Your blender can do a lot more than make smoothies and frozen drinks. If yours has been sitting in the back of a cabinet, it may be time to put it to work making homemade foods that are often easier and cheaper than you might expect.
From nut butter and hummus to pancake batter and homemade ice cream, a blender can save you time in the kitchen. Here are 12 useful things you can make with one.
Nut Butter
Making your own peanut or almond butter can be surprisingly easy and may cost less than buying some store-bought varieties. Add roasted nuts to the blender and blend until they turn creamy, then mix in a little salt, honey, or cocoa if you like.
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Oat Flour
You can turn rolled oats into flour in just a few minutes with a blender. Blend the oats until they become a fine powder, then use the homemade oat flour for pancakes, muffins, cookies, and other baked goods.
Homemade Hummus
Homemade hummus takes just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes in the blender. Blend chickpeas with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic until smooth, then add salt or other seasonings to taste.
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Soup
A blender can turn cooked vegetables and broth into a smooth, creamy soup with minimal effort. Try it with roasted tomatoes, butternut squash, broccoli, or other vegetables, and use a high-speed blender only if the manufacturer says it is safe to blend hot liquids.
Whipped Cream
You don’t need to whisk heavy cream by hand to make homemade whipped cream. Add cold heavy cream, sugar, and a little vanilla to the blender, then blend in short bursts until soft peaks form and stop before it turns into butter.
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Pesto
Fresh pesto is easy to make at home and gives you more control over the ingredients. Blend basil, garlic, pine nuts or walnuts, Parmesan, and olive oil until you have a thick sauce for pasta, sandwiches, vegetables, or bread.
Frozen Cocktails
A blender is handy for making frozen drinks at home, especially if it can safely crush ice. Blend your favorite cocktail ingredients with ice for margaritas, daiquiris, piña coladas, or other icy drinks.
Baby Food
A blender can make it easier to prepare smooth homemade baby food from fruits and vegetables. Steam, boil, or bake the produce first, then blend it to a texture appropriate for your baby’s age, and follow your pediatrician’s guidance on suitable foods.
Salsa
Fresh salsa comes together quickly when you let the blender handle the chopping. Add tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, and salt, then pulse briefly so the mixture stays chunky rather than turning into a puree.
Ice Cream
Frozen bananas can be blended with a little milk or another liquid to make a quick soft-serve style treat. Add cocoa powder, peanut butter, berries, or other ingredients to change the flavor without needing an ice cream maker.
Homemade Mayonnaise
Making mayonnaise at home gives you control over the oil, seasonings, and other ingredients. Blend eggs, oil, mustard, lemon juice, and your preferred herbs or spices until the mixture is thick and creamy, then refrigerate the homemade mayonnaise.
Pancake or Waffle Batter
A blender can make smooth pancake or waffle batter with very little mixing. Add the flour, milk, eggs, and other ingredients, blend just until combined, then pour the batter straight into your skillet or waffle maker.
