What to Buy Gift Guides The 25 Best Kitchen Stocking Stuffers for Cooks for 2022 We rounded up our favorite small gift ideas that are both fun and functional, from pepper mills to corkscrews. By Laura Denby Laura Denby Laura Denby is a food writer and chef with six years of professional culinary experience. Find her work in Real Simple, Food Network, Better Homes & Gardens and more. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 1, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Courtesy of Bombas, Big Night, Amazon, Food 52 Why does shopping for stocking stuffers always seem to be more difficult than shopping for an actual gift? Perhaps it's because most people leave them to the last minute or forget about them altogether. We're here to solve that problem because we're firm believers that good stocking stuffers can make for some of the best and most memorable gifts. Unlike standard gifts, stocking stuffers don't have to be large to pack a lot of joy and flavor, and they don't have to be expensive, either. This year, forget the chocolate bars and chapstick and opt for a more unique gift your loved one will actually use. We're talking functional, fun kitchen gadgets that your favorite home cook can put to use time and time again. These smaller-than-average gifts require lots of creativity because shopping for them can be even more difficult than shopping for holiday gifts. Luckily, there are plenty of kitchen essentials that are petite enough to pack. If you're looking for easy and flavorful treats that come in compact sizes, we rounded up some of our favorite items. In this guide of the perfect stocking stuffers for home cooks, we're honing in on editor-loved, tested, and approved gifts that are perfectly suited for chefs and bakers alike. They're the kind of essential tools that every kitchen needs, from meat thermometers and pepper mills to spices and flavored salt. Read on for our favorites. Our Top Picks Momofuku Tingly Seasoned Salt Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon David Chang's collection of pantry staples packs powerful flavor in small, convenient containers. This umami-packed salt is meant for sprinkling over rice, fish, chicken, or noodles. Made with garlic, tamari, kelp, and mushrooms, the restaurant-grade seasoning is an easy way to upgrade any dish. If tingly salt isn't their favorite, there are two other flavors in this collection — savory and spicy. Price at time of publish: $15 Material Kitchen the Good Shears Courtesy of Material Buy on Materialkitchen.com These super-sharp shears are sleek and versatile. Dainty enough to snip herbs or cut lettuces, they're heavy-duty and durable enough to cut through a whole chicken, too. Available in two colors — gold or gray — the German stainless steel blades have a micro-serrated edge with a silicone grip for stability and support. The best part? Unlike most pieces of cutlery, these shears are dishwasher-safe for easier clean-up. Price at time of publish: $35 Cloud Paper Swedish Dishcloths Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon For sustainable home cooks, Swedish dishcloths are a fantastic way to cut down on waste. These reusable cloths are like a cross between a sponge and a towel because they're an incredibly absorbent way to wash dishes or wipe down the countertop. To clean, simply wash in the dishwasher or washing machine and sanitize in the microwave or boiling water. Price at time of publish: $18 Big Night Dinner Party Candle Courtesy of Big Night Buy on Bignightbk.com With notes of arugula, lemongrass, basil, and saffron, this candle is designed to accentuate the smells that radiate from a home kitchen during a lavish dinner party. Made 100% of soy wax and hand-poured, it's meant to be burned while making dinner, chatting over snacks, or enjoying a cocktail. This candle is the perfect way to set the mood and is the perfect accompaniment to any dinner party. Price at time of publish: $42 Peugeot Cast Iron Pepper Mill Courtesy of Food 52 Buy on Amazon Buy on Food52 Peugeot's pepper mills are an industry-favorite, and this one is perfectly petite enough to fit into a stocking. Made from heavy-duty and durable cast iron, it also features Peugeot's specially-designed grinders that crack peppercorns without crushing it, which guarantees a freshness of flavor that's unmatched by other spice grinders. To control coarseness, just turn the knob — the tighter the turn, the finer the grind. Price at time of publish: $57 RELATED: The Best Pepper Grinders for Fresh and Flavorful Ground Spices Stainless Steel Spaghetti Measuring Tool Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Knowing how much pasta to make is challenging, whether you're cooking for one, two, or four people. This handy pasta measuring tool takes away any of the guesswork from cooking pasta. Four measuring holes make it easy to decide just how much dry spaghetti to prepare for the amount of people you're serving. It's a sleek and simple gadget that fits perfectly into any home cook's stocking. Price at time of publish: $7 RELATED: I'm a Chef, and I Can't Make Spaghetti Without This $9 Gadget HiCoup Waiter's Corkscrew Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Any entertainer will love this professional-grade corkscrew. The manual wine key is lightweight yet durable, with an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to pull and pop even the toughest corks. The built-in, serrated foil cutter effortlessly slices through foil, and the included bottle opener makes it easy to open beer, too. It's available in 17 different handle colors to match a variety of kitchen decor styles. Price at time of publish: $15 Spice House Exact Packs Courtesy of The Spice House Buy on Thespicehouse.com Give your loved one the gift of quick, easy, no-fuss dinners with these spice packs from Spice House. Each one contains all the spices you need to create flavorful meals like Ethiopian Spiced Lentil Soup and Pumpkin Coconut Curry — just add the protein or veggies. We love that the shelf-stable spice packs help punch up dinner, so they're easy to stash in the cabinet and pull out when you want to elevate a meal. Price at time of publish: $15 Kitchen Conversion Chart Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon If you struggle with culinary math, having a handy conversion chart is an easy way to keep on top of measurements and make sure you're working with precise quantities. This convenient chart can convert ounces to teaspoons and grams to cups. It also has an egg timer for perfectly-hard boiled eggs and a temperature chart to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius. It's a super affordable tool that makes for an easy stocking stuffer. Price at time of publish: $15 RELATED: Amazon Shoppers Say This $7 Magnetic Cheat Sheet Makes 'Converting Measurements a Breeze' Fly by Jing Chile Crisp Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Target Buy on Food52 For a sweet, savory, and spicy stocking stuffer that your favorite home cook won't be able to put down, try Fly by Jing's chile crisp. Packed with soy sauce, brown sugar, and dried chiles, this crunchy sauce is vegan, all-natural, MSG-free, and non-GMO. Drizzle it on everything from dumplings to salmon. The petite jar packs a powerful punch of umami flavor that's a delightful addition to any meal. Price at time of publish: $15 ThermaPen One Courtesy of Thermo Works Buy on Thermoworks.com For chefs looking for extra precision in their cooking projects, an easy-to-read meat thermometer is one of the most helpful tools you can buy. Our editors love this option from ThermaPen that delivers consistent, accurate results with each use. The digital thermometer is fast, reliable, and easy to read, with a large face and backlit screen. Price at time of publish: $99 Graza Olive Oil Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Graza.co This editor-loved olive oil is the perfect stocking stuffer for any home chef. The squeezable bottle adds efficiency so you can squeeze and drizzle with little-to-no mess. Not only is it easy to use, but the single-origin Spanish olive oil also tastes fresh and delicious. Available in two sizes and styles, the bold flavor can be drizzled over pasta, bread, popcorn, or even ice cream. Price at time of publish: $15 Opinel Mushroom Foraging Knife Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Perfect for picking, dusting, and slicing mushrooms, this super-sharp knife locks in place when not in use. Made with an anti-corrosive stainless steel blade and beechwood handle, the contoured edge makes it easy to peel vegetables like onions or potatoes, which gives this mushroom knife an added layer of versatility. Ideal for foraging, the brush makes it easy to dust chanterelles, morels, trumpets, and more. Price at time of publish: $34 Oxo Baking Mat Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Target Baking mats are an efficient and versatile way to streamline the baking process: They provide a nonstick surface and eliminate the need for baking sprays or parchment paper. Just place it on a baking sheet and add cookies, biscuits, or scones — no oil required. These durable mats are oven-safe and made from fiberglass and silicone, so they're flexible yet sturdy and can easily be washed in the dishwasher. Price at time of publish: $22 Five Two Adjustable Rolling Pin Courtesy of Food 52 Buy on Food52 For avid bakers looking to achieve perfectly-shaped pie dough, this adjustable rolling pin comes with measuring rings to easily mark dough shapes. With five size options and made from water-resistant teak, this durable gadget eliminates the need for rulers or lined baking mats. The built-in guide is meant to give the exact length and width of your dough, so you can precisely shape pizzas, cookies, and pies. Price at time of publish: $39 Microplane Zester and Spice Grater Set Courtesy of Food 52 Buy on Food52 Whether you're zesting a lemon, grating a garlic clove, or grinding nutmeg, a microplane is a multifunctional tool that can do it all. This set of two comes with a full-size microplane that's perfect for larger ingredients, like citrus and parmesan cheese, as well as a smaller, rounded grater that's ideal for whole spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Each piece is equipped with a super-sharp blade that won't rust or dull. Price at time of publish: $25 Zone Denmark Traditionalist Danish Kitchen Timer Courtesy of Food 52 Buy on Food52 This timer is chic and functional, so home bakers can proudly display it on their countertops. It comes in four pleasing color options, so it can act as a pop of color or a neutral accompaniment to stylish kitchen decor. To operate, just twist the bottom of the timer to the desired number of minutes — it has a maximum time of one hour. Price at time of publish: $34 Dan's Whetstone Company Pocket Knife Sharpening Stone Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon A chef's knife is a home cook's most important tool, and keeping it sharp is the key to prolonging its life. This pocket-size sharpener is made of 100% natural Arkansas whetstone and comes in a convenient leather pouch for storage. It's a completely portable option, so they can take it with them on any type of culinary adventure. Price at time of publish: $25 RELATED: The Best Sharpening Stones to Revive Your Dull Knives Bombas Gripper Slippers Courtesy of Bombas Buy on Bombas.com Home cooks deserve to be comfy, but cooking in socks or bare feet can be dangerous. These slipper socks provide just the right amount of nonslip grip for safe and secure cooking that still feels comfortable. No matter how much mess you make, they can easily be tossed in the washing machine between each use. Available in both men's and women's sizes, these durable slippers fit perfectly into any stocking. Price at time of publish: $48 Weleda Skin Food Courtesy of Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Target Long days in the kitchen mean lots of dirty dishes, which also means dry, cracked hands and skin. For a hydration boost, thick, nourishing hand creams are the way to do it. This option from Weleda is heavy without being greasy, so hands feel sufficiently moisturized and revitalized after each use. Price at time of publish: $19 Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Squeezer Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart “Never having to squeeze a citrus with my hands is really nice,” says Patrick Miller, chef at Rucola in Brooklyn. Paul Einbud of The Morris in San Francisco agrees: “Use one of these and get the most out of your citrus.” Useful in the kitchen or at the bar, “it’s the ultimate tool to make fresh cocktails at home,” says Lynette Marrero, who, as the founder of Speed Rack, the world’s first all-female speed bartending competition, should know. Price at time of publish: $25 Oxo Rubber Spatula Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Oxo “No one ever has enough tiny spatulas,” says Drew Record of Chezchez in San Francisco. “They are cute, they are inexpensive, and they can save you thousands of dollars in food waste annually at the restaurant.” Plus, they are made to last. 2021 F&W Best New Chef Carlo Lamagna has been toting his Oxo mini rubber spatula in his chef kit for over 10 years. Price at time of publish: $12 Microplane Zester Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Williams-Sonoma Buy on Target A broad coalition of chefs, bartenders, and sommeliers was evangelical about this hard-working tool: “Everyone either needs a microplane or could use a new one,” advises 2021 F&W Best New Chef Trey Smith of St. Germain in New Orleans. “They’re so much better when they’re sharp and new,” agrees another member of the BNC class of 2021, Caroline Glover. “I can’t believe we lived without them for so long,” says Chris Curtin, Chef and Chocolatier of Éclat Chocolate. Price at time of publish: $18 Kuhn Rikon Peeler Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Kuhnrikon.com The ultimate stocking stuffer, this ultra-sharp colorful Swiss peeler is easy to use, clean, and store. “Every cook needs these instead of that old-fashioned rusty peeler our parents have at home,” says Scott Franqueza, Executive Chef at High Hampton Cashiers, North Carolina. “This is the essential peeler in any home, bar, or professional kitchen,” agrees chef Steven Satterfield of Miller Union in Atlanta. Price at time of publish: $10 Extra Large Ice Cube Tray by Peak Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Nordstrom Buy on Bed Bath & Beyond Give the gift of slow-melting ice in cocktails with this silicone ice cube tray. “Ice can make or break a good drink,” warns Denetrias Charlemagne, co-founder of AVEC, an artisanal cocktail mixer brand. “This is a favorite among my collection of ice trays with a very good reason,” says Deputy Editor Melanie Hansche, “It makes the most perfectly formed big-ass cubes of them all to chill my negroni slowly.” Price at time of publish: $14 Our Expertise Laura is a food and wine writer with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a WSET level 2 award in wine and spirits. She writes about the latest and greatest kitchen equipment, tools, and gadgets for sites like Food Network, Taste of Home, Forbes Vetted, Better Homes and Gardens, and the Kitchn. She utilizes her culinary background and years of professional cooking experience to create fully-tested product reviews and curate thoughtful recommendation lists. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit