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College Kitchen Essentials👩🍳🍳
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items All the kitchen essentials that make cooking in college so much easier! These are things I actually use in my own kitchen—from everyday basics to a few fun extras that make me way more likely to cook instead of ordering takeout.
If you only buy one kitchen appliance for college, I’d make it an air fryer. I use mine constantly because it makes cooking so much quicker and easier, especially when I’m making dinner for just myself. It’s also perfect for reheating leftovers witho...
My Most-Used Kitchen Appliance
You really don’t need a million different pans in a college kitchen. A good nonstick frying pan works for almost everything—I use mine for eggs, veggies, chicken, ground beef, quesadillas, and basically any quick meal. Definitely one of my most-used ...
The Pan I Use for Literally Everything
Such a basic, but you’ll use it constantly if you cook at all. I love having a good-sized cutting board that gives me enough room to prep everything without taking over my entire kitchen counter.
A Good Cutting Board Is a Must
You definitely don’t need a huge knife set for a college kitchen—a good chef’s knife can handle almost everything. Having one that’s actually sharp makes chopping veggies, meat, and basically anything else SO much easier.
The One Knife You Actually Need
If you’re constantly cutting into your chicken to make sure it’s cooked, PLEASE get one of these. It takes all the guessing out of cooking meat and has made me so much more confident cooking chicken, salmon, and other proteins on my own.
For Anyone Scared of Undercooking Chicken
I make rice ALL the time, and having a rice cooker means I can completely forget about it while I make the rest of my meal. Perfect for easy rice bowls, meal prep, or nights when you want dinner to require as little effort as possible.
Makes Dinner 10x Easier
One of those boring purchases that you end up using constantly. I love these containers for leftovers and meal prep because you can actually see what’s inside, microwave them easily, and avoid having 20 mismatched containers and lids floating around ...
So Much Better Than Random Tupperware
I didn’t realize how useful an electric kettle would be until I had one. It heats water SO much faster than the stove, and I use it for tea, oatmeal, soup, and anytime I need boiling water quickly.
I Use This Way More Than Expected
If pasta is one of your go-to college meals, you’re going to need one of these. It’s also great for washing fruit and veggies, and I’d recommend getting one that’s not huge so it doesn’t take up half your cabinet.
A College Kitchen Basic
A good silicone spatula is one of those little things I use constantly. It’s perfect for cooking, baking, mixing, and scraping every last bit out of a bowl—and unlike metal utensils, it won’t scratch up your nonstick pans.
The Utensil I’m Always Reaching For
Sheet pan dinners are perfect for college because you can throw your protein and veggies on one pan and call it a meal. I also use mine for roasting veggies, potatoes, and anything that doesn’t fit in the air fryer!
For the Easiest Dinners Ever
Definitely get a set that nests together so it doesn’t take up a ton of cabinet space. I use mine for baking, mixing sauces and marinades, prepping meals, and pretty much anything else that requires more room than a cereal bowl.
You’ll Use These for Everything
I didn’t realize how much I would use tongs until I started cooking for myself. They make flipping chicken, tossing veggies, serving pasta, and grabbing basically anything out of a hot pan so much easier.
An Underrated Kitchen Essential
Maybe not the most exciting kitchen purchase, but I use mine way more than I expected. Freshly grated cheese melts SO much better than the pre-shredded stuff, and you can also use it for things like veggies, garlic, and lemon zest.
Freshly Grated Cheese Is Just Better
Such a cheap little purchase, but I use mine all the time for matcha and coffee. It makes homemade drinks feel way more fun and is perfect when you don’t want to spend coffee shop money every morning.
My At-Home Coffee Shop Essential
This is absolutely not glamorous, but your roommates will thank you. It keeps sauces and leftovers from exploding all over the microwave, and cleaning this is a million times easier than scrubbing dried food off the inside.
Boring but SO Worth It