23 Handy Kitchen Gadgets for Low Carb Cooking
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If you already have a well-equipped kitchen, you may already have most of the following recommended kitchen gadgets for low carb cooking. If not, read through the list, making note of the items you would like to add to your kitchen.
When Eating Low Carb or Keto, you will soon find that it is just easier to prepare most meals at home. Having the right tools available will make it so much easier to stick with your plan.
Kitchen Gadgets for Low Carb Cooking – Prep
#1 – A Kitchen Scale
A kitchen scale is not often seen in home kitchens but is a standard item in commercial kitchens. Many keto and low carb recipes require minimal quantities, which in turn need very accurate measurements to obtain the best results. Most home cooks are not in the habit of weighing their ingredients, but it is common practice in commercial kitchens.
In addition to providing a more accurate measure, having a digital kitchen scale also makes converting recipes between metric and imperial measurements easy. The scale I use can measure in grams, ml, or pounds and ounces. When you have an accurate digital scale, there is no need to get out your calculator. You can just let the scale do the conversion for you.
When shopping for a kitchen scale, make sure that you select one that measures in tiny increments and preferably has a removable stainless steel plate on the top. Double-check the specifications on any scale you consider to make sure it gives you readings down to at .1 ounces. Also, verify that it is easy to clean. Do not go for the least expensive scale you can find. You want one that is accurate and responsive to small changes.
I have used several different kitchen scales in recent years. I have found all of the digital ones to be entirely accurate. Many recipes will call for tiny amounts, and the smaller the amount, the more critical it is for you to measure your ingredients in small increments.
Another item to consider when choosing a kitchen scale is whether you want one that operates on batteries or on that plugs into an electrical source. asdfInclude photos of a couple of different types of kitchen scales with basic descriptions and pricing. Replace later with Amazon links
#2 – Basic Utensils
An assortment of spatulas, mixing spoons, and wire whisks.
#3 – Good Quality Knives
Good knives are an essential tool. They are more efficient, comfortable, and safer to use than cheap knives.
Do yourself a favor and do invest in quality knives if you haven’t already done so.
Knives can vary considerably in quality. DO NOT cut corners here. A good knife will feel good in your hand, hold a sharp edge, and will have the blade running through the length of the handle.
Cheap knives will often have plastic molded handles with the blade only extending an inch or so into the handle. Handles on knives of this design will eventually break due to the pressure placed on them during cutting. Not a good situation if you are using it at the time it decides to break.
If you don’t already have them, I suggest investing in a good quality chef’s knife of about 8 or 10 inches and a good quality paring knife of around 4 or 5 inches. A bread knife is my next favorite knife.
#4 – Cutting Boards
Part of a low carb or KETO diet (or even Paleo or Plant-based, for that matter) will involve a lot of vegetables. And a lot of those vegetables will be purchase raw and will require basic preparation. I prefer to have an assortment of different sizes of cutting boards so I can just grab one that is the correct size for the job and I can use separate boards for meat and vegetables. It just makes things move along more quickly.
#5 – Spice Grinder (coffee grinder)
A spice grinder is a handy grinding flax seed. You can buy ground flax seeds, but they do not stay fresh as long as the whole seeds. It is easy to use a small electric grinder to grind just what you need when you need it.
Kitchen Gadgets for Low Carb Cooking – Measuring and Storage
#6 – Dry Measuring Cups
I prefer a stainless steel set with separate cups for each size from 1/4 cup through at least 1 cup. I also like to use a coffee scoop, which is the equivalent of 1/8 cup or two tablespoons.
#7 – Measuring Spoons
Because low carb and keto recipes call for small amounts, and some of the ingredients are a bit more critical to measure accurately, I suggest using deeper rather than shallower measuring spoons. They will give you a more accurate measurement.
Recently I purchased an excellent little set of measuring spoons that have smaller than the standard increments in addition to the usual 1/8 teaspoon through 1 tablespoon. Each has a round spoon on one end and a more elongated spoon on the other end. The elongated side is perfect for fitting into spice containers. Both spoons are flat on the bottom, so they will sit level on the counter after being filled.
#8 – Glass Liquid Measuring Cups
These are essential in my low carb kitchen.
I keep multiples in 1 cup, 2 cup and 4 cup sizes available.
In addition to their intended use, I often use them instead of mixing bowls for small batches. If you use a portable handheld mixer, the 4 cup size is great for making whipping cream from 1 cup of heavy cream.
#9 – Food Prep Bowls
Small glass or stainless steel bowls for pre-measuring your ingredients.
#10 – Portion Scoops
We borrow these handy tools from commercial kitchens. They are similar to cookie dough scoops, but they come in multiple sizes. They are great for measuring out portions of dough as well as finished dishes.
#11 – Small Covered Storage Containers
Simple glass containers with plastic lids are more versatile than plastic. They are handy for mixing, serving, storing, and reheating. Having several sizes on hand from 1 cup to about 8 cups is recommended.
Kitchen Gadgets for Low Carb Cooking – Mixing and Blending
#12 – Spin Whisk (or Push Whisk)
For small recipes (and all those eggs), these things are indispensable.
When I first bought them, my husband, who is the “dishwasher” and didn’t like new “gadgets that need cleaning,” showing up in the kitchen, wasn’t thrilled. Now he’s the one using them the most.
If you are not familiar with these gadgets, you push down on the handle, and the bottom spins to mix your ingredients. Way faster than a traditional wire whisk for small quantities.
#13 – Handheld Mixer or Stand Mixer
Since most of the recipes that we will be making are for fairly small quantities, I often choose to use an electric handheld mixer. Quality does matter since many small mixers are made of plastic gears and do not hold up well to mixing things like cream cheese. And many of our recipes use ingredients that thicken when moistened, making a batter that thickens quickly.
If you have a stand mixer, that works too, but because of the small recipes, I believe a handheld mixer is easier to deal with
#14 – Mixing Bowls, with and without Covers
My preference is to use stackable stainless steel mixing bowls that have plastic covers. Why? Because if I plan, I can often store the finished dish in the same container.
#15 – Blender
A blender is a must-have, especially if you are going to make pancakes or waffles (or chaflles). Yes, you can use a mixer instead, but it is just quicker in the blender.
This is another item that it doesn’t pay to skimp on quality. Some of the ingredients that are commonly used in low carb baking thicken as they are mixed with liquid which puts an additional strain on the motors of your appliances.
If you do not already have a blender, choose one with a fairly heavy motor and good reviews.
#16 – Immersion Blender
One of the handiest small appliances to have in your kitchen is the immersion, or stick, blender. Immersion blenders are small and versatile. They are great for everything, from mixing chaffle batter to puréeing soups.
I love mine, which includes the wire whisk and mini food processor attachments.
#17 – Food Processor (optional)
A food processor is convenient but not essential if you invest in good knives and cutting boards, and the multi attachment stick blender mentioned above.
Kitchen Gadgets for Low Carb Cooking – Baking and Cooking
#18 – Baking Trays, Pans, and Cooling Rack
At a bare minimum, you will need a couple of baking sheets and a cooling rack if you are going to do any baking at all. A 9 x 13 cake pan is handy for making casseroles as well as baking.
Muffin tins are handy too, as are donut pans.
You might also want a springform pan for making cheesecake. Cheesecake is one of the easiest desserts to adapt to a keto or low carb diet. A standard size pan is fine if you will cook in the oven, but there are also smaller ones (6 – 7 inches in diameter) that are perfect for making cheesecakes in the Instant Pot.
#19 – Silicone Baking Sheets and Parchment Paper
Low carb and keto doughs require different handling than traditional mixtures. They are a bit softer and stickier and need a bit more care in handling. Simply greasing your pans is often not enough, so we use parchment paper or silicone baking sheets with all of our baking.
#20 – Pots and pans
A good basic set of pans that is suitable for whatever cooktop you use.
#21 – Dash Mini Waffle Iron
I don’t know who invented these, but they are wildly popular in on the keto/low-carb groups. Why? Chaffle recipes, that’s why!
What is a chaffle recipe? If you were doing keto or low-carb or you just want a better quality option than simple white waffles, a chaffle is the perfect answer. Chaffles in their purest form are simply CHeese + wAFFLE. The base recipe (add the link later) is simply egg plus cheese. There are many variations and varieties from sweet (add the link later) to savory (add the link later). The one thing they’ll have in common is the use of these handy mini waffle irons. take own photo
#22 – Slow Cooker
Always great for one-pot meals that can make enough for planned leftovers.
#23 – Instant Pot
If you haven’t invested in an Instant Pot yet, this may just be the time to do so.
I like to use mine for cooking several pounds of pork or beef roast or chicken to be shredded, portioned, and frozen for use in future meals.
One of the things you will most likely use a lot of while following a low carb/keto diet is EGGS . . . lots and lots of eggs. Hard “boiled” eggs are absolute perfection in an Instant Pot. And egg bites and mini quiches are a breeze too.
And then there is cheesecake! Small cheesecakes prepared in the Instant Pot are fantastic. They are less likely to crack and dry out like cheesecakes prepared in a conventional oven.
