Vegetable fritters, cheese rolls, refreshing smoothies and creamy soups - what's featuring on your iftar menu, this Ramadan? Now's the time to step back and take stock of your kitchen. You can have a far more productive cooking experience by sharing the workload with convenient appliances that quickly turn over meals for the entire family.
Marium Shariq, a prolific food blogger on Instagram and a former Dubai expat, manages her family's different preferences through multiple kitchen appliances. When Ramadan rolls around, multi-cookers and air fryers are the headliners in her house. Shariq makes sure her family of four avoids deep-fried snacks and oily foods during this period.
"Kitchen appliances save so much of my time, since I'm a full-time working mum. My teenage son is health-conscious, whereas my little one likes pasta and soups. Then there's my husband and I, who prefer traditional Pakistani dishes. If it wasn't for instant appliances, food preparation would take me the whole day," said Shariq, who's currently running a Ramadan food series, where she shares healthy recipes for a smooth month ahead.
Like Shariq's family, if you've decided to reduce oil intake and opt for lighter meals at iftar, then look no further. Our list of essential appliances help you do just that. "We air-fry pakora (savoury fritters) instead of deep-frying. It doesn't feel too heavy [for the stomach] when we cook them like this. Other quick meals include tandoori chicken, protein oat shakes, burgers, fruit and vegetable juices," she added.
With recommendations from our expert, we've handpicked must-have units for the kitchen. Shariq advises preparing meal plans beforehand, to avoid reverting to oily foods, since they're easier to fall back on.
There is no better time than now to head over to Amazon for all your kitchen needs. The retail giant has its site-wide Eid Sale running across all categories, until April 18. If you subscribe to Prime, you can get these appliances delivered to you today or tomorrow, without any shipping charges.
1. Best Multi-Cooker: Instant Pot Duo Plus 6, 5.7L
Pros
- Performs the function of nine different appliances, from making yoghurt to sauteeing
- Cooks 70 per cent faster than traditional methods
- 15 cooking programmes, from soup to stew
- Hands-free electric cooking
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Fewer accessories than other multi-cookers
Believe the hype - Instant Pot sorts out all your cooking needs. Shariq's number-one electric cooker brand, this 5.7-litre version of Duo Plus 6 is worth the money, because it wears many hats in the kitchen. You can save counter space, time and effort with a nine-in-one appliance. Pick from a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yoghurt maker, cake/egg maker, sous vide, steriliser or food warmer. Shariq whips up soups, curries, rice, lasagna, cakes and yoghurt in her own Instant Pot. It cooks up to 70 per cent faster than the traditional stovetop method. Reviewers leave five-star ratings on this must-have appliance, adding that cleanup is just as fast as the cooking process. Check out other multi-cookers here.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh54.06 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh40 and two years for Dh57.
2. Best Air Fryer: Nutricook Air Fryer 2
Pros
- SmartTemp technology automatically adjusts temperature
- Square basket offers more usable space
- Does not take up much space
- 'Shake' reminders to get an even fry
Cons
- Basket doesn't have a very secure latch, note reviews
Our best air fryer for busy cooks, the Nutricook Air Fryer 2 makes everything. With 10 customisable presets, dish out multiple snacks and meals - from fries and cakes to pizzas and fish - and ensure it comes out healthy (with 85 per cent less fat) and delicious. The air fryer has a ‘Shake’ reminder to let you know when to shake the contents of the basket for an even fry. Its preheating function saves you cooking time and improves the food texture, too. The 5.5-litre basket itself has BPA-free non-stick coating and is dishwasher safe. Its classy finish is a win in the books of many reviewers - they love how fast they've been able to cook healthy alternatives, especially with preheating.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers two years of warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh23 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh33.
3. Best Rice Cooker: Russell Hobbs Rice Cooker with Steamer, 1.8L
Pros
- Glass lid lets you monitor food without losing heat
- Has a 'keep warm' function
- Doubles as a steamer for fish and vegetables
- Easy-to-clean removable bowl
- Auto turn-off when water runs out
Cons
- Does not have an indicator for cooking smaller amounts of rice (two cups, for instance)
Fancy a one-pot meal? This rice cooker by Russell Hobbs has you covered. It lets you steam vegetables or fish in a tray, as your rice is being prepared. Go about your day worry-free since this smart appliance turns off on its own once the rice is done. The cooker bowl is 1.8-litres deep, giving you a capacity of 10 cups of rice at a time. If you’re planning to heat up some leftovers, simply turn on the 'keep warm' function and fluff out your rice. The cooker-slash-steamer comes with a spatula and a measuring cup. According to reviews, it helps to butter the pot before adding the rice.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a two-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh6 and two years for Dh9.
4. Best Blender Kit: Braun Hand Blender MultiQuick 7
Pros
- Metal shaft for durability
- Single-handed use with squeeze-speed controls
- Chops nuts, gingers besides cooked vegetables
- Comes with a beaker, food processor, whisk and masher
Cons
- Customer service is unreliable, per reviews
Turn sauteed vegetables into a nutrituous pot of soup, using an immersion blender. Homemade soups are irresistibly delicious, when cooked from scratch, and this Braun handheld blender is just the machine for the task. Our cooking expert Chef Yara Sivak previously picked the brand for all her immersion needs. It chops everything in its way, from nuts to ginger, inside the pot. The SmartSpeed technology saves you from fumbling with controls - all you have to do is squeeze the top to switch between speeds. You can either blend directly over the flame or inside a 600ml plastic beaker. There's a whisk attachment, a food processor for slicing and shredding, and a puree attachment included in this comprehensive set. Reviewers attest to the sharp blades and the quality build. You could also opt for just the immersion blender here.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh23 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh33.
5. Best Snack Maker: Progress Taste The World Electric Samosa Maker
Pros
- Makes up to six samosas
- Non-stick surface is easy to clean
- Light indicates when ready
Cons
- Takes three minutes to preheat
If you prefer the taste of homemade samosas, try an electric pastry maker. Progress' electric samosa mould, which accommodates up to six samosas at a time, is ideal for putting out snacks when unexpected guests arrive, or if you have an iftar party planned. The non-stick surface of this appliance makes it very easy to clean, and it's powerful enough to produce golden, crispy samosas every time you use it.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.
6. Best Indoor Grill: Ninja Foodi 5-In-1 Indoor Electric Countertop Grill
Pros
- Five cooking programmes, including grilling and air frying
- Sufficient 5.7-litre cooking pot
- Bakes desserts and dehydrates fruit
- Circulates hot temperatures of up to 265°C
- Smoke-free, safe grilling
Cons
- Heavy appliance at 8.1kgs
Shariq loves her Ninja Foodi indoor electric grill - it always has a spot reserved on the table during Ramadan. "If you have an indoor grill, it becomes very easy to get in proteins. I always have marinated cuts in the freezer - you can make sandwiches, paninis and burgers," she added. Besides chargrilling steaks and skewers, the countertop grill also transforms into an air fryer for oil-free French fries and fritters. Other useful functions include roasting, baking and dehydrating in the 5.7-litre cooking pot and 3.8-litre crisper basket. It's not a compact appliance, so expect it to take up some space on the countertop, say reviews. The dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup a breeze, too. Check out other electric grills here.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh61.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh65.
7. Best Egg Cooker: NutriCook Rapid Egg Cooker
Pros
- Can cook up to seven eggs at a time
- Has an auto shut-off feature
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Does not alert with a sound or light, so you will have to check on it periodically
Eggs are some of the most nutritional and versatile foods you can eat, and if this is part of your family's iftar, it's worth investing in an egg cooker. It does the job without you having to watch the time. Whether you like your boiled eggs soft, medium or hard, NutriCook’s measuring cup lays it out clearly with water level indicators, turning off when the given amount has evaporated. What’s more is that it has slots for seven eggs at a time, and you can make a variety of meals - from scrambled to poached eggs. Reviewers call it a game changer since they get perfectly boiled eggs every time.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh6 and two years for Dh9.
8. Best Smoothie Blender: Nutri Ninja Bn 750 2-In-1 Blender
Pros
- Powerful blades that crush ice easily
- Has a pulse function to control blending texture
- Includes a large pitcher with a single-serve portable cup
- Heavy-duty blender
Cons
- Can be loud
Consider your Ramadan smoothies and shakes needs met with Nutri Ninja's Plus Blender Duo. Shariq recommends using both fruit and vegetables in your booster drinks, to ensure sufficient fibre intake for a healthy gut. If you plan on hitting the gym during this month, an oat protein shake for iftar or suhoor can offer a lot of nutritional value, she adds. Shariq uses a Ninja blender - our pick has blades powerful enough to cut through ice and frozen fruit. It comes with a full-size 2.19-litre pitcher for family servings and a single-serve cup with a spout lid for on-the-go protein shakes. Reviewers love the heavy-duty build. See other juicer options.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh29 and two years for Dh41.
9. Best Drip Filter Coffee Machine: Melitta AromaFresh
Pros
- Serves up to 10 cups of coffee
- Can use both freshly ground or pre-ground coffee
- Keeps coffee warm for up to 90 minutes
- Pick your own coffee strength
- Timer feature to prepare coffee at a set time
Cons
- No reheat function
Grabbing your daily coffee fix at the neighbourhood café might not be a practical option at iftar. Grind and brew your own choice of beans at home, using Melitta’s sophisticated drip filter coffee machine. You can even pick the strength from mild and medium to strong. The grinder gives you enough black coffee for up to 10 cups (each 150ml), and the glass jug will keep the beverage warm for up to 90 minutes. The timer function prepares a cuppa on the dot, so you can see to other tasks. Your order comes with five Melitta coffee filters. Buyers say a pot full of brewed coffee lasts them throughout the day, though do note that you can't reheat the pot. Browse other drip coffee machines.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh62.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and two years for Dh65.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
