Chop
Chopping veggies for your weeknight dinners has never been easier. Toss in onions, carrots, and celery for a quick mirepoix base, essential for soups and stews. Or, get perfectly chopped tomatoes and cucumbers for a fresh salad.
Carrot and walnut salad
For a crunchy, fresh salad, start by chopping your carrots. Peel and cut the carrots into manageable pieces. Place them in the food processor fitted with the S-blade and pulse until they’re finely chopped. Toss the chopped carrots with walnuts, raisins, and a simple vinaigrette. Using a food processor keeps your fingers safe and your prep time short.
Salsa
Create a delicious, chunky salsa in minutes. Quarter tomatoes, onions, and capsicums, then place them in the food processor. Add garlic, coriander, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Pulse a few times until the salsa reaches your desired consistency. Serve with tortilla chips for a quick and tasty snack. It’s perfect for fast, fresh snacks without the mess.
Garlic and herb butter
Chop garlic and herbs effortlessly. Add peeled garlic cloves and fresh herbs like parsley and thyme to the food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Mix the chopped garlic and herbs with softened butter for a delicious spread perfect for bread or melting over steak.
Grind or Mince
What’s a food processor got to do with mince (which is already processed)? Ever tried making your own mince? It’s a game-changer. From beef to chicken, you can grind your preferred cut of meat and know exactly what’s in it. Mince garlic and ginger effortlessly for an aromatic curry base.
(Note: Food processors don’t technically grind – they mince using a sharp blade. But the result is very similar to grinding, with no need for a separate appliance.)
Homemade burger patties
Create your own minced meat for burger patties. Cut your choice of meat (like beef chuck) into chunks and place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This helps achieve a better grind. Fit the processor with the S-blade and pulse the meat until it reaches the desired consistency. Form patties and cook to perfection. Freshly ground meat means no additives, and you’ll have full control over texture.
Chicken meatballs
Minced chicken is perfect for meatballs. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Cut into pieces, partially freeze, and grind in the food processor. Combine the minced chicken with breadcrumbs, an egg, and your favourite seasonings. Shape into meatballs and bake. The family will feast on fresher, healthier meatballs – with minimal effort.
Nut butter
Making your own nut butter is simple and healthy. Roast your choice of nuts (like almonds or peanuts) and let them cool. Place them in the food processor and process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Add a pinch of salt or a drizzle of honey for extra flavour. And voilà – your delicious homemade nut butter is ready (and made just to your taste).
Puree
Whip up a smooth puree for your baby’s meals or create a rich, velvety soup. A food processor makes it easy to blend ingredients to your desired consistency. Think of homemade hummus – just blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic for a delicious dip.
Pumpkin soup
For a smooth, creamy soup, roast pumpkin chunks until tender. Let them cool slightly, then place them in the food processor with some chicken stock, sautéed onions, and garlic. Puree until smooth, then transfer to a pot to heat through. Add cream or coconut milk for richness.
Baby food
Making your baby food at home means it's fresh and free of preservatives. Steam vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, or peas until soft. Puree in the food processor with a bit of water until smooth. Store in small containers for convenient, healthy meals. Quick, homemade baby food gives you peace of mind and control over ingredients.
Hummus
Classic hummus is a breeze with a food processor. Blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil until smooth. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve with pita bread or fresh vegetables for a healthy snack.
Mix or blend
Making dough for bread or pastries? Let your food processor do the heavy lifting. Mix ingredients to a perfect consistency in minutes. For batters, it’s a quick blend to smooth to perfection.
Pancake batter
The trick to fluffy pancakes is all in the batter. Add flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and baking powder to the food processor. Blend until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Pour onto a hot griddle and cook until golden brown. Even better, try our classic apple pancake stack.
Pesto
Fresh pesto adds a burst of flavour to any dish, and if you’ve never had it homemade, then you’ve never seen it this vibrant. Combine basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in the food processor. Blend until smooth, and use it as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or a dip.
Pie crust
Making pie crust is simple with a food processor – quick and consistent; it takes the hassle out of pastry-making. Add flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter cubes to the processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ice water and pulse until the dough comes together. Roll out and use it in our blueberry lattice pie.
Shred or grate
Shredding cheese for pizza night? Your food processor can handle that in seconds. Grate vegetables like carrots and zucchini for salads or fritters. It’s fast and keeps your hands safe from nicks.
Cheese
Shredding cheese is quick and easy. Fit the processor with the shredding disc, add blocks of cheese through the feed tube, and let the machine do the work. Perfect for topping pizzas, tacos, or casseroles.
Coleslaw
For a crunchy coleslaw, shred cabbage and carrots in the food processor. Toss with a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Perfect for BBQs and picnics.
Potato pancakes
Grating potatoes for pancakes can be tedious. Use the shredding disc to grate potatoes quickly. Mix with egg, flour, and seasoning, then fry until crispy. Effortless grating means you’ll enjoy these crispy delights sooner.
Slice
Slicing potatoes for a gratin or cucumbers for a salad is a breeze with a food processor. You get uniform slices every time, making your dishes look as good as they taste.
Potato chips
Homemade potato chips are a healthier choice. Slice potatoes thinly using the slicing disc, then fry or bake until crispy. Season with salt or your favourite spices. Uniform slices ensure even cooking for the perfect crunch.
Fruit salad
You might wonder what is a food processor used for when cutting up delicate fruit? Well, on top of the time you’ll save, even slices make for a picture-perfect salad. For a refreshing fruit salad, slice fruits like apples, pears, and strawberries. Use the slicing disc to get even slices, then toss with a squeeze of lemon juice and a touch of honey.
Ratatouille
Slicing vegetables for ratatouille is a breeze. Slice zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes using the slicing disc. Layer them in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and bake until tender. Perfectly sliced veggies create a beautiful and delicious dish.
Knead
Whether it’s for a crusty bread or a delicate pastry, you’ll have perfectly kneaded dough in no time.
Bread dough
Making bread dough is simple. Combine flour, yeast, salt, and water in the food processor fitted with the dough blade. Process until the dough comes together, then knead for a few minutes. Let it rise, shape it to your taste, and bake. Easy.
Pizza dough
Homemade pizza dough is easy to make with a food processor. Add flour, yeast, olive oil, and water to the food processor fitted with the dough blade. Process until smooth and elastic, then let it rise before rolling out for your pizza base. This method ensures a consistent dough texture with very little effort.
Pastry dough
For perfect pastry dough, combine flour, butter, and a pinch of salt in the food processor. Add cold water and process until the dough forms. Chill, roll out, and use for pies and tarts. Using a food processor helps achieve a flaky, tender crust without overworking the dough. Bring the taste of Morocco home with our Kasbah pastries.
What size food processor is right for you?
KitchenAid has a great range of food processors – from our 3.5 and 5-cup food choppers to our 7, 9 and 13-cup food processors. There’s a size to suit everyone and they’re easy to use, clean and store.
Are you wondering which size is right for you? We’re here to help – check out our food processor comparison.
Small (3.5-5 cups)
Smaller food choppers that fit 3.5 or 5 cups are perfect for small tasks like chopping nuts or making small batches of pesto. Ideal for singles or couples.
Medium (7-9 cups)
Great for families, this size can handle most kitchen tasks, from slicing vegetables to mixing dough. Our 9-cup food processor has a four-bladed multipurpose blade that easily chops through the toughest ingredients – great for mincing and pureeing.
Large (13 cups)
Best for large families or those who entertain often. It can handle big batches of food, making meal prep quicker and easier. Our 13-cup food processor has an ExactSlice™ System, which allows you to slice six thicknesses with one disc.
Recap: What is a food processor?
A food processor is a time-saving kitchen appliance that uses blades and discs to chop, grate, puree, mix and knead your ingredients. It simplifies meal prep, making it faster and easier to create delicious homemade dishes that skip the store-bought additives and preservatives. From fresh salsas to homemade bread, whip up delicious recipes with just a few pulses of the button.
Looking for more inspiration? Dive into our food processor recipes.
FAQ
Is a food processor the same as a blender?
No, a food processor and a blender are different appliances. A food processor is designed for solid and semi-solid foods, perfect for chopping, slicing, and pureeing. On the other hand, a blender is best for liquids and creating smooth textures like soups and smoothies. Learn more with our guide to food processors vs blenders.
What can be used instead of a food processor?
If you don’t have a food processor, you can use tools like a blender, hand chopper, or even a grater and knife. These alternatives can handle some of the tasks, but may take more time and effort. Learn more about using a blender instead of a food processor.
Is it worth getting a food processor?
Yes, getting a food processor is worth it for its convenience and versatility. It saves time on prep work and expands your cooking capabilities, making it easier to prepare a variety of truly delicious dishes.
What should you not put in a food processor?
Avoid putting very hard items like bones or frozen foods, and sticky substances like thick dough that can strain the motor. It’s also best to avoid processing hot liquids to prevent splattering. What is a food processor good for? Well, basically anything else.
