Food processors, microwaves, air fryers, stand mixers – the list of kitchen gadgets that help cooks save valuable time when whipping up a snack or meal are well known.
However, there is also an array of smaller culinary game-changers that can cut additional cooking corners, from superfast egg cookers to handy food prep bag holders. Here are 10 time-saving gadgets to whip up your next meal, for the family or larger gatherings.
Breakfast maker
This all-in-one gizmo lets you load up your morning favourites to cook everything in one place. Perfect for those lacking both time and countertop space, the GreenLife Breakfast Maker features two upper griddle compartments so you can keep your egg separate from sausages, vegetables, pancakes and more, as well as a toast drawer that holds two pieces of bread. The adjustable timer means you can keep track of your cooking and it’s non-stick to make washing super-quick too.
Dh363, www.amazon.ae
Herb scissors
There’s nothing like adding a handful of fresh herbs to a dish to enhance the flavours (and it’s even better if you’ve grown them yourself). Chopping herbs, however, can be time -consuming, involving stripping leaves and trying to hold fiddly stalks and stems together as you chop them down into small, seasoning-sized pieces. Investing in a pair of Mastard’s 5-Blade Herb Scissors to take the hassle out of herb cutting. It even allows you to cut directly off the plant rather than having to pick the leaves.
Dh37, www.crateandbarrel.me
Automatic pot stirrer
Say goodbye to hours spent standing at the stove stirring pots by investing in the Stirmate Automatic Pot Stirrer GEN 3. Attach to the side of the pot, and soups, sauces and risottos that require constant movement can take care of themselves while you get on with other things.
Adjustable to fit different pot sizes from six to nine inches, it has different speed controls to keep your food from sticking and different attachments to handle different sauce thicknesses. Plus, it’s super-quiet and lasts for up to 10 hours per charge.
Dh380, desertcart.ae
Microwave pasta cooker
The Italians in your life might be aghast, but if you’re short on time, what’s a little pasta shortcut between friends? The Nalacal Microwave Pasta Cooker drastically cuts down on the time you spend stirring, making up to four servings in under 10 minutes. Follow the measurement and water guidelines, set the timer on the microwave and get on with chopping tomatoes and mincing garlic as the pasta cooks. It comes with a built-in drainer for easy straining, and can also be used to cook ramen noodles and steam vegetables.
Dh60, www.amazon.ae
Rapid egg cooker
Fancy eggs for breakfast but don’t have the time to stand around and wait for them to boil? There’s a gadget for that. Simply put up to six eggs into the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker and set the timer for hard-boiled, soft-boiled, poached or scrambled eggs, and let them cook while you get busy chopping the avocado and buttering the toast. This non-electric, dishwasher-safe egg cooker weighs less than half a kilogram and features an auto-shut to prevent overcooking.
Dh109, www.mumzworld.com
Vegetable chopper
Vegetable prep can be time consuming, especially when different veg needs to be chopped in different shapes and sizes. Enter the Fullstar Vegetable Chopper, which lets you slice and dice all manner of veg with one swift push. Cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms and more can be grated, julienned and shredded, while the chopper also makes light work of harder veggies such as onions and potatoes. It comes with six stainless steel blades and a 1.2 litre container, as well as a finger guard and scraper.
Dh117, www.amazon.ae
Ziploc bag holder
Food preppers will love this neat little A Department 4-piece Baggy Rack Holder that helps eliminate the mess that can come from filling food bags for lunches and freezing. Whether cooking for the week ahead, or needing to store leftovers, simply clip a Ziploc bag into the holder and spoon or pour in your ingredients. Perfect for storing sauces, liquids, batters and more, the rack is adjustable for bigger and smaller bags. These can then be frozen flat, taking up less space than traditional storage boxes.
Dh24, www.temu.com
Spice carousel
If you regularly cook with spices, you’ll know that having a cupboard or drawer full of different seasonings can get messy and confusing. That’s where the KitchenArt Select-A-Spice Auto-Measure Carousel comes in. With 12 removable spice compartments, the carousel turns easily to make finding your flavouring easy. The canister can also measure out spices at the flick of a switch, negating the need for measuring spoons to deliver ¼ teaspoon of spice each time until you’ve achieved your preferred level. It comes with 55 labels and is stackable to add more carousels on top.
Dh115, www.amazon.ae
Batter dispenser
Whether baking cakes or cooking up a batch of pancakes, waffles or Yorkshire puddings, getting the batter into the cake holders or pan can be a messy job involving bowls, spoons and spatulas. The 1-litre Oxo Good Grip Precision Batter Dispenser cuts not only the time, but also the clear up in two, by allowing for easy measuring and pouring with zero spills. Simply fill the clear jug with batter and squeeze the handle until your preferred amount has been released. The lid doubles as a drip tray between uses.
Dh113, www.homesmiths.ae
Meat shredder claws
You’ve roasted, barbecued or air-fried the perfect cut of meat, but when it comes to shredding the chicken, beef or lamb, regular knives simply won’t cut it. Investing in a pair of Gentlemen's Hardware BBQ Meat Claws is a good way to pull apart meat to create bite-size portions that are ideal for tacos and burritos, salads, pie fillings and more. The stainless steel blades have easy grip, sturdy wooden handles to tear into even the toughest cuts, and they serve double duty as claws to pick up and carry the meat from grill to platter.
Dh139, www.virginmegastore.ae
