This Mini Gadget Makes Meal Prep so Much Faster and I Seriously Can’t Live Without It

I won’t lie, I love a new gadget. There’s nothing like receiving a fun kitchen appliance to test out, especially as someone who loves to cook as much as possible. Over the years, I’ve collected juicers, blenders, mixers, and the like, but time and time again, I find myself turning back to my tiny-but-mighty food processor.

Growing up, we had one of those huge food processors with tons of pieces that locked together and it was a pain. So when I stumbled across KitchenAid’s 3.5 Cup Mini Chopper years ago, I was hesitant. Could it perform all the tasks of a larger food processor? Would it be easy to operate and clean? The answer is yes, yes, and then some!

The KitchenAid Mini Food Chopper has two settings: “chop” and “puree,” both activated by a simple press of the gadget’s handle. Between the two settings, my food prep time is a fraction of what it would be otherwise. I use the chop setting for chimichurri, tomato sauce, salmon burgers, and even to crush toppings for yummy baked crumbles. The puree setting I’ve found handy for pesto, single servings of soup, salsas, and marinades. The drizzle basin, brilliantly installed into the top of the unit, slowly distributes oil or liquid for easy emulsification, so salad dressings are a breeze (my wrists also thank me!).

Not only is my Mini-Chopper able to handle any food prep task, but it’s also a breeze to clean. One step to twist off the top, another step to release the basin, a quick rinse, then into the dishwasher it goes, stainless steel blade and all. When it’s not in use, its 8-inch cord wraps into the base to make it extra compact. It’s so lightweight, I’ve even taken it on road trips; it adds no extra bulk and is a perfect all-in-one gadget when I know I’ll be cooking in an Airbnb or camping. Wherever I use it, this mini-appliance is something I really can’t cook (or live) without. Oh and psst… it’s also on sale right now. Snag one for a discount, and make your own meal prep so much easier.

Buy: KitchenAid Mini Food Chopper, 3.5 Cup, $39.99 (normally $54.99)