Some days you want to cook, but you do not want the work. The good news is that the right kitchen tool can turn lazy cooking into real meals with fewer steps, less chopping, and faster cleanup.
This guide focuses on time saving kitchen tools and kitchen gadget picks that help home cooks make cooking easier without turning the kitchen sink into a disaster zone.
If you are trying to cook more at home, these cooking tools and cooking utensils can cut prep time, cook food faster, and keep your favorite recipes simple enough to repeat.
The lazy-cook rule: choose an essential kitchen gadget that saves time in the kitchen
A useful gadget is not just “cool kitchen” stuff. It should do at least one of these things:
- Reduce chop and slice work (vegetable chopper, mandoline, peeler)
- Cook food faster (air fryer, pressure cooker, instant pot, microwave tools)
- Cut dishes (dishwasher safe tools, easy to clean surfaces, parchment paper)
- Improve accuracy so you do not redo a recipe (measuring cup, kitchen scale)
If a kitchen gadget does none of that, it is just taking space in your kitchen accessories drawer.
Instant Pot or pressure cooker: pots and pans shortcuts in a fraction of the time
An instant pot (a popular pressure cooker style) is one of those “set it and forget it” cooking tools. You can make soup, stew, soups, shredded chicken for tacos, rice, beans, or even hard-boiled eggs with less babysitting than boiling water on a pot.
Why it helps lazy cooking:
- Cooks food quickly in a fraction of the time
- Great for make soup nights and batch meals
- One pot means fewer dishes, especially if you put the insert in the dishwasher (if your model allows it)
Lazy tip: pick 2–3 staple recipes and rotate them. It becomes a staple in my kitchen kind of appliance fast.
Air fryer: roast faster with less mess
An air fryer is a time saver for anyone who wants to roast veggies, cook frozen foods, or make quick chicken without turning the oven into a full project. Use it for a fast roast dinner, reheating leftovers, or crisping up food cooks evenly with less oil.
Why it works:
- Faster than many ovens for small batches
- Easier cleanup than greasy pans
- Great for lazy cooking nights when you are feeling lazy but still want a hot meal
Lazy tip: use parchment paper (or air fryer liners made for your basket) to make it easier to clean.
Mandoline or vegetable chopper: slice and chop without the effort
If prep time is what kills your motivation to cook, get help with slicing and chopping. A mandoline is great for consistent slice results (potatoes, onions, cucumbers). A vegetable chopper is better if you hate knife work and just want chopped onions, peppers, or tomatoes fast.
Why it helps:
- Cuts chop time dramatically
- Makes salads, stir-fries, and sheet-pan meals realistic on low-energy days
- Great for home cooks who want the right tools for repeatable results
Safety note: use the guard and do not rush. The best kitchen gadget is the one that does not send you to urgent care.
Garlic press and minced garlic upgrades: sauce faster, less smell on your hands
If you love cooking but hate prep, a garlic press earns its spot. It turns cloves into minced garlic quickly for sauces, soups, and marinades.
What to look for:
- Stainless steel build
- Easy to clean design (some pop open for rinsing)
- Dishwasher safe if you want to put them in the dishwasher every time
Lazy tip: use a press on peeled cloves, then scrape into the sauce pan. Done.
Immersion blender: make soup and sauces right in the pot
A blender you do not need to lift and wash a big jar? Yes. An immersion blender is one of my favorite appliances for lazy cooking. You can puree soups, mix sauces, and even whip small batches without transferring hot liquid.
Why you may want to get an immersion blender:
- Blends directly in the pot
- Less cleanup than a traditional blender jar
- Great for creamy soups, tomato sauce, and quick emulsions
Lazy tip: blend, rinse the blender head, and you are basically finished.
Nonstick pan, lid, and silicone spatula: fewer stuck bits, faster cleanup
Sometimes the best time saving kitchen tools are basic: a reliable nonstick pan, a good lid, and a spatula that actually works. Add silicone cooking utensils so you do not scratch surfaces, and you will spend less time scrubbing.
Why it matters:
- Less stuck-on food, easier to clean
- Faster weeknight eggs, stir-fries, and quick sautés
- Silicone tools are gentle and often dishwasher safe
Lazy tip: keep one “default” pan you always reach for. Consistency makes you cook more.
Kitchen scale and measuring cup: cooking and baking without guesswork
For cooking or baking, accuracy can save time because you avoid do-overs. A kitchen scale is especially helpful for portioning rice, flour, and proteins. Pair it with a good measuring cup and you will get repeatable results for favorite recipes.
Why it helps:
- Faster than hunting for multiple measuring spoons sometimes
- Better consistency for cooking and baking
- Makes meal prep feel more automatic
Stand mixer: when you want the machine to do the work
A stand mixer (including a Kitchenaid stand mixer) is not only for baking sheet desserts. It can shred cooked meat, mix dough, whip potatoes, and handle big batches.
When it is worth it:
- You cook or bake often enough to justify the space
- You want hands-free mixing and consistent power
- You prefer tools that turn effort into button presses
Lazy tip: if you rarely bake, borrow one first or consider whether a hand mixer is enough.
Dishwasher safe and easy to clean wins: kitchen utensil set, wooden spoons, and smart add-ons
The real secret weapon for lazy cooking is cleanup. Look for:
- Dishwasher safe cooking utensils and a solid kitchen utensil set
- Silicone or stainless steel tools that do not stain easily
- A cutting board that rinses quickly and does not hold smells
- Parchment paper on a baking sheet to avoid scrubbing
Yes, wooden spoons feel great, but if you are in a season where you want to put them in the dishwasher, choose materials that can handle it.
Angry Mom microwave cleaner: the “why did I wait so long” kitchen gadget
If your microwave is a sauce splatter museum, the angry mom microwave cleaner style steam cleaner is a fun kitchen gadget that also works. Add water and vinegar, microwave it, then wipe. It is multipurpose kitchen energy: fewer chemicals, less scrubbing, faster results.
Quick “lazy cooking” starter list: essential kitchen tools that cover most meals
If you are building your perfect kitchen setup, start here:
- Air fryer
- Instant pot (pressure cooker)
- Nonstick pan + lid
- Silicone spatula + silicone cooking utensils
- Vegetable chopper or mandoline
- Garlic press
- Immersion blender
- Kitchen scale + measuring cup
- Parchment paper + baking sheet
- A few dishwasher safe cooking tools you actually use
This set covers breakfast, weeknight dinners, soups, roasting, and basic cooking or baking with less effort.
Conclusion: make cooking easier with time saving kitchen tools
Lazy cooking does not mean you never cook. It means you rely on time saving kitchen tools that reduce prep time, keep dishes manageable, and help you cook more often without burning out.
Pick one essential kitchen gadget that fixes your biggest pain point, then build from there. Your future self (and your kitchen sink) will thank you.
FAQ
FAQ 1: What are the best time saving kitchen tools for beginners?
Air fryer, instant pot, nonstick pan with lid, silicone spatula, garlic press, and a simple vegetable chopper are strong starter picks.
FAQ 2: Which kitchen gadget helps the most with lazy cooking?
For many home cooks, an air fryer or instant pot is the biggest time saver because it cooks food faster with less monitoring.
FAQ 3: How do I keep cleanup easy when I cook more at home?
Choose dishwasher safe cooking utensils, use parchment paper on baking sheets, and keep a small set of easy to clean tools you use daily.
