a wet or cool surface. For a water bath, add the water to the pan, never to a hot cup, then lift the cups onto a rack or dry towel.
Pyrex also says not to use its glass on or under a flame or other direct heat source, including a broiler. A kitchen torch is a direct flame, so these cups are for set custards and puddings, not for creme brulee. The listing gives a limited two-year warranty.
Why we like it
- No glaze on the food surface
- See-through walls show how a custard is setting
- Oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher rated
- Handy as prep bowls between bakes
Key specifications
| Model | 6001142 |
|---|---|
| Material | Nonporous glass |
| Capacity and count | 6 oz, set of 4 |
| Size | Not stated |
| Heat limit | Not stated; preheated oven only |
| Broiler | No, per Pyrex |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated on this listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits people who bake custards, flan or puddings and want to see what is happening, or who would rather avoid glaze altogether.
Skip it if you make creme brulee. Pyrex’s rules on flame and broilers rule these out for the sugar top.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No glaze to think about
- Stain and odor resistant
- Doubles as a prep bowl
Cons
- Not for the broiler or a torch
- Sensitive to sudden temperature changes
- No oven limit on the listing
7. Anchor Hocking Glass Custard Cups, 6 oz, Set of 4 – Tempered Glass With a Longer Warranty
Anchor Hocking’s cup does the same job as the Pyrex and comes with a longer warranty: the listing gives five years against Pyrex’s two. It is tempered glass, made in the USA, and rated for the microwave, a preheated oven, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher. Anchor Hocking sells this style of cup under the name glass ramekins on its lidded listing.
That lidded version is on our dip bowls guide. We include the plain set here because in this guide it is a baking dish, not a serving dish for salsa. The listing’s contents line names four cups only, although another line mentions lids, so do not count on getting lids with this set.
Treat it as you would any glass bakeware. Anchor Hocking lists cooking above 425 degrees Fahrenheit as misuse, and says not to use its bakeware on a stovetop, broiler or toaster oven. It also warns against adding liquid to a hot dish, so the water bath advice for Pyrex applies here too.
Why we like it
- Five-year limited warranty
- Made in the USA
- No glaze on the food surface
- Stated for microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher
Key specifications
| Model | 81672L11 |
|---|---|
| Material | Tempered glass |
| Capacity and count | 6 oz, set of 4 |
| Size | Not stated |
| Heat limit | 425°F; preheated oven |
| Broiler | No, per Anchor Hocking |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | USA |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want plain glass cups for custards and leftovers, and who value the longer warranty.
Skip it if you expect lids in the box. The listing is unclear, so buy the lidded set if lids matter.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest warranty among the glass picks
- Made in the USA
- Stain and odor resistant
Cons
- Listing is unclear about lids
- Not for the broiler
- Needs care around temperature changes
How to choose a ramekin
Start with what you bake
Souffles want deep walls, so look at dishes that are nearly as tall as they are wide. Creme brulee wants a wide, shallow dish. Custard, flan and baked eggs are happy in either. If you can only own one set, a medium depth in 6 to 8 ounces covers the most ground.
Check the capacity against the recipe
Many recipes are written for small individual portions. A larger dish filled part way still works, but a smaller dish than the recipe expects will overflow. Baking time changes with depth, so start checking early when your dish is not the size the recipe names.
Read the heat limit
The limits here run from 350 to 520 degrees Fahrenheit, and some listings give none. If you plan to broil, buy a dish with a stated broiler rating and a limit that makes sense for one. Pyrex and Anchor Hocking both say their glass is not for the broiler.
Ask about the glaze
A glazed dish touches your food directly, so we looked for a statement from the maker. HIC, Emile Henry and Pyrex’s stoneware line all state their position. Le Creuset gives an FDA compliance statement, and we say so on that pick. The FDA’s guidance on the term lead free explains how the agency treats that wording. Plain glass has no glaze on the food surface.
Count your oven space
Six ramekins in a water bath need a roasting pan large enough to hold them without touching. Measure the pan you own before you buy wide, shallow dishes. If your pan is small, the taller dishes fit better.
How to run a water bath safely
A water bath keeps custard gentle, and it is where most ramekin spills happen. Set the dishes in the pan on the oven rack, then pour hot water into the pan about halfway up the sides. Keep the water out of the custard. When the custards are done, let the pan cool a little before you lift out the dishes, because the water stays hot long after the oven is off.
With glass, keep to the maker’s rules. Do not add water to a cup that is already hot, and set hot cups on a rack or dry towel, never a wet counter. If you want to bake a whole dish rather than individual portions, our ceramic baking dish guide covers larger sizes, and our guide to flan and tres leches explains what sets flan apart.
How we chose these seven ramekins
We looked at what a working kitchen looks at in an individual baking dish: size, shape, heat limit, what touches the food and who makes it. We have not used these products ourselves. Each pick rests on the Amazon listing and the maker’s own statements. We did not compare outside reviews for this guide, so nothing here is based on another publication’s results, and we note where a listing is thin or contradicts itself.
Because these are food-contact dishes, we kept to established makers and left out the many sets from Amazon-first sellers. Each pick was in stock when we wrote this. We also checked the CPSC recall database for each maker and found no recall naming these dishes.
Ramekin questions, answered
What size ramekin is best for creme brulee?
A wide, shallow dish gives the most sugar crust. The Emile Henry dish here is 5 inches across and 1.5 inches deep and holds 8.5 ounces. Deeper ramekins work too, but the custard needs longer to set.
Are ramekins oven safe?
All seven sets here are rated for the oven, but the limits differ. HIC stops at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, Pyrex stoneware at 450, and Emile Henry at 520. The glass cups need a preheated oven.
Can you put ramekins under the broiler?
Only if the maker says so. Emile Henry, Le Creuset and HIC list the broiler, with HIC capped at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Pyrex and Anchor Hocking say not to use their glass under one.
Are custard cups the same as ramekins?
They do the same job. Custard cups are usually glass with sloped sides, and ramekins are usually ceramic with straighter walls. Anchor Hocking sells its glass cups under both names.
Do ramekins need greasing?
For a souffle or a cake you plan to turn out, follow the recipe, which will usually say yes. For a custard served in the dish, no.
The ramekins we would keep in the cabinet
Related guide: Ramekin alternative.
Start with the HIC set. It has the size most recipes need, and it says what it is made of. Add the Emile Henry dishes if you broil or make creme brulee often. For other dishes around them, see our baking dishes with lids, or our dip bowls for serving small portions at the table. And if you would rather leave dessert to someone else, see the Julia’s menu and call to order at (346) 546-8283.