Our readers are always asking us about our favorite, go-to kitchen tools, and below is a roundup of our top 25 favorite cooking tools which make amazing cooking gifts, from my Coffee Maker to my handy food scraper that shows up in every video. These are also the Best Sellers from our Amazon Affiliate Shop.
If you have someone on your list who is a foodie, or even just needs to cook to survive, you’ll find something here for every cook on your list.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Cooking Gift Ideas
Cooking tools are one of my favorite things to gift, here’s why:
- Practical gifts – Just about everyone has a kitchen
- Helpful – Great cooking tools make life easier and save time in the kitchen and we can all appreciate that!
- Stocking Stuffers – many kitchen tools are small and easily stuffed into a stocking.
Kitchen Gadgets make the Best Gifts!
These are our most-used, most-loved kitchen tools that we use regularly. We love them because they are great quality while being reasonably priced. We’ve tested a variety of products over the years and these have stood the test of time and they make cooking easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
Ice Cream Scoop – this is a commercial-quality scoop and the color is lovely. It’s so easy to find in a drawer among a sea of black and grey tools.
Garlic Press – For when I don’t have time to chop garlic, this garlic press is one of my most-used tools. After 5+ years of heavy use, I finally replaced it with a new one (exactly the same one).

Citrus Juicer – Makes juicing lemons and limes a breeze for all of the Ceviche that we enjoy around here.

Measuring Spoons – These are my go-to measuring spoons because they are space-saving and so versatile with the narrow spoon that fits into a spice jar.
Measuring Cups – These are easy to store and easy to wash. I have two sets now because I use them so often.
Flexible Spatula – this is our favorite spatula for practically everything (and it makes turning Omelettes so easy!)
Food Scraper – this makes prep faster and more efficient. It’s like having an extra hand in the kitchen.
Box Grater – often an under-appreciated tool, but a good one will be easier to use.
Salad Spinner – if you love salads, this is a huge time saver, and no more soggy-wet salads!

Knife Block Set – This is the biggest splurge in this category but it’s critical to have a good knife set. It makes cooking so much easier and faster. It’s also nicer on your hands if the knife is designed well.

Cookware Gifts for the Home Cook
Cast Iron Pan – this pan is so versatile for making Dutch Baby Pancakes to perfect Pan-Seared Steak.

Hexclad – these pans are a splurge but they are a good alternative to non-stick pans. They have served us well and don’t have Teflon which I feel good about. However, I still do love my coated non-stick crepe pan just specifically for crepes.

Dutch Oven – we now have this in 3 different colors (red, white, and blue). I always have one on the stove because it’s decorative and useful.
Baking Tools (Gifts for the Baker)
9″ Round Cake Pans – a set of 2 is ideal for making layered cakes like our Red Velvet Cake.

9″ Springform Pan – perfect for making a Classic Cheesecake.

Rolling Pin – this French rolling pin has a great pressure distribution for even rolling of pie dough. It’s so beautiful in its simplicity.

Cupcake Pan – we love a good non-stick cupcake pan for everything from Vanilla Cupcakes to Mini Cheesecakes.

Small Appliance Gifts
If you’re looking to invest a little more on a gift, these are the small appliances that we use and love in our kitchen.
Coffee Maker – We love the coffee maker from Zwilling. The coffee maker makes the best drip coffee (pair it with our Homemade Coffee Creamer). I also recommend getting the coffee grinder which portions coffee grounds perfectly (takes the guesswork out of the equation), plus the milk frother creates a creamy foam that looks and tastes like a cup of coffee from a coffee shop.

Air Fryer – this cuts baking time in half. Find all of our Air Fryer Recipes Here.

Instant Pot – this little pressure cooker is small but awesome in how much time it saves. It makes the best Chicken Stock and all of our Instant Pot Recipes.

Food Processor – I love the large capacity of this food processor. We use it for everything from blending Roasted Salsa to shredding cheese for Homemade Pizza.

Espresso Machine – The Jura S8 Espresso Machine is the ultimate splurge. For my husband and I, this espresso machine has become like a member of the family. It is fully automated and makes a variety of espresso drinks. We have loved this machine for a couple of years now and once you have one, it’s hard to go back to a coffee shop because your coffee is better at home. We use this to make Affogato.

Gifts for Entertaining (for the Host)
Dinnerware – this Staub dinnerware set is new for us this year, but they are perfect for every occasion. They’re so simple and chic.

Steak Knife Set – these always feel so fancy when I get to take them out for entertaining company. They’re shiny and feel special.

Carving Set – this is perfect for carving the Thanksgiving Turkey or the Prime Rib Roast.

Silverware – these look so beautiful on the holiday table but we also use this as our everyday silverware set.

Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas to all of our readers, friends, and family. If you’re looking for more Cooking Gift Ideas, check out our full kitchen tools collection on our Amazon Shop.
What brand is the safety glove you use when using mandoline or box grated?
Hello there! You can visit my Amazon Affiliate Shop, it should be listed there under kitchen tools. Hope that helps!
What about a handy grater/slicer with a container attached for the stuff to fall into and be
Kept….can you recommend anything?
Hi Terry! Check out my Kitchen tools category in my amazon affiliate shop for some ideas. I have a vegetable chopper with a box attached and julienne/mandoline slicer.
Hi Natasha. Where can I find those puzzles you recommended for different age levels.
Thank you.
Hi Gloria, I was using the Cobble Hill Brand (amazon affiliate link) which has larger and smaller pieces all in one box.
On one of your videos you used a tool for chopping meat or sausage in a fry pan. Looked like a rubberized blade with a handle. Can you please tell me where I can purchase one?
Hi Louise! I believe you’re referring to the meat chopper/masher. You can find it linked in my Kitchen tools Amazon shop HERE.
Wondering what kind of brush/spatula you use for greasing a baking dish
Hi Pam, you can see the kitchen tools that I always use in our Amazon Shop.
Hi Natashasa,
What would you recommend for an all around quality food/vegetable Mandolin.
I respect your opinion.
Thank you,
Rick Pommet
rpommet@nelcom.com
Hi Rick! If you click on “shop” at the top of my page, you can view my recommended tools and cookware. This is the mandoline that I use and love! 🙂
Hi Natasha are convection oven & air fryers the same thing. I want to purchase one as a gift to my mom from Costco the Gourmia brand but I don’t know anything about these things. What is a best affordable convection oven to purchase? Thank you.
Hi Salina! They both use a fan to circulate hot air around food in the same way, only air fryers are typically smaller and the fan circulates air faster in an air fryer. They also preheat fast and decrease cooking time.
Thanks for all the ideas and recommendations Natasha! Just fyi…as of this afternoon, Nov 30th, the link to the measuring spoons isn’t working. Just thought you’d like to know.
Is it too early to say “Merry Christmas!?” I think not…a very Merry, Blessed Christmas to you and your family!!! 🙂
Hi Cheryl You’re so very welcome. Thank you for letting me know!
Merry Christmas! Be blessed.
We had Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday and yesterday I threw out your creamy mashed potatoes. Then I saw this!!
I’m going to make mashed potatoes just for this! Love your videos and recipes!
Ordered two measuring spoons sets. One for a gift and one for me! Looking forward to tossing all my plastic ones!
My dad’s parents immigrated from Ukraine. My mom always cooked a full Ukranian dinner for Ukranian Christmas. Good memories!
Hello how can I order from the items above please?
Thank you
HI Vanessa, just click on the item and it will take you to Amazon where you can purchase them. Today, Black Friday, and through Cyber Monday are great times to find some deals on Amazon also!
Hello,Mam Natasha,I’m your silent followers and subscriber Iam happy watching all your videos,thank you so much for sharing for us,I will try to make some of your recipe soon. Thank you mam,god bless you and your family❤️
HI Nelly, it is wonderful to hear from you. God bless you and your family and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Merry Christmas, Natasha! I truly enjoy receiving your recipes, as I know that they will be great. Thank you! ❤️🇨🇦
Thank you Debbie! Merry Christmas to you as well. Thank you for the love and support!
Natasha, I love your site; it is my go-to for all my recipes. Thank you for being unique and very easy to follow. Your recipes have simple ingredients and easy to put together, even if it has 2-3 steps!! Thanks!!!
Adelina Alvarez
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Adelina!
this is the best list of items! thank you so much for sharing this post and helping me with ideas to look for on black friday!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad it was helpful!
I’m on the lookout for something for mom. Thanks for the ideas. Some are so good I want them for myself!
You’re welcome! I’m glad this list is helpful!
Such great ideas. I love them all so much I sent this to my husband to get for me for Christmas!
That is brilliant and I know my husband always appreciates it when I drop hints. I hope this gift guide makes shopping easier.
It seems I have all these things , of course not the exact brands, but they get the job done. I do not have an espresso machine because I cannot drink it. I am stuck drinking “decafe” since I had a mini stroke about 4 years ago! YUCK! But I suffer through. I have 3 air fryers & 2 instant pots! I love kitchen gadgets or gadgets of any kind! I’m obsessed! Anyway I love all of your posts & recipes & you! Thanks for sharing all your recipes & how to’s!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you’re enjoying my blog and recipes, Betty!