If You Love Mixing Things Up In The Kitchen But Hate Spending Money, Try These 33 Affordable, Unexpected Products

If You Love Mixing Things Up In The Kitchen But Hate Spending Money, Try These 33 Affordable, Unexpected Products

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-05-26 05:04

1. A crinkle cutter tool for veggies, fruit, potatoes, and cheese that not only makes meal prep a breeze, but makes certain foods more enticing for the picky eaters in the fam. Everyone knows a squiggly-shaped thing tastes better than a regular shape ... it's just science! 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the crinkle cutter in action. 

Psst — reviewers warn that this is sharper than it looks!! It makes for easy cutting, but definitely make sure it's kept away from little hands. 

Promising review: "I bought this to specifically cut cheese. I love how easy this is to use. The cheese sticks a bit, but it is really easy to knock off the already cut cheese. I love it! Price is basically free if you want nice-looking cut cheese!!! The cut cheese really does look fantastic!!! You could easily cut other things like carrots, cucumbers, and other things. So simple to use, and cheap!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for$5.99 (also available in a pack of two).

2. A Grim Steeper silicone tea infuser to remind you that life is, in fact, too short to skip on your delicious morning cuppa. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the Grim Steeper in action. 

Promising review: "My best friend loved this for her birthday. She loves Halloween and tea, and this was such a cute and perfect gift." —Harley Nixon

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

3. McCormick's Potato Topping Seasoning for anyone who's not afraid to get a little feral about their air-fried, mashed, and baked potatoes — this blend of salt, garlic, and asiago cheese is so mouthwateringly delicious that you'll be dumping it on everything from popcorn to grilled cheese to guacamole. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I literally had to run to the store and get mashed potatoes so my son could have this again versus ice cream. It’s so well done. I’m a sous chef and this is a go to now for home cooking. Love it." —Brandon

Get it from Amazon for$4.98(available in three variations). 

4. A shaved ice and slushie maker to relive your childhood pastime of dyeing your tongue a zillion delicious colors after taking one of these to the face. Bonus: a lot of reviewers use these for ~boozy~ slushies. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great little crusher. Perfect for summer drinks. Bits of ice are large enough that ice doesn’t melt right away after I filled the glass with cola, and the perfect size for those of us who like to eat crushed ice after the drink is gone." —Linda Stroupe

Get it from Amazon for$29.99.  

5. A genius 2-in-1 knife and cutting board perfect for all your quick chopping needs that don't require a whole production of cutting boards. This scissor-like contraption lets you slice against a flat surface for easier use, then slide your veggies into a bowl or on top of a dish in a flash. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Ronan is a small business that specializes in multipurpose tools for home use.

Check out a TikTok of the scissors in action. 

Promising review: "This is a kitchen must-have. We use it all the time — it's so easy to use that even our kids use it. Very durable blade that continues to perform and get value for your money." —Dawn R. 

Get it from Amazon for$15.99

6. And a parent-beloved, Shark Tank-featured FunBites Food Cutter designed for both adults *and* kids to use on everything from fruits to veggies to cheese to sandwiches, helping make mealtimes more fun and hands-on. (And encouraging picky eaters to broaden their horizons, one "FunBite" at a time!)

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

FunBites is a small business that specializes in kid-safe cutter sets. 

Check out a TikTok of the FunBites cutterin action. 

Promising review: "I saw this gadget on a Facebook reel and thought I’d give it a try for my toddler. This was one of the best Shark Tank inventions ever. It cuts cleanly through the sandwich, and the little squares pop out perfectly. It’s so easy and I love it. It’s also easy to clean. I highly recommend for easy lunch prep for your little ones!" —MLB

"FunBites has been a total game-changer for mealtime with my picky eater kids. I got the square cutter and it’s perfect for making bite-sized avocado pieces... which my kids now ACTUALLY eat! It’s also super easy to use and clean. I’ve been cutting everything from sandwiches to cheese bites with it. My kids think the little squares are so fun. It's perfect for busy moms! And the other shapes they have are so cute too like hearts and triangles!" —Jessica Disnie

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in five styles). 

7. A four-pack of silicone straw soda can lids that are like, "Oh, you're obsessed with Diet Coke? Let me find you a reason to be even MORE obsessed." Reviewers love these not just for the ~thrill~ of a straw, but because the covers make the cans a whole lot more spill-proof, prevent your drink from going flat, and protect your can from bugs and debris during outdoor hangs. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I am obsessed with this! I am a terrible adult and rarely finish my soda because it goes flat (EW). This has been used every day since I got it. Easy to put on and easy to remove. Cinch to clean! It cuts my waste so far down. It stays in place, even when knocked over. I am clumsy, I haven't figured out how to body most days. It does not leak when knocked over. Even violently. Get it! You won't regret it." —Rachael Ryon 

Get a set of four from Amazon for$15.99

8. A handy dandy condiment fork with a holder you can wrap right around a jar of olives or pickles so it'll always be at your disposal when you suddenly *need* a pickle but don't want to put your hands in the jar. This is also great for late-night snacking shenanigans, since you won't wake up half the house looking for a clean fork. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Check out a TikTok of the condiment fork in action. 

Promising review: "Great kitchen item. Forks are great to get pickles out of the jar, but if you have kids/lazy people (lol) you know that dirty hands are going into that jar. 😉 This has really prevented that from happening. It comes with two different rings to fit whatever size jar, a stabber holder, and a stabbing stick." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.99

9. A"Gracula" garlic crusher, because you know what? If a 108-year-old vampire lurking moodily in the trees in the Pacific Northwest isn't going to fall in love with you and grant you immortality, one might as well make your life in the kitchen a little easier. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I’ve minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It’s a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it, but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway, so it’s not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher!" —Barbie

Get it from Amazon for $16.95.

10. Oxo's compact Cold Brew Rapid Brewer to make cold brew in FIVE MINUTES (!!) with results so quick and delicious that reviewers love it more than their beloved Aeropresses (and even call it "Aeropress 2.0"). Not only is it faster than comparable models, but it's cheaper, entirely portable, and doesn't need to be charged or plugged in.  🤯 You're going to be swimming in a RIVER of delicious, affordable cold brew with this gizmo. 

Amazon

You can use this to brew hot coffee *and* cold brew by adding coffee grounds to the top portion, tamping it down, letting it steep, and pumping into a carafe full of hot or cold water. 

Check out a TikTok of the Oxo Rapid Brewer in action. 

Promising review: "I'm in love with various forms of coffee preparation and I've tried all forms of equipment to make them at home. If asked what I prefer for a quick cappuccino, that's easy. This OXO Rapid Brewer. I've played with my Aeropress for over two decades, including all the necessary add-ons and doo-dads to get close to what this machine does on the first attempt. Get comfortable with a bag of fresh beans, a quality burr grinder, and friends. Do rounds of blind taste tests. I think you'll agree." —Cynthia 

Get it from Amazon for $39.99

11. A container ofCinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust so absurdly delicious that all food will just become a mere canvas for putting Cinnadust on. Reviewers use this on everything from coffee to toast to yogurt to fries to popcorn to sweet potatoes to ice cream to — you know what, I'll let you decide on your cinnajourney for yourself. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the Cinnadust in action. 

Promising review: "I would order again, 10 out of 10. Try it on yogurt, ice cream, toast, carrots, and amazingly I saw a TikTok challenge with it on hard boiled eggs. It is stupendous!!!" —ThatGuy

Get it from Amazon for $3.99

12. Atwo-slice slim toaster to fit virtually *anywhere* in your tiny kitchen, and to look gosh darn adorable doing it. Bonus — these long slots make it ideal for larger slices of bread, like your beloved sourdoughs. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the Bella toaster in action. 

Psst — if you're looking to save space in your kitchen and don't want to sacrifice on aesthetic, check out Bella's matching line of compact, affordable kitchen appliances

Promising review: "The narrow width of this toaster helps free up real estateon my small countertop, plus it accommodates two slices of toast, English muffins or bagels as well as a regular width toaster. It comes in a beautiful teal color which I love. And the three toast levels ensure you don’t burn food and the quality of the toast is just right — from light to brown. I highly recommend it!" —Joyce Hill

Get it from Amazon for$19.99 (available in four styles). 

13. A chic under-the-cabinet banana hangerso easy to install that you'll wonder why you didn't free up all your counter space *YEARS* ago. Also digging the whole "bananas as decor" vibe here. 

www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the banana hanger in action. 

Promising review: "I recently purchased this folding banana hook hanger, and it has been a great addition to my kitchen! The design is clever and space-saving, allowing me to easily fold it away when not in use. It keeps my bananas fresh and prevents them from bruising, which is a big plus. The hanger is sturdy and well-made, ensuring it can hold a bunch of bananas without any issues. Highly recommend for anyone looking to organize their kitchen and keep their fruit in great condition!" —Challas Gordman

Get it from Amazon for $8.79(available in five colors and in packs of two). 

14. A set of wineglass charcuterie toppers to make you the ultimate host of wine and cheese nights ... *or* just an elite experience curating your own snack-and-vino vibe at home. (Friday night cheese is the most sacred cheese of all.) 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "These are so cute! I hosted a wine tasting at my house and the coasters fit into many different wine glasses. I had about three to four fairly decent size chocolates on top. These were a hit and everyone thought they were in a nice restaurant with the setup!!" —Melanie M. 

Get a set of four from Amazon for$8.99 (also available in a set of eight). 

15. A collapsible Magic Mushroom funnel so you can feel like an enchanted forest nymph while you funnel your coffee, wine, baking ingredients, or mystical potions. 

Amazon

Check out a TikTok of the magic mushroom funnel in action. 

Promising review: "I am obsessed with this funnel!!! I juice a lot of citrus and juices for cocktails, and this little guy is the perfect size for bottling. It’s beyond cute and really great quality. I’m always hesitant about buying silicone items, as I don’t want them to be too thin. This is perfect! Sturdy and cute! Can’t get better than that! The perfect addition to any cottagecore kitchen!" —Abbey Klem

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in two sizes). 

16. A mini donut maker to keep anyone with a sweet tooth occupied — truly, can you think of anything in this universe more delicious than a warm homemade donut?? I'll wait.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The donuts cook within minutes, have an auto shutoff to stop them from overheating, and come with a recipe book that even includes gluten-free and Paleo-friendly options. Bonus? You don't even need to figure out how to make donuts — this machine will take store bought brownie, muffin, and cake mix just fine.

Promising review: "I cannot say enough about the Dash Mini Donut Maker. It is so much fun to use and make donuts at home. Rather than going to the local chain donut restaurant, you can make your own specialty donuts at home. It is very easy to use and cleans up quickly. My children love to decorate the donuts after they are cooked. It's a fun family activity and the donuts taste great! Also, it comes with a neat design and stands out among my other boring looking kitchen cooking appliances. If you like donuts, this product is for you." —JoshH

Get it from Amazon for $15.82 (available in three colors).

17. A set of spicy margarita instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail, without the exorbitant bar price tags or the sugar crash.  All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious cocktail in one minute. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Sayso is a small woman-owned business that specializes in the first-ever cocktail tea bag, perfect for cocktails *and* mocktails. 

Promising review: "I’m seriously blown away by the Skinny Spicy Margarita tea bags! As someone who loves a good margarita but doesn’t want all the sugar, this is a total game changer. It’s super easy — just steep in cold water (or with a splash of tequila if you’re making a cocktail), and you’ve got a refreshing, slightly spicy drink in under a minute. The flavor is chef’s kiss — tangy, zesty, with the perfect little kick. I love that it’s non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan too." —Chioma

Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four other cocktail styles and larger packs). 

18. A cult-favorite Flairisol Olivia, a continuous oil sprayer with built-in portion control that has won the allegiance of reviewers from professional chefs to at-home bakers. The ultra-fine spray makes it ridiculously easy to work with, especially for people tracking nutrition stats for their own sake or for a restaurant's — each spray is equivalent to one gram of oil for easy measuring. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out aTikTok of the oil sprayer in action. 

Promising review: "I really like this sprayer. The glass bottle gives it a slightly heftier weight than the all plastic variety, holds a lot of oil, and has an awesome spray pattern (sprays evenly every time). It's also pretty. The gold design on the bottle gives it a more luxury look. Fits my hand well, and easy to use. Would recommend." —Norma P. 

Get it from Amazon for $22.99(available in three styles). 

19. A"shark bites" mini hot dog mold sure to make ~waves~ when you show up to the next neighborhood cookout with the coolest snack of all. Sorry, pigs in a blanket; your time in the spotlight is over. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Mobi is a small business that specializes in unique food molds. 

Promising review: "This is awesome! Super easy to use and clean! The kids LOVED these for Shark Week! For the price it's definitely worth it!" —aaron

Get it from Amazon for $16.92 (also available in other animal shapes). 

20. A double-sided cutting board *and* defrosting board with enough capabilities to make your lil' brain spin. One side of the board is made with food-grade stainless steel for cutting meat while the other is made with wheat straw for cutting fruits and veggies, helping save cutting board space and preventing cross-contamination. But reviewers also note that the stainless-steel side is *excellent* for defrosting meat faster, and the built-in garlic grinder on the wheat straw side is also a handy little time saver! 

Amazon

Check out a TikTok of the double-sided cutting board in action. 

Promising review: "This cutting board is perfect! One side is for meat, the other fruits and vegetables. There is no need for two separate boards. It's very stylish, made of sturdy materails and easy to clean. It's so pretty I just leave it on the counter but, it does have a handle for hanging." —Jowana Lamb 

Get it from Amazon for$19.99+ (available in two sizes). 

21. A electric potato peeler worthy of a permanent spot on your counter. Not only does it effortlessly peel potatoes, but it can handle pretty much any peeled produce you throw at it, from apples to kiwis to oranges to tomatoes. (To be clear, though, your highest priority should *always* be mashed potato-ing.)

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Love it! It's light and easy to use. When I use a potato peeler I was always peeling too much potato with the peel. This blade is fine and only gets the skin, in seconds. Except for the 'poles' of the potato but I don't mind. It's easy to clean if you have a sprayer to just rinse off the spikes where you insert your potatoes. Small enough and doesn't take up much room." —yestfl

Get it from Amazon for $19.98.

22. A bottle of truffle seasoning for an instant upgrade on homemade meals that honestly has become one of my only personality traits, to the point where I'm just like, begging you to try it. I should gatekeep this stuff so I can have it all to myself but it is such a delicious and satisfying and ridiculously affordable alternative to real truffles that I'm throwing the gates WIDE OPEN. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

*wheezes in truffle* Okay, I bought this on a whim because there's a sushi place down the street from me that makes truffle avocado sushi rolls, and I was like, I need these in my life, but I also need money to live. I decided to DIY it with a regular $4 avocado roll,l and this seasoning and the umami bliss of it all basically exploded my brain. Since then, I've tried it on eggs, on burritos, on potatoes, on chocolate mug cakes, pretty much every sweet and savory thing I can think of. The best part is you really get an excellent bang for your buck — it's so flavorful that I've been using this for months now and have barely made a dent in the container! 

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

23. A "Slice'n Store" butter dish that will stop you from dirtying a bunch of butter knives and leaving them on the counter. All you do is pop this out of the fridge, slice of a lil' (or large) slab with the built-in blade, and be on your merry, buttery way. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great addition to my kitchen essentials. Its durability is impressive, and it is straightforward to use. What makes it a keeper is how easy it is to clean. The quality is top-notch, and it's definitely worth the price. It stores butter well and fits perfectly in my fridge. Plus, the color adds a nice touch to my kitchen decor. Overall, it's a fantastic kitchen gadget." —Tiffany Mueller 

Get it from Amazon for $9.99

24. A nonstick heart-shaped egg and pancake pan so precious that if breakfast wasn't already your favorite meal of the day, it's about to steal your literal *and* figurative heart now. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I make mini omelets in this frying pan and have had 100% success. Just toss in the ingredients you like (e.g., cheese, bacon, sausage, spinach) and it comes out perfect. It is also easy to clean and relatively small so it doesn't take up a lot of space in the 'pots' drawer, too. A+ all the way here." —Freestyle Barracuda 

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors and in non-heart styles). 

25. A penguin-shaped egg cooker and holder that makes it ridiculously easy to make easy-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs on the stove, *plus* keep them safe afterward. No more sticking your eggs back in the fridge and confusing them for the raw ones anymore — you can just pop the little penguins in there for storage. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Bought this for a serotonin boost because it’s ridiculously cute. Little did I know how utterly functional it is. No more cracking eggs while dropping them into the pot, no more fishing them out, no more putting them back into the damp cardboard carton where they inevitably are forgotten right next to the equally neglected bag of spring mix. Just in the pot, out the pot, into the fridge where they cutely greet me every time I open the door. Gives me five seconds of joy every time. Highly recommend." —Kitty M. 

Get it from Amazon for$19.90 (also available in a bear version). 

26. A set of convenient suctioning "Food Cubby" dividers to portion out plates so food, sauces, and dressings don't co-mingle — perfect for picky eaters young *and* old who would rather pretend that we don't live in a world where broccoli and mac 'n' cheese are occasionally allowed to touch. 

Amazon

Check out a TikTok of the food cubby in action. 

Food Cubby is a small business specializing in family-friendly kitchen accessories. 

Promising review: "I love these! Even as an adult, I hate my food touching. Thought they might keep things apart but not juices or things, but they really stick to the plate, and the meat juice doesn't run into the salad. It saves me from having different plates for each food. I wish I had these a long time ago." —Superbeckee 

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99. 

27. A set of silicone teacup cupcake liners so you can have your cake and "drink" it, too. Reviewers loved these for tea parties and cupcake decorating parties! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Perfect size and color — so cute! My cupcakes did not stick. I did NOT spray the cups with anything. They were the perfect size. Fluffy. Nonstick. Lightweight. I received several compliments. The cupcakes popped right out of the cups. This brand was perfect! I’m truly impressed." —Denise Mendez 

Get a set of six from Amazon for $11.99 (available in white and pink, plus sets of 12 and 24). 

28. A PopLite personal popcorn maker with a built-in serving bowl that will give you eight cups of movie theater-quality popcorn in two mere mortal minutes. Reviewers especially love that the popcorn doesn't burn, and the machine doesn't leave unpopped kernels like the usual microwave brands. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out aTikTok of the popcorn makerin action. 

Promising review: "This little popcorn popper is perfect! No fuss, no mess, no chasing popcorn kernels!! Fabulous! Easy to use — the popcorn maker part fits into the bowl part for easy storage. This is one perfect unit!" —Chrystal 

Get it from Amazon for $31.99

29. A set of airtightOui yogurt jar lids(with labels included!) so instead of recycling your gorgeous little yogurt jars, you can repurpose them to store food, spices, supplies, and all kinds of other handy options. As someone whose main aesthetic is "yogurt," I approve. Reviewers say these worked with La Fermière jars, too! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These lids fit perfectly on the Oui yogurt jars. We will be using them to make gifts. We will make our own spice mixtures and rubs and gift them in these jars. These tops make them look expensive. They also come with stickers." —amnomom

Get a set of eight from Amazon for$9.99

30. A magnetic air fryer cheat sheet to help minimize effort and maximize deliciousness, no googling, overthinking, or confusing cooking methods required. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I am pleased with this product. It is almost impossible to remember the cooking times and temperatures of so many items that can be cooked in my air fryer. This handy guide takes the guesswork out of the process. I bought three for family members for Christmas." —Gerry L. Winters

Get it from Amazon for $8.98 (available in two colors). 

31. A rapid ramen cooker that gets the job done in the microwave in just three minutes so you don't have to waste any time babysitting the stove or measuring out the water just right — just fill to the line, pop it in, and let the magic happen. 

www.amazon.com

Rapid Brandsis a California-based small business that specializes in dishwasher-safe, microwaveable, BPA-free kitchen products. 

Promising review: "This thing may seem like just an ordinary Tupperware, but I assure you it will blow that thin plastic garbage out of the water. It retains heat amazingly and does not bend nor falter under extreme temperatures. I'm a college student, and I have never felt such joy from making ramen in my small dorm microwave; for a 900 watt, I recommend five minutes. Buy this product if you live and breathe air, because it is beautiful." —Theron

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 15 colors and two sizes). 

32. A little snack dispenser to keep your fingers clean if you're typing or gaming — with this gizmo, you can just deposit nuts, Goldfish, M&M's, and other delicious small things right into your mouth, like a tiny snack butler. Pet owners also love it for distributing treats! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This works wonders! My 4-year-old loves it and I love using it in bed without getting candy all over. I highly recommend this for anyone." —Bill Bachman

Get it from Amazon for $13.99

33. A color-coded Cuisinart knife set so not only will you have the perfect blade for each task like a true profesh, but you'll be able to avoid cross-contamination without having to pause and wipe everything down every time you transition to a new food. 🌈

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It includes a chef's knife, paring knife, bread knife, slicing knife, utility knife, and santoku knife. Psst — the knives don't come with this a holder, but you can snag an easy-to-install magnetic bar for knives on Amazon if you want to display them like this reviewer did! 

Promising review: "This is my best buy of the month, and best knife buy of the year. Yeah, I've had sharper, better-quality knives in the past, but for hundreds of dollars more. For basic kitchen use, this is the set to buy. I like that they're colorful, because I've already been able to familiarize myself with which knife is which color and what I need to use them for. I haven't had to sharpen them yet and I've been using them pretty steadily for about a month. The blade cases they come with are extremely handy. I like that I don't have to use a knife block. These fit nicely in my drawer." —GWP

Get a set of six knives with covers from Amazon for $26.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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