If your kitchen has the must-have kitchen gadgets, you can come home to the smell of a healthy meal.
Your grandmother probably spent most of her days cleaning and cooking for the family. You don’t need to do that!
With the right kitchen gadgets, you can quickly turn fresh ingredients into delicious, nutritious meals, keeping your food bills low and your health in check.
Get ready to transform your cooking routine with these nine essential tools that make eating well easy and affordable.
Your kitchen, your rules, your health!
Nine Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets
#1. Slow Cooker
The slow cooker is perfect for cooking healthy, budget-friendly meals like soups, stews, and lean proteins.
You can buy cheaper cuts of meat and cook them to tender perfection. You can also make large batches, saving time and money by reducing the temptation for takeout or ready-made meals.
And the best things about it?
One, you can throw the ingredients in the slow cooker, put it on, and go to work, and when you get back, your meal is ready. Two, using a slow cooker is the least energy-consuming way to cook.
#2. Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
Photo by Tarun Hirapara on Unsplash
This kitchen gadget saves time by cooking meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods. It’s ideal for healthy eating, making cooking whole grains, beans, and lean meats quick and easy.
(You can cook dry pulses instead of cans, an added health benefit.)
By preparing meals at home, you avoid the high cost and added sugars, salts, and unhealthy fats often found in processed foods.
You must choose carefully the pressure cooker you get. Ensure you buy well-known brands, even if they are more expensive, as faulty pressure cookers can be dangerous.
#3. Air Fryer
The air fryer is a healthier alternative to traditional frying. It uses little to no oil to achieve a crispy texture.
It’s perfect for making guilt-free versions of your favourite fried foods, such as fries, chicken, and veggies. This gadget helps reduce calorie intake while saving money on oil and expensive takeout options.
It is also much cheaper to use and save energy than your oven.
#4. Bread maker
A bread maker is an excellent investment for those who love fresh and artisan bread but want to avoid the cost and additives of store-bought options.
You can make healthy bread at home, including whole grain, gluten-free, and organic options.
The bread maker saves money using simple, inexpensive ingredients, and you can control exactly what goes into your bread—no preservatives, excess salt, or artificial flavours. Additionally, it’s great for making dough for pizzas, rolls, and other baked goods, reducing the need for processed, pre-made items while ensuring you enjoy fresh, wholesome foods.
Not all bread makers are made equal – I always buy Panasonic, the Rolls Royce of bread makers.
#5. Immersion Blender
Immersion blenders are great for blending soups, sauces, and smoothies directly in the pot, making creating healthy meals without extra mess easier.
They are compact, easy to clean, and save space. This tool allows you to make healthy, homemade meals without the cost and additives of store-bought versions.
Some also come with a suite of attachments that do the job of a much more expensive blender.
#6. Handheld Mixer
Photo by Felippe Lopes on Unsplash
This budget-friendly kitchen gadget is perfect for mixing batters, whipping healthier baked goods, and mashing potatoes.
My handheld mixer is also the only gadget that helps me make meringue and Pavlova bases from scratch.
It saves money by allowing you to make homemade versions of treats and meals that are often more expensive and less healthy when bought pre-made.
#7. Silicone Baking Mats and Trays
Reusable and non-stick silicone mats replace the need for parchment paper, aluminium foil, and cooking sprays, helping you reduce waste and save money.
They are perfect for baking veggies, cookies, and healthy snacks without adding oils, promoting a healthier diet.
#8. Digital Kitchen Scale
This tool is essential for portion control, meal prep, and baking. It helps you measure ingredients accurately, reduce food waste, and manage weight. By controlling portions, you can maintain a healthier diet and save money by reducing the overuse of ingredients.
#9. Digital Meat Thermometer
A meat thermometer ensures meats are cooked to the perfect temperature, preventing undercooking or overcooking. This helps you avoid foodborne illnesses and reduces waste from overcooked meats, ensuring you get the most out of your food budget while keeping your meals healthy.
Using a digital thermometer is the only way I can cook an edible roast turkey. I call that a win!
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These are the must-have kitchen gadgets I use to cook healthy meals on a budget.
Yes, you will need to make an upfront investment, but it will recoup within months.
Think about it.
A reasonable slow cooker costs approximately £40. The cheapest Indian takeaway for four people will set you back over £40. You see what I mean?
A top-of-the-range Panasonic bread maker costs £149. Accounting for the cost of good quality bread (over £4 per loaf), pizza, etc., it will pay for itself within three months.
You don’t have to get all these kitchen gadgets at once – choose one to start.
Use it! And reap the benefits to your purse and your health.