What to Buy Gift Guides The 30 Best Kitchen Gifts for Every Type of Home Cook We rounded up editor-loved and expert-tested favorites that are both functional and versatile. 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 October 31, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Courtesy of Great Jones Shopping for home cooks can be challenging, especially when they already have a well-stocked kitchen full of the latest and greatest gadgets. When selecting a gift for your favorite home cook, it's best to find something functional and versatile that will fit their design and cooking style. Considering many home cooks are working with limited space, a thoughtful gift should also be easy to clean, care for, and store. For the ultimate list of the best kitchen gifts, we rounded up some of the most chef-loved and expert-tested products to help find a quality gift for even the most hard-to-shop-for cook. We also spoke to chef and TV host Elena Besser for her tips on how to shop for the perfect gift. "Price range doesn't matter as long as the gift you are giving is thoughtful and classy," Besser says. "The best gifts should help home cooks understand the foundations of cooking and give them more confidence in the kitchen," she adds. We also asked F&W editors what they would buy for their own kitchens and for their loved ones. From a surprisingly nonstick skillet to a bold and vibrant set of dried spices, this is our ultimate list of the best gifts for home cooks, no matter their skill level. Read on for our favorites. Our Top Picks Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer at Amazon Jump to Review Philips Airfryer at Amazon Jump to Review Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Mac Knife Professional Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife at Amazon Jump to Review Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender at Amazon Jump to Review Great Jones Hot Dish at Greatjonesgoods.com Jump to Review Solo Stove Ranger Wok at Solostove.com Jump to Review Ooni Pizza Oven at Amazon Jump to Review Stella Falone Reversible Cutting Board at Amazon Jump to Review Brightland The Mini Essentials at Brightland.co Jump to Review Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart For the home baker who doesn't have space for a bulky stand mixer, a hand mixer can be a fantastic alternative. If you're thinking of gifting one to your favorite home cook, consider this strong, efficient, and multifunctional option from Breville. The digital control panel is easy to understand, and we love that all the accessories can be housed in a convenient storage container. Price at time of publish: $150 Philips Premium Airfryer XXL Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Best Buy Air fryers are a fantastic gift for the home cook because they add crispy, golden-brown crunch to anything you cook, and they're an easy way to revitalize soggy foods. They're perfect for frying, heating, dehydrating, and baking. In fact, this one bakes just like a regular oven, and the extra-large cooking surface can accommodate up to 4 quarts of food. In addition, the digital control panel is easy to read, and the nonstick inner surface is easy to clean. Price at time of publish: $350 Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart Homemade waffles are the ultimate breakfast indulgence, and this gadget makes it easy to have them every day of the week. The vertical waffle maker is efficient and compact, so it doesn't take up too much space on the countertop. Price at time of publish: $60 Related: We Tested the Best Waffle Makers to Better Your Breakfast Mac Knife MTH-80 Professional Hollow Edge Chef’s Knife 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon Every chef needs a reliable knife, and for a passionate home cook, there's no better gift. Though there are a ton of options to choose from, we think this is a great option. It's sharp and lightweight, with a nonslip handle that promotes an ergonomic grip. Price at time of publish: $175 Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Breville.com Immersion blenders make easy work of soups, smoothies, and sauces. This one from Breville is intuitive, efficient, and strong, so it can quickly break down many foods. The perfect gift for a home cook looking for a sleek gadget, this hand blender can help add variety to your weekly meals by making tedious tasks — like emulsifying salad dressing — much faster. Most of all, we love that it's simple to use, store, and clean. Price at time of publish: $195 Great Jones Hot Dish Great Jones View On Greatjonesgoods.com Buy on Greatjonesgoods.com If you're looking for a hostess gift that's as functional as it is attractive, try this casserole dish from Great Jones. Perfect for lasagna, baked macaroni and cheese, or blueberry cobbler, it makes for a fantastic gift for any type of cook. The large, looped handles make it easy to grab from the oven, and the ceramic construction is naturally nonstick. We baked a ton of lasagnas to find the best casserole dishes, and this one produced perfect results every time — winning it the top spot overall. Price at time of publish: $75 Related: We Tested the Best Casserole Dishes for Crispy Lasagna—These Are Our Favorites Solo Stove Ranger Cast Iron Wok Cooking Bundle 2.0 Solo Stove View On Solostove.com Cooking outside is an experience that always adds a little fun and excitement. If you're sick of your standard grill, try this wok and fire pit bundle from Solo Stove instead. Perfect for camping or trips to the beach, the cast iron wok sits on top of the solo stove fire pit so that you can achieve a smokey flavor and crispy, golden-brown texture. Price at time of publish: $570 Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Ace Hardware Another editor-loved gift is this pizza oven that achieves crispy, restaurant-quality pizza right from your own backyard. When shopping for a home cook who has everything, a pizza oven is a fun option that can add a little variety to your weeknight meals. This one heats up quickly and cooks evenly, so pizzas come out with crisped edges and perfectly melty cheese. Price at time of publish: $600 Related: We Tested the Best Pizza Ovens for Restaurant-Quality Pizza at Home Stella Falone Reversible Cutting Board Amazon View On Amazon View On Stellafalone.com Every home cook needs a cutting board, and this one is so elegant that it can stay on the countertop all day long. Made from responsibly-sourced, solid West African ebony, these cutting boards are reversible to showcase the rich, natural marbling of the wood. Thick and heavy-duty, the high-quality board is perfect for chopping, but it also makes for a chic and decorative serving board. Each cutting board also includes a nonstick mat that keeps it securely in place at all times. Price at time of publish: $199 Brightland The Mini Essentials Crate & Barrel View On Brightland.co View On Crate & Barrel View On Freepeople.com A set of fresh and flavorful oils is an ideal gift for any cook, no matter their skill level. Besser notes this set of high-quality oils and vinegars from Brightland as one of her favorites. "Every cook uses oil, acid, and salt when cooking, and they can never get enough of it," she adds. Keep your favorite home cook stocked with this set that includes two oils and two vineyards from Brightland. Price at time of publish: $70 Zwilling Madura Plus 11-Inch Non-Stick Aluminum Deep Fry Pan Amazon View On Amazon View On Zwilling.com View On Target High-quality nonstick pans are invaluable in the kitchen. They're the secret to perfect omelets and the key to searing flakey fish. We tested 13 of the leading models, and this option from Zwilling easily bested them all, winning the spot as Best Overall in each of our tests. The nonstick surface is slick and durable, which makes it easy to use and clean. This efficient pan is a game-changer that any home cook deserves to have. Price at time of publish: $112 Related: We Cooked 68 Omelets to Test the Best Nonstick Pans — These Are Our Favorites Hydro Flask Outdoor Kitchen Personal Bundle Hydro Flask View On Hydroflask.com For adventurous home cooks, cooking and eating outside can be fun and challenging all at the same time. One of the trickiest parts about cooking a high-quality meal outdoors — whether at a tailgate, the beach, or a campsite — is finding durable kitchenware to serve and store it in. That's why we love Hydro Flask's line of outdoor kitchen accessories. This bundle comes with everything you need to enjoy a delicious meal outside — plates, bowls, an insulated wine cup, and serveware. Price at time of publish: $90 Smithey Ironware Company No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet 4.2 Courtesy of Smithey Ironware Company View On Smithey.com Cast iron skillets are a heritage item that can be passed down from generation to generation. Smithey makes some of the finest ironware perfect for gifting, thanks to the smooth, polished surface that is both elegant and functional. In addition, these skillets are durable and heavy-duty and feature curved walls and an extra-long handle. Price at time of publish: $160 Le Creuset Cast Iron Bread Oven Le Creuset View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Nordstrom For adventurous home cooks looking to try their hand at breadmaking, set them up for success with a bread cloche from Le Creuset. Bread cloches create the perfect environment for dough to thrive in — and this one helps users achieve crispy crust with a solid base and tender, structured center. Available in a range of gorgeous colors, this petite cooker from a classic brand makes an elegant and timeless gift. Price at time of publish: $300 OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Food52 Enjoying cold brew at home is something every coffee lover should do. Our editors love how simple and convenient this option is — just fill the container with your favorite coffee grounds and top with water. The rainfall effect helps evenly distribute water, so the grinds steep consistently. The ultra-fine stainless steel strainer helps filter out any bits of coffee grinds, leaving you with fresh, smooth cold brew. In fact, this cold brew maker is so efficient that it took the top spot in our official list of best cold brew makers. Price at time of publish: $50 Related: The Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers, According to Our Tests Peugeot Paris Salt and Pepper Mill Set Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Elegant salt and pepper mills are just as much a piece of decor as they are functional gadgets. Peugeot makes some of the best — the classic company has been doing so for over a century — and this set is no different. Made from sustainable Beech wood with a stainless steel core, Peugeot's heavy-duty mechanism cracks peppercorn without crushing it. That means you get the freshest flavor with every crank. Price at time of publish: $85 Le Creuset Olive Oil Cruet Williams Sonoma View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Wayfair Fancy olive oil deserves to be displayed in a fancy bottle. This cruet from Le Creuset's Olive Branch line is made of durable stoneware that protects the oil from harmful sunlight, and the elegant design makes for the perfect host or hostess gift. The stainless steel spout is designed to open when pouring and close when finished, which provides a steady, dripless pour. Price at time of publish: $50 Burlap and Barrel Fundamentals Collection View On Burlapandbarrel.com Using high-quality spices is the key to deep, fresh flavor. You can't beat the quality of these single-origin spices from Burlap & Barrel — they're non-GMO and made without additives or fillers. They're ethically sourced and representative of the unique culinary regions they hail from. Any home cook will love this gift bundle's vibrant and pungent flavors with six spices like purple stripe garlic, silk chili, and flowering hyssop thyme. Price at time of publish: $62 Bachan's Three Pack Japanese Barbecue Sauce Bundle Amazon View On Amazon This pack of salty and sweet barbecue sauce is an easy way to elevate a variety of dishes. Perfect for marinades or dressings, Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauces have a flavor similar to teriyaki, which makes them ideal for drizzling on chicken, shrimp, rice, or steak. Free of preservatives, additives, and GMOs, it packs a strong, fresh flavor thanks to the cold-filling process that's true to the original recipe. This pack of three includes flavors like original, yuzu, and hot and spicy. Price at time of publish: $32 Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Induction 12" Frying Pan Skillet Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot If you're a fan of cast iron but haven't tried cooking with carbon steel yet, now's your chance to do so. Professional chefs agree that this type of cookware is a game changer — it combines the benefits of nonstick skillets with the heat retention abilities of cast iron. It's a heavy-duty workhorse that can sear, fry, or bake, so it's a functional gift for any type of home cook. We put eight of the leading pans to the test, and this affordable option unequivocally won the title of Best Overall. Price at time of publish: $30 Related: We Tested the Best Carbon Steel Pans — and These Are Our Favorites Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking Amazon. View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Target Besser suggests a cookbook as a fun and easy way to help home cooks hone their skills in the kitchen, and this is one of her favorites. Samin Nosrat's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is a delightful turn through the basics (and the intricacies) of cooking through the lens of four main elements. Both novices and seasoned cooks will love the histories, illustrations, and recipes woven through the book. It's both a comfort and a conversation piece. Price at time of publish: $17 Made In Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 4.2 Made In View On Madeincookware.com While this piece first caught our eye because of its rich inky-blue color, it also passes muster in the kitchen. We especially love the wide cooking sur- face and the slick enamel coating that keeps proteins from sticking to the pot. Price at time of publish: $199 Caraway Baking Sheet 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Carawayhome.com The swipe of blue on the underside of this sheet somehow makes your chocolate crinkles for the holiday cookie swap look even tastier. Plus, the piece is covered in a nontoxic ceramic coating that makes for super easy release. Price at time of publish: $100 Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 16-Inch Roasting Pan With Rack 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Make sure your roasting pan is ready to run the holiday-season gauntlet. This heavy-duty version from Cuisinart is made from stainless steel and is safe for all types of cooktops as well. Price at time of publish: $63 Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Professional-Grade Smart Blender 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Wayfair Buy on Amazon Buy on Williams-Sonoma “I don't feel any rush to get married, except I worry that I won't receive a Vitamix unless that happens. Let's normalize gifting single people Vitamixes because they deserve to have super silky smoothies, soups, and sauces too!” — Maria Yagoda, Senior Editor Price at time of publish: $650 Material Kitchen The Trio of Knives Courtesy of Material Kitchen View On Materialkitchen.com “Material's bestselling 8-inch chef's knife is one of my go-to knives, and this set includes that knife, plus a smaller 4-inch knife and a serrated knife. The new limited-edition Sage colorway feels gift-worthy for the holidays.” — Danielle St. Pierre, Commerce Editor Price at time of publish: $155 Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet 4.4 Courtesy of Field Company View On Fieldcompany.com View On Zola “I didn't think I'd care about having a luxury cast iron skillet until I started using one. These pans feel (and look) like very high-quality tools, and I can use them for pretty much anything. They're beautifully made, and when I want to give a thoughtful gift to a home cook, they're my first idea.” — Merlyn Miller, Social Media Editor Price at time of publish: $145 Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Steak Knife Set 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma “I was lucky enough to try this Laguiole En Aubrac set during our steak knives test, and I’m now in love. Their Sandvik steel blades have maintained their edges after months of use, and every guest I’ve had over has commented on how comfortable their olive wood handles are to hold. Yes, this set is an investment, but I think anyone will appreciate these blades for a lifetime.” — Katie Macdonald, Senior Editor Price at time of publish: $319 Ball Stack & Store Jars Target View On Target As a person with a small kitchen, these jars were such a game changer. They made it easy to maximize my storage space, they look nice, and they keep dry goods fresh for so much longer. — Merlyn Miller, Social Media Editor Price at time of publish: $35 Emile Henry Bread Box Williams-Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma “I bake a lot of bread and don't like to store it in plastic bags because of the moisture. I like that I can throw a loaf into the box, and it will keep as long as preservative-free bread does. You can use reusable cloth bread bags for more moisture protection inside if it is a concern. The best part, aside from being gorgeous, is that the top flips over to reveal a built-in cutting board. It’s always my counter, and I love gifting it to friends. Even if they don't bake bread, it is an attractive storage box.” — Jennifer Zyman, Senior Commerce Writer Price at time of publish: $160 Our Expertise Laura Denby is a food and beverage writer with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of experience working in professional kitchens. With the goal of helping home cooks become more efficient, she focuses on creating thoroughly tested buying guides for sites like FoodNetwork.com, Forbes Vetted, Saveur, Real Simple, and more. For this piece, she relied on her personal experience working with these products, along with her professional culinary background and industry insight. Elena Besser is a Brooklyn-based chef and TV host. With a culinary degree from the International Culinary Center, she honed her professional culinary skills as a chef at New York Times 3-Star Restaurant, Lilia. Previously an instructor on the Food Network Kitchen app, she is currently a culinary personality on the Cooking Channel's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," Amazon's "Today's Deals Live," and a red carpet host for The James Beard Awards' Twitter livestream. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit