16 Cooking Tools Every College Student Needs

We like personal blenders better than traditional ones because they’re more compact, the blending container doubles as a cup, and they come with lids to make them to-go cups so you can sip on your way to class (or as you log in to your laptop at the kitchen island again). 

The NutriBullet Magic Bullet is a no. 1 bestseller for good reason: It can crush through ice, seeds, skins and stems for a smooth, even consistency. Ice and frozen fruit are no match for this nifty little machine, so it’s great for cold, healthy drinks and smoothies. And, ahem, margaritas…

For more power, upgrade to the 1,000-watt NutriBullet Pro Plus.

If your dorm room doesn’t already include a refrigerator-freezer, then you’ve got to get a mini version. It’s a must. If your dorm room is currently your childhood bedroom or basement, it’s still nice to have a dedicated place for snacks. 

This retro-style 3.2-cubic-foot dry-erase fridge with neon markers is stylish and lets you write and erase lists and notes right on the fridge door — whether it’s a warning to stop stealing your oat milk or a note to self about next week’s class schedule.

In our test of electric kettles, this Zwilling model took the top spot. It’s a perfect dorm room accessory for making tea, pour-over coffee and instant noodles cups. The Zwilling boils water in under three minutes and turns off automatically if you forget to flip the switch. 

This kettle holds 1 liter of water — the smallest size for this model — so it won’t take up a ton of space. It also has a cool-touch body to remove the risk of brushing against it and burning your skin.

Your dorm room may include a microwave in it when you arrive, so check ahead. If it doesn’t, go with a small version and then make sure all your plates, bowls and mugs are microwave-safe. To fall within standard dorm safety regulations, you’ll want a compact microwave with 700 watts of power or less, such as this stylish model with a retro oval window. It’s available in three colors and will add some pop to an otherwise drab dorm.

This should’ve been no. 1 on the list, really. I mean, it’s coffee. Regular coffee makers take up a lot of space and make more coffee than one person needs.

Enter this top-rated model, which is sleek and slim. It uses a mesh scoop filter so you can choose your preferred coffee grounds. The personal coffee maker brews an 8-ounce cup in 90 seconds, but you’re gonna want a 14-ounce travel mug’s worth, which will only take about two and a half minutes to fill up.

If you prefer to go the pod coffee maker route, the K-Mini is the most popular, compact model that Keurig makes. 

You’ll definitely want some silverware in your dorm, but I say go for a set that’s easy to pack in case you’re taking lunch or dinner to the quad or a friend’s apartment or dorm. This stainless steel set comes fit with a storage case so spoons and forks don’t go flying.

If your school does allow air fryers and toasters (or you’re moving off campus), consider yourself lucky. With this little robot-looking oven, you can make all the classic fried favorites including wings, fries, tots, mozzarella sticks, empanadas and chicken in minutes and without any messy oil. A 2-quart air fryer is perfect for a dorm or small kitchen, and the digital presets include a 60-minute automatic shut-off for safety. 

All I’ll say is, I sure wish I’d had one of these my freshman year. You kids have it so good nowadays. 

Note: Not all schools allow devices with electric cooking elements in dorms and student housing. Check your student handbook before buying.

If you’re still in a dorm you probably won’t need everything in this set, but keep it handy for next year when you move off campus and have to stock a real kitchen. 

This bundle of essentials includes a cheese grater, can opener, measuring spoons, measuring cups, veggie peeler and more cooking utensils. (There’s also a bottle opener and a pizza cutter, which you might end up using more than the rest.)

One of the most frequent questions you’ll ask yourself in college is, “Wait, do I even have time to eat?” It’s sad, but it’s the truth. You’ll need appliances that will help you prepare food in no time so that you don’t starve if you’re running late to class, or an internship, or wherever you need to be. This quesadilla maker is cheap and perfect for a quick and easy lunch. Just don’t forget to put the top tortilla down before you close it up, like I definitely didn’t do several times my freshman year. 

A waffle maker is a worthy alternative (and is far more versatile than you think; by the same token, the quesadilla maker should be, too).

Note: Not all schools allow devices with electric cooking elements in dorms and student housing. Check your student handbook before buying.

Even more of an essential than coffee (gasp!), is clean, drinkable water. A filtered water pitcher is a great way to have the most necessary sustenance around all the time. If you can’t fit one in your fridge, you’ll want this. There are many kinds, but a slim design works best for a limited space. The Zero Water filter pitcher is the best at removing dissolved solids (the bad stuff) of the several we tested.

If your school allows it, an Instant Pot is a no-brainer, and the 3-quart version is a great fit for small spaces (and those who might not want to deal with five pounds of pulled pork at a time). Make fast dinners and batch-cook protein for the week with the efficient, compact multicooker.

Note: Not all schools allow devices with electric heating elements in dorms and student housing. Check your student handbook before purchasing.

This one may not seem to have much to do with cooking, but if you’re going to be making food in a dorm or small space, there are going to be smells and airborne food particles that come along with it. Save your roommate — and yourself — from some of that compromised air quality with a compact air purifier like this Bissell.