These Small Dishes Are Perfect for Breakfasts and Snacks

I love my Fable dinnerware. I own three sets in two colors (one navy and two speckled whites), and use the dishes daily because they’re perfectly sized and so easy to clean. I’m likewise a huge fan of their durability and cost. Fable is truly the ideal brand for someone who prioritizes style but also cares deeply about function, quality, and price.

In truth, though, there’s only one dish in the set that I couldn’t live without: the Fable Pasta Bowl. Its wide, shallow design lends itself beautifully to congees, stir-fries, salads, and, of course, noodles. I use it so often, in fact, that until a few months ago, I thought there was no shape capable of supplanting the pasta bowl in my hierarchy of dishes. Then the East Fork Breakfast Bowl proved me wrong.

East Fork Breakfast Bowls, Set of 4 

Like Fable, East Fork produces exquisite ceramics in beautiful colors and useful shapes. Yes, the brand is more expensive than the former, but its version of the pasta bowl — dubbed the Everyday Bowl — is an editor-favorite for its looks and functionality. (All East Fork dishes can be cleaned in the dishwasher and heated in the microwave.) 

While I don’t own any East Fork Everyday Bowls, I can speak to how the Breakfast Bowl has earned its spot in my daily routine. With a 10-ounce capacity and a wide, shallow body, its design is ideal for yogurt, oatmeal, slices of apple with scoops of peanut butter, and dollops of hummus with carrots and cucumbers. For reference, the East Fork Everyday Bowl holds 28 ounces and the Fable Pasta Bowl, 26. Great for larger servings at dinner, the smaller volume is much better suited to breakfasts and light afternoon snacks.

My advice? Even though you probably already own pasta bowls, it’s a great idea to grab some smaller bowls, as well. I fell in love with my set after just one use — and you likely will, too. But if you’re not ready to spring for a pricey East Fork Breakfast Bowl, I found a few options that won’t break the bank, including one bundle on Amazon that costs less than $4 apiece.   

More Bowls to Shop

Fable Everything Bowls, Set of 4 

Smaller than East Fork’s breakfast bowls, these 4-ounce dishes are an excellent size for handfuls of nuts and berries, scoops of yogurt, and sides of sauces or condiments. As with all Fable dinnerware, the Everything Bowls are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. If you’re reheating food or warming up sauces, they’re also oven-safe up to 450°F. 

Dowan Small Bowls, Set of 6 

Dowan’s 10-ounce bowls cost less than $4 apiece now that they’re on sale at Amazon. Available in a glossy white finish that’s both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, you’ll likely find yourself using these dishes daily. At least, that’s what over 4,000 Amazon shoppers discovered when they bought a set for their homes.  

Le Tauci Small Bowls, Set of 4 

These bowls are the “perfect size for just about any use,” wrote one Amazon shopper of Le Tauci’s 10-ounce bowls. They also love the design because they look “hand-crafted” without sacrificing stackability.   

Mora Small Dessert Bowls, Set of 6 

With a capacity of 16 ounces, these slightly larger bowls are still small enough not to overwhelm you when snack time rolls around. Nearly 1,000 Amazon shoppers also pull these out to serve ice cream, popcorn, or soup. Choose from speckled white, gray, and assorted colors.     

Year & Day Small Bowls, Set of 4 

More similar in shape to a cereal bowl than a pasta bowl, Year & Day’s bowls are still a great choice if you want petite dishes for breakfasts and snacks. During testing, Writer Alyssa Longobucco described them as “perfectly sized for smaller portions of the good stuff so you waste not and want not.”

Jupiter Beaded Glass Cereal Bowls, Set of 6

Available in four colors at West Elm, these beaded bowls are guaranteed to brighten any table. While you’ll want to be careful with them since they’re made of glass, they are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup after dinner. They also pair with drinking glasses and plates if you’re looking for a complete collection.   

The Bistro Tile Stoneware Nut Bowl 

You won’t be able to stop yourself from falling in love with Anthropologie’s beautiful bistro-inspired bowl, especially not now that it’s close to Valentine’s Day. At just 6.69 ounces, it’s one of the smaller bowls on this list, but I could easily see myself setting it on my counter to display candy or taking it out of my cabinet to eat yogurt.