If you own a KitchenAid stand mixer, you know it’s a versatile powerhouse in your kitchen. But did you know that with the right attachments, it can do so much more than mix dough and batter?
From making pasta to grinding meat, here are the top 15 KitchenAid stand mixer accessories that can take your culinary adventures to the next level.
The Best KitchenAid from “Must-have” to “Nice-to-have”
Here are the top KitchenAid accessories that we have personally used and loved.
1. Food Processor Attachment
- What It Is Used For: Slicing, dicing, julienning, and processing various ingredients.
- Why We Love It: It replaces a bulky standalone food processor, saving counter space and offering versatile functionality with adjustable slicing thickness.
- Price: Approximately $150.
2. Food Grinder Attachment
- What It Is Used For: Grinding meats, shredding cheeses, making breadcrumbs, and combining ingredients.
- Why We Love It: It saves effort compared to hand-grinding, offers consistent results, and is perfect for creating gourmet burgers and sausages.
- Price: Approximately $40.
3. 5-Blade Spiralizer
- What It Is Used For: Spiralizing vegetables into noodles, curls, and ribbons.
- Why We Love It: It’s versatile, includes multiple blades for different cuts, and is compact and easy to store compared to countertop models.
- Price: Approximately $70.
4. Sifter + Scale Attachment
- What It Is Used For: Measuring, sifting, and adding dry ingredients directly into the mixing bowl.
- Why We Love It: It ensures precision in baking, saves time, and the removable scale can also be used for wet ingredients.
- Price: Approximately $100.
5. Ice Cream Maker Attachment
- What It Is Used For: Making ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and frozen yogurt.
- Why We Love It: It allows for creating customized frozen treats at home, is easy to use, and doesn’t require a separate appliance.
- Price: Approximately $95.
6. Pasta Roller & Cutter Set
- What It Is Used For: Rolling pasta dough and cutting it into spaghetti and fettuccine.
- Why We Love It: It makes homemade pasta easy and fun, offering superior taste and texture compared to store-bought pasta.
- Price: Approximately $110.
7. Slicer/Shredder Attachment
- What It Is Used For: Shredding cheese and slicing vegetables.
- Why We Love It: It’s great for prepping large quantities of ingredients quickly, perfect for salads, tacos, and cheese dishes.
- Price: Approximately $40.
8. Gourmet Pasta Press
- What It Is Used For: Creating various pasta shapes like spaghetti, bucatini, and rigatoni.
- Why We Love It: It takes the effort out of making pasta at home and allows for creativity in the kitchen with different shapes and ingredients.
- Price: Approximately $170.
9. Citrus Juicer
- What It Is Used For: Juicing citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
- Why We Love It: It provides freshly squeezed juice easily, with a strainer basket to catch seeds and pulp, perfect for recipes and cocktails.
- Price: Approximately $30.
10. Vegetable Sheet Cutter
- What It Is Used For: Turning vegetables into thin sheets for low-carb lasagna, wraps, and more.
- Why We Love It: It’s a fun way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet and create visually appealing dishes.
- Price: Approximately $100.
11. All-Metal Grain Mill
- What It Is Used For: Grinding grains for fresh flour.
- Why We Love It: Freshly ground flour has superior taste and texture, making a noticeable difference in baked goods.
- Price: Approximately $115.
12. Precise Heat Mixing Bowl
- What It Is Used For: Keeping ingredients at a consistent temperature for tempering chocolate, making custards, or proofing dough.
- Why We Love It: It ensures precise temperature control for perfect results in recipes that require specific conditions.
- Price: Approximately $100.
13. Shave Ice Attachment
- What It Is Used For: Creating shave ice treats.
- Why We Love It: It’s perfect for hot summer days, offering a fun way to make a variety of icy desserts for the whole family.
- Price: Approximately $75.
Each of these attachments can significantly enhance your KitchenAid stand mixer’s functionality, making it an indispensable tool in your kitchen. Whether you’re an avid baker, a pasta lover, or a health enthusiast, there’s an accessory here to elevate your culinary skills.
How to Choose the Right KitchenAid Stand Mixer Attachment for Your Needs
Selecting the perfect KitchenAid stand mixer attachment can be overwhelming with so many options available. Here’s a guide to help you make the best choice based on your cooking habits and preferences:
- Identify Your Cooking Style
- Baking Enthusiasts: If baking is your passion, attachments like the Sifter + Scale and Precise Heat Mixing Bowl are invaluable. They ensure precision in measuring and maintaining the right temperature for delicate tasks like tempering chocolate or proofing dough.
- Healthy Eaters: For those focused on healthy eating, the 5-Blade Spiralizer and Vegetable Sheet Cutter are perfect. They allow you to create veggie noodles and sheets, adding more vegetables to your diet in creative ways.
- Meat Lovers: The Food Grinder and Metal Food Grinder are essential for grinding your own meats for burgers, sausages, and meatloaf, ensuring you control the quality and ingredients.
- Consider Your Space
- If you have limited counter or storage space, choose multi-functional attachments like the Food Processor and Slicer/Shredder, which replace several standalone gadgets.
- Think About Versatility
- Attachments like the Pasta Roller & Cutter Set and Gourmet Pasta Press offer versatility, allowing you to make a variety of pasta shapes and types, from fettuccine to rigatoni.
Tips and Tricks for Using Your KitchenAid Stand Mixer Attachments
Maximize the utility of your KitchenAid stand mixer with these handy tips and tricks:
- Pre-Chill Your Bowl for Cold Recipes
- When making ice cream with the Ice Cream Maker Attachment, pre-chill the bowl overnight for the best results. This ensures your mixture freezes quickly and evenly.
- Double Duty with the Food Grinder
- Use the Food Grinder for more than just meat. It’s perfect for making homemade breadcrumbs, grinding cheese, or even preparing veggie patties.
- Clean Attachments Properly
- Most attachments are not dishwasher safe. Always check the care instructions and hand wash to maintain their longevity. For example, the Ice Cream Maker’s freezer bowl should be hand washed to avoid damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About KitchenAid Stand Mixer Attachments
To help you get the most out of your KitchenAid stand mixer, here are answers to some common questions:
- Can I Use Attachments with Older Models?
- Yes, KitchenAid attachments are designed to fit all stand mixer models, both old and new. However, it’s always a good idea to check compatibility on the product page.
- How Do I Attach and Detach Attachments?
- Most attachments connect to the power hub at the front of the mixer. To attach, align the attachment’s power shaft with the hub and tighten the knob. To detach, simply loosen the knob and pull the attachment out.
- What’s the Best Way to Store Attachments?
- Store attachments in a dry place to prevent rusting. Some attachments, like the 5-Blade Spiralizer, come with a storage case to keep blades and parts organized and safe.
