Think You're Too Busy to Cook? Not With These Time-Saving Kitchen Tools

Is it possible that a single device can grill, roast, bake, broil, air crisp, and dehydrate? Yep, if we're talking about the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill ($300). Whether you're craving homemade kale chips, grilled cheese with a perfect golden crust, or air-cooked vegetables, this smart little appliance does it all. "Oh, but that sounds like a mess to clean up," you might be thinking. "I don't have an hour for that." Not even close! Its ceramic nonstick parts are dishwasher safe — no scrubbing required.

Perfect for anyone living solo, the KitchenAid 5-Cup Food Chopper ($65) is a well-built food processor that's compact enough to leave out on the counter. And how does that save time, you ask? Well, it chops, mixes, and purees like the big boys, but its smaller size makes it convenient for a host of kitchen tasks. Once you see how quickly it dices onions, you'll recognize it as the huge time saver it is.

Full-size blenders can do so many things — but it's not always practical to bring them out for Thursday dinner. When a meal needs to be on the table in a flash, you can't go wrong with the KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender ($100). This cordless blender has variable speeds, a pan guard to protect cookware, and a long-lasting battery to help you make multiple meals without recharging.

Too busy to make a healthy breakfast? Upgrade from your doughnuts-on-the-run routine and make a healthy smoothie in just a few minutes. With the NutriBullet Nutrient Extractor ($65), whipping up a nutritious plant-based meal is easy and quick — it even comes with a handy mug so you can take your smoothie on the road.

If you drink sparkling soda, juice, or water, you need the SodaStream Fizzi One-Touch Sparkling Water Maker ($100, originally $130). Instead of picking up (and spending money on) drinks at the store, you can just make your own at home. Less waste created, less time wasted — and just as much to sip.

If you have mastered the art of opening wine with a corkscrew, just keep scrolling. For the rest of us, this Cuisinart Cordless Wine Opener ($30) is a smart investment. With a single touch, it uncorks a bottle quickly and smoothly. Is it going to save hours of time? No — but it sure does get you back to the party sooner, and that's worth something.

You could spend an hour stirring risotto over a hot stove, or you could just toss the ingredients in your Instant Pot 8 qt. Pro Multi-Use Pressure Cooker ($150) and let the machine do the work. Justifiably beloved by those who already own an Instant Pot, this may be the most versatile small appliance in the entire kitchen, in part because it saves on cooking and cleanup time. (But also because it makes cooking, well, really attainable.)

Life's too short to spend time scraping dried egg from a frying pan. That's why nonstick pans like those found in the Blue Diamond Nonstick Ceramic 2-Piece Frying Pan Set ($40) are a stealthy time saver. Not only does this diamond-infused surface cook food evenly, but it also makes cleanup just as smooth.

If the Instant Pot isn't quite what you're looking for, consider the Ninja Foodi 6.5 qt. 11-in-1 Pro Pressure Cooker + Air Fryer ($200). Like the Instant Pot, it offers a host of speedy cooking modes (slow cook, pressure cook, and so forth). Uniquely, however, it offers an air-fry crisp option for a perfect finish. If chicken is your thing, for example, you can pressure-cook frozen meat in as little as 20 minutes, then complete it with a golden, crispy finish.

You know what's way faster than trekking to the local coffee shop? Pulling your own shot at home. You don't need to be a hipster barista to master the Breville The Barista Express BES870XL Espresso Machine ($700), which grinds and prepares beans for a flawless at-home espresso. Not cheap, but if you buy a $5 latte every day, this machine will pay for itself before summer.