Upcycling Gu Ramekins: Creative Ways to Repurpose Glass Pots

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If you love Gu puddings as much as we do, you’ve probably ended up with a cupboard full of empty little glass pots.

They’re adorable, and you can’t help but think they might come in handy for something, even if you’re not quite sure what.

In this post, I’m going to share some ideas for upcycling Gu ramekins and putting them to good use around the home.

I have a massive sweet tooth, and while I enjoy cooking, baking isn’t really my forte. That means we often end up buying puddings as a treat, usually on a Friday night in front of Gogglebox.

As someone who’s always trying to be more environmentally conscious, I hate throwing things away that could be reused.

That’s how my cupboard ended up full of Gu ramekins. I do occasionally recycle a few when we have too many, but most of them actually have plenty of uses, and I’m excited to share some of my favourites with you.

14 Creative Ways to Upcycle Gu Ramekins

Hopefully, this list will give you plenty of inspiration for upcycling Gu ramekins and finding new uses for them around your home.

1. Fill Them With Snacks
   The most obvious use is as snack dishes. They’re perfect for olives, nuts, habas fritas, Bombay mix, or other nibbles. I usually bring these out when friends come over for drinks. Plastic Pringles lids fit nicely on top if you want to reduce cling film use, though they don’t seal completely.

2. Serve Condiments & Dips
   Gu ramekins are great for condiments like ketchup, mayo, sweet chilli, or barbeque sauce, and also work well for dips such as hummus, sour cream, or salsa. Ideal for dipping nachos, pitta bread, or veggie sticks.

3. Tealight Holders
   They make charming tealight holders. You could jazz them up with glass paint or decorate using items like burlap and lace. Lovely tutorial for that here. They can even be used as thrifty wedding centrepieces.

4. Rice or Food Moulds
   Use ramekins to shape rice, mashed potatoes, or diced vegetables for a neat presentation.

5. Creme Brûlée
   Gu glass ramekins are perfect for making homemade Creme Brûlée. My favourite is Baileys Creme Brûlée, definitely on my ‘to make’ list.

6. Grow Vegetables
   These little pots are perfect for growing small vegetables like cress or even trying to sprout leftovers from your fridge.

7. Serve Pate
   Ramekins are ideal for homemade pate or giving shop-bought pate a fancier presentation. Melba Toast pairs nicely with this.

8. Sell Them
   Gu ramekins sell well on eBay, and you could also try Facebook Marketplace if you prefer local selling.

9. Sugar Bowls
   They make lovely sugar bowls when you have unexpected guests or want to put together a small tea set.

10. Use as a Penny Pot
    We use one as a penny pot in our kitchen, which helps keep loose change out of reach from our toddler.

11. Pre-measure Ingredients
    Perfect for prepping ingredients before cooking or holding sprinkles and toppings when baking with children.

12. Tapas Dishes
    Great for serving multiple tapas items such as:

• Olives

• Cooked chorizo

• Mozzarella wrapped in ham

• Squares of Manchego cheese

• Bacon-wrapped dates

• Sun-dried tomatoes in oil

• Anchovy fillets

• Aioli

• Churros with chocolate dipping sauce

13. Individual Chocolate Whip or Angel Delight Servings
    Ideal for portioning desserts for kids. One packet of Angel Delight fills three ramekins, giving one to each child.

14. Paint Pots & Crafting
    Perfect for painting or craft activities, holding beads, buttons, googly eyes, or other small items. As they’re glass, supervise children closely.

Hopefully, this post will give you lots of ideas for upcycling Gu ramekins and making use out of them around your home.

Reusing Gu Glass Ramekins – Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Recycle Gu Glass Ramekins?

Yes, Gu glass ramekins can be recycled. You can put them in your household glass recycling bin or take them to your local recycling centre if that’s easier.

Are Gu Glass Ramekins Oven Safe?

If you’ve only bought cold desserts from the Gu range, you might not realise some of their desserts need to be baked or heated. Gu ramekins are oven safe, so you can use them to make dishes like soufflés at home. Just be careful when handling them, as they get very hot.

Can You Use Gu Ramekins in an Air Fryer?

Yes. Gu ramekins work well in the air fryer, which heats more efficiently than a standard oven. You may need to adjust cooking times slightly, but it’s a great way to save energy and time.

Can You Use Gu Ramekins in the Slow Cooker?

Absolutely. Gu glass ramekins are perfect for slow cooker recipes such as crème brûlée or crème caramel, making them a versatile addition to your kitchen.

Can You Put Gu Ramekins in the Freezer?

Yes. Gu ramekins can safely go in the freezer. When freezing liquids like sauces or stock reductions, leave a little room at the top for expansion. Most other glass ramekins behave the same way.

Final Thoughts on Upcycling Gu Ramekins

Gu glass ramekins might seem small and simple, but as you’ve seen, they can be surprisingly versatile. From serving snacks and dips to making desserts, crafts, or even mini planters, there are plenty of ways to upcycle Gu ramekins around your home.

By giving your ramekins a second life, you’re not only saving money but also helping reduce waste and make the most of items you already have.

Have you found a fun way to reuse Gu ramekins? Share your ideas in the comments it’s always great to see how others are repurposing Gu ramekins in their homes.

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