We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. What to Buy Appliances Small Appliances The 8 Best Mini Food Processors for Salsa, Sauces, and Spreads Our favorites provide a lot of power, functionality, and versatility with a small footprint. By Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick, CNC is a leader in the realm of nutrition and special diets, helping to make healthy eating affordable and easy for all. She has cooked professionally, intermittently, for well over twenty years, and has nearly a decade of professional writing experience. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 12, 2024 In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOur Favorite Mini Food Processor Factors to Consider How We Tested Mini Food Processors FAQ Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine / Jaclyn Mastropasqua Food processors are versatile appliances every home cook should have in their kitchen. While standard food processors have between 8 and 14 cups of capacity, mini food processors offer 2 to 5 cups for small jobs, such as preparing homemade dressings and purees. Though they don’t usually have grating or slicing attachments, they can chop an onion or whip up a perfectly portioned batch of savory dip in seconds. Plus, they save you the headache of cleaning a large machine without sacrificing too much power. To help you find a model suitable for your needs, we conducted in-depth research on the breadth of compact food processors on the market, considering each one’s size, design, performance, and ease of cleaning. Keep scrolling to see which models are worth your money, including a few we've tested ourselves. Our Top Picks Best Overall: KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper at Amazon ($45) Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner-Up: Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor at Amazon ($40) Jump to Review Best Value: Hamilton Beach Electric Mini Food Processor at Amazon ($18) Jump to Review Best for Salsa: Ninja Food Chopper Express at Amazon ($33) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Cuisinart Elite Collection 4-Cup Die-Cast Mini Chopper/Grinder at Amazon ($53) Jump to Review Most Versatile: Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender at Amazon ($55) Jump to Review Best Cordless: KitchenAid Cordless 5-Cup Food Chopper at Amazon ($100) Jump to Review Best Manual: Zyliss Easy Pull Food Processor at Amazon ($43) Jump to Review Best Overall KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper PHOTO: Amazon $45 at Amazon $55 at Walmart $45 at Best Buy Pros This model features a convenient lever that gives you more control over the speed of the blades and the size of your cuts. Cons The lid can be challenging to lock and engage. This mini processor by culinary appliance leader KitchenAid is our best overall choice for its high functionality, versatility, and precision. At 3.5 cups, it takes up minimal counter space, so even snug kitchens should be able to fit this on the counter without issue. Even better, it also features two speeds — chop and puree — so you can prepare anything from pico de gallo to pesto in one compact gadget. During testing, we were impressed by just how precise you could get with your cuts, thanks to the mini processor's handy lever that allows you to easily toggle between speeds for more control. The KitchenAid was leaps and bounds ahead in this department compared to some of the other models we tried. We used it to chop up everything from ginger to chilies and garlic, and it managed to dice them into well-portioned pieces within seconds. We also love that it has a drizzle basin where you can pour liquids in slowly for maximum emulsification and a pour spout for easy serving. The only drawback we could find with this model was how tricky it was initially to figure out the lid. But after a thorough perusal of the manual, we were able to figure it out. You have to make sure the lid and processor bowl are locked into place correctly, and then you have to push down on the lid in order for the motor to engage. So if you run into any issues in that department, make sure you check (and double-check!) the manufacturer's instructions. Power: 240 watts | Capacity: 3.5 cups | Dimensions: 5.6 x 7 x 8.7 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Best Overall, Runner-Up Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor PHOTO: Amazon $40 at Amazon $40 at Williams-Sonoma $40 at Sur La Table Pros This is a solid machine that packs a surprising amount of functionality and power into a small package. Cons The cuts can be a bit imprecise. This pick may be the runner-up for best overall, but the KitchenAid just barely beat it out by a very narrow margin. With a 3-cup capacity and a powerful 250-watt motor, the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus can handle just about any food-processing task you throw at it — just so long as it's in smaller quantities. And with its two speed settings, you can chop or grind your ingredients with just the push of a button and without having to switch out the blade (it auto reverses instantly, using the sharp side of the blade for precision cuts and the blunt side to grind and puree). This makes it incredibly intuitive and user-friendly, and its lightweight build makes it much more convenient than a full-sized food processor. We were able to test out this model firsthand, and we loved how easy it was to operate and clean. We used it to chop up garlic, onion, and chilies and found it to work quickly for a variety of applications. According to one of our editors — who's had it as a go-to in their kitchen for years — you can even use it to grate room-temperature parmesan cheese, although that can wear out the motor if you do it too often. However, it does bear mentioning that it does not make very precise or uniform cuts. So, if that's what you're looking for, then this might not be the machine for you. But it is still a great option for other applications, like mincing garlic, whipping up a hearty salsa, or pureing random leftovers into a dip. Power: 250 watts | Capacity: 3 cups | Dimensions: 9.25 x 7 x 5 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Best Value Hamilton Beach Electric Mini Food Processor PHOTO: Amazon $18 at Amazon $17 at Target $20 at Wayfair Pros Solid power and a single-press button will make quick work of ingredients. Cons Ingredients can get stuck between the blades. It doesn’t get more straightforward than the Hamilton Beach Mini Processor, and it does everything you need it to do at a great price. Simply place your ingredients inside and press the single button to take them anywhere from a rough chop to thoroughly pureed. The drizzle basin will slowly incorporate liquids, and the tall base keeps the contents of the basin closer to eye level than many other mini processors. Plus, after each use, you can place all the parts in the dishwasher for a fuss-free cleanup. While this isn't one of the picks that we've tested ourselves, we still think it's a quality pick for small kitchen jobs. And at less than $30, it's a value that's hard to beat. Power: 350 watts | Capacity: 3 cups | Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.9 x 8.54 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Best for Salsa Ninja Food Chopper Express PHOTO: Amazon $33 at Amazon $20 at Target View on Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Its simple design makes it incredibly easy to use, and it features a splash guard to keep things clean as well as a non-slip base for sturdiness. Cons The blade doesn't lock into place, and your ingredients can quickly turn into puree if you're not watchful. The Ninja Express Chop will satisfy all your basic needs and will do so with minimal time or effort required on your part. The processor's powerful 200-watt motor and effective blade placement make it particularly efficient: Rather than having both blades near the bottom, one is positioned close to the top. In fact, during testing we actually found the Express Chop to be a bit too efficient at times. It took only a few seconds to chop up our onions, bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Any longer than that, and our ingredients quickly turned into puree. It operates with the push of a single button, and with that in mind, you're better off lightly pulsing your ingredients with quick presses rather than holding the button down (unless you're aiming for a puree, that is). We like the fact that the included splash guard is there to prevent spills, and you can pour directly through the spout if creating a looser dressing or sauce. And it even comes with a convenient storage lid that allows you to store your freshly processed ingredients directly inside the processor cup until you need them. With its combined power and convenience, it's perfect for making salsas, quick dips, sauces, and dressings that require less precise cuts and more pureeing power. But make sure you keep an eye on the blade when you're emptying your ingredients because it doesn't lock into place. Power: 200 watts | Capacity: 2 cups | Dimensions: 10.1 x 5.7 x 5.7 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Food & Wine / Mary Lagroue Food & Wine / Mary Lagroue Food & Wine / Mary Lagroue Best Splurge Cuisinart Elite Collection 4-Cup Die-Cast Mini Chopper/Grinder PHOTO: Amazon $53 at Amazon $53 at Wayfair $60 at Bloomingdales Pros It has dishwasher-safe parts and an included spatula, making it a winner for ease of use. Cons The initial setup and lid placement can take a moment to learn. As a private chef, I can say the Cuisinart Elite Die-Cast is worth the splurge, as I’ve owned one for over two decades. I replaced the bowl once, and beyond that, have used it frequently and it continues to go strong. Much like our other Cuisinart pick, the Mini-Prep Plus, it has a drizzle basin, which lets oil enter at a perfect speed for Caesar dressing or pesto, as well as a patented auto-reserving blade with a blunt edge suitable for grinding spices. You’ll also appreciate the blade-locking system that secures the blade in place while you remove your mixture. Power: 250 watts | Capacity: 4 cups | Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 6 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Season Your Foods Like a Pro with These Chef-Recommended Spice Grinders Most Versatile Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender PHOTO: Amazon $55 at Amazon $50 at Walmart $69 at Wayfair Pros Puree, blend, and chop with this all-in-one set that has a high convenience factor. Cons You’ll want to utilize the dishwasher to avoid washing the extra-sharp blades. Including three different bowls, this Ninja set allows you to make everything from salsa to smoothies. There is a 6-cup pitcher for smoothies and frozen cocktails, a 5-cup processor bowl for hummus and other dips, and a 2-cup chopper for dicing vegetables. Both the processor bowl and the chopper have four blades as opposed to two, meaning they are more efficient than most models, and this one functions much like the Ninja Express Chop with a top-loading motor that operates with the push of a button. Like its smaller sibling, this set even comes with storage lids, so you can conveniently store leftovers in the fridge — no additional container required. Although we haven't got our hands on it for testing, we think it’s an ideal pick for individuals who don’t need a large blender and families who want to make medium-sized batches of sauces. Power: 450 watts |Capacity: 2-cup chopper bowl, 5-cup processor bowl, and 6-cup pitcher | Dimensions: 18.5 x 48.7 x 29.5 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Best Cordless KitchenAid Cordless 5-Cup Food Chopper PHOTO: Amazon $100 at Amazon $100 at Target $112 at Walmart Pros The rechargeable battery lasts an impressive amount of time, and the device is compact despite having a 5-cup capacity. Cons You have to press quite firmly to get it to start. With an appearance that’s more similar to a blender than a food processor, this cordless KitchenAid enables you to make larger-than-average batches of food thanks to its 5-cup capacity. It has two speeds to chop and puree, and since it doesn’t have a cord, it’s great for on-the-go use: Take it camping; keep it in a dorm room with limited power outlets; or place it on your counter, looking clutter-free from cords. In true KitchenAid style, it comes in seven colors, including blue and red. Power: Lithium battery-charged | Capacity: 5 cups | Dimensions: 5.51 x 6.61 x 10.39 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Best Manual Zyliss Easy Pull Food Processor PHOTO: Amazon $43 at Amazon $43 at Sur La Table Pros An ergonomic design ensures that ingredients are cut cleanly and visible as you work. Cons It will require more physical effort than the electric models. It’s more effort than an electric mini processor but far less than chopping: The Zyliss model operates off of a pulling function. While testing it, we found that it cut very cleanly with no tearing and offered fast cleanup since it has very few moving parts, meaning that there isn’t much room for food to get trapped. To use it, place the food inside, and put the lid on top. Once on, pull the large handle to break down the contents inside. There’s no risk of over-processing because the clear container ensures you can see the progress as you go. Overall, we love how easy and straightforward this model is, and it's great for quick chopping tasks that you don't want to bother plugging in an extra appliance for. Power: Manual | Capacity: 3.13 cups | Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.2 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore The 7 Best Vegetable Choppers for Faster Food Prep, According to Our Tests Our Favorite Mini Food Processor We chose the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper as our best overall pick because it has strong functionality and precision — not to mention it comes in various colors, which you can match with an accompanying immersion blender or hand mixer. Featuring a drizzle basin and pour spout, this mini food processor’s design exceeded our expectations. Factors to Consider Manual vs. Electric Operation Most food processors are electric, however, there are some quality manual models on the market, such as the Zyliss Easy Pull Food Processor. A manual processor is only ideal if you don’t want to deal with cords or batteries or will be using it in a place where there isn’t electricity. For standard everyday usage, an electric model with motors between 200 and 400 watts is your best option. Size and Cup Capacity Mini food processors generally come in sizes ranging between 2 to 5 cups. A 3- to 3.5-cup capacity tends to be the sweet spot when it comes to smaller kitchen tasks, but depending on your needs you may want to consider something slightly smaller or larger. Are you looking to quickly dice or puree small quantities of vegetables or herbs for quick and easy meal prep, or do you want a slightly larger capacity for making healthy servings of dips or spreads? You should select a mini processor with a capacity that is equipped to accommodate your intended use case or be prepared to complete your task in a couple of smaller batches. Mini food processors are great because they can accomplish much of what a full-sized food processor can do without taking up as much space or being as cumbersome to deal with. So, it may be worth the few minor trade-offs if space is a concern for you or if you don't make large batches very often. Speed Settings and Controls With mini food processors, you're a bit more limited in terms of the amount of control you have over the speed and size of your cuts. However, some models do come with multiple speeds — usually around two. We like models, such as the KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Processor and the Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus, so much because they have multiple speeds, which allows for a bit more control and precision when you're chopping and grinding. In fact, during our mini food processor testing, we noticed that those models with only one speed setting left much to be desired in this area and required more manual workarounds to achieve our desired consistency when chopping. However, if that isn't a concern for you and you will mostly use your mini processor for sauces or purees, then a one-speed model will work just fine. Ease of Cleaning The blades of food processors are sharp! That’s worth keeping in mind when removing the contents and hand-washing. Most mini food processors have dishwasher-safe parts, but you’ll want to confirm that before making your purchase. Additionally, the blade placement makes all the difference in how easily bits of food can get stuck inside. Ninja, KitchenAid, and Cuisinart are usually dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. How We Tested Mini Food Processors While not all the models on our list our tested picks, we've had the opportunity to get our hands on some of them and put them through their paces. And during that process, a few rose to the top as instant favorites. During testing, we incorporated several of our top picks into our own kitchens to determine how well they operated and if they could take on everyday tasks. We used them for everything from simple tasks like chopping up two red onion halves to processing more complex mixtures of produce and herbs. We made salsas and purees too — all while assessing each pick on how easy it was to operate, how quickly and evenly it diced ingredients, how useful its speed settings were, and how easy or difficult it was to clean. Our top picks offered precision and control with minimal fuss and effort. Frequently Asked Questions What can you use a mini food processor for? Mini food processors can mix, chop, and puree a variety of foods, such as vegetables (think onions), chickpeas, and nuts. When making smaller batches of salad dressings, salsas, sauces, and spreads, you’ll find that compact food processors are more suitable than larger models. However, if you want to make smoothies a personal blender is a better option, or if you want to make tomato sauce or mashed potatoes, a food mill is the better choice. How do you clean a mini food processor? Most mini food processors have dishwasher-safe parts. To wash them by hand, remove the bowl and the blade from the base and wash them in hot, soapy water, being extra careful with the sharp edges. The base of the processor cannot go into the water, so you should wipe it down with a cleaning spray or damp cloth instead. For optimal care, always refer to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Is a mini chopper the same as a food processor? No, they’re not the same. A chopper that isn’t also a food processor can’t break down solids into a more liquid form, and it can’t be used to make sauces. It’s purely for chopping ingredients such as produce or nuts. A food processor, even a mini one, has more functionality than a mini chopper does. Our Expertise Contributor Ariane Resnick is a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, bestselling author, and lifelong devotee of her Cuisinart mini food processor. She used market research and her expertise to determine the best mini food processors for every home cook and also incorporated insights from the hands-on testing of our editors. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit