This time of year, our team of culinary gear heads fields a lot of questions. What type of skillet is best for my foodie son-in-law? Which knife should I put on my wish list? Can you please help me figure out the best coffee setup for my wife, once and for all?
We love those questions—really! We spend all year testing equipment and evaluating ingredients to find which items are really worth your time and money. If you’re wondering what to give or ask for this year, we have your answers.
Our list includes rigorously tested cookware, tools, appliances, and treats that we’re excited to give or (hopefully) receive. From stocking stuffers to splurges to gift sets we’ve curated, these items are sure to make your loved ones feel special this season.
We publish new reviews each week, and we will update this guide with more exciting recommendations as the season continues. Be sure to check back in for more gift-worthy additions. And don’t forget to explore our tantalizing offers on ATK books, Cookʼs Illustrated magazine subscriptions, and our Essential Membership, all of which make fabulous gifts for food lovers.
Beast Mega 1200
Sometimes my family still doesn’t get what I do. I walked into my sister’s kitchen and she had the Beast Mega 1200, our amazing new winning personal blender, on the counter. Rather than reading our review, she found it on Instagram and bought it because it looked cute. Lucky for her, it also performs. A powerful motor, sleek design, and two-smoothie capacity (versus the norm of one) made it jump to the top of our rankings. Now it’s on my wishlist too. — Hannah Crowley, executive editor, ATK Reviews
Ooni Volt 2
We loved the first indoor pizza oven that Ooni released about six years ago, but we somehow love the newest iteration, the Volt 2, even more. Unlike most things these days, it’s actually getting less expensive. At $700, it’s still quite a splurge, but we appreciate that it’s now well under $1,000. It also takes up a little less space on your countertop, and who doesn’t love that? Most importantly, it makes really really great pizza that cooks in just two minutes. Now you can make perfect pies, rain or shine. — Sarah Sandler, associate editor, ATK Reviews
Microplane Gourmet Series Fine Grater
A rasp grater is an inexpensive yet incredibly useful kitchen upgrade; these graters make it quick and easy to shred cheese, mince garlic and ginger, and zest citrus. After testing them recently, I’m a huge fan of our paddle-style winner. It’s durable, supersharp, comfortable to hold, and easy to store—wait, why haven’t I gotten myself one yet?! — Chase Brightwell, associate editor, ATK Reviews
Teakhaus Edge Grain Cutting Board (XL)
I’m adding our winning wooden cutting board to my wish list. It’s the perfect workspace for tackling all your holiday meal prep, and it’s so well-made and durable that it will last for many years to come. It’s also beautiful enough to display on your kitchen counter (or dining room table) long after the holidays have ended. — Crispín López, assistant editor, ATK Reviews
Our Favorite Barware
Shown here: OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup, Clear, Fletcher’s Mill Maple Muddler, and Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Hawthorne Strainer.
Have a cocktail-loving friend? Get them a few of our favorite bar tools so that they can make great drinks at home. They can measure all the ingredients with our top-rated jigger, make mojitos and caipirinhas with our winning muddler, and ensure that all their drinks are silky-smooth and ice-free with our top Hawthorne strainer. Don’t forget a copy of our brand-new ultimate bar guide, Cocktails Illustrated. This gorgeous book includes fresh takes on old favorites, secrets from professionals, and new recipes that are sure to dazzle (including dozens of zero-proof drinks). — Miye Bromberg, deputy editor, ATK Reviews
Read our reviews of jiggers, muddlers, and Hawthorne strainers.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Braiser, 3.5 Quart
Let this handsome braiser be the guest of honor at your holiday table. Our favorite model is the cooler, more spotlight-ready cousin of our top-rated Dutch oven. Its broad enameled cast-iron surface makes it ideal for searing, braising, and stewing—and it’s a breeze to clean as well. Low walls make it easy to reach in to flip or remove food, so bring it to a party, where your friends and family can all hover around it to nab that last meatball. — Miye Bromberg, deputy editor, ATK Reviews
Ooni Koda 2
The Ooni Koda 2 is a terrific outdoor pizza oven: sleek, fast, and easy to use. It’s also fun. Pizzas cook in just a few minutes, so you can crank up the oven (with just the turn of a button) and cook one or two pies for a weeknight dinner, or invite the neighbors for a build-your-own pizza party with a wealth of toppings. — Kate Shannon Levine, editorial director, ATK Reviews
Made In Stainless Clad Saute Pan
Our top sauté pan is a stellar performer. Its fully clad construction gives it durability and allows for even browning. A broad cooking surface provides plenty of room for cooking food in a single layer, making this pan ideal for a batch of meatballs or rice pilaf, and its moderately high walls do a good job of containing splatters. It’s also easy to use–not too heavy, with a long handle that’s comfortable to grip. — Miye Bromberg, deputy editor, ATK Reviews
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers
The holidays are the perfect time to re-think how you store leftovers and refresh that tupperware cabinet—or encourage the busy cooks in your life to reduce how much plastic they're using. We just crowned a new winning glass storage container set, which I can't stop recommending to friends and family. Exceptionally durable and simple to use, with a stackable design that makes them easy to wrangle, these containers are your next kitchen obsession. — Valerie Sizhe Li, associate editor, ATK Reviews
BergKoch Splatter Screen, 13-inch
There’s usually too much stress around holiday meals, and cleanup ranks near the top for me. Thankfully, splatter screens can help alleviate some of the burden. Our favorite traditional splatter screen did an excellent job at containing messes during all of our cooking tests. Consider adding one to your kitchenware collection, especially if you're planning a latke party for Hanukkah or sizzling bacon for a holiday brunch. Your stovetop will thank you. — Crispín López, assistant editor, ATK Reviews
A Utensil Crock Filled with Our Favorite Tools
Shown here: Misen Stainless Steel Fish Spatula, GIR Skinny Spatula, OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs, OXO Good Grips 11" Balloon Whisk, FAAY 13.5" Teak Cooking Spoon, and Di Oro Living Seamless Silicone Spatula inside the RSVP Oversized Tool Crock.
Why not make cooking easier and more efficient for your loved one by upgrading all of their kitchen tools in one fell swoop? We use these exact tools every day in the test kitchen. Each item—including the fish spatula, silicone spatula, whisk, wooden spoon, jar spatula, tongs, and utensil crock—is a thoroughly tested winner in its category. Put them all together? Unbeatable. — Lisa McManus, executive editor, ATK Reviews
Read our reviews of metal spatulas, silicone spatulas, whisks, wooden spoons, tongs, and utensil crocks.
All-Clad D3 Stainless 3-ply Bonded Cookware Set, 10 Piece Set
This is a showstopper of a gift: a beautifully designed set of stainless-steel pots and pans that will last a lifetime. We’ve recommended individual pieces from this set in standalone cookware reviews over the years; by offering them all together, this set potentially saves you a lot of money. Give these to someone who will appreciate their top-notch tri-ply construction that allows for quick, even heating—the key to restaurant-quality meals at home. — Chase Brightwell, associate editor, ATK Reviews
Zeroll Original 2 oz Ice Cream Scoop
There is always a pint (or three) of ice cream in my freezer, so an ice cream scoop would be a welcome addition to my kitchen. (I currently carve out little chunks of ice cream with a dinner spoon. Not ideal.) Our winner contains heat-conductive mineral oil in its body, so the warmth of your hand transfers to the scoop and helps dish out even hard-frozen ice cream. — Kate Shannon Levine, editorial director, ATK Reviews
Cacao & Cardamom The Jewelry Box
I think edible gifts like chocolates are often underrated, and this would be a showstopping hostess gift for a holiday dinner party (or for someone extra-special). The beautifully crafted chocolates in this set are shaped and decorated like precious jewels. The chocolate shells are visually striking and deliciously fresh-tasting, and the fillings are unique yet approachable. — Sawyer Hill, associate digital editor, ATK Reviews
USA Pan 10-Inch Tart Pan
Our co-winning tart pan is a beautiful unicorn of a kitchen tool: It’s not pricey, but it will make everything you bake in it look luxurious and professional. Made from stainless steel with a nonstick coating, this pan baked tarts beautifully and released them flawlessly in each one of our tests. Grab one for the avid baker in your life, and maybe they’ll bake you something gorgeous and delicious. — Sarah Sandler, associate editor, ATK Reviews
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Ateco 5357 11-Piece Plain Round Cutter Set
Biscuits have perhaps never been more mainstream—in my opinion, they're the only option for truly delicious breakfast sandwiches. If someone you love wants to become an expert biscuit baker, they'll need our winning cutter set. These cutters are durable and sharp, which is the key to stamping out beautifully risen, gorgeously fluffy biscuits. There are also 11 total cutters in the set—useful for making empanadas, pierogies, shu mai, and more. Talk about a slam-dunk stocking stuffer. — Chase Brightwell, associate editor, ATK Reviews
Breville Bambino Plus
When people ask me which entry-level espresso machine to get, I always recommend the Bambino Plus. The Bambino is our best compact option: It doesn’t include a grinder (as some pricier, bulkier models do) but takes up far less counter space as a result. This simple-to-use machine heats up quickly and makes stellar, complex-tasting espresso that rivals that of any larger model on the market. — Valerie Sizhe Li, associate editor, ATK Reviews
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
This speedy instant-read thermometer has become my go-to holiday gift. It’s reliable, accurate, and durable. It’s also compact and easy to store in any kitchen drawer, always at the ready to check doneness with pinpoint precision. The only difficult choice with this purchase is deciding on a color. — Crispín López, assistant editor, ATK Reviews
Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Don’t let your loved ones struggle with a dull knife anymore. A sharp, good-quality knife is a true game-changer in the kitchen. Everything from cutting up an apple to preparing dinner will be faster, safer, and more enjoyable. And because our longtime favorite costs about 50 bucks, this is one high-impact gift that won’t break the bank. — Kate Shannon Levine, editorial director, ATK Reviews
Schmidt Brothers Midtown Block
Good cooks keep their knives sharp, and that includes proper storage. Our Best Buy universal knife block has strong magnets that hold knives securely but release them easily. Its grippy plastic base keeps it stable on a counter. There’s also a clear acrylic shield that offers an additional layer of protection without blocking the view, so your recipient can safely admire their blades while keeping them within close reach. — Chase Brightwell, associate editor, ATK Reviews
A French Press and Really Good Coffee
Shown here: Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press, 48 oz and Stumptown Coffee Roasters Roaster’s Pick
Testing French presses reminded me why I love them. The coffee is rich and full-flavored and completely customizable to your taste. You never run out of filters, and there’s nothing to plug in. Our winning press makes it all even easier and more delicious. Why not pair it with our winning coffee subscription for your favorite coffee lover? — Lisa McManus, executive editor, ATK Reviews
Read our reviews of French presses and coffee subscriptions.
The Oyster Bed Le Petite Grill Pan
Prepping and serving oysters at home can be intimidating. This gorgeous pan solves the issue of those stubborn shellfish tipping over and losing their delicious, briny liquid. You can use it to hold raw oysters on the half shell, or roast or grill them directly in the pan—there’s nothing better than oysters topped with butter, herbs, and breadcrumbs and finished to a bubbling sizzle. For a very special someone or an ultramemorable event, order a couple dozen oysters too. These beefy Pacific Grillers from Taylor Shellfish are spectacular oven-roasted or on the grill, and they ship live nationwide. — Hannah Crowley, executive editor, ATK Reviews
All-Clad D3 Stainless 12" Fry Pan with Lid
My friend just moved, and she’s so excited to cook in her new kitchen. I want to get her something she’ll use and value for years, so I’m giving her our winning stainless-steel skillet. This superdurable skillet has a wide cooking surface and a handle that stays cool. It’s the perfect gift for all the serious home cooks in your life. — Sawyer Hill, associate digital editor, ATK Reviews
A Bread Lame and a Bread Knife
Shown here: Mercer Culinary Millennia 10-Inch Bread Knife and Baker of Seville Artisan Bread Lame
If you make bread at home frequently, as I do, there are two blades you can’t do without. A lame lets you score your bread more precisely, giving your finished loaf a more polished, professional, and aesthetically pleasing look. And a good bread knife allows you to cut even the crustiest homemade loaves easily, without squashing the beautiful crumb you’ve worked so hard to produce. — Miye Bromberg, deputy editor, ATK Reviews
Read our reviews of bread lames and serrated (bread) knives.
Shun Classic 8" Western Cook’s Knife
Upgrade your loved one’s knife collection with our newest winning chef’s knife. This handsome model wowed users with its ultrakeen blade, which sliced even dense butternut squash as if it were butter. A relatively thick spine and heavy weight conferred extra power as we sliced and diced. It has a spacious, smooth wooden handle that’s easy to grip, which makes it look and feel especially luxurious. I’m adding it to my wish list immediately. — Chase Brightwell, associate editor, ATK Reviews
A Citrus Juicer and a Bar Board
Shown here: Teakhaus Square Marine Board with Juice Canal and Chef’n Freshforce Citrus Juicer
I love to host dinner parties. When I have people over, I swear by my little bar board, which is easy to clean and dry and has just enough space for cutting lemons and limes for garnishing a drink or spritzing atop our entrees. Plus, it can double as a petite charcuterie board for snacks. For the host or hostess in your circle, pair a bar board with our longtime favorite manual citrus juicer, which just aced a new review by working quickly and easily. — Valerie Sizhe Li, associate editor, ATK Reviews
Read our reviews of bar boards and manual citrus juicers.
Breville Barista Express
I’ve been pining for an espresso machine since filming an episode of our YouTube show, Gear Heads, outlining the results of Lisa McManusʼs brand-new review. I walked away yearning for the romance, ritual, and self-care of espresso. The Breville Barista Express is our overall winner and the one I’d pick. It arrives ready to perform straight from the box (with a built-in grinder) but also makes it easy to customize different options, so you can tweak your shot to your heart’s content. — Hannah Crowley, executive editor, ATK Reviews
Hero photography by Steve Klise. Art direction by Marissa Kaseman and Liz Higgins. Prop styling by Ashley Moore.
Holiday Mains That Will Become New Family Traditions
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