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Food processors are basically magic. They can do almost anything, slice and dice virtually any fruit or veggie, and help make some seemingly-impossible culinary feats (hello gluten-free pizza dough) look effortless. And, best of all, some of the best food processors are actually super affordable and easy to use.
Food prep is often the most time-consuming part of getting a meal together, but using a food processor is a great way to whip up a homemade meal in a fraction of the time. Unlike blenders, which need liquid in order to fully blend together ingredients, food processors can be used to chop and grind things up without liquid in the mix. Smaller food processors, like mini-choppers, are great for small-scale tasks like mincing garlic or chopping nuts, while other mid-to large sized processors are better for more involved projects like making dough or pie crust. If you're shopping for a food processor for the first time, it's good to also look for models that offer unique attachments that help you tap into the total potential food processors have to offer.
Whether you're a seasoned foodie or you're just the kind of cook who likes to get in and get out as quickly as possible, food processors are a multi-tasker's dream come true. And these nine food processors are some of the best out there.
1
An Eight-Cup Food Processor That's Incredibly Affordable
Black+Decker 8-Cup Food Processor, $17, Amazon
This affordable 8-cup processor offers all the benefits of a quality food processor at a fraction of the cost. Equipped with a 450 watt motor, plus a stainless steel chopping blade, slicer, shredder, food chute with pusher, and safety interlocking system, this dishwasher-safe model can bring your cooking game to a whole other level.
2
A 12-Cup Processor That's Like Having A Whole Kitchen Full Of Tools In One Appliance
Braun FP3020 12 Cup Food Processor, includes 7 Attachment Blades + Chopper and Citrus Juicer, $159, Amazon
If you're someone who loves to cook meals from scratch on the regular, this high-powered, 12-cup processor needs to be in your cart, like yesterday. It has seven blades (including one specifically for making latkes), a chopper and juicer attachment, and pre-set speed functions to ensure you always get the results you want. It's like having a whole kitchen worth of tools all rolled into one.
3
A 16-Cup Food Processor That's Like Having Your Own Sous Chef
Breville Sous Chef Food Processor, $400, Amazon
This is the food processor you want if you have large volumes of food to work with and you're ready to invest some serious dough. It's worth it though, because this 16-cup bowl has an extra-large feed tube for veggies of all sizes, plus a small cup bowl for dicing or pureeing smaller amounts. It also comes with multiple discs, including for julienne-cuts, whisking, and French fry cutting, and features an LCD timer so you can plan projects with confidence.
4
A Mini Processor That's Perfect For Sauces & Dressings
KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Mini Food Processor, $33, Amazon
Not all food processors are designed for chopping up a farmer's market worth of fresh vegetables. Many, like this 3.5 cup mini processor, are actually better for perfecting your own sauce, hummus, and dressing recipes. Featuring a pour sprout, drizzle basin, locking blade, and handle, this dishwasher-safe processor also makes it easy to spread blends on a variety of scrumptious foods without worrying about spillage.
5
An 11-Cup Processor That Helps You Slice Through Complicated Food Prep In No Time
Cuisinart Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor, $132, Amazon
Sometimes you need a quick way to chop up a huge AF pile of veggies, or shred a giant block of cheese, and that's where this 11-cup food processor comes in handy. Featuring an extra-large feeder tube for slicing through large food items, plus a spatula, shredding discs, and blades for chopping and making dough, this processor is fully loaded to make large-scale cooking projects a piece of cake.
6
A 10-Cup Food Processor With A Built-In Scraper
Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, with Bowl Scraper, $37, Amazon
On average, food processors are a tremendous time-saving resource, but having to start and stop a processor several times to scrape down the sides of a mixing bowl can be an annoying task that adds to rather than reduces prep time. Luckily, this 10-cup processor with a built-in scraper was designed to dislodge food stuck on the sides all on its own, so you don't have to pause or put prep on hold. It also comes with multiple blades, a large feed chute, and is dishwasher safe for easy clean-ups.
7
A Travel-Size Food Chopper For When You Need To Mince Veggies
Proctor Silex 1-1/2-Cup Food Chopper, $15, Amazon
Mincing garlic shouldn't be as aggravating to do as it actually is, but with this small food chopper, you can make it the most pain-free part of your cooking experience. Featuring a pulse function, clear work bowl and stable base, this chopper is also a great investment if you don't normally cook with a lot of vegetables.
8
A 12-Cup Food Processor With A Blender Attachment
DeLonghi DFP950 Die-cast 3-in-1 Food Processor, Blender, Scale, $300, Amazon
This is an innovative combination 12-cup processor-blender that is really unique compared to other models. The 50-ounce blender is ideal for smoothies and other mixed drinks, while its interlocking safety system keeps the motor from running if the lid and base aren’t fully locked into place. Other highlights of this multi-speed processor include serrated stainless steel chopping blade, a whisk, a dough tool, shred discs, and a weighing tray.
9
A 2-Cup Processor That Makes It Easy To Crush, Chop, & Blend Almost Anything
Ninja Master Prep Chopper, Blender, Food Processor, $35, Amazon
"It slices and dices and crushes ice like an angry Ninja in a room full of worthless punks. In English, it does a wonderful job! I have NO complaints," raves one reviewer of this two-cup processor, which has a pour sprout, anti-spill splash guard, convenient travel jars, and a no-slip base. This compact food processor is also perfect for small kitchens without much counter space.
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