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Kitchen Tools That Make Cooking Easier and More Enjoyable

28 items

I cook—a LOT! And over the years I've found some kitchen tools, gadgets, and small appliances that really do make cooking, baking, food prep, and storage easier. These are products I actually own and use—from my Instant Pot and Vitamix to bread-making tools, food ... If it made this list, it's here because I've used it and found a reason to keep using it.

Sections

This started out as my “new toy,” but I'm REALLY liking it! 🍞😂 I love that I can put my ingredients in, get it started, and let it knead and rise while I'm busy with something else. I've used it for homemade bread dough, but it's also handy for pizza dough and other recipes that need kneading and rising. One thing I've learned—START EARLY! 😂 It saves me the hands-on work, but yeast dough still needs time to rise. This doesn't magically turn a two-hour process into 20 minutes! Easy to use, saves me hands-on time, and lets me make homemade dough without being tied to the kitchen. This “toy” has definitely earned its keep!

Electric Dough Maker 6.5QT Stand Mixer with Ferment Function, Stainless Steel Bowl - Empire Red

I was ASTONISHED at the amount of grime and dirt that came off my fruits and vegetables the first time I used this! 😳 I thought I was washing my produce pretty well before—apparently, I had room for improvement! I'm very glad I purchased it. It's easy to use, and I like knowing I'm giving our fresh produce a more thorough cleaning before we eat it. For me, it's one of those purchases that simply makes me feel better about the food I'm putting on the table. ...

Terramit Fruit and Vegetable Washing Machine, 2026 Pure Titanium Hydroxy Ion Produce Fruit Cleaner Device with Cyclone Vortex Cleaning, IPX7 Waterproof Wireless Vegetable Purifier for Kitchen

I LOVE me some fresh sprouts! 🌱😂 And this makes growing my own at home so easy. I really like the two-container setup for soaking, rinsing and draining, and I've had great results with it. There's just something satisfying about growing a batch yourself and having fresh, crisp sprouts ready to add to sandwiches, salads or whate... bought the whole setup and am very glad I did—I use it, I like it, and I definitely recommend it for another sprout lover! 🌱🥪

Easy Sprout Frontier Natural Products Co-op 8505 Sproutamo | Kitchen Gadgets

Did I NEED these? NO. Am I glad I got them? YES! 😂 This set has 24 reusable bread stencils in 12 different designs and two sizes, so I can dress up a plain loaf of sourdough or homemade bread with a pretty design using flour, cocoa or another topping. They can also be used for decorating cakes, cooki... Fun, inexpensive and completely unnecessary—which is exactly why I like them.

24PCS Artisan Bread Stencils for Sourdough Bread Stencils Baking Mold Set, Cakes, Cookies and Pie Baking Tools for Decorating, 12 Style(5.9 x 5.9 Inch, 3.9 x 3.9 Inch)

This fits really well, and I especially like that any extra grease from meat can drip away instead of the food sitting in it. That's a definite plus for me when I'm trying to cook a little healthier. But it's not just for meat! I like that I can use it for so many different foods and experiment with different things to make on it. It's simple, useful, and gives me more options—which means this is one of those kitchen purchases that actually gets...

Stainless Steel Vertical Skewer Rack for Air Fryer, Compatible with 8QT Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, Multi-Purpose Food Grade Metal Skewers Holder for Grilling Meat, Sausage, Vegetables

I love the way these stack! They help keep the refrigerator organized without a bunch of mismatched containers taking up more room than they need. They're also really versatile. I use them for hubby's lunches, leftovers, fresh fruits and vegetables, meal prep and whatever else needs a home in the refrigerator. Easy to stack, easy to see what I've got, and useful for everyday food storage—which means these don't just sit in the cupboard!

Deal: 52 PCS Food Storage Container with Lid Airtight (26 Lids & 26 Containers) | Leakproof Plastic Kitchen Organization Set Reusable Microwave/Freezer/Dishwasher Safe Meal Prep Container with Label & Pen

This one gets a WORKOUT at my house—especially in the fall, winter and early spring! 🍞 I really enjoy making homemade sourdough, and this kit makes keeping my starter much easier. I especially like the large glass jar, feeding markings, day tracker and thermometer—all those little details help me keep track of what my starter is doing ... When cooler weather rolls around and I'm in serious bread-making mode, this stays busy!

KNEADACE Pro Sourdough Bread Starter Kit - 34 oz Large Capacity Sourdough Starter Jar with 5 unique features for the perfect sour dough bread & sourdough starter kit - sourdough supplies (KA06)

I use these for WAY more than cookies! 🍪 I really like having several different sizes to choose from depending on what I'm making. They're great for portioning cookie dough, but I also use them as melon ballers and to scoop or portion other foods. Having the different sizes is what makes t... Simple kitchen tools that get used over and over!

Cookie Scoop Set, 3Pcs Ice Cream Scoop, Cookie Scoops for Baking Set of 3, 18/8 Stainless Steel Cookie Scooper for Baking, Ice Cream Scooper with Trigger Release, Cookie Dough Scoop with Non-slip Grip

These get a WORKOUT at my house! I really like having so many different Instant Pot accessories in one set, and I've used them for all kinds of different things. With steamer baskets, a springform pan, egg rack, egg-bite mold and lots of other pieces, there's usually something in th... If you use your Instant Pot regularly, this set gives you a LOT more ways to use it.

Accessories for Instant Pot, Sugaroom 100 PCS Pressure Cooker Accessories Set Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt 8 quart-2 Steamer Baskets, Springform Pan, Egg Rack, Egg Bites Mold and More

This one is just plain FUN! 🧇😂 The best part is dreaming up all the different things you can stuff inside a waffle—fresh fruit, pie filling, chocolate, cheese, meats and all kinds of sweet or savory combinations. It's easy to use, and I especially like it when the kiddos are around. You can make each waffle a little different and let them discover what surprise is hiding inside! Do I need a special appliance just to stuff things inside waffles? Probably not. 😂 But am I glad I have it? ABSOLUTELY!

Presto 03512 Stuffler Stuffed Waffle Maker

Did I absolutely need a stuffed burger press? Probably not. Is it FUN? OH YES! 😂🍔 The best part is deciding what to hide inside the burger—different cheeses, mushrooms and onions, bacon, jalapeños, or whatever combination sounds good. It's easy to use and turns an ordinary burger into something a little different. And it's especially fun with kids because they don't have to know what's hiding inside until they bite into it! Let everybody choose their own surprise filling and supper suddenly becomes an event.

Meykers Burger Press - 3-in-1 Hamburger Patty Maker with Non-Stick Mold and 100 Wax Papers for Stuffed Cheeseburger, Slider

This gets used both BEFORE the food hits the pan and WHILE I'm cooking! 🍔 We like thinner hamburgers, so I use it to press the patties down to the thickness we want. But it definitely isn't limited to burgers—I've also used it to keep bacon flat while it cooks, and I keep finding other jobs for it. I really like kitchen tools that can do more than one thing, and this is one of those simple, handy gadgets that earns its space in my kitchen.

Basinel Smash Burger Press 6.5",Cast Iron Flat Round Burger Smasher, Gift | 2lb Heavy-Duty Grill Bacon Meat Press with Wood Handle,Nonstick hamburger Smasher for griddle accessories,BBQs and Tailgates

My grandma gave me a rolling pin when we got married—and YES, it still gets used often! 💛 These little guide rings make that old favorite even more useful. I just put the size I need on each end of my rolling pin, and they help me keep cookie dough, pie crusts and other doughs an even thickness instead of having one side thick and the oth... I love that I can keep using the rolling pin Grandma gave me while adding a simple little helper that makes rolling dough easier and more consistent.

Regency Wraps Evendough Bands, Rolling Pin Rings, Set Of 4 Sizes, Pack Of 1 | Natural Rubber Bands Fit Standard Rolling Pins for Achieving Precise Dough Thickness, For Pizza, Pies, Pastries, Pasta

McDonald's for breakfast? Not when I have this baby!! 😂🍳🥪 I can make one or two hot breakfast sandwiches at a time and fix them exactly the way we like them—English muffins or other bread, egg, cheese, ham, sausage and whatever else sounds good that morning. They're quick, easy, and I control what goes int... Fast-food breakfast at home, made MY way—and no drive-thru required! 😂

One pot that can do THIS many things? Yep—I'm a fan! 😂 I use my Instant Pot for everything from meats and complete meals to soups, vegetables, rice and more. I love being able to pressure cook when I want something done quickly, but also having the option to sauté, steam, slow cook and do so much more i... And with all those Instant Pot accessories I've collected, this baby gets even more versatile! It's one of those kitchen appliances that definitely doesn't just sit around looking pretty! (See items that fit in Instant Pot on this page!)

Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel | Slow cooks, makes rice and yogurt, steams, sautés, warms and sterilizes, with an app featuring 800+ recipes.

Do I use this a LOT? OH YES! 😂 This is definitely not an appliance that sits around collecting dust in my kitchen. I use my Vitamix for soups, mixes, crushing ice and all kinds of everyday kitchen jobs. And this winter I'm even putting it to work in the garden—blending appropriate kitchen scraps with water to make a slurry for my garden beds. I love a kitchen appliance that can handle so many different jobs, and I keep finding more ways to use this one!

Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, Professional-Grade, Self-Cleaning 48 oz. Container, Black

If you put ANYTHING in baggies, this is a must-have! 😂 These little holders keep the bag open and upright while I'm filling it, instead of me trying to hold the bag with one hand and spoon food into it with the other. They're handy year-round, but I especially appreciate them in the spring and summer wh... Simple idea, easy to use, less mess—and one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that makes me wonder why I didn't have it sooner!

Jokari Adjustable Baggy Rack Stand 2 Pack Hands Free Food Storage Bag | Freezer, Sandwich Bags Clip Stand, No More Spills in the Kitchen, Adjustable to Fit Any Bag Size, Eco-Friendly and Reusable

My preference? Homemade bread baked in the oven. But LIFE doesn't always cooperate! 😂🍞 When the day is busy, crazy or downright hectic and we still want fresh homemade bread, this bread maker is my standby. I can add the ingredients, let the machine handle the mixing, kneading, rising and baking, and still end up with that wonderful s... It may not replace my traditional oven-baked bread, but when I'm short on time, I'm VERY glad this baby is sitting there ready to work!

Elite Gourmet 2 Lb Programmable Bread Maker, 3 Sizes, 19 Presets, Black | Gluten-Free, Dough & Jam, Delay Timer, EBM8103B

If I'm going to make homemade bread, I might as well make it look—and taste—GOOD! 😂🍞 I really like this set because the cast-iron Dutch oven holds the heat and steam while the bread bakes, helping me get that wonderful crust on the outside while keeping the bread tender inside. And I like having the banneton basket, dough tools, bre... With as much bread and sourdough as I make—especially once cooler weather arrives—this is definitely my kind of kitchen set!

Dutch Oven Bread Baking Pot with Lid 6QT Enameled Cast Iron Oven, Gradient Red Design & Complete Sourdough Kit (Banneton Basket, Dough Tools, Silicone Sling) for Artisan Bread Making

Some kitchen books are about recipes, while others teach you how to make the food you already cook even better. This section includes cookbooks I enjoy along with books about baking, food preparation, presentation, garnishing, preserving, and useful ... These are the books I want close by when I need a recipe, want to learn something new, or simply need a little inspiration. Because good cooking isn't just about following a recipe—it's also about learning the little tricks that make food easier to p...

We eat with our eyes first! Food can taste wonderful and smell amazing, but when it's beautifully presented, it makes the whole meal feel just a little more special. I like this book for the ideas and step-by-step photos for turning ordinary fruits, vegetables, cheeses and oth... Good food deserves to look as good as it tastes!

Food Art: Garnishing Made Easy

I tend to use the simpler ideas from this book—but there are SO many possibilities! 🍓🥒🍋 It has hundreds of ideas for turning ordinary fruits, vegetables and other foods into garnishes that make a plate or serving dish look extra special. Some are quick and easy, while others definitely require a little more time and patience. I usually stick with the easy ones when I'm busy, but I've already spotted some more adventurous garnishes I want to try this winter when I have more time to play in the kitchen. Who knows what I'll create!

Garnishing: A Feast For Your Eyes

I bought these for our great-nieces, and they're enjoying them! I really like that this is more than just a children's recipe book. There are lots of instructions, pictures, helpful tips and explanations that make it easier for young cooks to understand what they're doing and learn some real kitchen skills along... It's a fun way to get kids interested in cooking, let them become more independent in the kitchen and—hopefully!—get them excited about making something the whole family can eat.

The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs: 100+ Recipes that You'll Love to Cook and Eat

Gluten-free doesn't mean giving up all the foods you love! That's what I like about this cookbook. It has 350+ recipes for familiar favorites, along with explanations and techniques for getting good results when you're cooking and baking without gluten. Even if everyone in the family isn't eating gluten-free, I like having options that let me make good, tasty food that more people can enjoy without feeling like I'm serving a second-rate substitute. If I'm changing a recipe for health or dietary rea...

How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook Collection: 350+ Groundbreaking Recipes for All Your Favorites

Yes, I splurged on this cookbook—and I had a reason! 😂 There are certain restaurant dishes I REALLY enjoy, and sometimes I'd like to have them without going to the restaurant. This book gives copycat recipes for popular restaurant favorites so I can try recreating some of those dishes right in my own kitchen. Will it keep me from eating out? Absolutely not! 😂 But it's fun to make a favorite at home, put my own little spin on it if I want, and see just how close I can get to the original.

The Everything Restaurant Recipes Cookbook: Copycat recipes for Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' Onion, L

Are you the Cookie Monster? 🍪😂 Because with 365 cookie recipes, you could practically make a different cookie every day for a year! I love the variety in this book—from familiar favorites to cookies for different seasons and holidays, plus plenty of recipes that make me think, “Hmmm...I haven't tried THAT one before!” Whether I'm baking for us, taking something somewhere, filling a holiday cookie tray or just in the mood to experiment, there's always another recipe to try. Now the only problem is deciding which cookie comes first!

Taste of Home 365 Days of Cookies: Features Seasonal Recipes and Baking Tips (Taste of Home Baking)

Learning is FUN—and in this case, TASTY too! 😂🍞 I enjoy the variety in this book because it doesn't just give me bread recipes—it helps me understand why things work, from yeast and rising to sourdough and different bread-making techniques. I can try a recipe as written, learn from it, and then t... For me, that's half the fun of cooking and baking—learn the basics, try some varieties, and then start creating!

Bread Making For Dummies

Yes, I splurged and bought the spiral-bound version—and every time I use it, I'm SO glad I did! It stays open to the recipe or instructions I need while my hands are busy working with dough. And there's a LOT here worth keeping open! Along with great sourdough recipes for breads, rolls, pizza, sweets and more, it explains fermentation, maintaining a starter, troubleshooting bread problems and the science behind getting better results. I like a cookbook that doesn't just tell me what to do—it helps me understand WHY I'm doing it. And the spiral binding? Worth the splurge!

The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets, and More: A Baking Book

I bought this for the gluten-free recipes, but I also enjoy it simply for the IDEAS! There are lots of interesting recipes and different ways of preparing familiar foods that I might not have thought about on my own. Even when I don't follow a recipe exactly, cookbooks like this get me thinking—“What if I changed this, added that, or... Sometimes a good cookbook gives me a recipe—and sometimes it gives me my NEXT idea!

The Ultimate Gluten-Free Cookbook: 2000 Days of Simple and Delicious Recipes for Celiac, Gluten Sensitivity, or Simply Healthier Living

Kitchen Tools That Make Cooking Easier and More Enjoyable

Kitchen Tools & Gadgets

Cookbooks, Kitchen Know-How & Food Inspiration