Are you having trouble deciding which kitchen gadgets to invest in? There are so many! It can be difficult to tell which tools are helpful and which ones are just frivolous, space-wasting gimmicks. Even if you’ve done your research, there’s no guarantee it will be the right fit for your family and it might just end up collecting dust.
This list of My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets are all tools that we typically use on a weekly basis and have found very helpful for a healthy eating lifestyle, particularly if you have a larger family. Some of them may sound a bit strange (Check out #7) but they have all proven to be my tried and true stand-bys and are there for a reason. I’m always willing to try out new kitchen tools, but these have definitely risen to the top!
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1. Handheld blender
Here is my number one favorite tool- the immersion blender! It’s perfect for mixing together hot drinks instead of putting everything into a huge blender and has saved my bacon many times when I accidentally curdle my breakfast custard [a regular occurrence ;)] or when I want to reheat clumpy oatmeal. Cool feature: It is duel purpose and has a whisk and chopper attachment, perfect for whipping up egg whites or mincing small amounts of cabbage or nuts.
2. Instant Pot
I wish I could choose two #1 favorite kitchen tools, because the Instant Pot is right up there with the immersion blender. We can literally cook frozen solid chicken in twenty minutes and have it ready for dinner within the hour. We use it to cook our oatmeal and I can even set it to start cooking at 5 a.m. so my Dad can grab some for breakfast before heading off to work. Not only can the Instant Pot make a variety of breakfast recipes, but it also makes great soups, rice, hard boiled eggs, and much more. I could probably write an entire post off of it. Suffice to say it’s a family favorite!
HERE [pictured below] is the Instant Pot I believe we own. We are a family of seven and sometimes wish ours was a bit bigger.
HERE is a larger instant pot
HERE is Amazon’s top choice Instant Pot.
3. Vita-mix Blender
I didn’t realize how spoiled I was with this blender until comparing it to the Bullet and Ninja. Although they worked fine too, they did not achieve the same creaminess and still had particles of ice. We’ve had our Vita-mix since I was little and it’s still going strong. I typically use it to make healthy milkshakes. Sadly they don’t sell our model on Amazon anymore, however this model is currently considered Amazon’s choice.
4. Veggie spiralizer
Although this is more of a seasonal gadget, we really enjoy using a Veggie Spiralizer when our zucchini are ready to be harvested. It will turn almost any vegetable into long strands of lovely noodles which are amazing fried in butter with meat or put into a stir fry. Although I was unable to find our exact model on amazon, this model is currently considered Amazon’s choice.
5. Cast iron skillet
Our Grammy bought my Mom a couple of these Lodge Cast-Iron Pans for her birthday and we donated our store-bought non-stick pans the same week. They are a great investment to make and serve their purpose well. Although there is a bit of maintenance involved [mainly washing them without soap and occasionally oiling them,] it’s well worth it to have a quality pan that you don’t have to replace and won’t leach chemicals into your food.
6. Electric Griddle
It’s a lot easier to make pancakes for seven on a griddle rather than one at a time in a frying pan. Surprisingly though, we use our griddle for more than pancakes- it’s great for frying up French toast, fish cakes for dinner, and even heating up pots of soup in the emergency of the propane running out midway through dinner prep!
7. Thin metal spatula
Here’s an odd-sounding item, but believe me: It’s one of my personal favorites. I actually have a saying for when it goes mysteriously missing:
“Where is my favorite spatula without which I would never be able to bake again?” 
A bit of an exaggeration to be sure, however it’s the perfect size for sliding under baked goods such as our favorite no-bake cookies or delicate healthy bread to prevent it from crumbling or breaking. If it happens to be in the dishwasher, I will literally stop the cycle in order to hand wash it.
Although my spatula was a yard sale find, HERE is a link to Amazon spatulas that are thin and perfect for sliding under delicate treats.
8. Large baking sheets
If you have a larger family, then large baking sheets are extremely helpful! Everything from homemade granola, cookies, and chicken drumsticks can be streamlined and done in a lot less time when you maximize your oven space with these sheets. I got one last Easter and have really enjoyed using it for many projects throughout the year. There aren’t many nights when it isn’t isn’t a part of the dirty dishes lineup- a sure sign of a well-used appliance.
9. Small glass Tupperware
Here is another odd-ball tool: small glass Tupperware. Frequently I get asked what I bake my single-serve cakes in or shape bars into, and this is the answer. If you choose to go with another brand, just be sure they are oven safe.
10. Crock pot
No Favorite Kitchen Gadget list would be complete without the crock-pot, right? Although I don’t personally use it on a weekly basis, by Mom does use it for making chili or shredded chicken quite often and it’s great for days when you will be gone a lot. Ours is pretty old and still going strong, however I’ve linked to a newer model that is still very economical.
Hopefully this list of My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets makes all the choices out there a little easier to choose between! From the blender to the Tupperware, they have all served us well and have made healthy meal prep a lot more doable.