22 Products That'll Help You Cook Faster

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Until we can live like the Jetsons, these products will help you get meals on the table faster.

BuzzFeed Staff

BTW: This includes a scoop!

Promising review: "This rice cooker is really a good microwave cooker. Makes delicious rice. Easy cleanup!" —Martha Kay

Get it from Amazon for $21.38.

Here's what BuzzFeed food writer Hannah Loewentheil has to say about it:

"I'd been contemplating buying an air fryer for quite some time, but it wasn't until I found myself cooking every night with my family due to COVID-19 that I finally decided it was the right time to get one. Friends of mine were raving about their new Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer, so after reading similar feedback on Amazon, I decided it looked like a winner. And it happens to be made by the same company that makes the crowd-favorite Instant Pot. I figured I would be using this appliance primarily as air air fryer, but as an added bonus, it can also roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate food.

I've had this air fryer for about three weeks now, and I can honestly say it's become the hero of my kitchen. It preheats quickly, it's large enough for a good amount of food at once, it's easy to clean, and it makes food taste crispy on the outside and moist on the inside without any oil. I've been using my air fryer to make vegetables just about every night and it makes them taste so good. If you're cooking for kids, picky eaters, or you just don't get so excited about eating vegetables, the air fryer could be perfect for you. If you like chicken, the air fryer might change your life, and I don't mean that to be dramatic. The air fryer produces restaurant-quality chicken that tastes absurdly decadent, except there's no oil involved in the cooking — just air. We also tried making sesame chicken in the air fryer using boneless skinless chicken thighs. The sesame chicken tasted almost identical to my favorite Chinese takeout, and it had nothing to do with my cooking skills. Thanks to the air fryer, the chicken gets so crispy. I couldn't believe I made this at home!!"

Get it from Amazon for $79.95+ (available in five sizes).

Check out the full review, plus some air fryer recipe suggestions for more!

Promising review: "This brings omelets to my weekday breakfast. I've been trying to eat a low-carb diet, and the idea of eggs for breakfast appeals to me. But, I am *so* NOT a morning person; and getting up early to stir a low-n-slow scramble just does not work for me. I've tried microwaving eggs in custard cups but they always turned out either soupy and underdone or firm but dry and rubbery. But this makes them Just Right, every time, in two minutes flat. That's less time than it takes me to brew my coffee. Two or three eggs, some herbs, a few chopped veggies, and perhaps a sprinkle of cheese makes for a quick, easy, and tasty breakfast." —Vanilla Chameleon

Get it from Amazon for $17.95.

It'll cook eggs, veggies, meats, and toast up English muffins, biscuits, and even small bagels. It comes with a recipe book and it's dishwasher safe!

Promising review: "The best small appliance I have ever bought! My husband buys the microwaveable egg sandwiches that are frozen and they are pretty expensive, especially when you buy enough for the month. He just grabs one and goes to work. So not only did this little gadget work as well as it said, it will save us money in the long run. The food is better since it's fresher, and I just couldn't believe it took five minutes. The sandwich was done and without all that messy frying and smelling up the house. Now, this is so easy. I want to buy one for my kids, the one at college and the newlywed. Also, the one here on Amazon was cheaper than the one I saw at the store and I had it in two days." —Mistie Morgan

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in six colors).

All you have to do is fill it with water based on your level of *egg doneness* and it will automatically shut off when your eggs are ready! And the removable parts are dishwasher safe.

Promising review: "If hard-boiled eggs are at all a part of your life, this device will change everything. Reclaim lost hours, catch up on missed TV, reconnect with old friends and family — anything is possible with the free time you'll find at your disposal as you drop six eggs into this beast, press a button, and then walk away. What will you do? High-intensity exercise? Model building? Learn a second language? I hear your concern. 'What if I become so engrossed in my newfound love of taxonomy that I forget about my eggs?' Fear not, efficient chef. Like the trumpet of Gabriel himself, the unmistakable tone of this technological marvel could rouse the dead and will bring you running to your fresh-and-ready ova's side. The Dash Go Rapid Egg Cooker is what mankind has been working towards since the first roundish stone was shaped into a wheel. Witness the apex of human innovation!" —J. Mercer Crenshaw

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in eight colors).

The pan is made of heavyweight aluminized steel, which allows for strong heat conduction and even baking. It also features nonstick coating for easy release. It's safe in temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's dishwasher safe!

Promising review: "I love cherry and he loves apple, but to make two pies would be such a waste since it's just the two of us at home, and buying store-bought pie just isn't the same. This was the perfect solution. I LOVE IT!" —Sherry S.

Get it from Amazon for $19.88.

Promising reviews: "I absolutely love this pan! Made lasagna in it for the first time last night, and it came out beautifully. The rows are the exact length and width of a standard lasagna noodle and it was so much easier than building a large lasagna pan. Because it is nonstick, the lasagna came out of the pan beautifully, and because the pan is deeper than a standard lasagna pan I was able to do more layers which helped hold the lasagna together better when served. I would highly recommend this pan to anyone, and I just ordered another one!" —Jeanne M. Barnhart

Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

Promising review: "I may never make a grilled cheese sandwich again on stove. These work so well and don’t require any butter or oil, super fast and no clean up. We have used one bag at least a dozen times and still works great. We have also used it to heat up a folded quesadilla." —Tami A. Miller

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $8.99.

The panini press is hot coming out of the microwave, so make sure to wear mitts or gloves! It's also dishwasher safe!

Promising reviews: “I am very impressed with this sandwich maker. The directions are easy to understand and cleaning it is effortless. I made grilled cheese and it looked like it came from a restaurant!” —Jeff and Derrick

Get it from Amazon for $32.99.

Microwave time is just 1 minute per slice! The tray catches all the grease, and it's dishwasher safe!

Promising review: "Best thing since sliced bread! I love everything about it. You can do 12 pieces of bacon at a time. So it's fast. It is super easy to clean, and stores flat. Best thing I've bought in a long time." —booklover

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

Promising review: "This is the best breakfast invention after the waffle maker. LOVE IT! As someone who makes pancakes or waffles three to four times a week (my kids are pretty spoiled, but breakfast is key to getting through the first part of the school day), this is the easiest and fastest way to get that done. I just add everything to the bottle, shake, and pour into the waffle maker or griddle. When I am done, just add some water, shake again, empty, and then place everything in the dishwasher." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two colors and two pancake art kits).

This features five compartments, only requires one burner, and is stain-resistant, PFOA-free, and oven and dishwasher safe.

Promising review: "I am so in love with this pan. I can cook several things at once for breakfast even if I use it to cook my fajitas and the other compartments for what I like with the fajitas. I put mine in the dishwasher and was a little scared but it cleaned it without any scratches or rust." —Shawnie Fennell

Get it from Amazon for $54.99.

Promising review: "This is such a great pot for either hot-pots OR for when you want to cook two foods and don't want to mess with multiple pots. It is HUGE...each side holds a large quantity of food! Very pleased with the purchase! The only thing you cannot do is drain off one side, like noodle water, if you have food in the other side." —Midwest Chookiemomma

Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "Easy to use! Easy to clean! Superior to a press and easier to use! No need for hesitation! Go ahead and buy it! You won't be disappointed!" —T. Star

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two colors).

Shop Collin Garrity is a small biz that specializes in wooden crafts, accessories, decor, and kitchen tools.

Promising reviews: "Beautiful, beautiful work! I am so excited to finally have a herb stripper and one that is handmade! Fast shipping and the seller included a nice card with directions on how to use/wash the stripper as well as a beautiful postcard print. Thank you!" —Alex Saul

"This is laser cut so I did a bit of sanding just to round the edges but the construction and quality is excellent! I just used it today on some tarragon and I was so happy for the amount is saved my hands!" —Kat

Get it from Shop Collin Garrity on Etsy for $16 (available in three finishes).

Promising review: "One of those 'why didn't I think of this?' kind of things. It makes cooking pasta so easy and foolproof! No trying to bend/break pasta to get it to fit into a round pan. The instructions tell you exactly how long to microwave it for the different size proportions." —EQUUS

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

Promising review: "This is by far the best kitchen gadget I've ever owned. It actually makes me want to be in the kitchen (which is not my favorite place). It works exactly as described, is easy to clean, and is cute to boot. Just don't be tempted to stick this fish to yourself. I've had to explain to all my coworkers how I ended up with fish hickeys." —Siber

Get it from Amazon for $13.90 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Great investment, especially for people with a busy lifestyle — set it and forget it. I love this steamer. It's easy to use, it holds a lot, and the food taste way better. I just introduced it to three of my family members and they are ready to order." —Sheryl

Get it from Amazon for $34.99.

BTW: These are dishwasher safe!

Promising review: "The quality is great. And it's very practical, especially when a lot of food needs to be prepared, things can be separated well during cooking. Cleaning is also very easy. LOVE it." —Matthew

Get a set of five for $16.99 (also available in a set of nine).

Get it from our Goodful shop for $19.99.

Thaw Claw is a Black-owned small biz that's been featured on Shark Tank, HSN, and Good Morning America! For more deets, check out our as-seen-on TV kitchen products write-up.

Promising review: "At first this looked gimmicky, but I saw a need for something like this. I use vacuum bags to freeze my meat and with our schedules, thawing out our meal for that evening often includes placing the frozen block in water to thaw in a reasonable time. Without this item, I was left to put a heavy pot or iron skillet on top to keep it in submerged to speed the thawing process. This device, with its suction base and spread design, keeps the food item under its fingers to allow the thawing process to complete in less than half the time by just putting it in the water. And before you object, 'that’s not safe, the temperature will rise too much and promote bacteria growth' — I have ServSafe certs. I know my time and temp levels and those are in no way even close to approaching the danger zone unless you leave it for hours before cooking. I recommend this item for anyone, but especially anyone who has time constraints for evening dinner prep or any other time for that matter." —mudhen7

Learn more about safe food-thawing methods here.

Get it from Amazon for $17.95.

This set comes with eight interchangeable blades for slicing, julienne, grating, and shredding. It also includes two blade holders, a cleaning fork, and a safety holder to protect your fingers.

Promising review: "Such a great product! I used to spend anywhere from 5–15 minutes cutting veggies and now it literally takes seconds! Cuts down on my prep time significantly and doesn’t make cooking a chore anymore!" —Britney

Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in three blade options).

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.