My Favorite Kitchen Essentials

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Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets

I am no cooking queen, but I do enjoy handy kitchen gadgets and appliances. When I first moved into my own place and registered for our wedding I was lost on what to buy. I managed to collect a lot of random kitchen tools but never had what I needed. Over the years, I figured out what kitchen essentials I needed vs. what took up space.

Below you will find a list of my personal kitchen essentials that  I use almost every day and a few things that are on my wishlist. If you or someone you know is getting married or moving into their own place, this list is for you!

Everything is on Amazon which means 2-day shipping! Or if you live near a warehouse it can be the same day or 1-day shipping.

Appliances

KitchenAid Stand Mixer – The classic KitchenAid Stand mixer is a must for every kitchen. You can use it for baking just about anything, and it looks beautiful. There are awesome attachments for more experienced chefs, like a pasta roller and juicer.

If you don’t have a lot of counter space or kitchen storage, I recommend a handheld mixer.

Coffee Maker – There is a big debate online about Keurig coffee vs. coffee pot. I prefer to make my coffee in a pot. Honestly, it tastes better and this white coffee maker is stunning. But if you want the simplicity of a Keurig I recommend this ONE.

Nutribullet – I use my Nutribullet every single day for breakfast. It’s super easy to use and clean. You can use it for more than just smoothies. I’ve used it for soups, sauces, hummus, and nut butter.

Toaster Oven –  I love a good toasted sandwich and a toaster oven is a perfect tool to make it.

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Bakeware and Bowls

12 Piece Cookware Set – Cookware Sets are an important part of the kitchen. You will use them often which means you do need to spend a little money on them. I’ve gone the cheap route on cookware sets and ended up having to buy a new one within a year. I bought this set last year and the quality is fantastic!

OXO Mixing Bowl Set – I’ve had this mixing bowl set for 7 years and they still look brand new. The bottom of each bowl has a grip so the bowl won’t slide around on the counter. The set comes with 3 bowls and they are dishwasher safe.

Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls – Pyrex is a staple kitchen brand. I don’t think they can make a bad product. My favorite kitchen essentials that they make are these mixing bowls. They are microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher safe. Plus you can get lids for them.

10 Piece Bakeware Set – Shoutout to Rachael Ray for this affordable bakeware set! I’ve had this set for a few years and have never had issues. It’s nonstick and easy to clean.

Dutch Oven – Dutch ovens have become my favorite kitchen tools in the last year. I use it for soups, bread, meat, and sauces. I never realized how much I needed one until I bought one. They are worth every single penny!

Utensils and Gadgets

15 Piece Cutlery Block – Cutlery blocks are so important to have in your kitchen! Again, this is an item you do not want to go cheap on. I know it’s painful to spend the money but it’s better than having dull knives that can’t cut through a tomato (true story). This set is high quality and looks beautiful. Make sure you read the cleaning instructions so the knives don’t rust.

16 Piece Silicone Utensil Set – Utensil sets are a must-have for every kitchen. You use them almost every time you cook. This set is durable, heat-resistant, and comes in multiple colors.

Milk Frother – Want a latte or cappuccino at home but can’t afford a cappuccino maker? No worries, you can buy this milk frother on Amazon for $15! It comes with a handy stand to make all your morning coffee delightful.

Snap Strainer – I just discovered this snap strainer. It’s a silicone strainer that you clip onto your pots and pans to drain water and grease from pasta and meat. No more dumping the pasta into a colander in the sink and losing precious noodles. The strainer comes with 2 bonus silicone collapsible funnels.

Scrub Gloves – These gloves have scrubbing bristles on the hands to make washing dishes easy and you don’t have to deal with smelly dirty sponges. You can also use these gloves for cleaning fruits and vegetables or chores around the house.

If you don’t like the idea of scrub gloves, you can try THESE silicone sponges. They don’t smell and are easy to clean and disinfect.

I hope you find this list helpful! Tell me in the comments what your favorite kitchen items are!