You always hear how busy/crazy/hectic mom life can be, but it becomes a whole lot more real when you’re in the throes of it yourself. There’s always something to do, somewhere to be, and someone who is waking up too early in the morning.

In my years as a parent, I’ve learned that the trick to avoiding constant mental breakdowns is using little hacks to make mom life a little bit easier. The more little hacks you apply to your life, the better!

If you can’t afford a personal chef (like probably most of us), then one way to make your life a little easier is with awesome kitchen gadgets. You may already have some of these, and some may be new to you, but they would all help make meal prep a little quicker and more convenient.

1. George Foreman Grill & Panini Press

This George Foreman Grill is the catalyst for super easy AND super delicious meals. I own this one, and I use it for grilling meat and making hot sandwiches. 

Making paninis at home with this grill has probably saved us a lot of money, even if it means Firehouse Subs is making a little less. (Side note: my favorite panini to make is with ranch dressing instead of mayo, turkey, bacon, provolone, and cheddar cheese, and sliced tomatoes. Butter both sides, grilled on this good ol’ gadget, and prepare to be amazed.)

Features:

• Removable plates (dishwasher-safe)
• Quick heat up
• Easy cleanup
• Non-stick

2. Ninja Veggie Chopper

Need to sneak veggies into your dinners? Skip the cutting board and stick your veggies in this electric chopper for quick and convenient dinner prep. The Ninja Veggie Chopper can mince, grind, blend, and chop vegetables, as well as cheese, nuts, dressings, spreads, sauces, and more. 

Features:

• 200-watts
• Holds 16 ounces
• Easy to use and clean
• Dishwasher-safe

3. Pancake & Cupcake Batter Dispenser

I was floored when I saw this pancake and cupcake batter dispenser. This is the gadget I always wanted but never knew I was looking for. While I don’t own it yet, it is on my wishlist and will soon be part of my kitchen gadget family. 

This dispenser makes pouring batter easier, cleaner, and more accurate. It can help you to make your cupcake, muffin, or pancake portions more even. Chunky batter can fit through the dispenser as well, making it perfect for your favorite muffin recipe. 

Features: 

• 4-cup capacity
• ¾ inch, leak-free dispenser
• BPA-free
• Easy to use & clean
• No-break, easy pull handle

4. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

If you don’t own an Instant Pot yet, it’s time to drop what you’re doing and order one! I know some people are reluctant because they’re unsure how it works, but it is easy to use (once you figure out what you’re doing) and is perfect for those days when it’s 3:00, and you realize your soup was supposed to sit in the Crock-Pot for at least five hours…

Just be sure you read the instructions before using your Instant Pot for the first time, and then it’ll be smooth sailing every time you cook after that.

This Instant Pot is the newer version of the one I own. I mostly use mine for cooking up chicken, roast, and soups, but you can use it to cook rice, hard boil eggs, make yogurt, and so much more. 

Features: 

• 8-quarts
• Dishwasher-safe
• Easy to use
• Automatic pressure & temperature control
• Great for meal prep

5. Air Fryer

Have you ever tasted food made in an air fryer? It almost seemed too good to be true before I used it for the first time, and I was blown away that fries could be tasty without being drenched in oil. We finally started eating leftover pizza and fries because they taste so much better reheated in the air fryer than the microwave.

You can use the air fryer for a variety of cooking, whether you simply want to reheat yesterday’s grilled cheese sandwich for the kids or make crispy chicken wings. Just don’t expect it to do the work of a deep fryer; I’ve come to think of it more as a crisper than a fryer. It does an excellent job at crisping and cooking a variety of foods. 

Features: 

• 5.8 quarts
• Safe materials (PFOA & BPA free)
• Dishwasher-safe (basket only)
• Easy-to-use digital controls

6. Electric Cooker for Eggs (Hard Boiled, Poached, Scrambled, and More!)

Is it just me, or is it hard to get hard-boiled eggs just right? I love that this gadget can just do all the work, and there’s no guessing whether or not the eggs are done. You can also scramble eggs, make omelets, create poached eggs, and more. The auto shut-off feature keeps eggs from over-cooking, which is perfect for any distracted mama. If you’re an egg-loving family, this will make your life so much easier!

Features:

• Cooks up to 6 eggs at a time
• Easy cleanup
• Auto shut-off function
• Lightweight
• Compact

7. Electric Griddle

An electric griddle is one of those must-have kitchen gadgets that will make you feel like an actual adult. Not because it’s necessary to have this to be an adult, but you’ll find yourself at a playdate saying something like, “Oh yeah, I never really lived until I got my griddle.” And that’s when you know you’ve arrived at true adulthood…you nerd out over kitchen gadgets.

I went for years without a griddle, and I truly regret it! The griddle saves sooo much time. Instead of cooking one pancake at a time with your one-year-old pulling at your pants, desperate for a pancake and your attention, you can cook 5 (or more) at a time. My griddle has saved me from my pancake-making funk, but it’s also great for grilled sandwiches, French toast, bacon, and more.

Features: 

• Non-stick
• Fully immersible (with heat control removed)
• Removable latch clips
• Heavy cast aluminum base to prevent warping

8. KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Does a KitchenAid mixer remind you of your Grandma, like it does me? I always remember seeing her KitchenAid sitting on her counter, and she always made the best goodies. And now, I own her KitchenAid. I have no idea how old it is, but I definitely remember peeking at it when I was shorter than the counter, and I’m now in my mid-thirties. That gives you an idea of how long these almost magical machines last!

KitchenAids are pricey, but they’ll last much longer than a lil electric hand mixer (though I love having both). They can also do SO much more than a hand mixer. The KitchenAid comes with your classic wire whip, a burnished flat beater (which I love using to make frosting), and a spiral dough hook. However, there are more than 15 attachments you can hook up to this baby.

Tip: If a particular color is out of stock, check if another color is in stock.

Features:

• 575-watts and 120-volts
• Comes with a 6-qt stainless steel bowl, wire whip, burnished flat beater, spiral dough hook, and pouring shield
• Multipurpose attachment hub
• Bowl-lift

9. Electric Citrus Juicer

There’s nothing like fresh-squeezed orange juice, but juicing by hand can take forrreverrr and fresh bottles from the store cost about half the price or as much as this electric juicer.

This gadget will help you juice in a jiffy while also extracting as much juice as possible. You can also stop pouring your liquid in a measuring cup as you go since the container provides measurements.

Features:

• Adjustable pulp control
• Pulp basket that makes it easy to save pulp or throw it out
• Easy-to-read measurements
• Spout for clean pouring
• Hassle-free cord storage
• Dishwasher-safe

10. Ninja Professional Plus Blender

Do you remember that scene from Father of the Bride where the daughter gets super upset because her fiance buys her a blender as a wedding gift? That right there is how you tell the difference between a mom and a newly engaged woman, right?! Honestly, I’d be ecstatic if my husband gifted me with an awesome blender without me even telling him to.

I love having a Ninja Blender. I bought one probably six years ago and had to replace it because of a problem with the lid last year. I bought a cheaper blender with decent reviews from Walmart just to be thrifty, and it couldn’t even manage to blend a smoothie. I quickly went back to Ninja!

There’s a lot of hype about other more expensive types of blenders, but the Ninja is a powerful, less expensive option. You may just need to use “ice crush” if you want your secret spinach to be less noticeable in your smoothie.

Features: 

• 110-volts and 1400-watts
• 3-tier blade for even blending
• 72 oz. (64 oz. max liquid capacity)
• BPA-free

11. Popcorn Popper

Are you a popcorn lover? If you are, you need this popcorn popper in your life, and if you’re not a big popcorn fan, using this popper may make you change your mind. 

My husband and I were gifted a similar popcorn popper for our wedding, and we still use it WEEKLY…over seven years later! Homemade popcorn is so much better than popcorn from the bag! 

Just add kernels to the popcorn popper, stick it in the microwave for a few minutes, then season with butter and salt, and you’ll have a delicious snack without all the preservatives of bagged popcorn.

Features: 

• 1.5 quart snack size or 3 quart family size
• Made of temp safe glass
• Lid measures popcorn kernels
• Easy to clean

12. Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker/Steamer

Do you ever just run out of room on your stove? This multi-cooker/steamer is great for those nights when there are just too many pots in the kitchen…which is just about every night over here. 

You can use this super convenient gadget to steam, roast, boil, stew, and fry, so you can make anything from steamed veggies to your favorite deep-fried comfort food. And then you can stick it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

Features:

• 5-quart capacity
• Dishwasher-safe
• Tempered glass lid
• Non-stick surface
• Steam/fry basket

13. Professional Electric Slicer/Shredder

How much easier would cooking be if you didn’t have to do all the slicing and shredding by hand? Try this electric slicer and shredder to make cooking SO much easier with the option to slice or shred fruit, vegetables, and cheese. You can even chop nuts and make bread or cracker crumbs.

Features:

• 114-watts
• Easy to use
• Large food chamber
• Some parts are dishwasher-safe

14. Rice Cooker and Food Steamer

If you’re still using a pot for cooking your rice, you need this rice cooker STAT! It’s so convenient, and it makes the best rice. And all you have to do is pour in the rice and some water, cover it, push a button, and voila! Around twenty minutes later, you have perfectly cooked rice. You can also add veggies to the steaming basket while cooking the rice to add to your meal.

Features: 

• 6-cup capacity (but works well for smaller portions as well)
• Non-stick rice pot
• Automatic “Keep Warm”
• Steaming basket on top 
• Measuring cup and spoon included

15. Food Processor & Vegetable Chopper

Do you ever find yourself wanting to make an immaculate meal, but it requires SO. MUCH. CHOPPING? This food processor and vegetable chopper will save the day, or at least your dinner prep. It makes chopping a breeze, and you don’t have to be intimidated by all the parts thanks to the user-friendly design.

Features:

• 450-watt motor
• 12-cup capacity
• Blades, lid, and bowl are dishwasher-safe
• Simple stack and snap assembly

16. Dash Mini Electric Griddle

Um, where has this been all my life?! This adorable mini electric griddle makes individual portions of your favorite meals and treats. You can whip up a single serving chocolate cookie, pancake, burger, egg, grilled sandwich, and more. So when you’re NOT sharing with the kids, use this mini-masterpiece of a gadget for cooking up something delicious just for you. 

Features:

• Compact and lightweight
• 350 watt
• Dual non-stick surfaces
• Easy to use
• Quick to heat up

And that’s a wrap! We hope these kitchen gadgets rock your world and make mom life a little easier!