Egg rings are ring-shaped molds made to be placed on a pan. Eggs are dropped into the molds and allowed to cook for a few minutes, then the rings are lifted off, and voila—a perfectly round egg. Egg rings also come in square shapes and more whimsical designs. When shopping for an egg mold, something sturdy with some weight to it, is nonstick, and has an easy-to-grip handle will serve you best. So if you’re in the market for egg rings, I’ve picked the top ones below after consulting reviews, thoroughly researching product information across a variety of retailers, and talking to the pros. Here, the best egg rings to help you get started. What We Don’t Love: Nonstick coating can scratch off over time, handle gets quite hot This all-rounder is thicker and heavier than your average egg ring, which are key qualities for longevity, as well as ensuring that when you crack an egg into the mold, it doesn’t leak out of the sides. It’s made of all stainless steel with a nonstick coating, and the rubber-coated handle is comfortable to hold and folds down for easy storage. Reviewers like this egg mold’s sturdy, all-metal construction, which makes it easy to form the perfect round shape for an English muffin sandwich (and even sausage and burger patties), and there’s no gap in the ring that would cause the egg to seep through. But many users also advise spraying the ring with oil and pre-heat it on the cooking surface, and using a potholder on the metal handle before removing the ring, as it gets quite hot. Price at time of publish: $40 Material: Stainless steel | Diameter: 3.5 inches | Ring Height: 0.6 inches | Dishwasher-Safe? No What We Don’t Love: Smaller handles can be hard to grip, font on instructions are very small, may need to be preheated longer than the packaging says depending on your stovetop These colorful egg rings are an affordable option. If you’ve never cooked with egg rings before, this is a good place to start—they’re made of food-grade silicone, which helps eggs or whatever else you’re cooking in them from sticking. Just like metal molds, make sure to spray these with a bit of oil before cooking with them, and—some users suggest—preheat them for several seconds to a few minutes before adding in your eggs. A bonus: Your egg whites are less likely to leak out if you do so. You can throw these egg rings in the dishwasher when you’re done, but because they’re made of silicone and not metal, they’re very easy to hand-wash. Price at time of publish: $8 Material: Stainless steel, silicone | Diameter: 4 inches | Ring Height: 0.75 inches | Dishwasher-Safe? Yes What We Don’t Love: Thin sides, only works perfectly on truly flat pans, nonstick coating may flake off over time The nonstick coating on these stainless steel egg rings makes it easy to slide the molds off the eggs when it’s time to flip. Many reviewers like this best for fried eggs, because it’s so easy for the egg to slip out without losing its shape, making it very easy to flip. Of course, a generous spray of cooking oil on the molds and cooking surface doesn’t hurt, either. (This is especially true if you plan to use these every day, as some frequent users say that the nonstick coating may flake off after some time.) In addition to eggs, these versatile molds can be used to make pancakes, burgers, and more. If you’re making scrambled eggs, they’re tall enough to add things like veggies, cheese, or bacon to the mix. Just make sure you have a truly flat pan, as there may be a tiny bit of leakage if not—though this is less of an issue with a thicker batter. Price at time of publish: $16 Material: Stainless steel | Diameter: 3.5 inches | Ring Height: 0.7 inches | Dishwasher-Safe? Yes What We Don’t Love: There’s a learning curve to using these If a plate of cat-shaped sunny side up eggs doesn’t make you smile, then I don’t know what will. Perfect for kids and kids at heart, this silicone mold makes cat-shaped eggs and pancakes, too. The trick to using these, say several users, is to use two eggs and crack one in each eye. The silicone forming the eyes are slightly raised, so they hold the yolks, while the less dense egg whites sleep out into the rest of the mold’s face. My suggestion: Cut up some chives to make whiskers for a breakfast masterpiece. These are the perfect gift for the cat lover or child (or cat-loving child!) in your life. Genuine Fred also makes llama, koala, and unicorn molds that are equally whimsical. Price at time of publish: $12 Material: Food-grade rubber silicone | Dimensions: 5.9 x 4.8 inches | Ring Height: 1.1 inches | Dishwasher-Safe? Yes What We Don’t Love: Griddle not included, hand-wash only Level up your breakfast game with this eight-piece set that comes with four egg rings, a batter dispenser, an elongated spatula, a crepe spreader, and a crepe spatula. If your breakfast isn’t complete without something sweet to complement your eggs, this toolset is the way to go. All you need is a nonstick griddle to cook everything on. The batter dispenser has measurements on the side so you can use just enough batter for a crepe or the appropriate amount for a pancake (which you can also mold with the egg rings!). Plus, the crepe spatula is not only great for flipping crepes due to its long, thin beveled edge, but you should be able to easily flip your halfway-cooked fried egg or your pancake, too. Want a sweet and savory breakfast while on the go? This breakfast and crepe set is perfect for camping. Price at time of publish: $25 Material: Stainless steel, wood, plastic | Diameter (Egg Rings): 3 inches | Ring Height: N/A | Dishwasher-Safe? No What We Don’t Love: Takes a while to heat up For square eggs that fit perfectly on pieces of toast, these egg rings are a solid option. Nonstick silicone interiors help eggs to release seamlessly from the molds, though Williams Sonoma recommends supplementing with nonstick cooking spray for the easiest release. In addition to this, some users advise preheating the mold for a minute or two on low for best results. Even though these molds aren’t The heat-resistant nylon handles stay cool to the touch for easy handling, and they fold down for compact storage. Cleanup is easy, too—not only are these dishwasher-safe (and you won’t have to worry about rust), but they’re also easy enough to hand-wash. Price at time of publish: $22 Material: Nylon, silicone | Dimensions: 3.5 square inches | Ring Height: N/A | Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
How We Selected
Abigail combed through scores of top-rated egg rings, looking at consumer reviews and available manufacturer information such as key specs. She also interviewed professional chefs to learn how to cook eggs using egg molds without making common mistakes. Abigail used this data to choose her top picks.
What To Look for When Buying Egg Rings
Material
Silicone and stainless steel are popular materials for egg rings. Flexible silicone rings are nonstick and they won’t scratch up a nonstick pan. You’ll want to ensure that any silicone egg rings you buy are high heat-resistant, as you definitely don’t want melted plastic on your pan. Stainless steel egg rings are typically sturdier and hold their shape better than silicone egg rings. However, they can rust over time (especially if you put them in the dishwasher), and nonstick coatings can flake off. “I prefer silicone egg rings over the metal ones. I am able to achieve greater results … and I use less cooking spray by using the silicone rather than the metal. From my experience, if I don’t use enough cooking spray, the eggs tend to stick to the metal rings.” – Jonathan Rodriguez, executive chef of Estuary at ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina in Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York.
Handle
A handle is helpful for placing the rings on the pan and lifting them off when the eggs are finished cooking or it’s time to flip. Look for something heat-resistant that you’ll be able to pick up with your fingers, and something that folds for easy storage is a bonus.
Size and Shape
Round egg molds are the standard, but you can also find egg molds in squares and other fun shapes. Keep in mind that you can also use egg rings for other foods (like burger patties, pancakes, and even to plate steak tartare) when choosing the size and shape that works best for you.
Easy Release
Most egg rings are made with nonstick material or have a nonstick coating for easy release. Even so, a healthy coating of cooking spray around the inside edges will help to ensure you won’t have to scrape pieces of egg off the molds.
Ease of Cleaning
With a nonstick egg ring covered in cooking spray, cleanup should be fairly straightforward. Use a sponge and warm, soapy water or put it in the dishwasher (if dishwasher-safe).
Are silicone or metal egg rings better?
It’s a matter of personal preference, but all three of the chef experts interviewed are big fans of silicone egg rings. “I prefer silicone egg rings because they are nonstick, making them easy to clean and store, heat-resistant (to about 450 degrees typically), and long-lasting. Metal egg rings hold heat, meaning that they continue to cook the egg, and can also rust.” — Star Maye, executive chef of Anzie Blue in Nashville, Tennessee.
How do you cook eggs with egg rings?
First, heat a nonstick skillet with some oil in the pan over medium heat. Spray the egg rings with cooking spray, then place them on the skillet and allow them to preheat. Crack the eggs into the hot pan and allow them to cook, not disturbing the eggs until it’s time to flip. Throwing some water into the pan and covering the eggs can help them cook faster and keep you from having to flip them. It will take about 5 minutes for the eggs to cook. “If you want to scramble the egg, use a wooden toothpick so that you do not scratch the pan.” — Star Maye, executive chef of Anzie Blue in Nashville, Tennessee
Can I cook other foods in an egg ring?
Absolutely. Egg rings can be used to make pancakes, burger patties (meat or vegetarian), and more. Jason Goldstein, cookbook author and culinary TV personality of Chop Happy, uses them to make spaghetti hamburger buns, featuring a mixture of cooked leftover spaghetti, eggs, and Parmesan. “Egg rings definitely come in handy if I want to make mini pancakes for the kids or just for me. I can also use the mold to make potato latkes, and they’re also great if I need them for plating things such as tartare," adds Jonathan Rodriguez.
What can I use instead if I don’t have an egg ring?
To make a DIY egg ring, you can use aluminum foil or go the edible route with a tomato, says Maye. “First, fold your aluminum foil down to a quarter inch in width, then fold it into a circle and tape the ends together," she says. “If you don’t own an egg ring, you can slice a tomato and cut out the center to make an edible ring," adds Goldstein.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a freelance journalist who specializes in food and drink content, striving to share this knowledge with readers. Eggs are the first food she learned to cook, and she makes them in many different ways (most often over easy or soft scramble) every week. Read Next: The Best Toasters
