Living on 3 different continents and in 4 major cities in the last 5 years taught me to become accepting of the simplicity of what is in my kitchen. Knowing we were not going to be in one particular spot for too long, I did not feel the need to invest in anything but the essentials for a kitchen – plates, cutlery & basic pots and pans. After a few years of missing the ability to do some quality baking and saying I would just wait until we were more settled, a brand-new Kitchenaid stand mixer showed up on my birthday. To say I was excited is a total understatement.
Traditionally, I had only ever used a Kitchenaid stand mixer for baking cakes & cupcakes and for getting extra fluffy buttercream frosting. It had not dawned on me that there were probably more uses for this kitchen appliance than I had ever considered.
As my kitchen essentials are still quite limited – the Kitchenaid stand mixer being my most prominent, non-essential, essential! – I’ve spent some time hunting around for alternative uses and non-baking recipes for a Kitchenaid stand mixer. I probably use my Kitchenaid about 5 times a week now for non-baking recipes.
Kitchenaid Model I use
I use the Classic 5 Quart Tilt-Head Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. This is one of the smallest, most simple and affordable options with a basic 5 quart stainless steel bowl.
Depending on what you are planning to use your Kitchenaid for, there are a variety of different models out there. There are an array of gorgeous colours to match any kitchen, limited edition prints & printed bowls but the biggest difference between the models is bowl size. A 5 quart bowl is perfect for what I need it for. For others, it may be too small. There are also models that come with hand attachments on the bowls, as well as bowl lifters.
For simple, every day receipes, you can get away with a more basic model.
Attachments that come with the Kitchenaid
Each Kitchenaid stand mixer comes with 3 attachments:
- Wire Whisk Attachment
- Dough Hook
- Paddle Attachment
The only additional attachment I own
The only additional attachment I have purchased is the Flex Edge Beater. This is essentially the same as the paddle attachment that comes with the Kitchenaid, but with an added silicone side piece that acts as a spatula when the mixer is turned on, scraping down the sides for you.
What are the attachments best used for?
When I first started using a Kitchenaid years ago, I never paid attention to what each attachment was best for and just used whatever I thought was right. But each attachment that comes with the Kitchenaid stand mixer does have a specific use.
This is what each attachment is recommended for:
- Wire Whisk Attachment: whipping cream, eggs, egg whites, fluffy frostings, mashed potatoes
- Dough Hook: bread, pizza dough, buns, pasta
- Paddle Attachment: cakes, cookies, muffins, crusts, thicker frostings, potatoes, meats
These are my top 5 favourite uses and non-baking recipes for a Kitchenaid stand mixer with no extra attachments required:
1. Shredded or Pulled Chicken
This was a meal-changing discovery. When I learned that you could shred chicken, beef or pork with a Kitchenaid within 60-seconds I was blown away. To me, any shredded chicken recipe is an investment in time and energy. Needing to slow roast the chicken first and then pull apart with a fork is a time commitment. Discovering that a Kitchenaid stand mixer would do this within seconds was a game-changer.
Steps to make Shredded Chicken
This is a very simple recipe. Quick steps are:
1. Lightly season your chicken breasts (or meat or pork) with salt & pepper.
2. Cook the chicken on a lower heat until it is cooked all the way through. I recommend setting the oven to 275C and cooking the chicken for about 40 minutes. This will keep the chicken tender & juicy.
3. Cut the chicken breasts into halves and place directly into the Kitchenaid mixing bowl. The chicken can go into the stainless steel bowl piping hot, just be mindful of touching the bowl after.
4. Fit the paddle attachment onto the KitchenAid.
5. Turn the mixer onto low.
6. Let mix for 60-90 seconds. After this amount of time, assess how shredded your chicken is. If you want a more finely shredded chicken, then continue mixing on a low speed until you have reached your desired level of shred. I do not recommend mixing the chicken for any more than two and a half minutes.
7. Optional: flavour with your favourite sauce, like pesto, buffalo chicken or ceasar, before enjoying in a salad, sandwich, pasta, or as a meal on its own.
2. Thin Crust Pizza Dough
Pizza Dough! This is another game-changer recipe I discovered when I finally started to explore what I could do with the dough hook.
This recipe has been a favourite. It is simple and quick, as you don’t have to wait for your dough to rise.
I substitute 1.5 cups of all purpose flour with 1.5 cups of whole wheat flour to give the crust a little bit more fibre. To ensure the dough is not too dry, start with 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup all purpose flour, before adding the final half a cup of whole wheat flour.
Discovering this recipe has lead us to order in delivery much less, while also enjoying a fun, new Friday or Saturday evening activity.
3. Turkey or Beef Meatballs & Burgers
We are big fans of meatballs in this household, but I have never been a huge fan of the process of making them so they rarely make an appearance. However, with a Kitchenaid stand mixer, the process is very easy and far less messy.
You can use any existing turkey or beef meatball recipe you love (I like this turkey meatball recipe). The only adjustment to make to this process is instead of using your hands to mix everything together, simply mix all ingredients in the KitchenAid mixing bowl and attach the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on to low speed and mix until all ingredients are combined and the meat is sticking together. This will take about one minute.
You can use this same process for making turkey burgers, beef burgers and meatloaf.
4. Mashed Potatoes
A side dish that I thought was only saved for special occasions because of the time it takes to make them, has been making more of an appearance recently.
This mashed potatoes recipe makes the process extremely easy with a stand mixer.
5. Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
And finally – fluffy scrambled eggs have been another go-to recipe, especially on the weekends. Although scrambled eggs are effortless to make with just a simple fork or whish, using my Kitchenaid when I’ve got a little bit more time is a fun way to switch up our weekend breakfasts & brunches.
Steps to make Fluffy Scrambled Eggs for Two
- Crack 4 eggs directly into your KitchenAid mixing bowl.
- Add a dash of salt & pepper.
- Add 4 tablespoons of whole milk.
- Fit KitchenAid with the whisk attachment.
- Slowly turn the mixer to medium-high and beat eggs for 1 minute.
- Pour over pre-heated pan and scramble away.
- Enjoy with your favourite brunch essentials.
Notes for the Scrambled Eggs Recipe:
- If using fewer than 4 eggs, you will notice that the whisk will have a harder time picking up the liquid. It is still possible, but you will need to leave the mixer on for longer.
- If you want to make a larger portion, the egg to milk equivalent is 1:1. So 1 tablespoon of whole milk for every egg.
- Whole milk (or even cream if you’re feeling it) is the best to use, but skim milk will work as well.
There are many ways to use a Kitchenaid stand mixer. My mind immediately goes to baking, but in needing to be more creative with the appliances I have in my kitchen, I have found a variety of new recipes and ways to use a stand mixer.
Beyond these simple recipes, you can use a Kitchenaid for a variety of things, if you go down the avenue of exploring all the attachments that exist. From a spiralizer to a meat grinder to a pasta maker, there is a whole Kitchenaid attachment world out there to explore!
I haven’t ventured down this route yet, but I am sure I will at some point.
You can use any stand mixer for the recipes listed above. I am a Kitchenaid lover at heart, so have never used anything else, but there are other options on the market if you are looking for something different or already have a stand mixer in your kitchen that you are looking to use for new and different recipes.