You don’t need a cupboard full of specialty gadgets to be a successful vegan cook, but a handful of versatile small appliances will save time and elevate your meals. Below are six practical appliances I rely on most, with recipe ideas to help you get the most out of each tool. If you already own one of these, you’ll find fresh ways to use it; if not, this guide will help you choose the right model.
Over years as a vegan chef I’ve tried nearly every countertop device: ice cream makers, waffle irons, dehydrators, slow cookers and more. When I move, I donate items I don’t use at least weekly. The appliances that remain are the ones I recommend here—dependable, multifunctional, and worth the counter or cabinet space.
How to save money on appliances
- Check Facebook Marketplace—you can often find like-new or even brand-new appliances at a discount.
- Search eBay for new, used, or refurbished listings.
- Consider manufacturer or retailer refurbished items for lower prices and warranty coverage.
- Buy combo appliances when practical—many toaster ovens, multi-cookers, and Instant Pots now include air fryer or baking functions, giving you more capability for less money.
Must-have Appliances for your Vegan Kitchen
Ninja Foodie Blender
A compact, single-serve blender is one of the most useful purchases for everyday plant-based cooking. A powerful personal blender handles smoothies, nut milks, dressings and small batches of sauces without hauling out a full-size blender. The convenience of blending in a dishwasher-safe cup and drinking from the same container means one fewer dish to clean.
Bonus uses: grind spices or coffee, blend thick sauces, and make small-batch nut butters. Some models include a twist-top cup that helps with very thick smoothies or bowls.
Try these blender recipes:
- Matcha Tahini Shake
- Two-Tone Smoothie Bowl
- Energizing Breakfast Smoothies
Calphalon Toaster Oven
A high-quality toaster oven that traps heat efficiently can replace your large oven for many everyday tasks. It’s ideal for baking small desserts, roasting vegetables, toasting bread, roasting nuts, and even dehydrating. Because it heats quickly and uses less energy, it’s a great option for smaller homes or when you don’t want to heat the entire kitchen.
Newer models often include air-fry functionality, giving you two appliances in one. Choose a spacious model to maximize versatility.
Make these recipes:
- Mushroom Avocado Toast
- Wild Rice Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Maple Mustard Tempeh Bowl
Instant Pot
The multi-cooker is a time-saving kitchen staple. Instant Pots pressure-cook dried beans in a fraction of the time needed on the stove, and they’re great for stews, soups, steamed vegetables and even baking. Sizes range from compact 3-quart units to 8-quart models for larger households—choose the size that matches your routine.
Why Instant Pot works well in a vegan kitchen:
- Pressure-cooks beans and legumes quickly and reliably
- Can be left to cook safely when you’re not standing by the stove
- Great for soups, stews, steamed grains and one-pot meals
- Helps retain nutrients through shorter cooking times
Instant Pot tips:
- Keep an extra removable inner pot on hand for faster meal prep and easier cleanup.
- Don’t overfill with bubbling liquids like coconut milk.
- Dry the outer surface of the inner pot before returning it to the base.
- Keep the lid ring clean and dry when the unit is not in use.
Make these Instant Pot recipes:
- Vegan Tempeh Tikka Masala
- Coconut Black Bean Stew
- Creamy Teff Porridge
Philips Air Fryer
Air fryers quickly became indispensable in my kitchen. They crisp foods using far less oil than traditional frying and cook much faster than a conventional oven. Use an air fryer for battered or breaded foods, roasted veggies, or to reheat leftovers with superior texture. The main drawback is size—air fryers can be bulky—so storing it in a cabinet between uses is a practical solution for small kitchens.
Make these Air Fryer recipes:
- Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos
- Spiced Crispy Chickpeas
- Black Bean Crust Pizza
Immersion Blender
An immersion blender is ideal for pureeing soups right in the pot, making smooth sauces, and blending hot ingredients without transferring them to a countertop blender. Cordless models offer extra safety and convenience for working over a stove. It’s a compact tool that shines during soup season and for quick, small-batch blending tasks.
Make these recipes with your immersion blender:
- Sweet Potato Bisque
- Vegan Corn Chowder
- Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
Cuisinart Food Processor
The food processor is the workhorse of the vegan kitchen. A reliable Cuisinart can last for many years and makes prep tasks faster and more consistent. From chopping and mincing to pureeing, slicing and shredding, it saves hours on meal prep and expands what you can make at home—burgers, dips, pestos, pastry dough and more.
What a food processor can do for you:
- Chop and mince vegetables, herbs, and aromatics
- Puree beans and vegetables for dips and spreads
- Slice and shred to consistent thicknesses
- Mix doughs and pastry
Washable parts make cleanup straightforward. The only downside is weight—these units can be heavy—but that build contributes to durability and performance.
Make these recipes in your food processor:
- Sweet Potato Burgers
- Beet Black Bean Dip
- Almond Beet Green Pesto
