The kitchen is one of our favorite places to be as a family; cooking, baking entertaining, snacking, family dinners, homework, coffee chats. The kitchen is definitely the hub of our household and I know we’re not alone. The right tools make a big difference and I’ve been thinking recently that we need to refresh some of our own kitchen gadgets. I started doing some research on the latest and greatest tools and keeping a list of what I wanted to purchase for the upcoming year for ourselves and also as gifts for friends and family.

My husband and I will be married 19 years in April (wow) and we still have many of the kitchen tools and gadgets that we received as wedding gifts. Some of them are getting old and need replacing but trends and life circumstances also change (ahem, two teens) so updates are not only fun but necessary. The right kitchen tools can help you stay consistent with your healthy habits by making it easier to prep, cook and store healthier options. In addition, they help you run your kitchen and baking or cooking projects more efficiently. Honestly, for me, the quicker I can get in and out of the kitchen, the better!

What have I had my eye on? Quite a few items, actually, but I am especially excited about a tea pot that is basically indestructible (I’ve gone through quite a few) and some avocado accessories to help make processing and storing avocados easier. There are also a few items that will make great gifts especially for my husband who is the real kitchen master.

My Top New Kitchen Gadget Picks for 2021

Le Creuset 2.25 Quart Saucepan

We own a few Le Creuset pans and dishes and they are incredibly versatile and durable. They are also expensive so we’ve slowly collected them over the years or received as gifts. I’ve had my eye on the 2.25 quart saucepan in this gorgeous deep blue color. It’s just the size I’ve been looking for and I love that it can go from stovetop to the oven.

Dreamfarm Supoon

I love the smaller version of this spoon because it’s the perfect size for getting into condiment jars and scraping out the last bits so you’re not wasting any product. The larger version is great for scraping pans, bowls and it can also be used for measuring and serving. I love a multi-purpose tool!

Staub Tea Kettle

I drink tea instead of coffee so the tea pot is my tool of choice for my morning beverage. I have been through quite a few kettles and finally decided to search for one that would last, well, forever. Even some of the nicer ones eventually rust and break down after daily usage. This Staub tea kettle is made of cast iron so I’m guessing is pretty much indestructible.

Hamilton Beach Single Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker

With two teens in the house, we make (no, buy) a lot of breakfast sandwiches. I’ve had my eye on the breakfast sandwich maker because I’d like to occasionally be able to make them from home without creating a zillion dishes. It looks easy to use, clean and store and I’m hoping it’s enough of novelty that my kids will compelled to start making their sandwiches at home more often.

Simple Spreader Butter Spreader Knife

No one likes trying to spread cold butter on a nice warm piece of toast. This simple little tool solves that problem. We actually keep our butter at room temperature*, which makes it so much easier to spread but this is perfect for when we take a new stick out of the fridge.

*You can safely keep butter at room temperature with a few easy tips. 1) Keep in a butter dish or crock that protects from air and light. 2) Only keep salted butter at room temperature as the salt acts as a preservative. 3) Don’t store it in a hot kitchen for too long. If the temp in your kitchen is consistently above 70 degrees, you may want to keep your butter in the fridge. 4) Don’t leave out more butter than you’ll use in two weeks. Two weeks is about the maximum time butter will stay fresh a room temperature.

GuacLock by Casabella

My daughter and I eat a lot of avocados and I like to make enough guacamole or smashed avocado (for avocado toast) to last a couple days but keeping it from browning is a constant challenge. I was really excited to see this storage container specifically for keeping guacamole fresh.

8-in-1 Kitchen Tool by Butefo

While I don’t really need this particular tool for my own kitchen, I thought it would be a great housewarming gift for someone living in a small space or with a kitchen with limited storage. I love that of the pieces stack together neatly so you’re not searching around your drawers for the right tool.

Chefn’ Strawberry Huller

I’ve been procrastinating on buying one of these, but I like that it removes the parts you don’t want without removing the parts that you do and makes processing strawberries easier. This is sure to be a hit with my son and if gets him to eat more fruit, it’s a win-win!

OXO 3-in-1 Avocado Tool

Back to our love of the avocado. Removing the pit can be a little daunting and this tool helps you safely cut open, remove the pit and slice your avocado. Again, I love a convenient, space-saving, multi-purpose tool.

OXO Mini Measuring Cups

These little mini measuring cups are perfect for measuring out and pouring small amounts of liquid without risking spillage. I like that they stack neatly together and will fit easily in any kitchen drawer.

Chefn’ Cob Corn Stripper

We always end up with leftover corn and I like using it salads and other recipes but do not like cutting it off the cob. It makes a mess and I’m concerned that the cob will slip and I’ll end up cutting myself. I was happy to see that there is a tool that does that easily and safely without the mess.

Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer and Dispenser

I’m finally going to buy one of these pancake mixer/dispenser bottles. It’s a simple design and concept that I’m hoping saves dishes and some time. I like that you can also use it to mix and dispense muffins and cupcakes.

Chefn’ Stem Stripper

We use a lot of fresh herbs and leafy greens and this little tool is super handy at efficiently stripping the stem of the usable parts. No more cilantro stems in my guacamole!

Simple Human Touchless Soap Dispenser

Finally! A soap dispenser for the kitchen that doesn’t quit in six months. This version is touch-free which is super handy when you’re washing hands after handling raw meat. One charge can last up to 3 months and it comes in five finishes to match your kitchen. You can find the less-expensive, pump-version here.

Cave Tools Pulled Pork Shredder

My kids and husband really like pulled pork sandwiches and shredding the meat with two forks has always been a bit awkward and using your fingers while the meat is still hot, umm, hurts. The design of this tool will make shredding easier without burning my fingers or messing up my forks.

Chefn’ Garlic Zoom Garlic Chopper

We use a lot of garlic; sometimes I’m peeling and chopping up to 10-15 garlic cloves for just one meal prep. Anything to help make this process quicker and easier, I’m all for it. I also like that it keeps the garlic oils off of your cutting board.

Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker, Broil, Dehydrate, Slow Cook, Air Fryer, and More, with a Stainless Finish

After losing my Crockpot in a freak accident, I’ve decided to upgrade to the Ninja Foodie. I’m not really sure how one appliance can effectively do so many things but I’m willing to try it out. I’m especially interested in trying out the air fryer and pressure cooker functions and this larger size 8 quart size is perfect for entertaining.

Vitamix Immersion Blender

I’ve had my immersion blender since we were married and it’s time for an upgrade. It was great for starting out but I want a more professional version since I use it so often. I like the stainless steel design and that it has five speeds.

OXO Handheld Mandoline

We actually have a full-sized mandoline but it’s a little bit of a production setting it up, breaking it down and cleaning it. I want the handheld version for smaller projects, everyday projects and I’ll leave the larger mandoline for our special cooking projects (i.e. this unbelievable au gratin potatoes my husband makes for Christmas Day dinner).

Kochblume Spill Stopper

One of my biggest kitchen pet peeves is when something boils over on the stove. It’s a pain to clean and it disrupts the flow in the kitchen. This simple little tool is supposed to stop that from happening and it’s gotten some pretty positive feedback!

*This post may contain affiliate links