This $5.49 ALDI Pan Is “My Absolute Favorite”—I Use It All the Time

I'm so impressed by this latest ALDI find that it has replaced the much pricier pan I bought from a kitchen supply store.

May 10, 2024 - 15:00

1146

This $5.49 ALDI Pan Is “My Absolute Favorite”—I Use It All the Time

An ALDI store sign — Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Ever since the old electric range in my house gave up the ghost, I’ve been looking for new pots and pans. My new range has an induction cooktop so I've had to upgrade all my cookware so that it’s compatible. That’s why I was SO excited to find the perfect little fry pan at ALDI: Crofton nonstick sauté pan.

The pan is eight inches in diameter, with a slick, black nonstick interior and white exterior. Not only was it nonstick and attractive, but it was also compatible with an induction range, which isn't always the case.

I expected to like this pan, as I’ve liked almost every item I’ve picked up in the AOS section, but I didn’t imagine that it would soon become my absolute favorite.

The morning after I bought it, I used the pan to fry up some eggs. Not only did it work well with my induction cooktop, as it cooked those babies up in under two minutes, but I didn’t have to scrub it to get the egg bits off.

With just a little hot water and a plastic brush, it looked as good as new. While I sanitized it with hot water and soap, I could have simply let the pan cool and used a paper towel to wipe it clean. "Impressed" doesn't even begin to reflect how I felt about this pan.

A nonstick skillet with three over-easy eggs cooking inside — Simply Recipes / Jeanette Hurt

How I Use My Crofton Nonstick Sauté Pan

I’ve since used my new favorite pan to cook sausages, omelets, scrambled eggs, and French toast, and every dish has turned out perfectly. If I didn’t have an electric griddle (thanks, ALDI!), I think it would make perfect pancakes, too.

My son, who enjoys cooking almost as much as I do, says it’s the perfect pan for him to make eggs and sausage. My husband, who doesn’t even like to cook, says he enjoys using the pan too. His feedback tells me that this is the perfect pan for both experienced cooks and newbies.

At eight inches in diameter, this isn’t a pan for making dozen-egg omelets or an entire package of bacon, but it’s absolutely ideal for cooking up four eggs or fewer. It’s also the perfect size to sauté one or two chicken breasts, a couple of burgers, or a few veggies. Or use it for Spanish tortillas (the egg, potato, and onion version) and frittatas.

I like this pan so much that the $30 nonstick pan I bought at a specialty store has been relegated to the back of the cupboard. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to store. I am so impressed that I can’t wait to see what game-changing cooking accouterment ALDI sells next.