P Is for Plugged-In Electrics

published Dec 4, 2017
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(Image credit: The Kitchn)

Some people want video game consoles or televisions for the holidays. The people we know and love? Well, they mostly want the latest and greatest in new small electric appliances for their kitchen. Here are 24 gifts — in addition to the Instant Pot, of course — that can be plugged in and are sure to become a workhorse in any kitchen.

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25 Small Electric Appliances to Gift This Holiday Season (Image credit: The Kitchn)
  1. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, $299: This has probably been on your sister’s wish list for years and years. Get the rest of your family to go in on it with you and the hardest part will be picking the color she’d like the most.
  2. Cuisinart Mini Food Processor, $40: This compact, three-cup food processor will make prep time so easy, it’ll be like you’re giving your friend a sous chef to help with every meal.
  3. Breville Juice Extractor, $100: For your BFF who can’t stop her expensive juice habit, this culinary workhorse can handle high-volume juicing and hard or soft fruits.
  4. Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, $50: If your mom is still using the same slow cooker she had when you were a kid (which also happens to be a hand-me-down from her mom), it might be time to get her a new one.
  5. Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor, $180: A smaller food processor is great for everyday meals (see above), but a larger-capacity one (like this one) is ideal for the frequent hostess who often makes food for a crowd.
  6. 8-Quart Instant Pot, $130: People have been fanatical over the Instant Pot since it came out a few years ago, and for good reason — the seven-in-one functionality is perfect for someone who wants to get adventurous with new recipes but doesn’t have the room for too many appliances in their kitchen.
  7. Nespresso Pixie Espresso Machine, $196: This is the espresso machine your city-dwelling friend has dreamed of as she’s enviously looked at her suburban friend’s larger countertop machine. It’s super-compact, but whips up a barista-style drink in no time.
  8. Cuisinart Frozen Dessert & Ice Cream Maker, $78: Anyone who likes ice cream is going to like this gadget — it turns chunks of fresh, ripe fruit into healthy and delicious frozen desserts.
  9. Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian Waffle Maker, $49: No one can call themselves a proper brunch hostess if they don’t have a waffle maker. This one is top-rated and has a built-in timer to help ensure the perfect result.
  10. Breville Immersion Blender, $95: Got a friend who loves soup so much that she’d have it for breakfast if she could? Get her this immersion blender and she can make all sorts of soups for herself — whenever she wants it.
  11. Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker, $30: For the person who can’t get enough #tbt posts — or ice cream. This churner is old-school but not so old-school that it has to be cranked by hand.
  12. Philips AirFryer, $250: This is the gift you get your parents if you’re trying to get them to eat better. Instead of all the fried foods they’re used to eating, this appliance circulates hot air (and just a tablespoon of oil) to create crispy “fried” foods without all the fat. In addition to frying, the device also roasts, steams, and bakes — making it versatile enough to justify its spot on the counter.
  13. Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Spiralizer, $50: Zoodle fans will love this electric spiralizer — it’s a happy medium between the hand-crank models and the giant electric ones that take up way too much space.
  14. ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide, $196: This machine from ChefSteps is small, sleek, and makes sous vide extra easy to pull off. It pairs with a companion app that displays exactly how the food is doing, ensuring just-right results every time.
  15. OXO Cordless Electric Kettle, $80: Cordless and beautifully designed, this kettle boils water quickly and will be a total game-changer for any tea-drinker in your life.
  16. Oster Jelly Bean 2 Slice Toaster, $29: At first glance, this toaster might not seem all that high-tech, but it has a special preset button for frozen bread, and a keep-warm function. And its slots are extra wide to accommodate bagels.
  17. Vitamix Ascent A2500 Blender, $450: Even better than past versions of the covetable Vitamix, this one has wireless connectivity and self-detect containers, which will automatically adjust program settings, helping out multitasking cooks.
  18. Keurig Single-Serve Coffee Maker, $93: Single apartment-dwellers will love this single-serve coffee maker, which will allow them to make just one cup at a time, rather than a whole pot. And with the myriad of K-cup options, each cup can be different.
  19. BLACK + DECKER Toaster Oven, $55: The prime counter space that will be forfeited to this toaster oven is worth it, as it can function as a mini-oven, not just a toaster. It can roast, broil, and bake!
  20. KitchenAid Ultra Power Hand Mixer, $40: Available in a rainbow of colors, this hand mixer from KitchenAid is a fun gift if you can’t afford to buy someone a stand mixer or if the lucky duck already has one.
  21. IMUSA Rice Cooker, $20: Perfect for anyone who believes in the power of meal prepping, this adorable rice cooker makes up to 10 cups of cooked rice, which can be used all week long.
  22. FoodSaver Space-Saver System, $66: The FoodSaver you remember from those incessant infomercials has gotten a facelift, taking up less counter space while still employing the same technology that vacuum-seals foods to keep them fresh.
  23. Delonghi Livenza All Day Combination Grill & Barbecue, $231: This is for anyone who doesn’t have an outdoor space but has long dreamed of being a grill master. Boasting five functions, this device can grill, griddle, or even morph into a panini press. The removable, dishwasher-safe plates make cleanup a breeze, and the digital temperature control will ensure well-cooked food every time.
  24. NutriBullet High-Speed Blender, $70: This little guy will make all the smoothies for on-the-go-drinking. It can also act as a food processor in a pinch or even make alcoholic drinks.
  25. Hamilton Beach Portable Induction Cooktop, $59: We all wish our stovetops had six burners, but not all of us are that lucky. Get this for your gracious holiday hostess who never seems to have enough cooking options.

Note: All prices were accurate during the editing process, but may have fluctuated since then. If they have, hopefully the items are less expensive and not more expensive!