You don’t need a cabinet full of gadgets to live a vegan lifestyle, but a handful of well-chosen appliances will make cooking faster, cleaner, and more enjoyable. Below are six appliances I rely on as a vegan chef—ones I reach for weekly. For each, I include tips and recipe ideas so you can get the most from every purchase.
Over the years I’ve tried everything from ice cream makers to dehydrators. When I move, I donate or sell the items I rarely use. These six appliances are the ones that always stay with me because they’re versatile, durable, and genuinely helpful in a plant-based kitchen.
How to save money on appliances
- Check Facebook Marketplace—you can often find like-new or even brand-new appliances at a fraction of retail.
- Browse eBay for new, used, or refurbished options.
- Consider Amazon’s refurbished section for reliable, warranty-backed items.
- Buy combo appliances when it makes sense (for example, a toaster oven that also functions as an air fryer) to save countertop space and cash.
Must-have Appliances for your Vegan Kitchen
Ninja Foodie Blender
Ninja Foodie BlenderA compact, single-serve blender is a game changer. I stopped using my large professional blender because a small Ninja Foodie-style blender does everything I need: smoothies, sauces, nut butters, and even grinding spices or coffee in a pinch. It’s powerful enough to liquefy leafy greens and is very easy to clean—many cups are dishwasher-safe. The twist-top blender cups let you drink or store directly from the vessel, cutting down on dishes.
Bonus: those compact cups are great for thick sauces and smoothie bowls.
Try these blender recipes:
- Matcha Tahini Shake
- Two-Tone Smoothie Bowl
- Energizing Breakfast Smoothies
Calphalon Toaster Oven
Calphalon Toaster OvenA good toaster oven is indispensable when you don’t want to heat a full-sized oven. Ceramic-lined models hold and circulate heat efficiently so you get even roasting, baking, and toasting without heating the whole kitchen. I use mine for desserts, roasted vegetables, toasting bread, roasting nuts, and even dehydrating small batches. Newer models often include an air-fry function, giving you two appliances in one.
Make these recipes:
- Mushroom Avocado Toast
- Wild Rice Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Maple Mustard Tempeh Bowl
Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a multitasking workhorse for any vegan kitchen. It pressure-cooks beans in a fraction of the time, steams vegetables, makes soups and stews, and can even bake. Sizes range from 3-quart models (good for one or two people) to 6- and 8-quart options for larger households.
Why it’s useful:
- Pressure-cooks beans quickly and reliably
- Safe to use even if you leave the kitchen
- Steams, simmers, and bakes—great for one-pot meals
- Retains nutrients thanks to shorter cook times
Instant Pot tips:
- Purchase an extra removable inner pot or two for quicker meal prep and swaps.
- Avoid overfilling when cooking foamy or bubbling ingredients (like coconut milk).
- Dry the outer surface of the inner pot before setting it on the heating element.
- Keep the sealing ring and lid area clean and dry when not in use.
Make these Instant Pot recipes:
- Vegan Tempeh Tikka Masala
- Coconut Black Bean Stew
- Creamy Teff Porridge
Philips Air Fryer
An air fryer quickly became indispensable in my kitchen. It crisps and browns foods that you would otherwise fry, using far less oil and in less time than a conventional oven. It’s perfect for items like crispy chickpeas, plant-based “crab” cakes, or quick roasted vegetables. The main consideration is size and storage—air fryers can be bulky, so store it in a cabinet if counter space is limited.
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 and sauces directly in the pot. It saves time and eliminates the need to transfer hot liquids to a countertop blender. I prefer a cordless model for freedom of movement and safety near a hot stove. It’s not daily-use for me, but during soup season it’s invaluable.
Make these recipes with your immersion blender:
- Sweet Potato Bisque
- Vegan Corn Chowder
- Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
Cuisinart Food Processor
Cuisinart Food ProcessorThe food processor is my most-used, most-trusted appliance. A quality Cuisinart can last for years, with replaceable parts that outlive daily wear. It speeds up prep work—chopping, mincing, pureeing, slicing, shredding, and even blending pastry dough. The motor does the heavy lifting, and most removable parts are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. Its only downside is weight, but that heaviness also speaks to durability.
Ways a food processor helps:
- Chop and mince vegetables quickly
- Puree dips and spreads
- Slice and shred to consistent thicknesses
- Blend doughs and batters
Make these recipes in your food processor:
- Sweet Potato Burgers
- Beet Black Bean Dip
- Almond Beet Green Pesto
