1. A sage green or sky blue air fryer if you manage to under or over cook your entree every dang time you use your oven. You can crisp up fresh asparagus, cook salmon to flaky perfection, and even bake a GD lemon bundt cake if you so wish! Promising review : "Great machine.
Perfect size for 1 or 2. It cooks extremely well and is designed for convenience. Matches my Keurig rhubarb coffee maker .
" — Scott Berkowitz Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in three colors). 2.
A trio of Japanese high-carbon and stainless steel knives that've earned a coveted spot on Oprah's Favorite Things list. And if Oprah loves them, you know we do, too!! What's included: 8-inch knife, 4-inch knife, and 6-inch serrated knife. Material is a direct-to-consumer brand with high-end options that cost a fraction of the price of those you'd find in big box stores.
Their industrial-leaning cookware marries modern design and premium materials and caters to everybody from professional chefs to those who subsist off Kraft mac n' cheese. Promising review : "I got these knives as an early Christmas present for my boyfriend since he loves to cook and I am blown away!!! I ordered the mocha set which is true to its color online, which I appreciate, but they don’t lie about the quality!!! Straight out of the box, they are super sharp! The chef knife cuts through potatoes like butter, the serrated knife cuts my bread so easily, and the paring knife scores meat like it’s nothing!! I don’t usually leave reviews but for this set, I just had to!" — Esther G. Get the set from Material for $170 (originally $200; available in four colors).
3. A set of decorative trivets made to protect your table from the scorching heat of your latest creation: an over-microwaved Hot Pocket (AKA molten lava straight from Earth's mantle). Promising review : "This was a really hard purchase for me.
I searched for quite a bit but couldn't settle on any trivets that also fit the aesthetic of my kitchen. These are perfect! Love the color, size, shape, dimensions..
. all of it. It was hard to press that purchase button though just because of the price (there are sooooo many cheaper options), but these seem like they will stand the test of time.
" — Anna Get a set of three from Amazon for $29.99 (available in seven colors). 4.
An iconic Le Creuset Dutch oven one reviewer calls "the Bentley of cookware" and I'm not about to dispute that...
Promising review : "I love this Dutch oven. I got the 7.25-quart size for four people, and it has been an irreplaceable pot for soups and stews and coconut chicken adobo.
I have also used this to bake bread, too, and it worked well. I have had to stop myself from buying even more!" — Austin Get it from Amazon for $259.99+ (available in 14 colors and 6 sizes) or Le Creuset for $260+ (available in seven sizes and 27 colors).
5. A sleek acacia wood utensil holder that'll warm up your countertop and make it look like you actually know what you're doing in the kitchen. The crock has a 360-degree turntable, too, so it's just as functional as it is beautiful.
Promising review : "I didn't think I could love a utensil holder as much as I do this one. The wooden material looks and feels great and also feels very sturdy. And the rotating base gives it a nice and smooth spin.
Not to mention, this thing can hold A LOT! Such a great addition to my kitchen!" — Nguyening Get it from Amazon for $17.99 . 6.
A versatile Our Place Dream Cooker that can slow cook, sear, saute, and pressure cook all of the hearty recipes you've been waiting to whip up. Mac 'n' cheese ✅ Beef stew ✅ Loaded baked potato soup ✅ Try finding a dish it can't handle..
.I'll wait. What's included : Dream Cooker, cooker base, locking lid, inner cooking pot, condensation collector, and detachable power cord.
Promising review : "The Dream Cooker is so easy to use, and I was able to try a recipe that I had never made before. It was delicious and came together very quickly. Amazing for a new mama! Cleaning up the Dream Cooker is also easy and it can easily be stored on the counter or down below! The multiple features are explained in detail and I was able utilize each one seamlessly.
Wonderful!" — Missy P. Get it from Our Place for $195 (originally $250; available in four colors). 7.
A Levo II herbal oil and butter infusion machine if one of your absolute FAVORITE parts of going out to eat is getting that pre-meal basket of bread and a tiny dish of artisan oil to dip it in. P.S.
you can even make soaps, bath bombs, and ~infused~ brownies or gummies with the Levo. All you have to do is fill the herb pod and set your dry or activation cycle, add oil or butter, set your infuse cycle, dispense, and enjoy Levo is a woman-owned small business founded in 2016 by Chrissy Bellman and based in Denver, Colorado. Promising review: "We love our Levo II! Can't imagine a better way to spend time than learning how to make my own infused oils that help our whole family, whatever the need.
Want to add zest to a recipe? Make a concoction to help your loved one sleep? Try a new salad dressing without the mess? Whatever the need, LEVO II will help make an oil, a botanical, a new soap, tea or a lotion that is perfect. The app is abundant with recipes and ideas, so I feel supported with each and every step. East fast clean up.
End to end customer experience is exceptional!" — Kendall E. Coleman Get it from Amazon for $299 (available in five colors). 8.
Or if that's too involved for you, an essentials kit from Brightland . It comes with two EVOOs and two fruit-forward vinegars so you can dip your breads and dress your salads with something that makes you feel Lisa Vanderpump-level fancyyyyy. Brightland is a WOC–owned small biz, from Aishwarya Iyer, that sources its olives from a family-run farm in California.
What's included: Awake — a bold and robust cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Alive — a smooth and grassy cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Rapture — a raw Balsamic vinegar that is double fermented with California zinfandel grapes and ripe Triple Crown blackberries.
Parasol — a raw Champagne vinegar that is double fermented with California chardonnay grapes and juicy Navel and Valencia oranges. Promising review : "The oils taste so GOOD — really fresh and light. I love that they add so much flavor to every dish making me a chef at home!" — Barbiana L.
Get it from Brightland for $112 (originally $118). 9. Some matching oil and vinegar dispensers with metal pour spouts that'll make feel like you're dining at an Italian restaurant every night and not just pulling a frozen Trader Joe's meal from your freezer.
Promising review : "I LOVE these dispensers!!! They look so cute and make me feel so organized. They dispense liquids really well and do not leak. They come with almost every label you would need.
" — Tara Foster Get them from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in two sizes, sets of one, two, or four, and in three styles). 10.
A gooseneck Fellow electric kettle entrancing enough to help you wipe the sleep from your eyes every morning. The cult-favorite Fellow design features a fluted, no-drip spout and a degree dial that allows you to set the temperature between 135 degrees F and 212 degrees F and even hold it there for a full hour. Promising review : "We waffled about getting this kettle.
Surely the cheapie electric one we had would do the trick for amateur pour over enthusiasts? No. Wrong. This is superior in every aspect.
The temperature holding feature is amazing — no more heating up the water, forgetting you started, and having to heat it up again. Definitely more consistent in temperature, creating more consistent cups of coffee." — Emily A.
Get it from Amazon (available in five colors) or Fellow (available in 13 colors) for $195+. 11. A set of "floating" kitchen knives in an acrylic case if one of the ways you know you'll be able to "trick" yourself into cooking more is by outfitting your kitchen with aesthetic equipment.
Each set comes with 13 professional chef knives, kitchen scissors, a peeler, a two-stage stage knife sharpener, and an acrylic knife stand. Promising review: "I love these knives! I saw them on a TikTok and decided I had to have a set of black knives and they exceeded my expectations for sure. Super durable, and very sharp.
And they aren’t an eye sore in the kitchen." — Emily S. Get the 17-piece set from Amazon for $49.
99 (available in seven finishes). 12. A Great Jones casserole dish ready and waiting to bake up your signature dish: Frito pie.
It may not be the most photogenic fare, but this baby will put in serious work as soon as it's placed in front of a camera. If you haven't heard of Great Jones before (welcome to the party!), they're a small direct-to-consumer brand from foodies and first-time entrepreneurs Sierra Tishgart and Maddy Moelis. Their brand — named for cookbook author/editor Judith Jones — looks to bring home cooks everything they need to take to the kitchen more confidently.
Get it from Great Jones for $90 (available in four colors). 13. A set of two cabinet shelf organizers so you can elevate your mug collection and make room for more because look, you *will* be buying at least one next time you go to Target.
Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE my new organizational wooden stands. They arrived today, as soon as I easily put them together I was surprised how great they looked. The texture is better than expected, very sturdy, looks great on my kitchen counter and turned my messy counter into a nice display of items I use daily .
I’m so in love with these I’m going to buy more for other areas if the house and my adult kids think they’re great so thinking about getting them as stocking stuffers!!!!" — Kristen Get it from Amazon for $20+ (available in six finishes and two sizes). 14. A Caraway cookware set that not only comes with every pot and pan one could need, but storage solutions in the form of magnetic racks and a canvas lid holder.
What's included : A fry pan, sauce pan with lid, sauté pan with lid, Dutch oven with lid, modular pan rack, and three-slot canvas lid holder. Promising review : "This cookware set checked every box for me. From the easy storage to easy cleanup, this was worth every penny.
I love the magnetic storage system that comes with it, too. Gone are my days of rummaging through drawers and cabinets for my pans. The cookware looks beautiful and I'm more than happy to go right from the stove to the dining room table.
Cooking with this set is everything you'd expect. You can feel the quality of these pans just by holding them. A lot of products claim nonstick but this is the best nonstick pot or pan I've used.
" — AZ Get the 12-piece set from Amazon for $395+ (available in eight colors). 15. A rack that hangs from the side of your fridge if your cabinets are already at capacity and you're looking for an ~aesthetic~ option with room for your mugs, spices, and other frequently-reached-for goods.
Promising review : "My partner and I moved into a smaller home and as someone who loves to cook, I found that it was challenging moving into a smaller kitchen. This spice rack was a goldmine in helping expand storage space. It’s super sturdy and the wood looks really nice.
10/10 recommend." — Anijo16 Get it from Urban Outfitters for $99 . 16.
A macramé fruit hammock so your bananas, apples, and oranges can enjoy their last days on Earth in comfort. Little do they know they're about to be devoured. 😈 KnappsKnots is a San Diego–based small business from Anastasia Knapp.
Promising reviews: "Absolutely loved it! Perfect if you have little counter space ." — Jessi "Love it. Might get another for bread and buns.
The clearance between our counter and upper cabinets is weirdly short — can’t fit most countertop items — so this was the perfect solution" — pogtotes Get it from KnappsKnots on Etsy for $28.90+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors). 17.
A domed cake stand that will have you acting like a undercover operative as you stealthily sneak goodies in the middle of the night. Unless, of course, you live alone in which case make as much noise as you like! Promising review : "I’m so happy with this purchase! It’s a great size, the wood is a beautiful color and I love the acrylic cover. It’s high quality and looks like glass.
It’s very clear and shiny. Highly recommend!" — MC4 Get it from Amazon for $39.95 .
18. A set of wire baskets where you can store your bounty of fresh produce and — in the back — the processed snacks that you absolutely love but aren't as eager to show off. Promising review : "An amazing product that's compact and sturdy.
Clutter free and organized cabinets in my kitchen. Previously, small bottles of spices and other condiments were difficult to manage in my cabinet and sometimes while taking one out, another would topple down. When you are in a hurry to get things done, this was a nightmare! Now, what a relief.
I just take the whole basket down, use the spices, and then it goes back. Sometimes I just open the cabinet just to admire the way it looks. 😁😁" – RST Get them from Amazon for $33.
99+ (available in sets of two and four). 19. A compact Balmuda toaster that — according to reviewers — can take a 99-cent baguette and turn it into a boulangerie-worthy loaf.
The sleek Japanese appliance surrounds your food with a thin layer of steam that holds in moisture while also toasting its exterior. While its "Artisan Bread Mode" is the most talked about feature, it also has settings for sandwiches, pizza, pastries, and overcooking (during which it toasts more strongly from above). Promising review : "Holy moly! Best toast I have ever made.
I did a comparison taste test with the Balmuda toaster vs. my cheapie $60 toaster oven. You can really taste the difference in the toast when it comes to texture and moistness.
Hands down the Balmuda blew my other toaster out of the water. So happy with this purchase!" — JL Get it from Amazon for $239.20+ (available in five colors).
20. An automatic spice grinder so you can top off every dish with a bit of spice and in the most ✨extra✨ fashion imaginable. BTW — this grinder is battery-operated, so make sure to get a few AA batteries , too! Promising reviews: "Nothing like freshly ground spices to add a little snap to your cooking.
The pods snap on and off with ease and the grind size is very easy to adjust from barely ground to pulverized ...
The ability to group commonly used spices together in threes and carry them across the kitchen or outside to the grill just adds to the usability." — Todd Tittle Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in six colors; comes with grinder and two interchangeable pods).
21. A sleek, three-speed Smeg blender that won't even blink twice at whatever ingredients you like to add to your smoothie. If your current setup shudders at the thought of a single ice cube, it's worth the investment.
Promising review : "We primarily use this for smoothies and milkshakes. It works beautifully. It's quiet, fast, and blends efficiently and thoroughly.
I've had several blenders and this is the best. Worth the money." — Kristin Lim Get it from Amazon for $293.
11+ (available in six colors). 22. A handy herb stripper for those looking for a quick and easy way to strip fresh cilantro and rosemary while cooking.
Slide them through and leave behind that bitter stem! Collin Garrity is the St. Louis-based woodworker behind these lovely tools. Promising review: "Just exactly what I was looking for.
The wood is smooth and comfortable to use and just pretty to look at. Quickly becoming a staple utensil for my kitchen." — David and Amy Emler Get it from Collin Garrity on Etsy for $18 (available in three types of wood).
23. A four-slice retro toaster with enough room to crisp sizable, NYC-style bagels — no smushing necessary. I've been using this toaster for 3 years now and can attest to its bagel-making capabilities 😇 It's also very quiet when your toast/bagel/Pop Tart finishes, so it won't startle you like that scene where Buddy the Elf is testing jack-in-the-box toys.
Promising review : "Is it possible...
a toaster can be...
this sexy? Yes. Absolutely yes. Pros: Four slots and they are the wide and long type meaning those fancier breads fit without squishing the sides of your slice.
It has a bagel setting, as well as a nifty reheat button so your toast doesn't get burnt or overly crispy if you aren't hovering over it and miss it pop up and have to retoast it. It is fairly easy to clean, just dump the tray. The knobs have a neat texture and are adjustable so you can time it just right for Pop Tarts, toast, or sandwich bread.
Cons: My husband is a little jealous of how much I love this toaster, and has been asking me if it is better than him. What could I say? I mean it makes TOAST, all he makes is methane gas so..
. " — Alice R. Get it from Amazon for $53.
99+ (clip the 10% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in two sizes and three colors). 24. A Material cutting board made from three parts recycled plastic and one part renewable sugarcane which proves sustainable can be sexy.
Consider the colors Reimagine Justice (deep green) or To Pó-Po, with Love (beige) and 50% of the profits from your purchase will be donated to Heart of Dinner and Drive Change . Respectively, the two community programs provide culturally appropriate meals for low-income Asian-American homebound elderly and offer paid culinary fellowships for formerly incarcerated youth. Promising review : "I have the yellow board and absolutely love it.
I have always preferred plastic cutting boards to wood — they seem easier on the knife edge and I feel like when cutting meat, I can clean them more thoroughly. BUT they are ugly! These boards are not. I like that it is thin but sturdy — easy to wash and put in my drying rack.
The board has a slight give which I feel is good for my knife and it hasn't stained or shown any wear. I'm definitely getting another one soon so I'll have two of these." —Bernice T.
Get it from Material for $35 (available in five colors). 25. A hand-blown Chemex coffeemaker from which you can brew the baddest cup of coffee your kitchen ever did see.
This way, you won't have to change out of your slippies and venture outside to secure your morning caffeine fix. Promising review : "I was uncertain about Chemex at first, but the product received consistently glowing reviews so I had to try it. This coffee maker brews the most delicious coffee I've ever tasted in my life.
I fully taste the flavor of my beans and it's smooth whether I have my coffee iced or hot! Definitely recommend and will never use another coffee maker!" — Courtney Get it from Amazon for $44.03 (clip the $3 coupon on the product page to get this price). 26.
A filtered tea bottle so you always have a full carafe in your fridge. Brew your tea in the decanter overnight and even infuse it with lemon or your favorite fruit. The three-piece decanter includes a glass bottle, silicone lid, and plastic filter.
Promising review : "This is an absolutely fabulous way to enjoy fine tea. For the tea lover in your life, it'll give you a chance to enjoy cold brewed tea in any flavor, loose leaf or bagged quickly and easily in the elegant and easy-to-wash container. After buying one I have given these out to several of my friends and I just love it.
I f you like tea at all, this will add a whole new dimension to your tea enjoyment, highest recommendation. " — Kryptography Get it from Amazon for $21.95+ (available in five sizes and seven colors).
27. A handheld milk frother with a faux wood or marble finish that does cartwheels around its plain plastic counterparts. No moving this gadget out of frame when you take an aesthetic IG shot! Just don't forget to buy some AA batteries at the same time, or who knows when you'll actually get around to using it.
Promising review : "Great little frother! I love the wood grain aesthetic, much prettier than your average random plastic color kitchen appliance. Makes a very frothy beverage so it’s equally stylish and useful. Keep in mind batteries not included so make sure you have two double A's!" — Nashvillian Get it from Amazon for $14.
99 (available in three finishes). 28. A vintage-style Kate Spade kettle tea drinkers are sure to adore.
If you have a thing for matching sets, you can also get accent plates, mugs, trays and more in the same darling design. Promising review: "I absolutely love Kate Spade and this kettle adds so much character to my kitchen!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $41.06 .
29. And a sleek under-cabinet paper towel holder that requires no installation as it comes with peel-and-stick tape adhesive. Promising review : "I’ve had this up for awhile now and even with my kids pulling on it, daily pulling of paper towels, etc.
, it has not moved. There are multiple ways to hang it but we chose the tape it came with, and it has not disappointed! It finally got our paper towels off the counter and gives us that little bit of extra space. Definitely love this!" — Jari Prieto Get it from Amazon for $14.
99+ (available in five finishes). Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity..
