Here’s How to Get Big Performance Out of Your Small Kitchen

Whether you’re a college kid or a condo dweller, cooking meals can be challenging in a compact kitchen. These small-but-mighty multi-use appliances can help maximize your space without limiting your meal choices. Many small, all-in-one appliances are almost as powerful and functional as their full-size counterparts. Here are some small appliance ideas to help you get the most out of your small kitchen.

Breakfast

Mini-Griddles & Waffle Makers

From weekday breakfasts to weekend brunches, a mini-griddle or mini-waffle maker is ideal for prepping pancakes, French toast and other favourites in your tiny kitchen. They take up a fraction of the space of full-size models and are versatile enough to make a variety of foods. A mini-griddle can serve up single-size servings of bacon, eggs and sausage, while the waffle maker can whip up sweet or savoury waffles for breakfast or dessert. These space-saving kitchen solutions are quick, simple to use, and can easily be tucked away in a cupboard.

Small Egg Cookers & Egg Bite Makers

Big on breakfast but short on space and time? An egg cooker makes mornings easier while maximizing every inch of your kitchen. Whether you like your eggs soft-boiled or scrambled, a portable egg maker cooks them to perfection in minutes. You can also dish up everything from devilled eggs to delicious omelettes. An egg bite maker is specially designed to make mini-frittata medallions—perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts!

Kettles & Coffee Makers

Whether you enjoy a morning macchiato or an evening Earl Grey, a space-saving kettle and coffee maker are an everyday essential for your cozy kitchen. A single-serve coffee maker lets you brew beverages without the barista. While a compact kettle can do double duty, heating water for tea, oatmeal, soup, or ramen. From teatime to crunch time, these small appliances are a must for your kitchen.

Lunch & Snacks

Blenders & Juicers

A blender or juicer blender is a versatile addition to any small kitchen. You can make everything from fresh fruit juices and smoothies to delicious soups and sauces. Even mid-size models are powerful and versatile enough for a variety of kitchen tasks. If you have little counter space to spare, a single-serve blender or immersion blender can be easily hidden away in a kitchen drawer.

Cooktops & Toaster Ovens

Whether you’re sharing quarters or living solo in a small suite, these convenient countertop appliances are ideal for making healthy, budget-friendly meals. From soups to skillet meals, a compact cooktop will serve up hot, hearty fare in minutes. A toaster oven can heat up bagel bites, bruschetta, paninis and pizzas quickly and easily. Whether you’re warming meals or cooking from scratch, these multi-task masters are versatile enough for everyday cooking in your small space.

Popcorn Makers

If you’re looking for a healthy snack for your next movie night, a pint-sized popcorn maker is a perfect small-space option. Portable air poppers are easy to clean and make great-tasting kernels in a matter of minutes. Ideal for campers, RVs, and condos, a popcorn maker is compact enough to store in any small cabinet for a quick, shareable snack anytime, anywhere.

Dinner

Food Processors

A food processor is a valuable, versatile tool for prepping meals, sides, and snacks in small spaces. This multi-purpose must-have item is great for mincing vegetables and making sauces, salsas, marinades, dressings, and dips. Smaller models are ideal for apartment living as they can easily prep meals for one to two people, and take up less storage space than full-size versions.

Countertop Ovens & Microwaves

Counter space is a precious commodity in a small kitchen, but many microwaves and countertop ovens are designed with slim profiles for small-space living. A compact countertop oven will allow you to cook a variety of foods, while seamlessly fitting in with your surrounding cabinets. A small cube microwave oven will heat up frozen foods and leftovers in half the time of a conventional oven, making it a great choice for small households and seasonal homes.

One-Pot Cooking

A crock pot or slow cooker provides a space-saving way to cook quick, healthy meals like soups, stews, and rice dishes. Cleanup is minimal because you’re only using one cooking vessel. Ideal for small spaces but large enough to cook full meals, a crock pot offers set-and-forget convenience. You simply turn it on in the morning and return to a delicious dinner at night. A pressure cooker is also a great time-saver as it can cook food up to 70 percent faster than most other methods.

Air Fryers

Whether you’re living on campus or in a condo, an air fryer is a valuable addition to any small kitchen. This simple, space-saving device lets you make restaurant-quality crispy fried foods right in your own home. Compact and portable, an air fryer cooks foods faster than a regular oven, crisping fries and chicken fingers to perfection. Look for a small-capacity, slim model to save on space, with multiple cooking modes for added versatility.

Dessert

Mini-Pie Makers

A mini-pie maker is an ideal way to bring fresh baked goodness to your small kitchen. Featuring a non-stick, quick-heat surface, these petite pie makers let you prep single-serve pies and quiches with easy cleanup and storage. Whether you’re a novice chef or new college kid, a mini-pie maker will let you master mouth-watering desserts in no time.

Mini-Donut Makers

A mini-donut maker lets you bake up tasty, tiny doughnuts in any small space. Easy to use and small enough to store away, a portable doughnut maker comes with non-stick dual surfaces for even, consistent heat and easy cleanup. Simply plug it in, whip up your favourite batter, and you’ll have a sweet snack in seconds.

S’mores Maker

Bring the campfire experience home with a s’mores maker. This convenient, compact appliance lets you roast marshmallows flame-free from the comfort of home. Lightweight and portable, a smores maker is easy to clean and easy store away when not in use.

Whether you live in a compact condo or diminutive dorm, cooking meals can be a challenge. From breakfasts to dinners and everything in between, these clever, compact kitchen appliances offer great, space-saving solutions.