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The best electric skillet for frying has tall sides, a large surface and a thermostat that recovers heat quickly when cold food hits the oil. Deep pans let you shallow fry chicken or fish with less splatter, and stainless pans handle high frying heat without worrying about coatings.
We compared six electric skillets on Amazon US by depth, size, surface and temperature control.
Quick Answer: The Best Electric Skillet for Frying
- Best OverallPresto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
- DeepestNonstick Extra Deep Electric Skillet, Serves 6 to 8
- Best Mid-Size DeepExtra Deep Electric Skillet Nonstick, Serves 4 to 6
- Best StainlessCucinaPro XL Electric 16-inch Skillet, 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Best BudgetPresto 16-inch Electric Slimline Skillet
- Best PersonalElite Gourmet EFS-400 Personal Stir Fry Griddle Pan
Presto’s 16-inch foldaway skillet is our top frying pick for its big surface and reliable thermostat. The extra-deep 6–8 person skillet holds the most oil, the 4–6 person deep skillet is the mid-size pick, CucinaPro’s XL 16-inch stainless handles high heat without a coating, Presto’s Slimline is the budget pick and Elite Gourmet’s personal pan fries for one.
Best Electric Skillet for Frying Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presto 16" Foldaway Skillet | Best Overall | Electric skillet | Large, folds for storage | Check Price |
| Extra Deep Skillet (6–8 people) | Deepest | Deep electric skillet | Larger extra-deep pan | Check Price |
| Extra Deep Skillet (4–6 people) | Best Mid-Size Deep | Deep electric skillet | Extra-deep walls | Check Price |
| CucinaPro XL 16" Stainless | Best Stainless | Stainless electric skillet | Large uncoated stainless | Check Price |
| Presto 16" Slimline Skillet | Best Budget | Electric skillet | Slim, high-sided 16-inch pan | Check Price |
| Elite Gourmet Personal Stir Fry | Best Personal | Personal electric skillet | Small, quick-heating | Check Price |
6 Skillets That Fry With Steady Heat
Ranked by depth, heat recovery and value.
1. Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
1. 16 in.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Big cooking area
- Folds for storage
- Classic design
Cons
- Nonstick coating needs care
- Bulky when open
📄 Detailed Review
- Size: 16 in.
- Feature: Foldaway base
- Brand: Presto
A large Presto skillet that folds flat to store.
Our top electric skillet.
2. Nonstick Extra Deep Electric Skillet, Serves 6 to 8
2. 6–8 people.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very large and deep
- Good for frying
- Lid included
Cons
- Bulky
- Fewer reviews
📄 Detailed Review
- Depth: Extra deep
- Serves: 6–8 (maker)
- Coating: Nonstick
A larger deep skillet for big families.
Best deep large.
3. Extra Deep Electric Skillet Nonstick, Serves 4 to 6
3. 4–6 people.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Deep for frying and stews
- Family size
- Lid included
Cons
- Lesser-known brand
- Coating wears
📄 Detailed Review
- Depth: Extra deep
- Serves: 4–6 (maker)
- Coating: Nonstick
A deep skillet that handles frying and one-pot meals.
Best deep.
4. CucinaPro XL Electric 16-inch Skillet, 18/10 Stainless Steel
4. 16 in.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Largest stainless option
- No coating
- Great for frying batches
Cons
- Heavy
- Sticking without oil
📄 Detailed Review
- Size: 16 in.
- Pan: 18/10 stainless
- Coating: None
A big stainless skillet for frying and big batches.
Best large stainless.
5. Presto 16-inch Electric Slimline Skillet
5. Slimline.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large surface
- Easy to clean
- Budget
Cons
- Shallower than deep models
- Coating wears over time
📄 Detailed Review
- Size: 16 in.
- Design: Slimline
- Brand: Presto
A slim, affordable 16-inch skillet.
Best budget large.
6. Elite Gourmet EFS-400 Personal Stir Fry Griddle Pan
6. Small.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very cheap
- Heats quickly
- Small batches
Cons
- Tiny
- Light build
📄 Detailed Review
- Size: Personal
- Use: Stir fry, frying
- Brand: Elite Gourmet
A tiny skillet for one person.
Best personal.
How We Chose the Best Electric Skillet for Frying
To build this guide to the best electric skillet for frying, we compared electric skillets listed on Amazon US by size, depth, cooking surface (nonstick, ceramic or stainless), lid, temperature control and storage, using product details from the listings and makers. We then looked at common praise and complaints in buyer feedback for heat evenness, coating wear, warping and how well each handles frying. Ratings and prices change often, so check the current listing before you buy.
Fry with care, keep oil levels moderate and cook food to safe temperatures following USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service cleanliness guidance. Our method is explained on the How We Test page; this is a research-based guide, not a lab test.
How to Fry in an Electric Skillet
Oil Level
About 1/2 inch for shallow frying; never past half full.
Temperature
Most frying happens at 350–375°F.
Batches
Fry in batches so the oil stays hot.
Splatter
Use a splatter screen and dry the food first.
Cooling
Let oil cool fully before moving the skillet.
Tips for Using an Electric Skillet
- Preheat the skillet before adding food.
- Use wood or silicone tools on nonstick and ceramic.
- Keep oil below the halfway mark when frying.
- Unplug and cool fully before washing.
- Keep the control probe dry.
Quick answers to common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best electric skillet for frying?
Presto’s 16-inch foldaway skillet.
How much oil goes in an electric skillet for frying?
About 1/2 inch for shallow frying chicken or fish.
Is an electric skillet safer than a stovetop pan for frying?
Its thermostat helps prevent overheating, but always stay nearby.
Can nonstick skillets handle frying heat?
Yes at 350–375°F; avoid going hotter than the maker allows.
Final Verdict
Our pick for frying is the Presto 16-inch foldaway. For the most oil, choose the extra-deep 6–8 person skillet.
Related Guides
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Prices and availability change often. Check the current listing on Amazon before you buy.
