A kitchen’s magic isn’t just in its big, shiny appliances. It’s the little gadgets that truly amp up the game, making cooking feel less like a chore and more like a breeze. This list features small kitchen gadgets that might look unassuming or only do one thing, but boy, do they make a difference. They’re the kind of tools that once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without. Efficient, practical, and yes, totally worth that precious drawer space.
Handheld Frother
Coffee lovers, rejoice! With a handheld frother, you can whip up barista-style drinks right at home. It’s perfect for frothy lattes, cappuccinos, or even mixing dressings and sauces. Compact and easy to use, it turns your kitchen into a mini café.
Use it to make: Froth from Homemade Oat Milk
Julienne Peeler
This little gadget is a superhero in the kitchen. The
Use it to make: Chinese Chicken Zoodles
Shrimp Deveiner
If you love shrimp, you’ll love the shrimp deveiner. It makes cleaning and prepping shrimp a breeze – no more tedious peeling and deveining. Perfect for seafood feasts, it ensures you spend less time prepping and more time enjoying your meal.
Use it to make: Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Cherry Pitter
Love cherries but hate the pits? The cherry pitter is your savior. Whether you’re whipping up a cherry pie, prepping for a jam session, or just snacking, this gadget pops those pits out like magic. It’s a game-changer for cherry lovers and makes sure you enjoy every bit of your fruit without any interruptions.
Use it to make: Sour Cherry Crisp
Funnel
A kitchen funnel is essential for transferring liquids and small items neatly into containers, saving time and avoiding messes. Its practicality in managing kitchen tasks efficiently makes it worth the storage space.
It’s helpful when making your own: Fermented Vegetables
Garlic Press
Forget about getting garlic-smelling fingers! The garlic press is your best buddy for adding that garlic punch to dishes. It’s a breeze to use, squishing garlic cloves in seconds, and perfect when you’re rushing to get that pasta sauce or marinade just right. Plus, it’s way easier than mincing by hand.
Use it to make: Garlic Chicken Bites
Food Scale
A food scale is essential for precision cooking and baking. It ensures you get your measurements spot-on, which is key for perfect bread, pastries, and balanced meals. Plus, it’s a great tool for portion control. Say hello to consistent cooking and baking results every time.
Use it to make: Fermented Foods
Pastry Brush
Got a pastry brush? Then you’re ready to add that professional touch to your baking. It’s perfect for brushing on egg washes, butter, or glazes, ensuring your pastries come out golden and picture-perfect. And it’s not just for bakers – use it for BBQ sauces or marinades too!
Use it on these: Ham Cheese & Spinach Breakfast Pies
Citrus Squeezer
Say goodbye to seeds in your lemonade! The citrus squeezer gets every last drop out of lemons or limes, minus the seeds. It’s a must-have for making fresh juices, dressings, or adding a zesty kick to your dishes. Plus, it’s way more fun than squeezing by hand.
Use it in this recipe: Lemon Blackberry Mocktail
Bench Scraper
The bench scraper, aka your countertop’s best friend. Whether you’re kneading dough, chopping veggies, or just need to clean up a messy counter, this tool does it all. It’s like having an extra hand in the kitchen – scoop, chop, clean, and more. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for bread bakers and pastry pros.
It’s essential in baking these: Cherry Dark Chocolate Scones
Microplane Zester
The microplane zester is a flavor wizard. It finely grates zest from citrus fruits, adding a burst of flavor to any dish or drink. And it’s not just for zesting – use it for parmesan, chocolate shavings, or even spices. It’s like a magic wand for adding that extra oomph to your cooking. It’s also much easier than big bulky box graters.
Use it in this recipe: Orange Muffins
Immersion Blender
An immersion blender is your shortcut to creamy soups, smoothies and sauces. No need to transfer hot liquids to a blender – just blend right in the pot. It’s a space-saver, easy to clean, and a total game-changer for quick, delicious meals.
Use it in this recipe: Creamy Broccoli Soup
11 Pungent Foods That Are Unexpectedly Good
Ever walked into a kitchen and been hit by a smell that’s… let’s just say, a bit on the nose? You’re not alone. Explore the world of foods that might make your nose wrinkle at first whiff, but trust us, they taste way better than they smell. From the zesty kick of kimchi to the unmistakable tang of blue cheese, explore these culinary paradoxes that are stinky yet surprisingly delicious.
11 Pungent Foods That Are Unexpectedly Good
Stop Refrigerating These 15 Foods
Many of us unknowingly shorten the lifespan and diminish the flavor of certain foods by refrigerating them. We’re shedding light on common kitchen staples that are better off outside the chilly confines of your fridge, explaining why room temperature can sometimes be the better choice for freshness and taste.
Stop Refrigerating These 15 Foods
11 Unbelievably Overlooked Condiments You’re Missing Out On
Let’s face it, we all have those jars and bottles in our kitchen that don’t get enough love. We’re shining the spotlight on those underrated and overlooked condiments like pesto, horseradish and cranberry sauce. Sure, they might seem ordinary, but wait until you see the magic they can do to your everyday meals.
11 Unbelievably Overlooked Condiments You’re Missing Out On
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
