Food Processors

Make Meal Prep Easier with Food Processors & Choppers

Today's food processors do much more than chop ingredients. Many include built-in scales, smart functions and a range of attachments for mixing, slicing, shredding and kneading dough. For example, you can quickly make fresh pesto, pizza dough, coleslaw, or even homemade hummus with just a few steps. Some models can also make soups, sauces, dressings and smoothies, making it easier to prepare meals like potato leek soup or a creamy salad dressing. Features like bowl scrapers help make clean-up easier.

What can I do with my food processor?

A food processor can help with a wide range of kitchen tasks, making food prep faster and easier. Depending on the model and attachments, you can:

• Chop vegetables, herbs and nuts.
• Knead bread, pizza and pastry dough.
• Grate or shred cheese.
• Whip dips, sauces and dressings.
• Puree soups and baby food.
• Incorporate butter into dry ingredients efficiently instead of in a bowl.
• Grind spices in big batches.
• Prepare ingredients for salads, baking and everyday meals.

Well suited for families, households that meal prep for the week, or those that entertain regularly. A food chopper may be enough if you are cooking for one or two people, and mainly need help chopping onions, herbs, nuts and vegetables.

What attachments should I look for in a food processor?

Common attachments include chopping blades, slicing discs, grating discs, dough blades and whisk attachments.

Is a food processor the same as a blender?

No, you use a food processor for tasks such as chopping vegetables, grating cheese, and kneading dough. Blenders are generally better suited to liquids and used to make smoothies, shakes and soups.

Looking for a 2-in-1 appliance that does both? A blender and food processor combo not only helps you save space, but can also do various blending and processing tasks by providing separate containers and blades for each function. Popular options available at Harvey Norman are Kenwood MultiPro Compact, Kenwood MultiPro Go Blend or OneTouch, Ninja Stealth IQ Kitchen System, and Ninja Detect Kitchen System.

What can you use instead of a food processor?

Depending on the task, you may be able to use a food chopper, blender, stand mixer, grater or mandoline instead of a food processor. However, a food processor combines many of these functions, model-dependent, into one convenient appliance.

Can I use a chopper instead of a food processor?

Yes, for quick chopping tasks, an electric mini chopper is good to have in your arsenal. But if you need something that can slice, dice, chop, shred, mix, puree and knead, then a food processor is usually the better option.

What capacity food chopper or processor do I need?

• For singles, couples, or as a secondary quick-prep gadget: a 0.4 to 1L (1.5 - 4 cups) capacity is all you will really need.
• Small households of 2-4 people would gain from owning a 1 - 2.5L capacity appliance.
• Larger families, or if you frequently batch cook, will benefit from a 2.6L - 4L capacity food processor.

If you mainly need help with quick prep work, a vegetable chopper can be a convenient and space-saving option. For more versatility and larger quantities, consider a food processor instead.