26 Perfect Kitchen Gifts for People Who Love to Cook

 

The holiday season is here, and if you’re on the hunt for the Best Kitchen Gifts for someone who loves to cook, you’re in the right spot. Whether it’s a homemade food gift or some cool kitchen gadgets, I absolutely love discovering and giving thoughtful cooking gifts to fellow cooking enthusiasts.

You don’t have to be a classically-trained chef to appreciate great kitchen tools, but I’ve drawn on my culinary background to create a list of the best kitchen gifts that any cooking enthusiast or foodie will adore. It’s filled with items I personally own and love, products I’ve tested to make sure they’re top-notch, tried-and-true gifts that are always a hit, and trending picks that stand out this year.

From stylish pieces to functional cooking tools, explore the best kitchen gifts for every type of home cook within every kind of budget.

Reviews of the Best Kitchen Gifts

1. For Coffee and Tea Drinker: KeepCup Brew Cork Coffee Cup

This cup is one of my favorite things to give as a gift! I love how stylish and sustainable this cup is. It’s easy to have a million to-go cups for coffee and tea at home, but I prefer to have just one special one that I’m obsessed with. The glass is stylish and made with durable, tempered glass, so it won’t shatter, and the cork band keeps your hands from burning. KeepCup is also B-Corp certified, and 1% of all sales goes toward protecting the environment, so it’s a feel-good gift too!

2. For the Brunch Fanatic: Dash Mini Waffle Maker

This adorable mini waffle maker from Dash makes a great gift for anyone on your list who loves to brunch. Boasting a 4.6-star rating from over 242,000 reviews (yes, that’s right!), people cannot get enough of this tiny kitchen gadget. It’s not only cute but also incredibly simple to use–even for kids! Best of all, its budget-friendly price makes it an excellent bonus for the recipient who needs just one more small thing this year or a fun pick for a white elephant exchange!

3. For the French Fry Lover: Prepworks Tower French Fry Cutter

A french fry cutter is one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you have one. In my quest to make the best homemade fries ever, I tried out a bunch of french fry cutters and found that this compact one was my favorite. It makes creating perfect shoestring fries so much easier, and I like that it’s compact enough to store for a device I don’t pull out every single day. It has seriously shortened my prep time while making fries, and I can’t imagine my life without it — and neither will your giftee!

4. For the Household Chef: Le Creuset Dutch Oven

Le Creuset Dutch Ovens are a perennial favorite—and for good reason. There’s nothing better than tried-and-true cookware that’ will last forever’s built to last a lifetime. I personally own and love the 5 ½ quart size, which is my go-to size for everything from baking bread to making soup. Mine is in the Caribbean Blue, but there are so many gorgeous hues to choose from!

This is a gift that stands the test of time, making it perfect for newlyweds, new homeowners, large families, or anyone who loves to cook. If you’re looking for a splurge-worthy gift for someone, you really can’t go wrong.

5. For the Meat Cooker: Thermapen One

I love ThermoWorks products and the Thermapen One is my favorite instant-read thermometer of all time! It gives nearly instant, extremely accurate results, so I never have to second guess if my roast is done or not. Trust me, it will quickly become one of your giftee’s most-used kitchen tools, and they’ll feel better about cooking meat or fish with it. The thermometer is extremely easy to use and read, and it gives a full reading in one second or less. All of this makes it a great gift for anyone who cooks meat.

6. For the One Who Doesn’t Like Following Recipes: The Flavor Bible

Part of being a great cook is knowing how to put a meal together without a recipe. In “The Flavor Bible,” dozens of chefs share the secrets to cooking without recipes. It’s the perfect must-have gift for anyone who loves cooking and already has tons of cookbooks—or for someone who prefers cooking without having to follow directions.

I keep copies of this book both on my desk at home and in my studio test kitchen to offer some added inspiration when I’m developing new recipes! It’s truly a non-cliche cooking gift for home chefs of all kinds and it’s forever earned a place as one of my favorite cookbooks.

7. For the Wine Drinker: My Favorite Wine Accessories

I’ve slowly become quite the vinophile, diving into all things wine. If you’re shopping for a wine enthusiast, a wine aerator is a thoughtful and practical gift—especially for fans of red wine. I’ve been using this funnel-shaped one from Rabbit for years and I love that it gets the job done at an affordable price. It also functions as a strainer so it will get rid of any gross sediment or bits of cork.

For something a bit more upscale, consider an electric wine opener! This popular one from Oster removes corks effortlessly with just the press of a button. At first, I thought it was just an excuse to be lazy, but once I tried it, I was hooked! It can open up to 30 bottles on a single charge and comes as part of a gift set, including a foil cutter, wine pourer, and two vacuum stoppers.

If you’re ready to splurge on the ultimate wine lover in your life, don’t miss our list of best wine fridges.

Buy the Rabbit Wine Aerator:

Buy the Oster Electric Wine Opener Kit:

8. For the One Who’s Always Busy: COSORI 12-in-1 6.8qt Air Fryer

I’ll admit, I was skeptical about the air fryer trend at first. I thought it might be another over-hyped gadget destined to gather dust. But after giving it a try, it quickly became a kitchen staple. I rely on it weekly for perfectly roasted veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and potatoes. We’ve also had major success air frying bacon, Air Fryer Meatballs, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, hot dogs, and burgers. Plus, my kids can’t get enough of homemade potato fries—and they don’t even complain when I leave the skin on!

As I quickly learned, an air fryer is one of the best kitchen gifts you can buy for someone with a baby or young kids because they’re great for quick weeknight recipes. Because they cook so quickly, air fryers let you whip up frozen chicken nuggets for a screaming toddler in only a few minutes without having to wait for the oven to preheat!

Buy the COSORI 12-in-1 6.8qt Air Fryer:

9. For the One With a Sweet Tooth: Ninja Creami

the Ninja Creami is one of the most sought-after ice cream makers—and for good reason. It’s been sold out more than once, but as soon as it came back in stock, I grabbed one just to see what all the fuss was about. Let me tell you, it is worth the hype!

Although it’s a bit tall, this versatile gadget makes all your favorite frozen desserts, including ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, and more, with the press of a button. I find the ice cream came out perfectly, and it’s so much fun to use with your whole family!

10. For the One Who Loves Cookies: OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set

If you’re going to make Spritz cookies at Christmas, you need one of these! The name “spritz” comes from the German word spritzen, which means “to squirt.” While you could attempt to make these delicious cookies from a piping bag with a tip, there’s really no reason to set yourself up for potential failure. 

Instead, play with the 12 design templates that come with this cookie press that make consistent and pretty cookies every time. Kids like to “shoot out” cookies, too, which makes it fun for the family.

Pro tip: Chill your cookie dough to prevent any sticking to the sides. 

11. For the One With the Outdoor Kitchen: Ooni Koda Pizza Oven

People are obsessed with Ooni Pizza Ovens, and they’re a great gift for any outdoor kitchen enthusiast you’re looking to splurge on this holiday season. They cook wood-fired pizza outdoors in only 60 seconds! With thousands of rave reviews on the Ooni website (that feature mouth-watering pictures of pizza), and many articles from food publishers saying it’s worth the hype, this will be one of the best cooking gifts this year for sure!

12. For the Cheese Board Designer: The Cheese Knife OKP2

This is the cheese knife to end all cheese knives, making it the ultimate gift for any cheese lover on your list! The scaffolded blade effortlessly cuts through everything from soft brie to crumbly parmesan without any of the cheese sticking to the knife, which is a common issue with other cheese knives. Plus, the vibrant yellow handle gives it a fun pop of color and makes it easy to find in a drawer Best of all, it’s under $30, so you might want to buy one for yourself, too!

13. For Serious Entertainers: Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot

Whether they’re a cheese lover or a chocolate fan, they’ll love the experience of making fondue at home. While they could make fondue on a stovetop, a fondue pot makes it so much easier to serve and enjoy together! I adore mine from Cuisinart, which I think is super pretty and large enough to hold enough fondue for up to 8 people. Now, that’s what I call a party!

14. For the Tea Lover: Stylish Tea Cups and Tea

If you’re shopping for someone who enjoys tea, I highly recommend my go-to tea cups from The Citizenry. While they probably have plenty of cups, these are special and unlike anything they likely already own. I love the smooth black clay because it gives them a cozy, tactile feel, and they’re the perfect size for a warm beverage. It’s like holding a little work of art in your hand. Whether for everyday sipping or special guests, this set of 4 cups are sure to impress.

For an added touch, I would pair them with luxurious tea from Le Souk Spices and Teas. The Vanilla Lemongrass is the signature tea at Burke Williams, a high-end California day spa. 

Buy the Oro Cacao Cups:

Buy the Le Souk Vanilla Lemongrass Tea:

15. For the One With a Starter Kitchen: An 8-Inch Global Chef’s Knife

When moving into a new home, there’s one essential every kitchen needs: a great chef’s knife. While it’s nice to have specialized knives, this one is extremely versatile and can handle most cooking tasks. I personally use the 8-inch Global Chef’s Knife, which was recommended by one of my friends who is a classically-trained chef that owns her own restaurant. It comes with a lifetime warranty against defects and breakage, and it also maintains sharpness exceptionally well. For an extra touch, you can even get it custom engraved for an extra $25 on Amazon!

16. For the Baker: KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

One of the best cooking gifts you can gift will always be a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Why? It’s a classic kitchen staple and a fantastic splurge gift! If you’re shopping for someone who loves to bake, there’s no doubt they would welcome a KitchenAid Stand Mixer into their kitchen. I believe everyone should own one. It’s not only incredibly useful and makes recipes like Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes in record time. Plus, it comes in 24 beautiful colors to match your kitchen decor.

17. For the Family Chef: The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook is a classic—and a great gift for those who enjoy cooking for (and with) family. It’s packed with more than 1,200 family-friendly recipes, and the intro features a helpful tutorial on cooking techniques, which is great for kids who want to learn (and for parents who are still learning themselves!). This is not just a cookbook. It’s an experience!

18. For the Grazer: Mignon Wooden Spreaders, Set of 6

If you know someone who loves a cheeseboard or a table full of charcuterie, these 6 cheese spreaders make a great gift. They are made from a variety of different woods including tropical hardwood, oak, walnut, sapele, and beech wood, and they work for cutting cheese and spreading condiments like jams, honey, and mustard. I love the way they look, and they are light-weight which makes them inexpensive to ship.

19. For the One Obsessed With Spices: KRUPS Fast Touch Electric Grinder

If you’re looking for a gift for someone who enjoys cooking with spices, get them a reliable spice grinder. I use this one from Krups to make my Homemade Celery Salt and Homemade Ancho Chile Powder. It’s seriously one of the best cooking gifts! They can also use it to grind coffee beans, too, though I recommend getting a second one unless they want some spicy coffee!

20. For the Meal Prepper: Stanton Trading Cutting Board

This isn’t the most beautiful cutting board you’ll ever see, but it might be the most functional. I won these plastic cutting boards and they’re the only ones I recommend for sanitary chopping. It’s a perfect size, and because it’s restaurant-grade quality, it has a lot of strength for larger cutting jobs. The cutting board is easy to clean and will hold up after hundreds of uses, too. If you have a friend who dreams of culinary school or a family member who spends Sundays washing and cutting fruits and veggies, this makes for an excellent gift.

21. For the Fancy Friend: Markham Square Decanter and Glasses

If you have a friend who loves bringing back Scotch from trips abroad, or you’re shopping for someone who frequently drinks whiskey and bourbon at home, they’ll love this crystal decanter that comes with two cocktail glasses. It looks beautiful on a bar cart or mantle and is the perfect showcase for whatever spirit they’re obsessed with at the moment. It comes with two classic wedge-cut glasses for neat pours and cocktails. All are made with high-quality crystalline and the set comes in a ready-to-go gift box, which is why they’re my favorite cocktail glasses.

22. For the Margarita Lover: Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender

The key to a great frozen Strawberry Margarita? A good blender for frozen drinks. When concocting frozen cocktails, I use my trusty Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender. Super powerful, it also has a speed dial that gives complete control for the smoothest blends. It’s a bit of an investment, but it crushes through ice like no other and it’s something your giftee will have for years. Plus, they can use it for soups and smoothies, making it super versatile.

23. For the List Maker: Recipe Journal

If you’re shopping for a home cook who loves experimenting with their own recipes, this is a fun gift. The Recipe Journal has space to note ratings, hints, and tips for each recipe tried, plus blank lists to note favorite recipes, restaurants to try, and more. It comes in one of eight colors and has a silk paper finish. You can even add the recipient’s name to the cover for a personalized touch. This is one of my go-to gifts, and people really love it!

24. For Literally Everyone: Macarons or Chocolate (or Both!)

If you’re heading to a holiday party and are stumped on what to bring the host, we recommend fancy treats. I’m obsessed with Chelles Macarons! They are life-changing! Before trying them never cared for macarons. They’re not only a great hostess gift, but they’re perfect for close friends, coworkers, your children’s teachers, and really anyone on your list. You can opt for the signature assortment or choose your own flavors and packaging.

Godiva chocolates are another great hostess gift. The classic Belgian chocolates come in dozens of flavors and arrive in gorgeous boxes, no gift wrapping required. 

Buy the Chelles Macarons:

Buy the Godiva Chocolate Gold Gift Box:

25. For the Pasta Lover: MARCATO Atlas 150 Pasta Machine

Food & Wine named this pasta machine the best overall. No other hand-held machine cranks out spaghetti, linguine, lasagna, or fettuccine noodles like this sturdy and long-lasting pasta machine. It’s sturdy and reliable, though it does take a little practice to get it just right. Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with other attachments that make pasta in different shapes. Let the giftee know about this recipe for Traditional Lasagna—they’ll be thanking you over and over again!

Buy the MARCATO Atlas 150 Pasta Machine:

26. For the Pasta Lover: Zen Table Japan Handmade Mortar & Pestle Set

I have loved my full-size lava rock molcajete for grinding up herbs and spices, but I was introduced to this small Japanese one by Alice Waters, author of The Art of Simple Food, and I absolutely adore it. It is made by a Japanese pottery artist named Akiko Kato in Japan and it’s great for smashing cloves of garlic, seeds, or small amounts of chiles for salsas and salad dressings. The ceramic matte materials and finish are so beautiful that you’ll be tempted to leave it out on the counter all the time.

Buy the Zen Table Japan Handmade Mortar & Pestle Set:

Prices were accurate at time of publication. 

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