Kitchen Gadgets Every Home Cook Should Own This Winter

I never need a good excuse to start taking meal prep a bit more seriously. Not only does it save me money over takeout, but it also lets me control exactly what I’m eating and helps me get weeknight dinners served quickly and efficiently. 

Although some people find meal prep daunting, having the proper kitchen tools can make all the difference. Whether it’s a quality set of mixing bowls, a rice cooker that also steams vegetables, or an air fryer that lets you watch foods brown without opening the lid, these are some of our favorite small appliances and kitchen essentials that make winter meal prep fun and easy. 

Best Winter Meal Prep Kitchen Tools Overall

• Never Overcook Rice Again: Zojirushi Induction Rice Cooker, $339, originally $403
• Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, $149, originally $179
• Editor-Loved: Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System, $140, originally $180
• Viking Mixing Bowls Set, $75, originally $100
• Breville Smart Grill, $350
• Clever Design: Planetary Design Stainless Steel Airscape Storage Container, $30, originally $36

Best Small Appliances for Winter Meal Prep

Today’s small appliances are often mini powerhouses, packed with features to make cooking simple. They’re easier to clean, last longer, and cook food more quickly than ever before. Most have pre-programmed settings, making it easy for you to cook for the proper amount of time at the ideal temperature with the push of a button. 

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System

An innovation in air frying, the Ninja Crispi combines a removable heating element with a glass cooking vessel. This cooker comes with both a 4-quart and a 6-cup container, and two storage lids so you can cook various-sized foods with ease. The containers and lids are microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe. 

Breville Smart Grill

Although the Breville Smart Grill makes one heck of a melted-cheese pressed sandwich, this versatile cooker can do so much more. Open it completely flat and use the heated surface as a griddle or skillet, or close the top and grill burgers, steaks, and veggies quickly with both top and bottom heat, browning your food. The dishwasher-safe, removable plates are nonstick and integrate with a built-in drip tray.  

Best Food Storage Containers for Winter Meal Prep

After you’ve used your handy appliances to make your meal prep, you need to store it in the proper containers. There are brilliant options to choose from, including large sets, specialty airtight jars, reusable bags, plus more. 

• Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, $149, originally $179
• Easy to Store: Drip Ez Secondz Collapsible Food Storage Containers $30, originally $35
• Best for Storing Coffee: Planetary Design Stainless Steel Airscape Storage Container, $30, originally $36
• Amazon Basics Glass Food Storage Containers With Locking Lids, $29
• Rubbermaid 60-Piece Food Storage Containers With Lids, $45
• Easy Fill Design: Splf Stand-Up Reusable Food Storage Bag Set, $13, originally $14
• M Micro Glass Bento Box Container Set, $33, originally $37
• 19,100+ 5-Star Reviews: Souper Cubes Silicone Ice Tray Set, $40

Planetary Design Stainless Steel Airscape Storage Container

If you’re serious about coffee, the Airscape is what you want to keep your ground coffee or beans in. Push down the plunger, and you can hear the air being forced out, which is why pantry staples like coffee beans, brown sugar, and flour will stay fresh for months. The stainless steel containers come in various colors, offering a sleek, modern look on your countertop. 

Drip Ez Secondz Collapsible Food Storage Containers

I reach for these containers over others because they are compact, portable, and durable. The BPA-free silicone containers can go from the freezer to the microwave for reheating and  get cleaned in the dishwasher, making them quite versatile. It’s hard not to appreciate how well these containers stack, whether full of food or empty in storage.

Best Kitchen Gadgets for Winter Meal Prep

You can’t do any serious cooking without helpful kitchen gadgets. Cutting boards, knife sharpeners, mixing bowls, and other essential pieces help you get all of those meals done for the week without a hitch. 

• Shopper-Loved: Fullstar Original Pro Chopper, $27 with coupon, originally $50
• Under $10: Tovolo Mini Scoop and Spread Tool, $7
• Deeply Discounted: OXO Good Grips Plastic Cutting Board Set, $33, originally $52
• Work Sharp Pull Through Kitchen Knife Sharpener, $30
• Viking Mixing Bowls Set, $75, originally $100
• HexClad Nonstick Deep Sauté Pan, $209
• OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner, $33

Fullstar Original Pro Chopper

A safer alternative to mandoline slicing, this chopper handles fruits and vegetables with ease, and also works well for other foods like firm cheese, nuts, and hard-boiled eggs. Whether you’re slicing, dicing, or spiralizing, once chopped, foods conveniently collect in the built-in 5-cup container for simple cleanup. 

Tovolo Mini Scoop and Spread Tool

The kitchen tool you never knew you needed, this mini scooping tool will save you time and money. With a sturdier end and a more flexible silicone end, you’ll be able to get every last bit of peanut butter or mayonnaise out of the jar and effortlessly spread it where you need it. 

We found more brilliant kitchen tools and gadgets in Amazon’s bestsellers section, plus you can shop all types of kitchen gear for less on the retailer’s main sales hub page.